Digital: 3D Audio

Last Tuesday, I wrote about audio bedtime stories by The Magical Story Machine. This week's digital post is not too far off from that. If you've ever wondered what 3D sounds like, look no further:

 

Papa Sangre is a surround sound mobile game that guides players through a virtual thriller maze with the aim of saving a loved one. According to the website:
Papa Sangre is a video game with no video. It’s a first-person thriller, done entirely in audio by an award-winning team of game designers, musicians, sound designers and developers. We’ve created an entire world using the first ever real-time 3D audio engine implemented on a handheld device. Which was BLOODY HARD.

To visit this dark and mysterious palace, players will only need an iphone, functional earphones and...their imagination. Check out this video to get a snippet of what the game sounds like:

Entering the Palace of Bones from Papa Sangre on Vimeo.

I think it's brilliant idea. I haven't had the opportunity to watch the video in full because of my internet connection but I am guessing the game will be even more fun when played in a group, as shown during their first playtest.

Introducing: Innovative Tuesdays

There's something about human beings that makes us want to create and label. Fashion Designers give their own labels to the clothes they make. In a similar fashion (I love puns) organizations give their products brand names. I suppose it makes sense when you look around you and everyone else looks different. We might share similarities but we all have unique qualities. This concept of personalization will be the focus of this post. But first I'd like to define the two words:


innovative: (of a product, idea, etc.) featuring new methods; advanced and original
personalization: design or produce (something) to meet someone's individual requirements

The feature today is The Magical Story Machine via Springwise. The latter featured 4 other personalization businesses but the story machine stuck out because it's a simple yet innovative method on personalizing an age old phenomena, the bedtime story.

Two years ago, armed with more than enough bags of shopping in my hands, I stopped by a bookstore to buy what I thought was cutest, quirkiest story book for my cousin. It was something about the life size illustration on display that drew my attention. But then when I gave the story book to my cousin, I didn't get the feeling that it was the best gift he had ever received. In other words, I don't think he even read it. What's the point of my story?

I think he would have preferred a personalized version of the story.