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Kinect Hacks: A pad-free StepMania
Are you sick of using the Kinect to play games which allow you to actually dance? Modder MMaximus' newest Kinect hack might seem like a step backwards for the genre, but it's a major step forwards for StepMania technology. (And a step to the left! And a step to the right! Now jump!)
Laser dance matrix lets you rock out right on the floor
Dragging dance pad tech out of the PowerPad age, Applied Sciences' Laser Dance Matrix eliminates all the moving parts (except yours). The "pad" features four laser diodes interfaced with the guts of a Logitech Gamepad, triggering a buttonpress when your foot breaks a beam. The designers say that gameplay is similar to any other dancepad, with the notable difference of dancing on directly on the floor, which seems like a huge improvement to us. We just hope they take the next logical step and combine this with one of those LED dance floors that keep popping up -- talk about an instant party. The unit is just a prototype for now, but Applied Sciences is gauging interest to see if they should build them -- hit the read link to demand your laser dance upgrade.[Via Hack A Day]
Former RedOctane employees legally lose their rhythm
Two former RedOctane employees, Guitar Hero II executive producer John Tam and brand manager Corey Fong, have settled with Activision regarding a lawsuit the publisher filed against the duo, GameSpot reports. The other parties involved -- PR firm Reverb Communications, peripheral manufacturer The Ant Commandos and former RedOctane employee Jamie Yang -- have not currently settled.Activision claims that Tam and Fong had used their knowledge of its rhythm games improperly in creating and showcasing a demo that aimed at getting funding for a new development house, Lodestone Entertainment (formerly Hourglass Interactive), that intended to develop rhythm titles. Tam and Fong have consented to the judge's permanent injunction that bars the duo from the following: Using the demo they created, which is said to have incorporated elements of Guitar Hero and StepMania, in any way Disclosing or act upon any Activision trade secrets Developing drum-, guitar-, or synthesizer-based games for the next year Working on any Guitar Hero II controllers for the Xbox 360 until six months after the game's release this week Developing any sort of competition for unspecified peripheral devices (effects pedals, perhaps?) found on a confidential list held by Activision until six months after they are released Additionally, Tom and Fong are to turn over "all documents, files, or materials they might have relating to the publisher's proprietary information, Lodestone Interactive, or communications with Reverb and The Ant Commandos" to Activision, according to the report.
Playing StepMania with the Wiimote
Using a GlovePIE script designed exclusively with StepMania in mind, we get a good idea for how one might enjoy dancing games (or rhythm-based games period) with the Wiimote. Not only would it cause us severe pains in our wrist (keep your mind out of the gutter), but we think, when combined with a dance mat as proposed by the upcoming Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Mix, it could very well create one of the most difficult gaming experiences ever seen. A rewarding experience? We'll leave that determination up to after you check out the video, which has been embedded past the post break.[via Siliconera]
