Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation
What Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality developers are talking about
Gold Team Productions is working on a version of Yu-Gi-Oh! for Microsoft's HoloLens AR headset. It's currently in an alpha state supporting real cards, rendering virtual monsters when cards are placed on a flat surface.
The post ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ monsters raid the real world thanks to Microsoft’s HoloLens appeared first on Digital Trends.
Prior to Microsoft launching its mixed reality (MR) head-mounted display (HMD), HoloLens in March the company revealed one of the apps in development, Actiongram. A holographic movie maker, Actiongram allows users to create their own videos with people interacting with holograms, and today the company has released its latest beta footage featuring none other than Star Trek’s George Takai.
The video begins by detailing what Actiongram can do before going onto the holographic capture session with Takai. The famous actor then records several short performances; introducing HoloLens, his iconic ‘Oh myyy’ catchphrase, laughing, running around with oversized toy scissors and more in a fully green screened room.
Afterwards he then gets to see his holographic performances in action, with mini versions of himself popping up in a purpose built living room.
Of the experience Takai comments: “We talked about holograms on Star Trek, and to actually be doing that in reality today, it was a lot of fun. Technology and being part of it at the cutting edge is a thrill that very few humans get.”
Afterwards Takai’s hologram is then integrated into various situations so that users can have their own mini version of the actor. Actongram beta is available now for developers who’ve bought HoloLens, and George Takai along with other characters such as Grumpy Cat are featured.
For all the latest HoloLens news, keep reading VRFocus.
Microsoft has announced plans to bring support for WebVR to Edge, which succeeds Internet Explorer as the default web browser in Windows 10.
WebVR, which is currently a draft web specification in development by Mozilla, Google, and others, aims to allow seamless hosting and viewing of VR content directly from the web. Microsoft is now committed to implementing the specification into Edge, the company announced on their official blog. Edge will join Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, browsers which are all actively working to make WebVR a default part of their feature set.
3D content on the web like Sketchfab already supports WebVR, allowing you to view scenes inside a VR headset (provided you’re using a special development build of a supported browser) with the click of a button.
WebVR leverages WebGL, a broadly supported API for rendering 3D content inside of web browsers. The goal of WebVR is to create a direct connection between VR headsets and the browser, enabling seamless, high-performance VR content to be experienced right inside of a website.
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer earned a bad reputation as significantly trailing modern browsers in performance and web standards compatibility. As modern browsers like Firefox and Chrome began significant emphasis on performance and innovation, Internet Explorer’s market share tanked, taking it from a significant lead to a distant third place.
Edge is Microsoft’s Internet Explorer reboot, and appears to be focusing on correcting many of the criticisms of the past, with greater emphasis on web standards support, simplicity, and performance. The company’s announcement of forthcoming WebVR support in Edge is a reflection of this, showing that the browser wants to remain on the cutting edge along with its contemporaries. Meanwhile, Apple’s Safari browser is now the only major browser not known to have WebVR support in development.
Edge also happens to be the browser which runs on the Xbox One. One far-future possibility is that the Xbox version of Edge could also add support for WebVR, possibly making Microsoft’s console the first to support WebVR, which could jive with the company’s future plans for VR on Xbox.
The post Microsoft is Bringing WebVR Support to Edge, Windows 10’s Default Browser appeared first on Road to VR.
Microsoft has released a free Halo mapmaking tool for Windows 10, giving series devotees the chance to create their own levels and compete with friends in online 16-player matches.
The post Players can forge their own levels with free Halo mapmaking tool for Windows 10 appeared first on Digital Trends.
Developers have published nearly 1,000 Xbox 360 games, but unfortunately, they aren't all winners. Check out our favorite titles, from surreal puzzles games like 'Braid' to the latest installment in the ever-so-popular Grand Theft Auto franchise.
The post The best of the last-gen: Our 20 favorite Xbox 360 games appeared first on Digital Trends.
Immersive technologies are expanding creative experiences, and have a broader reach than simply Pokémon Go
Brands are experimenting with immersive technology to create electronic empathy – blending digital and experiential marketing to bring shared experiences to a wider audience.
This year, virtual reality (VR) headsets including Oculus Rift and HTC Vive hit the consumer gaming market, while Google Cardboard offers a limited VR experience via the smartphone. Augmented reality (AR) adds a virtual digital layer to our smartphone screens and mixed reality blends physical and digital elements.
Related: Virtual reality: are you ready for surreal estate?
Related: Facial recognition – a powerful ad tool or privacy nightmare?
Immersive technology needs to focus on connecting humans to humans in a profound way
Continue reading...Microsoft has released its free-to-play racer Forza Motorsport 6 Apex for Windows 10, and gearheads can experience the game's unique brand of sim-styled racing via newly introduced steering wheel support.
The post Outrun the competition in ‘Forza Motorsport 6 Apex’ with new PC wheel support appeared first on Digital Trends.
Not to be confused with VR & AR World, VR World is a one day only event based in the UK capital of London this month where virtual reality (VR) will be discussed in depth by various industry figures.
There are three particularly notable speakers that will take to the stage to talk about their areas of VR. There will be the Principal Creative Director of Microsoft, Felicia Williams, who has created applications for Microsoft’s HoloLens. As well as Williams, there will be Lufthansa Systems’ CIO, Joerg Liebe. Lufthanda Systems has created a VR for onflight entertainment with the Samsung Gear VR. Also to join is Cyrus Saihan, Head of Digital Partnerships at the BBC, who has looked into VR and the future of it.
Sessions to follow throughout the day touch on a wide range of subjects within VR. There will be various case studies throughout the day that will give attendees a real insight into how soe of the biggest companies are utilising VR. As well as the organisations mentioned above, there will also be talks by Medical Realties regarding VR surgery; GlaxoSmith Kleine who will be talking about using VR to learn about shoppers; the National Autistic Society who is creating a gateway into letting people understand autism in a new way; Thomas Cook will be attending to look into how VR will change travel; and VR cinematic giants Jaunt VR will be talking about storytelling.
To attend this event all you have to do is fill out a form to register and wait for a response to see if you have been accepted. Registration is free and currently available right now.
For more on the latest events, as well as all the news, updates, and features in the world of VR, make sure to check back with VRFocus.
There are currently more than 230 Xbox 360 games that work on the Xbox One. However, these are the ones you should think about dusting off and going back to when your next-gen titles start to become tedious and the nostalgia kicks in.
The post The best Xbox One compatible Xbox 360 games appeared first on Digital Trends.
The annual footie simulation Fifa gets an overhaul, the PlayStation VR headset debuts and Pokémon Sun and Moon arrives in time for Christmas. Plus, the top UK gaming events
• Autumn culture: Art | Classical | Pop | Dance | Film | Theatre
The visually astonishing motor sports series returns to Xbox One, and this time the setting is a realistically modelled reproduction of Australia. With a map twice the size of the previous game and featuring more than 350 cars, it’s a vast driving challenge. There is also a four-player coop mode, so you can take a road trip with your friends, from the rain forests of Queensland to the hippy paradise of Byron Bay.
• 27 September. PC, Xbox One, £45.
Related: The Last Guardian creator: 'I can't face playing my own game'
Continue reading...