Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

Travel, both real and virtual, has changed dramatically as a result of COVID-19.  It’s amazing to think that there would be a game of virtual experience of flying on a big ol’ jet airliner.  Or that people could virtually fly to real virtual places.  Or use their own vehicles as an office or getaway.  But all these things exist, and are part of the stories discussed by Michael and Michael this week.

The real and virtual blend in Niantic’s Pokémon Go and Nintendo’s new Mario Kart games.  Microsoft’s Video Authenticator helps to determine what is real and what is a deepfake.   And Unhueman’s virtual models use CGI-generated forms on the fashion runway.  And LEGO is taking the reality created by movie magic and rendering it physically in brick and minifig form.

Check out this episode and see if these experiences match with your reality in 2020.  And share your stories and links with the Games At Work team for discussion on a future episode.

Selected Links

Fast Company article: ’Pokémon Go’ maker Niantic wants to turn AR into 5G’s first killer app — https://www.fastcompany.com/90545662/pokemon-go-maker-niantic-wants-to-jumpstart-5g-augmented-reality 

Feeding Edge blog post: Flying virtually to a real virtual place — https://www.feedingedge.co.uk/blog/2020/09/04/flying-virtually-to-a-real-virtual-place/ 

Reconfigure — https://www.feedingedge.co.uk/blog/reconfigure/ 

Cont3xt — https://www.feedingedge.co.uk/blog/cont3xt-book/ 

Travel + Leisure article: Miss Flying? The New Video Game ‘Airplane Mode’ Lets You Recreate the Experience — https://www.travelandleisure.com/culture-design/airplane-mode-video-game-flying-simulation 

Airplane Mode — https://www.playairplanemode.com 

USA Today article: COVID-19 has changed the way people use their vehicles — https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2020/08/31/people-how-they-use-cars-coronavirus/5678255002/ 

Get ready to experience the fun of Mario Kart in the real world! Use your #NintendoSwitch to control a physical Kart & race through custom courses set up in your home! Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is available in a Mario or Luigi set, and launches on 10/16. 🏁 pic.twitter.com/dydiND46ad— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 3, 2020

TechCruch article: Sarcos raises $40 million to bring its Guardian XO exoskeleton to market —