This + Natal = Real World Halo

[via Wired via YouTube] A joint team from Georgia Tech/SCAD-Atlanta built this augmented reality zombie shooter game. It uses a 2-d map laid out on a table and a handheld device to shoot zombies in a miniaturized 3-d city block. Hit the jump to see the full video and for an explanation of how this technology could be combined with Natal to give us real-world Halo or COD.



Bear with me on this, it'll definitely be worth it when it clicks in your head. Imagine, playing Halo/COD with a group of friends as you might play paintball.

This 2-d to 3-d tracking and projection software could be integrated into a low-weight virtual reality headset (called a head mounted device, it track your head movements and changes the screen projection in front of your eyes to match your head movements) and Natal to create a low-grade holodeck version of Halo. Imagine an empty building in which your every movement (and the movement of everyone playing) is tracked via Natal. Natal then sends that input to your headset (which is utilizing the 2-d to 3-d tracking software to fine-tune your projected display) which could project either your complete surroundings with virtual elements intermixed (virtual reality) or just a simple overlay onto the real environment (augmented reality) which shows you the virtual elements (like weapon status, health status, location of other players, superimposed design elements) projected on top of the what you're seeing in real life.

You run over to the rocket launcher in the middle of the floor and pick it up (it's a replica of a real rocket launcher made to simulate its reactions and noise when fired - the military uses this technology to train their soldiers) to fire at your friend. You fire it and watch the rocket race across the room (via your headset) and hit your friend dead-center, causing all sorts of blood and guts to spill out (again, via your headset). His health is down and he's out of the game, now you grab the sniper rifle on the table to finish the rest of his team...

Let me know if you see anything wrong with my logic.