Mcrosoft just announced the release of the Dragons Adventure World Explorer, or DAWE for short. It is actually very cool and well-timed, because for any of us who have tried to go on a long trip in a car, this should keep the little tykes engaged and quiet.
It also should get developers excited about creating more games that could turn the family vacation experience into a bloodbath of adventure for boys and a 4H-like experience for girls, but with dragons! I'll explain and then close with my product of the week: a service I just can't seem to live without.
Augmented Reality Promise
HP's augmented reality demonstration way back in 2007 captured the imagination and showcased where this technology eventually could go. Blending what was real with what was imaginary, the technology demonstration presented the promise of a game that got kids to play outside and had a reward that I think a lot of geeky kids would have bought the game to enjoy.
Since then, there has been more focus on creating things that will pop out of ads for movies, toys and food than in creating games that blend the real world outside with the imaginations of game developers. Microsoft's Dragons Adventure World Explorer is designed not only to be a game, but also a showcase to get developers' imaginations going and finally create the world that HP imagined the better part of a decade ago.
Dragons Adventure
Microsoft showed up at my house last week to give me a preview of the game, codeveloped with DreamWorks, and it is an impressive initial effort. What the game does is allow you to choose the dragon -- it is based on the successful How to Train Your Dragon DreamWorks movie series -- and then fly over and around your car, depicted on the map as a slow moving cart, to complete quests.
The structures around you are consistent with the game, and they pick up elements from a number of Internet mapping and location-based services to make it feel more real.
For instance, if you are passing a Starbucks, the game will reflect that but display the store as an ancient building consistent with the game timeline. As you move forward, the game around you changes in accordance with the real world, keeping the two connected. As you fly away from the car, more remote things that are captured by the geolocation services come into view. I could see one problem, in that kids noticing that there was a McDonald's or Baskin-Robbins nearby suddenly could become rather strident in their wish for a physical visit over a virtual one as their stomachs overrule their desire for game points and rewards. Connecting to the outside and showcasing what the player is missing it actually should pull kids out of the game to see the real thing, providing a never-ending stream of variety that should keep the focus on the game and not on irritating the driver on a long ride -- at least, that is the hope.Wrapping Up: Moving Into the Augmented Reality Future
The Dragons Adventure is an amazing step into the future of augmented reality and gaming. It is just a step, though, and I think we'll find what comes out of the imaginations of those who create games that follow it will be far more amazing.
Still, it is a decent initial effort that reminds me of that old HP vision with the only downside being you don't get kissed by a princess at the end. Now if they could add that... my wife wouldn't let me play it anymore.
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