PC and Console Games Thread

[Negus]

hmm, gran turismo 5 will have "head tracking" using a webcam (no headgear).

Is it the same with flight sims?

[Jun aka Pekto]

hmm, gran turismo 5 will have "head tracking" using a webcam (no headgear).

Is it the same with flight sims?

I imagine the webcam will use facial recognition to track movements. So, this may be a better solution than TrackIR. I have to see it in person though because the video wasn't very convincing. The other video was TrackIR.

If Sony's head tracking works, I hope it catches on because TrackIR's pretty expensive.

Gee. We were just recently talking about multi-monitor to increase the field of view and now head tracking to compliment it. It's a wonderful time to game isn't it.

These technologies should work great on flight and racing sims plus fps games.

Yup. TrackIR is the primary head tracker for the pc. It's more cumbersome. But, it works with most games in the genres I mentioned.

[Jun aka Pekto]

It's old. But, I'm just getting around to playing with it.

Half Life 2: Lost Coast.... also waiting for the Black Mesa mod to be finished

[ess]

I've been meaning to try this:

http://www.free-track.net/english/

FreeTrack is a free optical motion tracking application for Microsoft Windows, released under the GNU General Public License. Its main function is inexpensive head tracking in computer games and simulations but can also be used for general computer accessibility, in particular hands-free computing. Tracking is sensitive enough that only small head movements are required so that the user's eyes never leave the screen.

Head motions are tracked with six degrees of freedom (6DOF), specifically; yaw, pitch, roll, left/right, up/down and forward/back. This is done by means of a video capture device, typically a webcam, which is placed in front of the user and tracks a rigid point model headpiece. This point model usually consists of infrared LEDs but can also be normal LEDs and even retroreflective material illuminated by a source of infrared light.

FreeTrack can output head tracking data directly using TrackIR™, SimConnect and FSUIPC interfaces, programs that support these interfaces are regarded as having FreeTrack support. General input devices can also be emulated, specifically mouse, keyboard, and joystick (via PPJoy).

Unfortunately, I have no webcam. If ever I'll buy a webcam, it will be solely for the above use (head tracking).

[Jun aka Pekto]

FreeTrack is similar to TrackIR because it requires the player to wear sensors the webcam can key into.

I like Sony's solution of using facial recognition software if they can actually get it to work. It's much more convenient for the player.

Gran Turismo 5 with a driving wheel and head tracking? Sweet!

[Jun aka Pekto]

All that talk earlier about bombing civilians had me trying out the SM.79 Sparvieri once more. It was one of the bomber types that took part in the Guernica Raid back in the Spanish Civil War and was a very effective torpedo bomber during WW2.







I personally find tri-motors to be ugly. But, they have a charm all their own that makes them fascinating to fly.

[overdrayv]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OojC8sUEwI"]Medal of Honor[/ame]

[Jun aka Pekto]

On the 6th level (The Awakening) of Crysis (Delta difficulty setting).

Going through Level 5 (Onslaught) was a rush. But the tanks were wimpy compared to real-world counterparts.

Inside a KPA tank.


Pesky gunships have been dogging me since Level 3.

[Jun aka Pekto]

At the latter half of Level 6 "Awakening". I guess this is where Crysis transitions from a military shoot em up to a more sci-fi one. Well, it was always a sci-fi one because of the cloak. But, all enemies have been human up to this point. Finding and neutralizing that last nanosuit-wearing KPA was a pain. I had to do a number of saved game reloads on this stage of Level 6 (secure landing zone). I checked some walkthroughs and most said there were 2 or 3 nanosuit KPA. I counted 4 here. It's that 4th one that kept getting me.

[Jun aka Pekto]

Feeling a little sheepish and great at the same time. All this time through 5 levels plus most of Level 6 of Crysis (at the highest difficulty setting Delta), I've been sniping and getting by with just the reflex sight. I didn't even realize I had sniper and assault scopes.

I guess I should check what I have from time to time. Incendiary bullets? Nice.


Ahhh. Much better. It was so slow going without a sniper scope. I'm tempted to start the game all over again.

[Jun aka Pekto]

Ahhh. My kind of "traditional" gaming. X-Plane 9.40 RC16

[Negus]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOJHMZH1D0A"]YouTube- Taxigamer.com Gran Turismo 5 Direct Feed Gameplay. Indianapolis Road Course Time Trial.[/ame]

Currently playing Gran Turismo 5 Demo.

The biggest surprise in the demo is how the cockpit view jostles about very realistically. The view shifts as the weight of the car is shifted around when accelarating, braking and cornering. watch as the driver brakes hard after a very long straight. The game is said to be set at professional physics settings although damage is turned off. f#&ck! I'm impressed. You can't seriously play this without a proper gaming wheel.

compared to forza 3:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-P-iQMhECg&hd=1"]YouTube- FORZA Motorsport 3 Gameplay Cockpit View (Gameplay)[/ame]

the view feels like it only zooms in and out when accelerating/decelerating

my only complaint with the GT5 demo is that the track design (at least in the demo) appears sterilized and too "tidy/clean" compare to Forza 3's colorful maps. I've played both (demos) and they both have their own merits (man, I wish Forza 3's rewind option is available in GT5). but heck, that was a total surprise coming from GT Prologue.

[Jun aka Pekto]

YouTube- Taxigamer.com Gran Turismo 5 Direct Feed Gameplay. Indianapolis Road Course Time Trial.

Currently playing Gran Turismo 5 Demo.

The biggest surprise in the demo is how the cockpit view jostles about very realistically. The view shifts as the weight of the car is shifted around when accelarating, braking and cornering. watch as the driver brakes hard after a very long straight. The game is said to be set at professional physics settings although damage is turned off. f#&ck! I'm impressed. You can't seriously play this without a proper gaming wheel.

compared to forza 3:

YouTube- FORZA Motorsport 3 Gameplay Cockpit View (Gameplay)

the view feels like it only zooms in and out when accelerating/decelerating

my only complaint with the GT5 demo is that the track design (at least in the demo) appears sterilized and too "tidy/clean" compare to Forza 3's colorful maps. I've played both (demos) and they both have their own merits (man, I wish Forza 3's rewind option is available in GT5). but heck, that was a total surprise coming from GT Prologue.

That's why I'm leaning towards a PS3.

As for the GT5 being too "sterile". My guess is it's going to be rendered at a full 1080p. It may surprise many that the vast majority of PS3 (and XBox 360) games are rendered at 720p (or lower) but are upscaled to 1080p. If GT5 is native 1080p then you have to cut corners somewhere. I mean the PS3 is powerful (the best of the 3 next-gen consoles). But, it's not that powerful. Even the PS3 has limits.

Forza 3 is rendered natively at 720p. That gives developers more room for adding more stuff.

[Jun aka Pekto]

I'm a few years late getting started with Oblivion. But, at least I can run it smoothly with all eye candy on.


The last Elder Scrolls game I played for a long time was Daggerfall. If that game was any indication, I'll be keeping Oblivion for a very long time.

[Negus]

my laps with the tuned 370z varies around 1:43~45. That's with a d-pad, I can't improve my time beyond that. I'm gonna try again tonight.

The highest time in the leaderboard right now is 1:36, I'm sure he's using a racing wheel. The controller just can't produce the same sensitivity it affords.

[Jun aka Pekto]

Half Life had Zen. I was never fond of it.

Looks like Crysis has its Zen moments too. Level 7 with zero gravity...... Aw Crap.

[Jun aka Pekto]

I finally made it out of Level 7: Core. I wasn't too happy with that Zen, zero-gravity stuff.

Level 8: Paradise Lost. Back to a more regular Run n Gun. I much prefer the stealth in the first 6 levels (simply fantastic). But, Run n Gun beats that Zen stuff any day.

[Negus]

whats your time in GT5 demo ? im only at 1:57 using the D-Pad. Not buying the Logitech steering wheel till the real deal comes out.

Compared to Forza 3 (which I also love), it is much more realistic.

I've improved my time to 1:41 (tuned 370z/still using a d-pad), a bit by luck actually. I've turned traction control to 0 and it actually gave me more freedom in the corners by letting the back slide out a bit. One slip and it's over though

[Jun aka Pekto]

Finished Level 8 Paradise Lost. It wasn't too bad. It was either running and gunning or backing up to a choke point and nailing the aliens one by one.

Then the game becomes a rail shooter on Level 9 Exodus. I'm out of my element when it comes to rail shooters. So, I'm actually getting my butt kicked. Time out for a few days. I kinda miss the Zen stuff earlier. At least I still controlled my movements then instead of just sitting down and shooting like here in Level 9.

[Jun aka Pekto]

Finally got to the end of of Level 9 Exodus.


But, it looks like another rail shooter with Level 10: Ascension......