Some 26 years ago, back when embryo Stub was... embryofying (wtf?), I missed the personality trait session where they discussed "interest in traveling" as a possible option. Yes, that was a convoluted, and peculiar way to say I don't really like to travel. Most people I know have that urge, to varying degrees, be it local, domestic, or international. But for the most part, travel just isnt my cup of tea. I am and always have been a home body.
Having said that, there are a few places in this world that fascinate me to no end. Places that I wouldnt mind traveling to see. China, which I was fortunate enough to visit earlier this year, was one of those places.
I'm often asked by friends and family where I would want to go next. Typically, my answer is Australia / New Zealand, though that isnt entirely true. In a perfect world, my answer would be Africa. The trouble, of course, is that its not a perfect world, and Africa has more than its fair share of problems. Admittedly thats not a fair characterization of an incredible country (a cousin of mine recently returned from Nigeria and had a great time as I understand it). But when you are a squeamish traveler to begin with, extensive geopolitical conflicts and some seriously scary mosquito diseases serve as quite the deterrent. I'm also a pretty big pansy when it comes to heat =)
As a consolation prize, I get to be "that guy" who will watch the Discovery Channel Serengeti special for like 6 hours straight... on repeat. The great migration is, in my opinion, one of the greatest spectacles the natural world has to offer. And I have every hope of seeing it in person one day... as soon as can develop some sort of wearable, mosquito killing laser. The predator model might be a bit of overkill but it makes up for it with its big pimpin' factor. I'm told its on back order.
There is a point to all of this, I promise.
Last night, I took a look at a trailer for a game known as Afrika (yes, with a k and no I don't know why), under development for the PS3. There has been a buzz on and off about it for a little more than a year, but yesterday was my first glimpse at the game itself. And all I can say is wow. But don't take my word for it - cheggit below (video may not embed properly in some RSS readers).
There is also a much longer (though less crisp) trailer up on Youtube if your jaw hit the floor as hard as mine did.
The scoop, as near as I can tell, is that you are a photo journalist, tasked with taking pictures of animals and... blah blah blah it doesnt really matter. Did you see those trailers?! Absolutely stunning. To be fair, the idea is not new - Afrika appears to be a PS3 counter to the Wii's Endless Ocean, a sea exploration game released a few months ago. For some reason, Endless Ocean didnt really get me excited, perhaps because it lacked that photo-realistic umph. But I will VERY seriously consider purchasing a PS3 just for Afrika, should it make its way to the US.
This game is what I think of when I hear the phrase virtual world. This is what I think of when people ask what games can bring to education. Obviously Afrika is not really Africa, it is a simulation. But it is a beautiful, rich, responsive, engaging recreation that might bring people as close to the Serengeti as they will ever be. It can engage people in a conversation they might never have been interested enough to have before. And talk about an opportunity to learn. To wander through a world like this one and just observe the happenings around you. I'm still too starstruck to even go into detail on the self created encyclopedia the game seems to build out for you. Show me a textbook, a powerpoint or a lecture that can give you that sort of experience. Pretty lofty expectations for a game I've never played. But thats what excitement is all about.
Rumors are swirling that Afrika might only be released in Japan, but thats what Ebay and Rosetta Stone are for. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on this game. I am totally blown away.
image from wallpaperbase.com
Having said that, there are a few places in this world that fascinate me to no end. Places that I wouldnt mind traveling to see. China, which I was fortunate enough to visit earlier this year, was one of those places.
I'm often asked by friends and family where I would want to go next. Typically, my answer is Australia / New Zealand, though that isnt entirely true. In a perfect world, my answer would be Africa. The trouble, of course, is that its not a perfect world, and Africa has more than its fair share of problems. Admittedly thats not a fair characterization of an incredible country (a cousin of mine recently returned from Nigeria and had a great time as I understand it). But when you are a squeamish traveler to begin with, extensive geopolitical conflicts and some seriously scary mosquito diseases serve as quite the deterrent. I'm also a pretty big pansy when it comes to heat =)
As a consolation prize, I get to be "that guy" who will watch the Discovery Channel Serengeti special for like 6 hours straight... on repeat. The great migration is, in my opinion, one of the greatest spectacles the natural world has to offer. And I have every hope of seeing it in person one day... as soon as can develop some sort of wearable, mosquito killing laser. The predator model might be a bit of overkill but it makes up for it with its big pimpin' factor. I'm told its on back order.There is a point to all of this, I promise.
Last night, I took a look at a trailer for a game known as Afrika (yes, with a k and no I don't know why), under development for the PS3. There has been a buzz on and off about it for a little more than a year, but yesterday was my first glimpse at the game itself. And all I can say is wow. But don't take my word for it - cheggit below (video may not embed properly in some RSS readers).
There is also a much longer (though less crisp) trailer up on Youtube if your jaw hit the floor as hard as mine did.
The scoop, as near as I can tell, is that you are a photo journalist, tasked with taking pictures of animals and... blah blah blah it doesnt really matter. Did you see those trailers?! Absolutely stunning. To be fair, the idea is not new - Afrika appears to be a PS3 counter to the Wii's Endless Ocean, a sea exploration game released a few months ago. For some reason, Endless Ocean didnt really get me excited, perhaps because it lacked that photo-realistic umph. But I will VERY seriously consider purchasing a PS3 just for Afrika, should it make its way to the US.
This game is what I think of when I hear the phrase virtual world. This is what I think of when people ask what games can bring to education. Obviously Afrika is not really Africa, it is a simulation. But it is a beautiful, rich, responsive, engaging recreation that might bring people as close to the Serengeti as they will ever be. It can engage people in a conversation they might never have been interested enough to have before. And talk about an opportunity to learn. To wander through a world like this one and just observe the happenings around you. I'm still too starstruck to even go into detail on the self created encyclopedia the game seems to build out for you. Show me a textbook, a powerpoint or a lecture that can give you that sort of experience. Pretty lofty expectations for a game I've never played. But thats what excitement is all about.
Rumors are swirling that Afrika might only be released in Japan, but thats what Ebay and Rosetta Stone are for. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on this game. I am totally blown away.
image from wallpaperbase.com
I've kept my eye on this one, but until recently there wasn't much news on it. I'm not sure if it is my cup of tea or not, but out of the box, "non-traditional" games like this are very interesting. I want to see more.
Whoa! That's crazy! Everything looks so real - especially the landscapes.
Oh that is FANTASTIC!! So realistic and so impressive. The shadows/lighting are so amazing in that trailer. That's immersive and that's an environment that really can allow people to get an idea of what the real environment would be like.