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OpenPool transforms billiards with a Kinect camera-controlled light show
Want to know how to make a pool table an attention-grabber on a showroom floor full of highly explosive video games? Try a couple of Kinect cameras, some projectors and a sound system. OpenPool's an open-source project that's looking to bring a little multimedia action to the world of billiards. The company had some reps on the floor of SXSW's Game Expo today, showing off the system, which, at the very least, is most probably unlike any pool game you've played. The system uses two Kinect cameras to detect ball movement, which in turn directs the motion of the projectors -- not entirely unlike those floor shows in malls that seem to endlessly fascinate small children. The speakers play sound effects and music in sync with the movement as well, signaling noises when balls drop into the pockets. The company is really excited at the prospect of open-sourcing here, and told us you should probably be able to set up your own system at home for around $10,000, pool table included. For those who aren't particularly tech-savvy, the Japanese company is working on building full systems for offices and bars. Having Konami as a partner will certainly help it realize that dream. Check out a video of the table in action after the, you know, break.%Gallery-181155%
Dual-armed Teutonic robot plays pool, carefully learns to hustle foolish humans
Sure, we've created interactive pool tables and digitally assisted billiards, but isn't it time we completely outsourced our pool-playing to brutally efficient robots? The Germans obviously think so, using this year's International Conference on Robotics and Automation to debut a dual-armed poolbot able to make "easier" shots about 80 percent of the time. Those misses sound a bit like hustling to us, and unlike Willow Garage's friendly PR2 robot, the German version has a suitably intimidating, industrial look. It's also a bit of a cheat, using an overhead camera to plan its shots. For the full lowdown on this shark, check the video after the break.
Pool fans should check out Snooker Club for iPhone and iPad
Future Games of London, makers of the popular Pool Bar - Online Hustle and (my favorite) Hungry Shark games, have just released Snooker Club for iOS. For those of you who don't know, snooker is a pool-like game popular in Commonwealth countries. You play it on a 12-foot table with 22 balls. The person who pots the most balls wins the frame (individual game). The person who wins the most frames wins the game. In most billiards halls, you'll find groups of old men huddled around the snooker table, but FGOL has done away with the geezers and populated the Snooker Club, and you can play as one of seven beautiful women. You can play vs the computer or against a friend using two-player mode. Like Pool Bar before this, Snooker Club features beautiful graphics with fluid camera controls and great ball physics. Best of all, the game is free for a limited time. Snooker Club is a universal app and requires iOS 4.1 or later.
Willow Garage PR2 robot plays pool, gives Fast Eddie a run for his money (video)
We're pretty big fans of Willow Garage, and its generous support of the open source Robot Operating System (ROS). For its latest trick, the company has developed a system to teach its PR3 robot billiards. Unlike projects we've seen in the past, Poolshark doesn't rely on overhead cameras to calculate moves. Rather, it's forced to conform to standard rules: it can only shoot from where the cue ball lay, and it sights shots from the same vantage point as human player would. And, you know what? While not perfect, the robot does pretty well. Not bad for a week's work, eh? Video after the break.
PSP crowns King of Pool this week
Sure, you may already be one of the Hustle Kings on PS3, but isn't it time you sought another billiards-related monarchy on a Sony system? Of course it is. Nordcurrent thinks so, which is why it's releasing King of Pool for PSP over the PlayStation Network this week. King of Pool is a pool game that purports to "implement the whole variety of rules that exist in the world." It features a bunch of real pool modes, as well as weird original tables invented by the team. "Originally they were created by our lead artists just for fun, as a joke," Nordcurrent managing director Alex Bravve said, "but then we've noticed that a lot of people are actually enjoying playing them. So we decided to leave these tables as a feature, rather than an Easter egg." King of Pool will be downloadable April 8 for ten bucks.
Hustle Kings bounces onto PSN this week for $10
PS3-owning billiards fans have something to look forward to this week. This Thursday's PSN update will feature Hustle Kings, a PSN-exclusive game promising "real pool, real physics" and "the real hustle with real balls." With all this talk about being "real," we won't be surprised if this game eventually gets patched with PlayStation Motion Controller support. Sporting the standard $9.99 price tag, the surprisingly good-looking game also includes YouTube support to upload your best shots, in-game XMB music control, and online multiplayer. Check out the trailer after the break.
Digitally Assisted Billiards makes everyone a pool shark
There's cheating, and then there's out-thinking the room. Georgia Tech's own Justin Needham and Matthew Straub are clearly headed for great things, as their Digitally Assisted Billiards is reason enough to give these guys a degree in our eyes. Using an array of low-end kit -- just an eBox 2300 embedded computer, Logitech webcam, 4- x 3-foot mirror, a VGA projector, pool table and a few extenders -- the two were able to concoct a system for visually displaying the expected trajectory of all possible shots based on the location of the balls still on the slate. For a much better idea of what we're hinting at, check the demonstration video after the break.[Via Hack-A-Day]
VC Friday: Strong Bad, Cubello, cooking, billiards
Four new WiiWare titles came down the tubes in Europe and Australia today, and the selection couldn't be more diverse. Art Style: Cubello and Strong Bad Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands you'll already know about, but CueSports and Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam are more mysterious beasts. The former looks promising, the latter, er, not particularly great, according to the few reviews that are about.Art Style: Cubello -- WiiWare -- 600 Wii PointsCueSports -- Snooker vs. Billiards -- WiiWare -- 800 Wii PointsStrong Bad Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii PointsYummy Yummy Cooking Jam -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii PointsFootage of all these is past! The! Break!%Gallery-33956%
Brunswick Billiards gets its own Berkline home theater chairs
Nothing chases a good flick like a few games of pool, and that's exactly why Brunswick Billiards has teamed up with Berkline to introduce a few new offerings. The famed home theater seating company has agreed to create a fresh line of Brunswick-exclusive home theater chairs which will include two contemporary models and a single traditional model. Eight different types of leather will be available, and a few subtleties include a taller back, cup holders, lighted bases and power recline options. The luxurious seats will start at $1,249 apiece and should be ready to hit game rooms / HTs in "early summer."
Heiron & Smith's Executive pool table sports LCD, PS2
While we've seen some fine marriages between game room entertainment and over the top electronic heaven, Heiron & Smith's flagship pool table just entered a league of its own. The aptly-dubbed Executive measures eight- x four-feet, sports Australian molded cushion rubber, Italian slate, handmade pocket nets, and some of the finest cloth England had to offer. The good stuff, however, consists of a side-mounted LCD TV, stereo with flat-panel speakers, neatly adorned PlayStation 2, racks for your books, games, and other media, and of course, a mirrored indention to stock the sauce. Unfortunately, it'll take a phone call to figure out how many thousands this thing will set you back, and unless you live Down Under (or own a barge), you won't be acquiring one anyway.[Via TechDigest]
Girls don't go wild: Pocket Pool loses license
Pocket Pool is a hilarious game where porn stars and billiards collide. The game, which is rated M for "partial nudity" and "sexual themes," was originally supposed to feature the Girls Gone Wild license. Looks like it's no more. "While I can confirm that the Girls Gone Wild license was in consideration for Pocket Pool, an agreement was not formally signed," an Eidos representative told GameSpot.Surely, this is a monumental loss for the gaming community. Or not. I'm sure whoever wants to purchase this doesn't need a Girls Gone Wild license to pick it up.
Girls Gone Wild heads over to PSP
Pocket Pool, the game of billiards "enhanced" by less-than-fully-clothed women, is embracing a new identity. The game is now entitled Girls Gone Wild: Pocket Pool, hoping to entice the fools that tend to purchase such derogatory works. The game, rated M for "partial nudity" and "sexual themes," will have more than a dozen ways to hit your balls, including 9-ball and Snooker styles. The game releases in April, for the lot of you that are interested.[Via Gamespot]See also:When porn stars and pool collide
When porn stars and pool collide
Oh no. It's yet another one of those NSFW PSP games. You know what I'm talking about: games that seem to offer no benefit other than displaying gratuitous amounts of T&A. Considering the older demographic of the PSP, and the relative privacy one has while using it, it's unsurprising that publishers are trying to take advantage with more "adult" skewed games. Pocket Pool rewards players with photos and videos of a questionable nature for playing a round of billiards. However, is taunting realistic "ball control" a good thing in a game like this?Potentially NSFW video embedded after the cut.
Vision library expands beyond Uno
As expected, Microsoft has updated following Arcade titles for use with the Vision Camera: Bankshot Billiards 2 Hardwood Hearts Hardwood Spades Hardwood Backgammon The press release also reminds parents to check their family settings. Good idea.Speaking of adult-oriented action, Activision's World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions, the first game to take advantage of the Digimask facial mapping stuff, hits store shelves today. So Microsoft has camera support covered as far as pool sharking and problem gambling are concerned. Now where are the gesture-based games, starting with Totem Ball? I have read that the Vision is supposed to come with a download code for that flailing effort, but the $40 SKU I picked up at Toys R Us included only Uno and one month of XBL Gold (There are no titles mentioned on the packaging). I'll try out the facial mapping feature in WSoP tonight and let you know if it does my handsome mug justice.
