VOTW: Dungeons & Dragons on Microsoft Surface
So you play a lot of Dungeons and Dragons, eh? Well how would you feel about trading in your board and dice for a version that's a little more up to date in terms of technology?
Microsoft doesn't talk much about its Surface touchscreen table. Figuring out fun things to do with the tabletop computer may not be high up on Microsoft's list of priorities but there are plenty of people out there willing to tinker about the massive gadget and discover new uses for it.
Cnet's Matt Hickey reports that a group of students with Carnegie Mellon's SurfaceScapes team had been developing D&D for the Surface and went along to let's-show-Microsoft-what-we-made event.
Hickey writes:
"The figurines--optional in regular D&D but great tools here--are "tagged" with dot codes on the bottom. The Surface is able to use its tiny cameras to view these unique codes and determine which character is where on the game grid. This means the game can automatically determine line-of-fire angles and keep track of enemy health."
The Carnegie Mellon team is working with D&D owner Wizards of the Coast in an attempt to commercialize their product. Microsoft Surface rep Eric Havir says if things work out, he hopes to see Surface devices running the completed software in gaming centers and shops across the country.
Check the video below.
Read more about it here.
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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WheelsOfConfusion Sweet. If only it were affordable, and easy to set up in my parents' basement!Reply -
grieve that thing would be really cool for all "old school" board games...Reply
-How about a poker table with the cards part of the table?
-Risk?
-even monopoly!
fun for the whole F'n family! -
grieve WheelsOfConfusionSweet. If only it were affordable, and easy to set up in my parents' basement!lol, parents basement!Reply
I guess the D&D people are kinda tagged that way.. but they likely could afford this too. -
griffed88 It'd be awesome if you could play Risk! and Hero Clix! but this'll prolly be insanely expensiveReply -
jhansonxi It's a tough decision - pen and paper or a ridiculously expensive computer that's only good for a coffee table outside of gaming. Hmmmm.Reply -
dantheman1001 Well it may be expensive now, but who knows what'll happen in the next two or three years, with all this tablet technology upcoming. Just think... star wars holochess is getting dangerously close to becoming a realityReply