Gambit on 11/1/2009 at 23:59
(
http://www.procedural.com/)
A software to create 3D cities. The Flash presentation shows not only modern buildings but also old ones.
(
http://pioneer.jp/press-e/2008/0707-1.html)
A 400 GB Blu-ray disc, which contains 16 data layers and will be compatible with current players after a firmware update. A planned launch is in the 2009-2010 time frame for ROM and 2010-2013 for rewritable discs. Ongoing development is under way to create a 1 TB Blu-ray disc as soon as 2013.
So here´s my prediction:
In 10 years time we can create procedural cities the size of twice the entire San Andreas GTA map but with the amount of detail of a GTA 4 city. You can enter in almost any building. And each building will have it´s independent AI living his own life.
Imagine games like GTA, Mirror´s Edge and Thief for the next generation.
Buuuut...
I fear consumer hardware may not keep up the pace to run a monster like that.
june gloom on 12/1/2009 at 00:57
Jesus. The possibilities for this are endless.
Who knows what we'll be seeing in 10 years time? I think we've hit the point of diminishing returns in terms of what game engines can do, right now- but as soon as the technology manages to hit the mainstream I think game development- and gaming itself- might be seeing some very big changes.
Trance on 12/1/2009 at 01:31
I think the larger-capacity Blu-Rays were discussed in its beginning days on the consumer market. 16 data layers is nuts; it's got to be real easy to screw up a disc with that many layers during the writing process.
Ostriig on 12/1/2009 at 01:34
Interesting. As for the hardware possibly not cutting it - "serious" videogaming is already considered a costly hobby, especially on the PC side, with rigs expiring out of "cutting edge" faster than some of the stuff in my fridge, and in ten years' time... meh, who knows, we'll see.
TF on 12/1/2009 at 04:28
One of the main points of procedural generation is to cut down on pre-made assets that take up lots of space on say, a ridiculously oversized 1 TB drive.
Koki on 12/1/2009 at 06:59
So? Everyone will still be playing Half Life 4 and calling it GOTY.
Malf on 12/1/2009 at 07:13
Introversion, they of Uplink & Darwinia fame, are already working on a game that utilises procedural city generation, called "Subversion".
Thirith on 12/1/2009 at 09:03
While there's a lot of potential in procedurally created content, turning it into something other than a mess of samey, random slush is difficult. Especially if you're into games with a strong narrative, cohesive world, compelling characters, you still need a team of good designers hand-placing most of the content.
Ostriig: it seems like the big money these days isn't in cutting-edge PC games. It's in micro-transactions, more casual gaming etc. I do think that one of the reasons why WoW is still the most successful MMORPG is that it doesn't require a monster rig. Also, look at games such as Rock Band where you can buy massive amounts of DLC - it's a huge up-and-coming business. And the hardcore gamers seem to be moving away from mainstream products towards indie gaming. You can still make money with Crysis-type games, but you can make more money elsewhere.
Gambit on 12/1/2009 at 18:17
Interesting, and with the economic crisis cutting down the gaming hardware market it may be a good time for indie gaming now.
Of course, 1 TB games will still be a future reality. But it will take time. In a shorter term I think 3D screen games will rise:
(
http://knol.google.com/k/ami-dror/3d-tv/34dmk169fdkbd/4)
The 3D@Home Consortium:
has been driven by a desire by many of the leading 3D organizations to ensure the best possible 3-dimensional viewing experience to the billions of consumers in today's home entertainment marketplace.
That´s because even non-gamer´s will jump to a 3D PC screen. So 3D screen games will be on the rise to follow the market after the success of the future 3D Cinema without glasses and 3D Television.
Ostriig on 12/1/2009 at 19:12
Quote Posted by Thirith
Ostriig: it seems like the big money these days isn't in cutting-edge PC games. It's in micro-transactions, more casual gaming etc. I do think that one of the reasons why
WoW is still the most successful MMORPG is that it doesn't require a monster rig. Also, look at games such as
Rock Band where you can buy massive amounts of DLC - it's a huge up-and-coming business. And the hardcore gamers seem to be moving away from mainstream products towards indie gaming. You can still make money with
Crysis-type games, but you can make more money elsewhere.
I see your point. What I was trying to say, though, is that even in these conditions, and with the rather unsavory prices of high-end equipment, technology is still pushing forward at an extremely fast pace, and that I wouldn't be all too shocked if the sort of hardware common ten years from now would surpass in significant ways our current expectations for it (in this case - run this sort of software without breaking a sweat).
