Vectorform Bringing Settlers of Catan to Microsoft Surface

[Steve the Pocket]

Wait, the Surface is a real thing that they're planning to really sell for real money? I thought it just was a proof-of-concept prototype.

Next logic step: Google Desktop (now with facial recognition!)- now indexes everything you set near the surface

You mean Google TABLEtop, amirite?

 

[coldfrog]

This could also be great for games that build the board during play (like carcassonne) or games with gigantic boards that you could move around to be closer to. I would get a few friends together to buy one of these for board games if I had any belief it would start supporting many other board games, it would make life much easier for all of us.

 

[solidstatemind]

If you search around the Net, you can find DIY 'surface' kits that'll run you about $2k. The big hitch is aligning the sensors: if you're even a millimeter off, it'll be impossible to accurately control it. (We've all had mice that have broken and started jumping the cursor all over the screen. It's the same principle.)

And the $12k price is actually fallacious: the price is what it would cost to produce a unit today and sell it, and is mostly due to the fact that much of the unit would have to be custom made. Once the manufacturing process reaches the point where many of the parts can be mass-produced and assembled, it will drastically lower the price. Yes, it will still be more expensive than even a high-end desktop, but it won't cost as much as a vehicle.

 

[Bretty]

Sure if you want to spend over 10k.....

Anyone have one that they want to give away? I would be your friend forever... well until I disappear into my whole and start using it.

 

[MasterSplinter]

I don't know. The whole point of board games (well, one of them at least) is the feel of the physical objects and people. You can't throw a digital sheep in your friend's face.

 

[Enigmers]

I can't wait to try this for a board game like Twilight Imperium.

 

[velcrokidneyz]

such a good game

 

[JMockShepard]

However awesome this would be, I think it would never beat playing it on the actual board. It's like a eReader for books. Sure, it's easy and convenient and offers you the ability to carry books like most FPS characters carry guns, but there is just something about holding a book in your hand.

On a side note, anyone interested it playing board games like this for free online, I found: http://www.brettspielwelt.de. It's a german site, but you can translate it to English. Good for when the people you play board games with don't live in the same state.

 

[rofltehcat]

This sounds awesome but the price is far too high. If they can go down to 3000 or 4000 or so, people might actually buy one if the screen can be swung up to serve as a TV/normal PC. Would be an interesting multi-purpose media station.
Until then one thing that might be fun could be if they put them into arcades or cafés. Imagine sitting around that thing with friends for 1-2 hours, playing Catan or whatever while having a few drinks and maybe having a small meal before going to a concert or whatever. Well, that is at least assuming that the thing doesn't die after a coke spill.