gdc14
Latest
Microsoft aims to power up PC and mobile games with DirectX 12
The time for teasing is over. Today at GDC, Microsoft pulled back the curtain on DirectX 12, a shiny new edition of its venerable graphics APIs that some lucky developers can start mucking around with later this year. Microsoft Graphics Development Manager Anuj Gosalia talked up a storm out in SF: he noted that DX12 would (among other things) yield performance boosts across all of Microsoft's platforms, including Xbox One and Windows Phone.
Prototype headset mirrors your phone screen in an awkward attempt at virtual reality
The verdict on virtual reality seems to be in: the future of the technology is in fully immersive, face bound ski-goggles that block out your physical perceptions in favor of digitally created wonderlands. Well, unless you're looking at Seebright's AR/VR head-mounted display prototype. The company brought an early version of its developing headgear to GDC and it's.. well, very different. Unlike the hardware we've seen from Sony, Oculus and GameFace, Seebright's headgear leaves the user's peripheral wide-open by suspending a smartphone above their field of view and reflecting it in front of them with a low-hanging mirror. To be honest, it's a little bizarre.
Sony's new VR headset being shown at GDC 2014 with playable demos of EVE Valkyrie, Thief
What's a virtual reality headset without software? Nothing -- and Sony knows it, which is why the company is treating GDC attendees to four demos on the conference show floor, starting tomorrow morning. Some of them are familiar: when EVE: Valkyrie was announced as a playable demo, Sony's GDC audience erupted into cheers and applause. Gamers stopping by Sony's booth will also get a chance to play a special build of Thief created specifically for virtual reality. Although these traditional gaming experiences are likely to steal the show, Sony's also trotting out two demos that sound more passive: The Deep and The Castle, which lets players experience a shark-infested lagoon and a medieval fortress, respectively. So, how do these games play? We'll let you know as soon as the GDC show floor opens tomorrow.
