The Future of Board Games

[Ignis]

At first glance, the technology, by School of Computing graduate Mike Rooke and Professor Vertegaal, looks like a set of white, cardboard hexagons taken straight from the game board of Settlers of Catan. However, with the help of an overhead camera and a projector, each piece of cardboard becomes a mini-computer capable of displaying video images.

The camera tracking and projection allow researchers at the HML to anticipate technologies 5-10 years down the road, when thin-film Organic LED screens will allow these kinds of board games to become practical. "We just started thinking about, 'What if these new screens exist? What could we do with them?" says Professor Vertegaal.

Board games are just the beginning. HML student Eric Akaoka and Professor Vertegaal have also been pioneering research on DisplayObjects. This technology allows any object to become a computer. The DisplayObjects workbench allows designers to carve future appliances out of interactive Styrofoam that immediately displays images, allowing evaluation with users at an earlier stage than is currently possible.

"In the near future, a computer will have any shape or form, and iPhone-like computer displays will start appearing on any product. Projecting and tracking objects is just the beginning. These Organic User Interfaces will be embedded in real world interactions."

-- SD: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100122135417.htm
-- Wired: http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/02/the-future-of-board-games-or-not/
-- HML Paper: http://www.hml.queensu.ca/files/electronicboardgames.pdf

Be sure to check out this amazing video from the Human Media Lab:
http://www.hml.queensu.ca/node/249

[Forkboy]

1. That's pretty damn cool.

[Ignis]

2. Isn't it? I love that they used Catan as their example pieces.

But it also makes me want to break out all of my old Avalon Hill games and see which of those could be upgraded. :D

[Forkboy]

4. I only played one actual boardgame, some real complicated wargame that I can't even remember.

None of my friends would stick with it, so I've only played PC recreations of them otherwise. I have played Settlers of catan, but only against an A.I., not another human. I've seen great A.I., but even the best is never as devious as a friend out for blood. :)

[Occulus]

6. It wasn't Panzer Blitz, was it?

A couple years ago I bought "Twilight Imperium". Good GOD. It's Risk in space, with aaaalllllll the time that entails.

Fun game, but LORDY, you better have the whole day free....

[Ignis]

7. Ahh, Twilight Imperium...

"This is the game that never ends, my friends..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight_Imperium

This game is SO much fun, but just forget it unless you can lock yourself in a spouse- and child-free room for a day.

[YOY]

5. Ah Catan...reminds me of college.

"Hey Rob, want to study?"

"No and X is at her parents place."

"Check this out! Settler of Catan!"

"Dude, a board game? Come on!"

No...you gotta try this!"

15 years later...I still wish I had a copy myself.

[lazarus]

3. awesome

can't wait.