What is a_rage » Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a_rage?
A: a_rage, or `augmented reality active game engine' - is a HMV (head mounted visor) and backpack that plugs into a handheld console - and lets you play videogames outdoors!
Q: Where can I get one?
A: We are still currently in the development phase - and aim to strike a deal with a hardware manufacturer, and develop a 5-game bundle for launch, after which other Developers can make or port their own AR games for the system, using the existing a_rage middleware.
Q: How much is it?
A: Our planned target price point is AUD$500. This would include the HMV and bumbag, to plug into your existing PSP (or other handheld console).
Q: Didn't consumer-market Virtual Reality games kind of `come and go' in the 90's?
A: Yes they did, but VR and AR are very different mediums. In VR, you can't see the outside world. In AR you `overlay' graphics onto the real world, meaning you are `inside' the game, in the real world. Also - game hardware wasn't really cutting it back then. But next-gen consoles - eg PSP - now means that handheld outdoor console games are almost photo-realistic graphically. And the gameplay in AR is totally different to any other style of gameplay.
Q: Is a_rage a hardware manufacturer, or a game developer?
A: Both. We design and research the hardware and are developing AR games for the system.
Q: Who else is doing this sort of stuff?
A: Nobody that we know of is making commercial outdoor AR games. A Lab at the NUS (Singapore) is also doing research into this area. But the WCL and UniSA in Adelaide Australia are the world leaders in Outdoor Augmented Reality games (they invented ARQuake, in 2000) so it makes sense to do it all from here in Adelaide.
Q: When do you launch a_rage onto the consumer market?
A: All being well, Q4 2006.
Q: I want a job working for you guys. Are you hiring?
A: Not hiring right now - but send your CV to General Manager Greg Macpherson and we will put it on file. We will require programmers (C++) and artists (3DSMax).
Q: Where did the name a_rage come from?
A: We originally wanted to call it Augmented Reality Arcade Game Emulator (and the idea is to port every MAME game to AR - ie about 1000 games in all) but Bruce suggested Active Game Engine which everyone agreed was better. - It's a_rage to play, either way.
