Motion capture comes alive

Article Abstract:

The computer game industry is being dramatically modified by the developments in motion-capture technology. Motion capture is a process that allows animators to create 3-D animated characters from live actors who are attached to computer input devices which record their movements. Before motion capture, animators could only create 3-D characters through a slow rotoscoping method by tracing 2-D characters, but this process created poor 3-D images. With the development of motion capture, the entire game industry can now create more elaborate 3-D characters twice as fast as 2-D. Motion capture systems fit into either a magnetic or an optical category. Optical is an expensive system used for tracking and analyzing an actor's quick movements, while the magnetic system is a more widely used system that measures normal body impulses. Companies like Sega Interactive and Ascension Technology have been using this technology and feel that it has great creative aspects but does nothing for money and time savings. Most companies think that the technology still needs improvements and is still too new to determine future capabilities.

Virtual reality, Virtual reality technology

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Industry disagreements may delay DVD

Article Abstract:

The marketing of DVD-ROMs and DVD players is being delayed by disagreements on copy-protection issues. Manufacturers' concerns include copyright infringements from the transmittal of DVD-ROM material around the world, and digital to analog copying by software pirates. In spite of these problems, DVD-ROMs and DVD players are expected to be in the market by fall or winter 1996. DVD-ROM players costing between $500 and $1000 are being developed by such companies as Sony, Zenith and Pioneer, and DVD-ROM computer drives are being developed by PC companies. Other companies are attempting to develop the first DVD-ROMs, even though complete specifications are unavailable for the hardware or hardware. DVD-ROM is an attractive medium for CD-ROM developers since DVD-ROM's minimum storage capacity is 4.7GB, a huge improvement over the 650MB of CD-ROMs. Activision plans to release three of its most popular CD-ROM titles on DVD-ROMs as soon as a drive becomes available.

Digital video disk, DVDs (Digital videodisks)

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CD game boxes debut stateside

Article Abstract:

Several video game electronics vendors are now producing new 32-bit 3-D game machines. The competition is fierce however, not only from new game platforms, but from PC-based games written for the Windows 95 operating system. The new 32-bit boxes are competitively priced and selling briskly. 3DO is introducing 64-bit technology, which is technologically superior but there are very few games available for the platform. Nintendo is also planning a 64-bit machine, but release has been delayed until Apr 1996. Although there are many vendors in niche markets, the major competition is between Sega and Sony. Sony's PlayStation is expected to have 20 titles available by Sep 1995 and the company has spent nearly $50 million promoting the machine. Game developers have also embraced the Sony machine because the programming language is easier to use and developers are able to utilize a code library stored in the machine's ROM.

Computer games, Computer game, Computer-based entertainment system, Computer entertainment systems, Technology Information

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