Kotaku: surface

Playing (Casual) Games on Microsoft's Surface

Brian Crecente — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:00:00 MST

They weren't exactly impressive, but the Microsoft Surface tables set up at CES did have games running on them. Too bad they all seemed like the sort you'd find on an iPhone and not a $10,000 interactive computer thingie.

Dungeons & Dragons For Microsoft Surface Has Come A Long Way

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:00:08 MST

The guys who are bringing Dungeons & Dragons (unofficially) to Microsoft's tabletop Surface system have been plugging away at their creation, giving us an extended, in-depth look at how one DMs the world's most expensive, most technically impressive campaigns.

The SurfaceScapes team at the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University gives us a very clear explanation of how this project works, from the networked Dungeon Master laptop that controls much of the experience to just how the more fleshed-out interface will work. The SurfaceScapes guys have big plans for the project, some of which they tease in the above video.

Team member Michael Lewis offers the official Surface blog some expert insight into the creation of the D&D port, which budding developers and tabletop role-playing gamers with deep pockets will definitely want to read.

New gameplay video with D&D on Surface [Microsoft Surface Blog]

Tabletop Gaming & Video Games Meet In A Safe, Happy Place

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:30:00 MST

This is SurfaceScape, a project aimed at taking Microsoft's "Surface" touch-screen table and bending it to the will of a bunch of tabletop gamers.

Watch the clip below. Especially the first couple of minutes, with the practical demonstrations. Then imagine playing a game of Warhammer 40K on it.

It's like the perfect blend of video games and tabletop gaming. The tactile feedback you get with actual miniatures mixed with the processing power and rendering capabilities of a computer.

Microsoft's Surface Team Follows Up With Tabletop Gaming Project [GameSetWatch]

SurfaceScapes Promo Video from Surfacescapes on Vimeo.

Firefly: Microsoft's First Game For Surface

Mark Wilson — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:40:53 MST

Hopefully most of you still remember Microsoft's Surface, that tabletop computer system that uses intuitive multitouch control. And while we doubt the platform will be replacing Street Fighter IV cabinets any time soon, Microsoft's first game for the device, Firefly (by Hexic's Carbonated Games), is interesting from the technical demonstration standpoint. Now I'm ready to see them really push the boundaries and aggressively integrate all ten fingers into a game design.

Firefly: The first game for Microsoft Surface [SarcasticGamer]

Wii Hack Simulates Microsoft Surface

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:40:42 MST

Microsoft's Surface technology sure is nifty, but it's going to cost a pretty penny. Oh, and it's real world applications are a bit questionable, too. But this Wii-mote hack, done in the Johnny Lee style does its best to recreate the Surface tech, without leaving greasy fingerprints. Maestro, as its creators at Cynergy have named it, requires a Wii remote and a pair of LED gloves—soon to be obsolete when we'll have the diodes embedded in our fingertips in the not too distant future—in order to work. More details are available by pressing play or visiting the YouTube page on the matter.

Cynergy Labs: Project Maestro [YouTube via Gizmodo]