改变操作理念 微软可穿戴式控制装置

2008-04-20
[Source: games.tom.com]

　　美国专利与商标事务办公室于当地时间4月10号公布了一项由微软提交的，被命名为“可戴在手上，无须鼠标垫的计算机指点装置”的专利：

　　该设备有变身游戏机遥控手柄的潜力，但外形与Wii的遥控棒大相径庭。该装置可实现单手集成Wii双节棍的全部功能，也许更多。其枪柄式装置的顶部设置了四个功能键，将来这个位置也许还会出现一只模拟摇杆或轨迹球。

　　神奇的是，该专利所描绘的硬件界面与去年曾报道过的，由索尼设计的“手控计算机互动装置”异曲同工：

　　但索尼称顾客也许不愿意长时间穿戴手套式控制装置，尤其是在应付不同场合时，比如在键盘上输入字符时顾客会倾向于摘掉手套，所以索尼认为它可能更适用于娱乐用途而非计算机指令输入，比如遥控游戏机和影音装置：

　　微软早在2006年就提交了该专利，迄今已在该领域工作了两年之久，现在还不清楚公司是否有意将其实用化，与提供内幕消息的业内人士有联系的Teambox称该装置被内定为下一代Xbox游戏机手柄的可能性同样存在。

Now even NASA is eyeing the MMO

2008-01-21
[source: IGN.com]

　　NASA is mulling over developing an MMO.

　　Reported on the BBC, the space agency would primarily create the game as a training aid for students. It would "simulate real Nasa engineering and science missions", it states in a 'request for information' (or RFI) published by the agency.

　　"A high quality synthetic gaming environment is a vital element of Nasa's educational cyberstructure," the RFI continues. "The MMO will foster career exploration opportunities in a much deeper way than reading alone would permit and at a fraction of the time and cost of an internship program."

　　"A Nasa-based MMO could provide opportunities for students to investigate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career paths while participating in engaging game-play", it further states in a document published by NASA's Learning Technologies Project Office.