New York Times Reader, Surface Edition
Posted by Lindsay Ruthven – September 21, 2011The New York Times R&D Lab and Vectorform have joined forces to provide you with a new twist on an old favorite. Utilizing the Microsoft Surface, Vectorform & NYT bring you a user-friendly, image rich alternative for consuming news.
NYT R&D wanted to create an experience on the Microsoft surface that would complement their living room of the future. Their vision was a reading experience on the digital coffee table that would replace the physical newspaper in a family’s morning routine. Using The New York Times Reader API, originally designed for Windows, Mac and Linux, our application gives readers a NUI based experience to scroll through their favorite topics: i.e., sports, weather, politics etc. Each topic is represented by a “card” featuring an image related to each subject. On choosing the topic, the user can then select a story of interest and browse through the content using natural user interface multi-touch controls.
It’s not exactly “the last kitchen table you will ever need”, but reading the morning news just got a heck of a lot easier.
Watch the video below for a quick demo.
Galactic Alliance HD via Attack of the Show!
Posted by Administrator – July 15, 2011
G4′s Attack of the Show! ambushed our friends and neighbors at the Microsoft campus, capturing a whirlwind of video highlights and a cameo of Vectorform’s Galactic Alliance HD. The four-player tower defense game made a big splash at CES this year, where it could be experienced on the new Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface. Check out the demo from Director of Research Steven Bathiche, at 3:43.
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Vectorform welcomes Bleep Bloop & 30 Rock’s John Lutz
Posted by Administrator – April 27, 2011
“Do you have a personal Catan glory moment?” Why, yes we do—and here it is via Bleep Bloop and College Humor! 30 Rock’s John Lutz, Bleep Bloop’s Jeff Rubin and Pat Cassels, and an audio cameo from Vectorform’s own Frances Calandra make this one for the record books. Our Microsoft Surface adaptation of Mayfair Games’ Settlers of Catan made a big splash with game-lovers around the world, and we were thrilled to see such an enthusiasm from a squad claiming “two thumbs down is a good thing.” We give this one two thumbs up, and we think John might be onto something with Scotch ‘n Settlers!
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“The Ultimate Unboxing” on The Totally Rad Show
Posted by Lindsay Ruthven – April 6, 2011
“I heard a crack.” We had a few reasons to get excited watching Alex Albrecht, Dan Trachtenberg and Jeff Cannata from The Totally Rad Show unboxing our Surface and playing with our apps. We’ve unboxed so many Surface units we could do it our sleep—that’s right, the power button is on the bottom—but this is a new favorite.
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Support green innovation from Vectorform and others, at the GE ecomagination Challenge
Posted by Administrator – March 22, 2011
We are very pleased to join the ranks in General Electric’s ecomagination challenge, a $200 million innovation experiment where businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators and students share their best ideas on how to improve our energy future… There’s some brilliant stuff going on over there. A solar-panel roadway? External window guards from recycled materials? Drop by and see ideas, work and progress toward a more sustainable future, and let us know what you think about our submisison, A Green Austin (AGA).
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Transmedia Frenzy: Pandemic 1.0
Posted by Administrator – March 9, 2011Earlier this year we went down the transmedia rabbit-hole with award winning writer/director Lance Weiler, and popped up at the Sundance Film Festival–where we helped unleash Pandemic 1.0, a fictional story of a viral outbreak that took the festival by storm. Spanning film, mobile, online, real world and more, Pandemic 1.0 was a digital virus that spread— or receded–based on player interaction. More than a few amazing moving parts and a team that united some of the best in transmedia, technology, and emerging experiences were involved, so we’ve created a video about our favorite parts of the Pandemic 1.0 experience , and some highlights after the break.
Demo software for the new Microsoft Surface promotional video
Posted by Lindsay Ruthven – January 18, 2011In collaboration with the Microsoft Surface team, Vectorform created the demo software for the new Microsoft Surface promotional video. Officially dubbed “Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface,” the device can be used as a table, as a wall mounted experience, or embedded in other fixtures or furniture. For more information on the new Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface, go to the Microsoft Surface website.
Check out the video below for a preview of the Apps.
Surface 2.0 meets Galactic Alliance HD
Posted by Lindsay Ruthven – January 6, 2011The multiplayer tower defense game that we all love to love is making an appearance at CES. Galactic Alliance HD is a featured demo application on the new Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface, and Vectorform execs Jason Vazzano, Kurt Steckling and Joe Engalan are on the ground at the show with promises to report back as press and industry elite get hands on with Galactic Alliance HD.
Galactic Alliance is a multi-platform title, available on Microsoft Surface and iPad, through the iTunes App Store. Galactic Alliance HD will be available for Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface upon its commercial launch.
A New Frontier for “The Settlers of Catan”
Posted by Lindsay Ruthven – August 2, 2010MContinuing to build its digital game empire, Vectorform re-imagines The Settlers of Catan for Microsoft Surface.
Seattle, WA and Detroit, MI, August 2, 2010—The Settlers of Catan is a classic multiplayer board game, combining economics, strategy and chance, as colonists compete to build settlements from raw commodities. Created in Germany in 1995, and now available in 30 languages, The Settlers of Catan has achieved icon status. Over 15 million copies have been sold worldwide, and an estimated 20 million people play regularly, through a diverse set of traditional and digital game forms.
In partnership with Microsoft, Catan LLC, and Mayfair Games, Vectorform has created Catan for Microsoft Surface. Microsoft Surface is an innovative computing platform that responds to touch, natural hand gestures and real-world objects placed on the display. With a large, 360-degree, horizontal user interface, Microsoft Surface offers a unique gathering place where multiple users can come together to interact with content and each other–making it an ideal platform for games like Catan.
Working to maintain an authentic, interpersonal experience of board game play, Vectorform leveraged the social nature of Microsoft Surface. This functionality, defined by Microsoft as “together computing,” provides a distinct advantage and authenticity over games played on traditional PCs or personal devices. “Where a computer game is a solo computing affair, board games are connected experiences. Together computing has its place now, and will be more prominent in the future.” Vectorform Game Studio Executive Director Joe Engalan says.
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Vectorform to launch “Catan” for the Microsoft Surface
Posted by Lindsay Ruthven – June 21, 2010The Settlers of Catan has been one of the most popular strategic board games since its official launch in 1995. The game is translated in over 30 languages and sold more than 15 million copies.
Now Vectorform Game Studio brings you Catan as presented by Mayfair for the Microsoft Surface. This multi-touch, multi-player experience captures the authentic experience provided by the popular board game. Featuring 3 or 4 player modes, a beautifully animated and interactive board, and a free-form interface which keeps play flowing as smoothly as possible, this experience is sure to be a defining element in the legacy of Catan.
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