Student creates 3D Aztec suspended-flythrough for master's thesis

California State University multimedia student Tommy Lothian has come up with quite the master's thesis: a virtual flythrough of an imaginative Aztec world wherein players don 3D goggles and strap themselves into a harness that suspends them horizontally, enabling them to interact with objects and complete tasks, including stabbing a monster with a jade stone, scaling an active volcano, and, uh, not hallucinating over too much fermented agave juice. No word on what Tommy plans to do with the tech, but we bet that agave juice simulation would be a huge hit at parties.

[Farhad @ Jun 15th 2007 6:36AM]

How about a fight simulator based on the same idea? I should be able to spar with a virtual opponent in full 3D space. Now thats something I'd love to have instead of having to hit the gym. The Hand sensors (for the punch) could have force feedback so that the hand actually feels the same as when throwing a real punch. Cool heh?

[John B @ Jun 15th 2007 9:10AM]

Actually, I was thinking that this would be the ultimate excuse to make a realistic "Superman" video game!

[obiwan @ Jun 15th 2007 3:39PM]

Only if the force feedback mesh were extended throughout the whole suit. Risk coming back from a game withe bloody noses, crushed ribs? Oh, yeah!

[Daniel @ Jun 15th 2007 4:21PM]

Reminds me of the flying simulator at the ARS Electronica Museum: http://www.aec.at/en/center/current_exhibition_detail.asp?iProjectID=13176