ONE STEP BEYOND

ONE STEP BEYOND

Video programmers are hard at work writing the next generation of video game programs. Of course they’re trying to come up with exciting, clever games to top Pac-Man and other current favorites, but they've also got other innovations in mind.

They know that there are only so many variations they can use to please the eye/ hand/brain with current technology. So white they concentrate on writing new games, they're also considering how to improove the basic ways the games themselves work.

ere are some of the items either on the ting boards or in research and develnt:

rligher quality images. Using new ory storage techniques, the programare attempting to create computers remember more and have more ory capacity—for the . greater the ory the greater the sophistication of urogram —and the better the image on the screen.

hree Dimensions. So far the parars of most video games have taken in two dimensions. There have been exceptions—such as Atari’s 3-D ac-Toe program, but the majority of s move left and right, 'forward and but not in and out at you. This will all ge in the nex't year according to |try sources. Now all you need to do it ot to duck when you play the 3-D

ore Complicated Home Games. The e game computer systems do not ntly have as large a computer ity as the arcade games. But work is done to compress the memories of ame computer to allow the inclusion n more complex games in the home rmat.

tereo Sound. Sony and other TV |ifacturers are working on introducing reo audio broadcast system for U.S. jets. This will mean stereo television— VHS and Beta video cassette systems g out in stereo to take advantage of V stereo. Home games will also begin velop more involved audio sounds to e a more environmental feel to the ular game.

ower Priced Computers. As competipr the home computer dollar increasong manufacturers, it is likely that the of computer hardware will decrease, ame way that the cost of Walkmanaudio cassette machines and home recorders have become cheaper and er as their consumer popularity ased. As higher quality computers Ine less expensive and low price uters become higher quality, expect e the home game programs grow.by and bounds.

ore Player Participation. With smartImputers in arcade and home games, hallenge to the player will become more involved. The player will have response options as more possibilities esented by the game program. logram Play. The idea of actually g the player into the game by rating a life-size hologram of the game urrounds the player, who is very busy s point ducking rockets and missiles through the air.

Larry Kaplan