News This product has actually been shown at CES earlier this year (and a few other conventions), but will be launched at E3 in a couple weeks. RealView Innovations, the company who developed the technology, claims the accessory adds depth to 2D images to give a 3D effect. Watching the video, it appears the devices just slips over your widescreen TV and that’s it (watch the video in the ‘Interview’ tab). What’s nice about it, though, is that you don’t need special glasses or software and it appears to work with all widescreen TVs, even the ones that aren’t 3D capable (the lens tech apparently looks for depth cues of a 2D image and adds the depth through that, so there is no need for a 3D-capable TV). This supposedly works on television, games, movies, etc (any existing content they say). One of my concerns for it, though, is the highly reflective surface, meaning you might not be able to use it to it’s full potential unless it’s really dark. I would also love to see the device in action and see a product demo first hand before I could say if it’s worth it or not (since a 42″ screen could potentially cost about $400), but it is a pretty cool idea, and if it works as promised, maybe 3D at home, without the need of glasses and the like, is closer to reality than we thought. Press Release REALVIEW LAUNCHES DEEP SCREEN FOR MORE IMMERSIVE GAMING AT E3 Bridging the 2D/3D Gap with Depth-Enhancing Technology CO. ROSCOMMON, IRELAND (JUNE, 2010) – RealView Innovations, an emerging optical technology company, will launch its Deep Screen accessory screen for widescreens televisions and monitors at E3 which offers the video gamers a more immersive, multi-dimensional gaming experience. By bridging the gap between 2D and 3D, the Deep Screen enhances hidden depth cues in 2D images, creating greater depth and richer environments than standard 2D. The most significant aspect of this technology is that no glasses or special software are required. It is ready-to-use with any existing content like video games and movies. The search for home-based 3D is at fever pitch in the world of consumer electronics. However, thus far it mostly amounts to a lot of talk with no current, workable solutions. RealView Innovations’ patented Depth-Enhancing Technology is the only viable alternative to the global search for a user-friendly, multi-dimensional viewing experience. And the Deep Screen is incredibly easy to apply by simply attaching it to the front of any size-compatible monitor or TV. Product Highlights: * Unique patented lens technology * Sleek design attaches directly to TV or monitor in seconds * More realism, greater depth, richer environments than existing 2D technology * Comfortable viewing that requires NO glasses or software of any kind * Can be used with existing content like video games, movies and television * Compatible with 20-23” screens (32” and 42” available summer 2010) * The closet available 3D solution available “The Deep Screen is simple to use and the most effective current solution to the 3D quandary,” stated Eamonn Ansbro, RealView’s Executive Director. “When used with video games, the Deep Screen creates a tremendous sense of depth and immersion. We are very excited to share it with the video game industry at E3 and look forward to the same enthusiasm and feedback we’ve received from other shows around the world.” RealView Innovations Depth-Enhancing products will be on display at Booth #5654 West Hall. About RealView Innovations, Ltd. Founded in 2001, RealView Innovations Ltd. is a privately-owned research & development company based in Ireland. RVI’s management team has specialized in high-volume optical production, thin-film technology, advanced industrial and military optics, and scientific instrumentation. Presently, RVI’s focus is on applications in the personal entertainment and video game markets. Its technology will also be integrated into other areas including mobile phones, televisions, arcade games, ATMs, and flight simulators. In May 2010 RealView was awarded “Best in Show” at Retail Vision Europe 2010 and played a prominent role in the 3D TV World Forum in London. In Since 2009, RealView Innovations Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RealView Manufacturing Ltd. www.realview.ie CES 2010 Interview

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RealView to Launch ‘Deep Screen’ at E3

Information/News This is just a heads up, but a new development team, Grip Games, is currently working on a mini that includes 5 games in 1 (hence the title). The games, according to a press release, include: …Solitaire, the world’s favorite card game, Pairs, a memory-based puzzle game, Tetroid, a fast-paced block breaker game, 15 Puzzle, a classic “complete a picture” puzzle game and 8ball Pool, the most played version of this billiards game, there is something for everyone. Going by the gameplay trailer above, the Tetroid one looks like a cross between Breakout, Tetris and Pong (and would probably be the title’s biggest draw). This is also one of the minis that will be playable on the PS3 as well. It includes medals, records, and even Facebook and Twitter updates as well (it’s pretty feature packed for being a mini.) We’ll be reviewing this title in the near future, thanks to Grip Games giving us the opportunity (possibly making a new Review section strictly for minis? We’ll see). Be sure to read the press release and check out the screenshots if you’re interested! Press Release 5-in-1 Arcade Hits is coming to your PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system! Prague, 14th April , 5-in-1 Arcade Hits, the first game by the new video games developer and publisher Grip Games, is set for release in just a few weeks via the PlayStation®Store. 5-in-1 Arcade Hits is a collection of five great arcade and casual games in one single package, for everyone who is looking for quick and instant fun, wherever and whenever. These full-blown games that could be sold separately are now part of a single pack and form the most fun-loaded “minis” game to date. With Solitaire, the world’s favorite card game, Pairs, a memory-based puzzle game, Tetroid, a fast-paced block breaker game, 15 Puzzle, a classic “complete a picture” puzzle game and 8ball Pool, the most played version of this billiards game, there is something for everyone. If that’s not enough, there are many game modes and difficulty settings, single player and multiplayer modes, tons of medals and records to beat, including a comparison to Grip Games testers’ best results. Can you beat them and become the king? Completely unique and new features to the “minis” games are global leaderboards. Each time you get a new highest score, or are awarded with a medal, the game gives you a unique code that you can input at www.grip-games.com/leaderboards and see how you are standing against the world. These results can also be easily uploaded to Facebook and Twitter, with a single click, to let your friends see your success. 5-in-1 Arcade Hits is set for release via the PlayStation®Store in the Europe, Oceania and the US. The final release date, as well as the final price, will be unveiled soon. For more information, please visit www.grip-games.com. About Grip Digital Grip Digital s.r.o. is a developer and publisher of video games, based in Prague, Czech Republic and is using the trademark “Grip Games”. With extensive skills from mobile games development, Grip’s team has a great knowledge of gaming on portable platforms and its specifics and is dedicated to bringing the best games via digital distribution channels. Grip Digital is also looking for great and innovative titles and promising teams to help them publish their games for all the major gaming platforms. Screenshots

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Grip Games 5-in-1 Arcade mini Coming Soon

Many of you know that I enjoy racing games, probably more than most on here, and I also enjoy some real racing. One thing I have noticed over the years of gaming, even in the current generation, is that racing games seem to not have caught up to the quality of the video department in terms of sound. Sure, most of them are getting better, but overall, the sounds of a racing game is still pretty weak. Some probably wouldn’t agree with me, and say that the cars (and the game as a whole) sound nearly perfect (especially in more simulation-oriented games). That would depend on the kind of cars you race, how high your volume is, and whether or not you have a muffler on your race car. What’s missing is the “throatiness” of the cars. There isn’t nearly as much low-end as there should be, especially for race cars. I, myself, am a big fan of the older American muscle cars. And with that, I’m also big on performance. If you’ve ever been to the drag races, or even a NASCAR event, you know how loud it is, and that’s because most race cars run an open exhaust (which means that the exhaust is basically just a pair of headers running off of the block; no catalytic converters or mufflers). For an older car, we should be getting much closer to this: Even stock, these types of cars still aren’t getting the low end sound they should be (my truck is slightly above stock, but has a muffler and can still cause car alarms to go off). With lossless and HD audio available now, we should be able to expect even more than this, especially from PS3 games (since most private videos of races usually rely on the camera’s microphone and on TV, they dumb it down there, too). Of course, most AAA racing games on the PS3 have been multiplatform, save for Gran Turismo 5. Will GT5 bring the low-end of the sound of these cars to light, or, at least, give the option to do so? One thing I’ve been disappointed with racing games in general is the lack of being able to run open exhaust, which creates more power due to less back pressure (but not so much less that the car loses pressure). Without going into detail, think of back pressure like blowing out of different size straws. Thin straws are hard to breathe through, and a large diameter straw causes the air to flow without restriction (but you can tell you lose too much pressure on larger ones and lose flow because of it; you want a steady stream of optimal pressure). Oh yeah, forgot, this is a gaming blog haha. But seriously, Forza 3 probably has come the closest so far, as you can see from this video: But, it’s still missing the growl. You can probably get it to work real well with the volume up pretty high, but on lower volume listening levels, it’s kind of disappointing since at that level, the sound isn’t noticeable and with that, the exhaust sounds really weak. Not everyone can have their sound systems blaring (I have a 7.1 setup with DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD and it sounds a-freaking-mazing on blu-ray movies; we need that kind of awe in the sound department from video games as well). Then you have the tire screeching. On that subject, people are always complaining about the Gran Turismo “ghost scream” tires, which are definitely irritating (just watch this video here ), but Forza 3’s sounds about the same, but on a lower octave (compare with the Charger drift video above). Of course, Forza 3 does do a decent job of capturing the sound, but what about after a burnout, with the loud chirp after you gain traction? What about taking a tight corner, and you can hear variations in the tire sliding on treaded street tires (which has like a wobbling, low screeching sound)? There’s also the small nuances we’re missing out on (which would be something HD audio could excel at). The sound of wind being one of them (GT4 actually did OK with this one). If a track has wind, you should be able to hear (and maybe feel) the wind rushing up against the side of the car with directional sound. Another nuance? Track sounds. For the most part, the only time we get the subtle sounds from the track is when we hit those little speed bumps or go off-track (or race on rally tracks). On asphalt, you don’t hear much/any road noise at all. We should be able to hear random pieces of small debris, etc bouncing up and hitting the underside of the car, or the sound of the tires gripping the road itself, maybe even the sound of vibrating metal if you damage the car (I don’t mean the engine knocking, either; i mean loosened panels, etc). If developers can pick up on these kinds of things, then it would definitely make for a much more engaging and immersive racing experience. The only thing I wonder is, though, is it because they don’t feel that the subtly of the other sounds are necessary and the low end of the exhaust isn’t needed or because the audio capture doesn’t pick up the sound (which I doubt, since the first video I posted had plenty of low-end for a camcorder), or because the consoles themselves don’t have the resources to reproduce accurate sound down to the most minute detail? If that’s the case, then the PS3 should definitely be able to, but given the videos of Gran Turismo 5, I’m thinking that the sound design will still be put on the back burner, because I don’t really hear anything that sounds any different from Gran Turismo 4, so I’m under the impression that they aren’t putting as much effort into the sound design as they are the visual detail, and because of that, I feel that other racing games may be exceeding Polyphony on that front. And despite the lack of full sound replication in any racing game, Forza 3 has the best sound design so far (and I commend them for that).

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Why Do Racing Games Sound Weak?