isolation
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Mars astronauts could use VR to remind them of home
To put it mildly, Mars astronauts are likely to feel isolation on a level that even the most daring space explorers can't understand. How do you feel connected when Earth is just a dot in the sky? NASA, Smart Information Flow Technologies and 8i might help. They're researching the prospect of using virtual and augmented reality experiences to fight the "sensory and social monotony" of a Mars mission. The aim would be to create a library of inspirational messages that remind astronauts why they're on the Red Planet, and connect them to family -- a bit like the video messages in 2001, only more immersive.
The Mog Log: The zone design of Final Fantasy XI
Gustaberg is one of the ugliest zones in Final Fantasy XI. For better or worse, it's a bunch of bland plateaus swarming with vultures, worms, and bees. It wasn't a visual treat when I first saw it, and the years have certainly not been kind. But the fact of the matter is that even after several years, I still get a little smile on my lips when I walk into that dessicated husk of a land. From the waterfall near the Wadi to the narrow pass to the Highlands, Gustaberg is painfully nostalgic. Final Fantasy XI created a lot of magnificent regions for players to explore right from the moment it launched, and every subsequent expansion has added new areas without making them feel redundant. Considering that the game's next expansion is on the way, I thought it was apropos to look at what makes the zones so wonderful as well as what mistakes the designers might try to avoid when making the new areas in the west.
Moscow Mars flight simulation comes to close after 520 days
For the past 520 days, six men have been taking part in an experiment -- Mars500, a simulation of the effects of long-duration space flight carried out at the Moscow Institute. Over the last 17 months and change, the crew has had its stress and hormone levels monitored, been subject to studies on isolation and dietary supplements and has had its communication with the outside world severely hampered. The crew emerged earlier today, happy to be back, after never really having left. After release, the half-dozen members were taken to quarantine to be checked out by doctors. The scientists running the show seem satisfied with data gathered during the study and are hoping to take things to the next level, conducting a similar experiment in orbit.
International Space Station gets 'Man Cave,' Robonaut 2
In the narrow confines of the International Space Station, every cubic inch counts, but that won't necessarily keep NASA from building a rec room. When the Leonardo Pressurized Multipurpose Module (PMM) launches in September 2010, NASA is considering turning it into a internet-connected "man cave" isolated and quiet enough for astronauts to tweet in privacy. The connection's nothing special -- science officer T.J. Creamer compared it to that of a 14.4K modem capable of only tweets, text articles and basic browsing -- but Universe Today reports that they will also have a robotic servant, the Robonaut 2, to play with. Imagine a cramped world without fresh water or YouTube, but where you can program a state-of-the-art robot to perform monotonous tasks... We think that's a fair tradeoff, don't you? [Thanks, Robert P.]
Infectious, Isolation's Floody secret
Before Halo 3's launch, IGN previewed multiplayer map Isolation and talked with multiplayer lead Tyson Green who hinted at a special "feature" that Isolation reveals after playing on it for a while. Well friends, the secret is out and it's a subtle change. The Chief over at the 7th Columnist forums discovered the Isolation secret where after you play for a bit, the Flood infects the rest of the map making the ground all spotted and icky. It doesn't affect gameplay in the least and some may not notice it (we surely didn't), but it's still something rather nifty that you can point out to your friends. Yup, it's the little things in life.[Thanks, Bowie]
It's lonely, it's secluded, it's Halo 3's Isolation
Getting the exclusive scoop once again, IGN lifted the veil and posted a few screenshots of a brand new, yet to be announced Halo 3 multiplayer map called Isolation.Isolation is considered to be a medium size map that takes place in an enclosed environment where players can shoot it out up top amongst the sparse trees and rolling grassy hills or head underground and duke it out in the dark and moist tunnels. IGN also posted a quick Q&A with lead multiplayer man Tyson Green where he mentioned that the map was designed for Multi-Flag CTF, but said that Team Slayer works like a beaut too. Green then hinted at a special "feature" that happens when playing Isolation for a while, but he refused to spoil what exactly happens. We're thinking it has something to do with the underground aspect of the map, because the IGN supplied screenshots show what to be some sort of white eggs or fungus that grows underground. So, maybe something hatches? Whatever the special surprise may be, Isolation looks amazingly fun and should be a Forge fan favorite. Look for more Isolation screenshots after you make the jump.[Thanks, Magic Whiskey]
iPod: personalizing isolation
Many pundits (read 'luddites') fear that the proliferation of iPod toting folks is isolating people from group experiences that define our culture as a whole. Katherine Mangu-Ward, writing for Reason Magazine, argues that this fear has been around since the dawn of the Walkman, and we seem to be doing ok. The iPod's ability to isolate people isn't a drawback, but rather a feature. People crave to have their own little musical universe in which to retreat from the increasingly noisy work a day world.I thank the Jobs every time my iPod saves me from being forced to listen to some random cellphone conversation. So, what do you think? Is the isolation offered by an iPod worrying? Or should we all just pop in some ear buds and rock out?[via Informationally Overloaded]
