Sony brings the Holodeck to life, throws in giant sea monsters for free (video)

The Holodeck is real and there's no Lt. Barclay to make things awkward. Using a combination of a Steadicam, multiple EyeToy cameras,PlayStation Move controllers, projection mapping, motion tracking, spandex-clad actors and giant rubber sea monster tentacles, Sony Europe, Studio Output and Marshmallow Laser Feast shot three web videos to highlight the immersiveness of movies rented or purchased from the PlayStation Store. Impressively, the shots rely exclusively on visual tricks, with zero editing or postproduction work. Is this the future? See for yourself after the break and relive the joy of the Holodeck without having to interrupt Worf from one of his weird workout routines. 

Source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/03/sony-brings-the-holodeck-to-life-throws-in-giant-sea-monsters-f/

Visualized: Sweden's Dreamhack in pictures

What does a legion of Swedish LAN party-goers and a 120Gbps internet connection look like? Something like this. Dreamhack, officially (according to the Guinness Book of Records) the world's largest LAN party, offered up all sorts of gaming thrills along the lines of StarCraft II and Counter-Strike to the 12,000 attendees. It looks like the air was thick with excitement, perspiration -- and hopefully a little air freshener.

Source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/visualized-swedens-dreamhack-in-pictures/

German media highlight reasons for referee’s suicide bid

German referee, Babak Rafati (AFP Photo/Thomas Kienzle)

German referee Babak Rafati tried to take his own life as he struggled to cope with excessive criticism from football fans and the media.A Bundesliga match between Cologne and Mainz was cancelled last Saturday when the referee failed to arrive at the stadium.Rafati was found bleeding in a bathtub in his hotel room just in time for doctors to prevent a lethal outcome.According to a number of articles in the German press, alcohol was found in the 41-year-old’s blood, but this was not the reason for the tragedy.Rafat received a lot of credit when he began his career back in 1997, with many seeing him as the successor of one of the country’s best ever referees, Marcus Merk.However, the opposite transpired when he was named the worst referee in Germany by the influential Kicker magazine.Under constant critical fire, Rafati lost his status as a FIFA referee and was banned from working on international matches as a consequence.Pages on social networks slamming the arbiter’s mistakes became so popular that some boasted over 2,500 subscribers.To make matters worse, because of his Iranian origins, Rafati was often the victim of racial abuse.After summing up all these factors, the German media came to the conclusion that such pressure was simply too much the referee.  It is not known whether Rafati will return to the pitch, or if the suicide bid will spell the end of his career
Source:http://rt.com/sport/football/babak-rafati-referee-germany-suicide-attempt-155/

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Europe Wins The Day With Sci-Fi Inspired Google Doodle

Here in the States, Google’s doodle greets us with a blinking turkey in anticipation of tomorrow’s impending gorgefest. Not bad, but Europe clearly has us beat today: instead of a turkey, they get an amazing HTML5-powered game to commemorate acclaimed science fiction writer Stanislaw Lem. The occasion? Lem’s first book, “The Cyberiad,” was published 60 years ago today.
Sadly, Lem himself isn’t around to celebrate the milestone: he passed away in March 2006. He is survived by a considerable body of work that includes, among others, Solaris — which has been adapted into three different films (one of which stars George Clooney) over the years.
It’s certainly one of the more ambitious Google doodles I’ve seen in a while, and it’s surprisingly long so approach carefully unless you’ve got a few minutes to burn. The ornate cross-hatched look is inspired by the works of artist Daniel Mroz, whose funky illustrations graced many of Lem’s books.
Puzzle game fans need not apply, though: the game sees your avatar traversing a trippy alien landscape and solving problems in order to collect parts for… well, you’ll see. Eagle-eyed players will also be glad to know that there are a handful of easter eggs just waiting to be spotted. If you’ve got the time to spare today, check it out — it definitely puts our turkey to shame.
Source: http://techcrunch.com/2011/11/23/europe-wins-the-day-with-sci-fi-inspired-google-doodle/