1. Next Big Thing in Video Games
For the past few years I've had this idea for the next big thing in video
games and was wondering if anybody else thought about it... Basically, it
is taking video games from participant-only to a spectator sport.
Apparently, somebody else figured this a Good Idea(tm)...
http://gamespy.com/articles/june01/hlmod3b/
However, their version seems limited, as (apparently?) it is simply a mod
for a current game. I think what I'd like to do is create a server type
software and API for game developers so ANY game could be watched, whether
it be Pong or Madden 2003. Game developers would only have to include
certain code OR plug in our code module to serve out the game to a billion
viewers.
Eventually, of course, you'll have the announcers and the pay-per-view
events... Imagine watching the championship game of a Warcraft III
tournament (not complete with orc cheerleaders). :)
Can the CommEUnity run with this?
-ck
2. Re: Next Big Thing in Video Games
C.K,
what a brilliant idea, i know of a couple of guys writing server software
and have the experience in the #euphoria chat room.
You never know!
Jordah
----- Original Message -----
From: "C. K. Lester" <cklester at yahoo.com>
To: "EUforum" <EUforum at topica.com>
Subject: Next Big Thing in Video Games
>
> For the past few years I've had this idea for the next big thing in video
> games and was wondering if anybody else thought about it... Basically, it
> is taking video games from participant-only to a spectator sport.
> Apparently, somebody else figured this a Good Idea(tm)...
>
> http://gamespy.com/articles/june01/hlmod3b/
>
> However, their version seems limited, as (apparently?) it is simply a mod
> for a current game. I think what I'd like to do is create a server type
> software and API for game developers so ANY game could be watched, whether
> it be Pong or Madden 2003. Game developers would only have to include
> certain code OR plug in our code module to serve out the game to a billion
> viewers.
>
> Eventually, of course, you'll have the announcers and the pay-per-view
> events... Imagine watching the championship game of a Warcraft III
> tournament (not complete with orc cheerleaders). :)
>
> Can the CommEUnity run with this?
>
> -ck
>
>
>
>
3. Re: Next Big Thing in Video Games
Hmmmm...
Being an avid gamer, I like the option of being a
spectator, but for me it could never take the place of
getting down to the gameplay itself. I may watch a
match or two, but then would be itching to play
myself. However, I see lots of potential uses for the
concept.
I remember a game of my dad's that I used to play on
an Apple II, where you created a robot and gave it
"A.I." based on a simple scripting language. Then you
would send the little bot into an arena and see how it
fares vs other robots. You would then modify the
script as needed to make your robot smarter. It was
an interesting test for my twelve year old mind.
I could see the spectator thing being of great use in
games like this, where (in this example) everyone
comes with their developed robot and watches them
fight it out in a giant arena, complete with
environmental hazards that the bots would have to
negotiate, etc.
This would change the prospect from simply being a
spectator, to having some stake in the actual outcome
of what you're watching.
--- "C. K. Lester" <cklester at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> For the past few years I've had this idea for the
> next big thing in video
> games and was wondering if anybody else thought
> about it... Basically, it
> is taking video games from participant-only to a
> spectator sport.
> Apparently, somebody else figured this a Good
> Idea(tm)...
>
> http://gamespy.com/articles/june01/hlmod3b/
>
> However, their version seems limited, as
> (apparently?) it is simply a mod
> for a current game. I think what I'd like to do is
> create a server type
> software and API for game developers so ANY game
> could be watched, whether
> it be Pong or Madden 2003. Game developers would
> only have to include
> certain code OR plug in our code module to serve out
> the game to a billion
> viewers.
>
> Eventually, of course, you'll have the announcers
> and the pay-per-view
> events... Imagine watching the championship game of
> a Warcraft III
> tournament (not complete with orc cheerleaders). :)
>
> Can the CommEUnity run with this?
>
> -ck
>
>
>
>
>
>
4. Re: Next Big Thing in Video Games
> Being an avid gamer, I like the option of being a
> spectator, but for me it could never take the place of
> getting down to the gameplay itself.
I agree, but we all know there are more armchair quarterbacks than people
who are willing to get their fat butts to the field with some friends to
play a real game. :)
> I may watch a match or two, but then would be itching
> to play myself.
The good thing for the avid gamers is that you could watch the top-rated
people play and capture some strategies or tactics.
Being in the conceptual design stage, if anybody has any ideas they want to
throw out, please do. I'm fleshing out the VirtSpec* API and will be doing
more rough draft conceptualizing tonight, running it through "reality
checks" and stuff like that.
Thanks!
ck
*Virtual Spectator, though http://www.virtualspectator.com already has the
URL! hehehe. Hopefully they won't get a clue as to where the real dough will
be in a few years... after online game play hits the billion dollars per
year mark.
5. Re: Next Big Thing in Video Games
> I agree, but we all know there are more armchair quarterbacks than people
> who are willing to get their fat butts to the field with some friends to
> play a real game. :)
What I was intending to convey was the ratio of participants to spectators,
although in the virtual arena, the physical attributes of the "players" no
longer matters... it's more of a brain thing (and hand-eye coordination).
I just love how it levels the playing field, although kids raised on MTV and
video games probably have an early advantage. :)
6. Re: Next Big Thing in Video Games
On 2 Dec 2002, at 12:34, Chris Saik wrote:
>
> Hmmmm...
>
> Being an avid gamer, I like the option of being a
> spectator, but for me it could never take the place of
> getting down to the gameplay itself. I may watch a
> match or two, but then would be itching to play
> myself. However, I see lots of potential uses for the
> concept.
>
> I remember a game of my dad's that I used to play on
> an Apple II, where you created a robot and gave it
> "A.I." based on a simple scripting language. Then you
> would send the little bot into an arena and see how it
> fares vs other robots. You would then modify the
> script as needed to make your robot smarter. It was
> an interesting test for my twelve year old mind.
>
> I could see the spectator thing being of great use in
> games like this, where (in this example) everyone
> comes with their developed robot and watches them
> fight it out in a giant arena, complete with
> environmental hazards that the bots would have to
> negotiate, etc.
>
> This would change the prospect from simply being a
> spectator, to having some stake in the actual outcome
> of what you're watching.
Someone already did that online. Look in the Eu email archives for the url.
Kat
> --- "C. K. Lester" <cklester at yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> > For the past few years I've had this idea for the
> > next big thing in video
> > games and was wondering if anybody else thought
> > about it... Basically, it
> > is taking video games from participant-only to a
> > spectator sport.
> > Apparently, somebody else figured this a Good
> > Idea(tm)...
> >
> > http://gamespy.com/articles/june01/hlmod3b/
> >
> > However, their version seems limited, as
> > (apparently?) it is simply a mod
> > for a current game. I think what I'd like to do is
> > create a server type
> > software and API for game developers so ANY game
> > could be watched, whether
> > it be Pong or Madden 2003. Game developers would
> > only have to include
> > certain code OR plug in our code module to serve out
> > the game to a billion
> > viewers.
> >
> > Eventually, of course, you'll have the announcers
> > and the pay-per-view
> > events... Imagine watching the championship game of
> > a Warcraft III
> > tournament (not complete with orc cheerleaders). :)
> >
> > Can the CommEUnity run with this?
> >
> > -ck
> >
> >
>
>
>
7. Re: Next Big Thing in Video Games
> Someone already did that online. Look in the Eu email archives for the
url.
Already did what?! And how about a search term. I tried "spectator" and got
nuttin'.
8. Re: Next Big Thing in Video Games
On 2 Dec 2002, at 15:35, C. K. Lester wrote:
>
> > Someone already did that online. Look in the Eu email archives for the
> url.
>
> Already did what?!
Already did what the topic of the email i replied to was.
>And how about a search term. I tried "spectator" and got
> nuttin'.
Sorry, try another search term. The webpage detailed how the arena was set
up, how your bot was to interface to the arena and other bots, and the rest
was up to you. Bot runners could watch the arena action, so could people
who didn't have a bot. I wasn't terribly interested, it was like worms, and
getting worms isn't high on my Things to Acquire List.
Kat
