Tech Blog

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West Edmonton Mall is a place where things are done big. And I mean really BIG. This sucker is so big that the indoor hockey rink has been co-opted to host this event.

This weekend Intel is bringing competitive world-class videogaming to Edmonton. The North American Championship tournament, (one of a bunch of world-class gaming tournaments under the Intel Extreme Masters banner).






This weekend, teams of professional gamers will be competing for a $53,000 cash prize, competing against other world-class teams in games of Counter-Strike, World of Warcraft, and Quake Live.

Observing the gameplay, if you're into that sort of thing is rather cool. I've grabbed a few videos of the atmosphere -- very cool to watch pros play games we all think we're 'pretty good' at

(my keyboard work looks *nothing* like that)

In addition to the pro competition, Intel has also brought a few cutting edge games and technologies. So, between matches, be sure to
checkout demo stations packed with the latest intel technology, natch) loaded cutting new software including:

• Avatar (based on the forthcoming James Cameron movie, from Montreal's own Ubisoft)
• DiRT 2 - a nifty and dirty driving game
• Guitar Hero - if you don't know what this is you've been hiding this decade

But, likely one of the coolest pieces of kit I saw today, the first day it was available to the general public for hands-on evaluation,  was the PicoP by Microvision -- a multi-axis free-form game controller/uber-tiny projector hybrid device that could really revolutionize your gaming experience.


I had the opportunity to try a couple of games (Aladdin & Operation Flashpoint) with custom controllers, in a darkened room with white walls. The handheld controller was appropriate to the game being demoed (a Sega Dreamcast size handheld unit for Aladdin, a very cool replica weapon for Operation Flashpoint).

You point the controller at the wall, and the wall becomes your viewing screen. Move the controller (with the embedded super-tiny projector), the screen *and your in game perspective or character* moves too..synchronized to the controller.

In my case, when I panned my gun to the left, it was as if I was rotating my character to the left. Tilt up, and I looked up. And the screen position on the wall moved too, because it was attached to the gun-controller.

I know my description sounds awkward, but this display tech is really neat. So get your butt into some long-johns, brave the holiday shopping crowds and check the PicoP out -- tell them Brad sent you

I'll have more on the PicoP in the future, but it really has the potential to liberate your gaming experience.

The Intel Extreme Masters Tour runs until Sunday. Expect some very hot gaming action as the best players in North America compete. If you're a gamer, this action is not to be missed.

And if you can't make it, feel free to check out my gallery of the event; photos and videos.

Message Edited by bgrier on 12-11-2009 08:47 PM

Message Edited by bgrier on 12-11-2009 09:26 PM