|
|
 |
|
Assault Rigs: The
First Game to Support Real-Time Speech
Psygnosis has always
created games that push the abilities of the platforms on which they
run. Having designed games with groundbreaking graphics for the
Commodore Amiga and Atari ST (Barbarian), pushed the 3D envelope on
the Sony PlayStation (WipeOut), and created technologically advanced
dance steps (Spice World), Psygnosis has done it all.
Few people realize that Psygnosis also created the first game
that allows real-time speech across a network. The company's 1996 PC
game Assault Rigs originated as a successful PlayStation shooter
featuring Tron-like tanks and multiple camera angles. Voice
communication was available only on the PC version because of the
PlayStation's limited networking abilities. Unfortunately, PC gamers
were turned off by the game's uninspired gameplay.
|
|
|
Few people realize that Psygnosis
created the first game that allows real-time speech across a
network.
| It's really too bad, because
most PC gamers missed out on a historical achievement. The speech
wasn't perfectly clear, and to function at all it required an IPX
network (not a common feature in most households, even today).
Still, speech support was a major breakthrough, especially in action
gaming, where players have little time to type messages to their
allies and enemies.
Technology and bandwidth limitations continue to prevent
real-time voice-over networks from becoming a common feature in
gaming, but new technologies from companies such as Resounding
Technology (Roger Wilco) and ShadowFactor Software (BattleCom) might
change this as the new millennium begins.
|
|
| |
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
