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So at this point, holograms are either science-fictiion, or a nifty artistic display custom-built by certain inventors.

When it gets good enough to bring gaming-quality graphics into the third dimension, cheaply enough to be a standard part of a gamer's equipment, it'll provide tabletop gaming with some interesting things. For example, having a holo-tank with holographic terrain and game pieces instead of stuff we build and paint with our own hands will allow for animation, combat sounds to go with those animations, less ambiguity about distances and line-of-sight and cover, the ability to zoom in or out and have massive battles without such an expensive price tag, reduced set-up and take-down time, less concerns about sticky-fingered people touching our models, the ability to play over the Internet with anyone in the world from the comfort of our homes (though of course there's always the fun of a LAN party for socially-minded wargamers who like to be face-to-face with their opponents), the ability to record and analyze battles better, flying creatures and aircraft that truly fly, reduced need for storage space for models/terrain/tables.

There are some downsides of course. A lot of us prefer to build and paint actual, physical models rather than design something on a computer, to hold something physical and real in our hands while playing a game, to actually roll dice instead of letting a computer decide whether that Termagant Brood's Fleshborers manage to get past that Terminator armor.

But the holograms are coming, and I for one am excited and hopeful to see what new joys and new problems they'll bring (my guess is that at least one person will figure out how to rig the computer's random number generator).

Any idea how long till ? And yes it's gunna iron everything out on the strategy level, and possibly make tabletop gaming a bit more mainstream. Customisation will still be a thing and improve with time, and rolling microchipped dice on an electronic pad isn't at all outlandish.

I don't think it will ever happen.

After all, why not just use a computer and be done with it? you already lost all the table and hand-made feeling it had, might as well use tech to the max and do it all on the computer from bottom to top.

 BoomWolf wrote:
I don't think it will ever happen.

After all, why not just use a computer and be done with it? you already lost all the table and hand-made feeling it had, might as well use tech to the max and do it all on the computer from bottom to top.

Full 3D, that's why. I'd totally use as I absolutey hate painting with a passion. Furthermore: GW would finally be gone \o/

Well it doesn't have to mean the end of miniature gaming. I would prefer a hybrid. Miniatures on the board with holographic fire and ordnances. Complete with sound effects. And hopefully and angelic chorus everytime an Act of Faith occurs.

saw this maybe the article if it can fit in a phone I don't see why not.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/03/star-wars-holograms-head-to-your-mobile-4749206/

Google Glass is already being made to look soooo last year – by the arrival of a phone that projects Star Wars-style holograms.

Deep in Silicon Valley, the final adjustments are being made to a device which could conjure up 3D images of your friends in mid-air – just like Princess Leia in the sci-fi movie.

Ostendo Technologies has been working on the virtual reality tool since 2005. It has promised that its first model will be available to buy from next year.

CEO Hussein El-Ghoroury, said: ‘Display is the last frontier. Over the years, processing power and bandwidth has improved, but what is missing is a comparable advancement in display.’

The invention boasts projectors the size of an aspirin. Prototypes have successfully created images of dice spinning in the air. It says a 2D device will hit shops first, with a 3D model shortly after.

Negotiations are underway with mobile phone companies, while Microsoft and Facebook are also working on virtual reality apps.

Mr El-Ghoroury’s main backer is the US military. However, he believes the technology is capable of creating glasses-free 3D TV. ‘Imagine if everything coming back to you was in 3D,’ he said.

Thanks! Exalts

Not quite the same, but I saw a Kickstarter a while back for an Augmented Reality tool that did need glasses, but projected a 'virtual model' on the surface, which used anchor points like those used for motion capture that referenced it to the surroundings. The video showed it being used to set up a D&D dungeon by 'stamping' wall templates that remained on the visual overlay glasses. Both real and virtual models were then used to play the game.

Seemed like pretty cool stuff, and there's a lot of potential for it.

My only problem with it is that it could really cut into the creativity/hobby aspect of the game. On the other hand, if they found some way for real and projected things to exist on the same table then you'd see all kinds of cool new modeling possibilities from people who have good CAD skills but bad hobby skills.

I talked about this with some friends of mine once. The general topic of conversation came around to "imagine what GW would do if they went into the digital market." The idea of paying extra for "painted" projections was discussed.

If there was a bad-ass hologram table so that I could play like the djarak table in Star Wars, I'd be in like Flinn.

However, if I'm honest, I'd just use a hologram projector to watch porn.

How long til this thread tuns into "those fools at GW need to pay attention or holograms are gonna drive them out of business"?

Just like 3-D printers.

 greyknight12 wrote:
How long til this thread tuns into "those fools at GW need to pay attention or holograms are gonna drive them out of business"?

Just like 3-D printers.

Roughly seven posts ago...

A real-time or turn-based strategy game played on a large 3D touch-screen laid out like a tabletop would be possible now with 3-year old consumer tech, wouldn't it?

Probably not going to happen for a loooooong time. At least two decades before the technology is refined, mass produced, looks comparable to a real object, and is affordable. People were saying the same thing about 3D printers, and that still has yet to take any effect thanks to the expense of them.

 pocketcanoe wrote:
A real-time or turn-based strategy game played on a large 3D touch-screen laid out like a tabletop would be possible now with 3-year old consumer tech, wouldn't it?

I dunno.

Last time I paid attention to gaming computer tech, my HD 5750 was the second most recent series of Radeon graphics card. : /

And yeah, I'd probably suffer some because I'm not so great at working with computer models (not that I've ever tried) but the models I make out of cut-up parts from different kits often get a surprisingly disappointing lack of interested comments, until it comes up that the model is custom-made instead of coming like that in the kit.

But I hate painting models, so my battles often end up with a sea of grey, white, or black, depending on whether I've primed stuff or not.