James Cameron is one of the finest directors in the history of film, and arguably the best Sci-Fi director ever (with some stumbles). Now, he's looking to meld the big budget Hollywood spectacle with a big budget online game. At first, this seems like a big nothing. Afterall, video games based on movies have been around for-ever and usually with poor results (think Cat Woman....ahhh...maybe don't think). But this may be different. Cameron wants to launch the game universe months before the movie even hits the theatre. If he pulls it off, players will be able to thoroughly explore the world before Cameron uses the world for the back-drop of his story. It has the makings of a cult classic.
Ron Howard is taking a similar path with a new reality show he's developing. Called XQuest, the show will place players in a small spaceship-like module that simulates a trip around the galaxy. Not only will they experience cramped conditions, they'll feel the motions of the craft...including 6G thrust. MMOG players will be able to interact with the players during the show, and winners in the online game will be invited to play in reality the next season.
All in all, these could be some really neat advances in how reality and games interact, but I'm not going to hold my breath. To often, the promises don't come near the reality of what's delivered in the end.
Business Week: James Cameron's Game Theory
Ron Howard is taking a similar path with a new reality show he's developing. Called XQuest, the show will place players in a small spaceship-like module that simulates a trip around the galaxy. Not only will they experience cramped conditions, they'll feel the motions of the craft...including 6G thrust. MMOG players will be able to interact with the players during the show, and winners in the online game will be invited to play in reality the next season.
All in all, these could be some really neat advances in how reality and games interact, but I'm not going to hold my breath. To often, the promises don't come near the reality of what's delivered in the end.
Business Week: James Cameron's Game Theory
