#orlandoix

[khas-lana]

Heading out to OrlandoiX. Going to do what I do best...sit awkwardly and make equally awkward conversation about my passion for video games. #gamer #orlandoix #hipsteraesthetic #beanie #plaid #fakeglasses

[missingfishgames-blog]

Missing Fish holds first event at Orlando IX

       (Special thanks to Priscilla Pasquarelli and Amy Hua for volunteering) 

On August 17 Missing Fish presented Better Call Bacon and upcoming game Total Spatial Awareness at Orlando IX hosted on Full Sail’s campus. As a stroke of fate, the building where the booth was set up happens to be named “The Fishbowl”.  The team got their hands dirty doing some DIY booth prepping that included setting up the monitors to display mobile gameplay and stenciling sprites on the table’s skirt.

This event was the first opportunity for the team to interact with the audience directly and receive feedback that wasn’t a digital comment. Hearing everyone’s impressions of the games and watching their playstyles helped gauge the games’ success and shape future decisions. 

Aside from play testing, players competed to score the highest on TSA to win a $20 Steam gift card. Some rose to the challenge and attempted several times to solidify their top spot but the prize was ultimately won by Francisco Gonzalez who scored 102, the only who reached triple digits. 

OIX was Missing Fish’s first dip in the pool of indie gaming but to those who weren’t able to see us, don’t worry, there will be plenty of future events.

[barrettbiggers]

Hey guys here at #orlandoix come buy and check out sone great local #artists and #art #games #indiegames #gamer (at Full Sail University)

[orlandoix]

OrlandoiX joins statewide coalition to promote innovation economy

Launch Florida, a new and inclusive statewide innovation coalition, officially launched this week with a mission to foster collaboration between entrepreneurs, policymakers, business leaders, venture capitalists, philanthropists, and other stakeholders in order to make Florida the worldwide capital for innovation in the 21st century. Launch Florida represents 51 different organizations from coding schools to universities, technology associations to startup accelerators. The coalition approach has built a network benefiting the state by increasing grassroots mobilization and knowledge sharing. The coalition meets to promote events and successes throughout their statewide community, as well as collaborate together to advance towards a more innovative Florida.

“Launch Florida is a product of collaboration and advocacy in our communities and aims to further Florida’s economy through innovation,” said David Glass, founder and executive producer of OrlandoiX. “It’s an opportunity to foster shared ideas and goals in order to benefit Floridians locally and statewide.”

[orlandoix]

Florida Hosts Multiple Global Game Jam Sites to Inspire Creative Minds

The Global Game Jam® (GGJ) is the world's largest game jam event (game creation) taking place around the world at physical locations. The GGJ encourages people with all kinds of backgrounds to participate and contribute to this global spread of game development and creativity.

GGJ has grown to over 400 locations and has brought over 30,000 developers together in collaboration to building games in just one weekend.

Florida is hosting game jams at six sites this weekend. The sites are in Sarasota, Tallahassee, Winter Park, Miami, Coral Gables, and Orlando.

This will be the fifth year of Orlando’s game jam, and organizer Kunal Patel hopes to create a unique experience for veterans and newcomers alike.  

“With every game jam, there’s always an opportunity for new friendships, new partnerships, and new ideas. There’s a significant amount of talent that’s all there in that one room.” said Patel.

Patel stated that this year’s jam will try to promote more accessible gaming including unique ways of using audio in games.

The goal to create a game within a single weekend might be intimidating to newcomers. However, Patel says not to worry.

“Game development is one of the most collaborative projects that there is. If you’ve never been a part of a game jam, it may seem daunting but it’s not. You learn from your peers, and you learn from doing.”

For more information on each jam site or to join a site, click on the links below.

Orlando – http://globalgamejam.org/2017/jam-sites/orlando-global-game-jam

Sarasota – http://globalgamejam.org/2017/jam-sites/sarasota-global-game-jam-17

Tallahassee – http://globalgamejam.org/2017/jam-sites/scientific-computing-fsu-global-game-jam

Winter Park – http://globalgamejam.org/2017/jam-sites/central-florida-ggj

Miami – http://globalgamejam.org/2017/jam-sites/ggj-florida-international-university-tech-station-miami-fl

Coral Gables – http://globalgamejam.org/2017/jam-sites/global-game-jam-university-miami

[orlandoix]

Otronicon 2017 Highlights Central Florida’s Innovation in Technology

This past weekend was Orlando Science Center’s Otronicon. The interactive technology expo invited the public to join in on the different workshops, demonstrations, and presentations that were offered. Even on the last day of the event, Monday January 16, crowds were large and everyone seemed to be enjoying what Otronicon had to offer.

Virtual Reality (VR)

There were plenty of VR headsets to go around this year. A variety of companies such as Microsoft, Rilix Coaster, and Lockheed Martin in addition to schools such as the University of Central Florida (UCF) utilized VR technology. Whether it was to show new puzzle and adventure games, a simulated haunted house, or the latest in flight simulators, attendees lined up to be a part of the action.

Augmented Reality (AR)

One of the standouts this year in AR at Otronicon was The Walt Disney Company. With the use of the Microsoft HoloLens, Disney created an aerial view of “The World of Pandora” for guests to enjoy. Participants could see the upcoming area in Disney’s Animal Kingdom from a variety of angles just by turning their head or leaning in thanks to the HoloLens.

Innovative Technology Isn’t Just for Entertaining

In addition to being shown a wide range of technology used as entertainment, attendees were also able to interact with technology used in a professional setting. Companies and agencies such as Stryker Navigation Brain Mapping and NASA showed how new advancements have changed the way jobs are performed.

Central Florida, A Tech Hub

While people may recognize Central Florida as THE place for theme parks and all things tourist, there’s also a strong emphasis on developing technology. Students from universities like UCF and Full Sail and those already in their professional careers are constantly adapting and developing technology that will change the way things are already done. Events like Otronicon and OrlandoiX hope to highlight the hard work these individuals and groups accomplish.

[orlandoix]

Otronicon 2017 Going on Now Through 1/16/17

Otronicon 2017 is being hosted this weekend through Monday at the Orlando Science Center.  Attendees will be able to get a firsthand look at a variety of new technologies that wouldn’t normally be made available to them.

Some experiences that guests will be able to enjoy include presentations by Talon Simulations, UCF Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, Synthestruct Conduit - Interactive Sound Installation, Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS): Advanced Learning Technologies, Orange Technical College, and Tabletop Gaming.

Attendees will also be able to partake in workshops and panels hosted by industry professionals. Workshops will cover topics such as robotics, coding, virtual reality, and more.  

“During the event, participants will discover the potential for exciting STEM careers in Central Florida’s growing tech industry while they experience the future of games and design, see the latest in medical and military technologies, check out workshops and panels and so much more.”

Admission to Otronicon is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and students, and $13.95 for youth (ages 3-11). Science Center members can experience Otronicon for free. All attendees are encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets at www.osc.org/purchasefor pre-sale prices and to experience extremely reduced admission lines.

[orlandoix]

OrlandoiX CES 2017 VR and AR Recap

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) demonstrations stole the show at the 2017 Consumer Electronic Show (CES) this past weekend. Companies such as Samsung, Facebook and HTC provided a firsthand look at how VR and AR technologies are continuing to advance.

While there were a lot of news and updates released, here are some trends and standout points from the show.

More Players in the VR Headset Game

Consumers rejoice, more companies are seriously investing time, money and development into VR. In addition to companies such as HTC and Oculus who have built up the VR industry, some heavy hitters have entered the field.

Companies such as Microsoft, Lenovo, FOVE and Pico demonstrated their takes on VR headsets. Whether it’s a differing price point then what’s already out there or a unique trait that no other headset has, these companies are hoping to differentiate themselves from the rest of the crowd.

Headphones, Attachments, Cameras…Boots and Candles?

Most would agree that VR headsets have made immersion much easier. However, some companies are taking that one step further – some in the literal sense.

While VR headset completely immerse its user visually, Audeze and JBL hope to immerse users audibly with headphones specifically developed for VR. The hope is to create a “-more realistic VR experience overall.”

And while sound and visuals have been implemented in VR since the beginning, users haven’t had their senses of touch and smell immersed in the virtual environment. However, that’s about to change.

Companies like HTC and Taclim are hoping to further immerse players through actively engaging them in ways other than swinging a controller around.

The HTC Tracker adds instant motion control to any object once attached. With simulators that mimic sports such as baseball and tennis, users can now use equipment they may already own to create a more lifelike immersion.

Another innovation of VR that was demonstrated at CES 2017 was the future development of VR cameras. Humaneyes Technologies’ Vuze camera has 3D audio support and is pitched toward those who wish to create VR content. Insta360 announced its Insta360 Pro, which features an 8k-resolution is suitable for livestreaming and is aimed at anyone looking for a high-quality camera to meet their demands.

Taclim is taking immersion one step further, literally. The Taclim VR boots from Cerevo are not only tracked in a 3D space, but can also provide tactile feedback. Sensors in the boots will transmit physical sensations appropriate to what is displayed in a virtual space. If you’re walking through a forest in VR, that’s what’ll feel like even if you’re actually walking on hardwood.

Now, take that immersion even further and imagine being able to smell what is being seen. Online geek merchandise retailer Merchoid hopes to fully indulge their consumers’ sense of smell with the aromatic scents of…well, old timber and blood. The officially licensed Resident Evil 7 4D candle further tricks the senses into thinking you’re in the game. Perhaps this is an accessory for those with a bit of courage on their side.

Don’t Forget About AR

Great innovations in AR presented itself at CES 2017. While the public became more aware of AR through the recent success of apps like Pokémon GO, the true limits of AR haven’t been reached.

Gap and Google demonstrated how AR could help shoppers decide on outfits with a digital mannequin that allows them to put different articles of clothing on at the same time.

HoloLamp uses a combination of a projector, video cameras and the Unity gaming software to bring out animated images without the use of glasses.

Lumus showcased a new set of AR glasses that have a 55-degree field of view that also allows users to wear their prescription glasses under them.

Merge VR is bringing AR to children through the HOLO CUBE. QR codes and patterns on the sides of the box are read by a phone’s camera, and with the use of the Merge VR headset, a variety of puzzles, games and objects are seen and can be interacted with.

The Future of VR and AR

VR and AR definitely had its time to shine at CES 2017, and it shined brightly. Even when taking out companies specifically focused on VR and AR, others like ASUS and Dell made sure to implement VR and AR into their products and demonstrations.

Samsung confirmed that they had sold 5 million Samsung Gear VR headset since its launch at their press event at CES 2017. This is a clear indication that VR and AR is the next step on immersing consumers, and getting them committed to a company’s brand and their products.