February 27, 2004

Virtual football bonds strangers.: Breakout for Two uses video conferencing over broadband to create a virtual "glass wall" players have to break down with a ball. ... The aim [sic] to find out how people can bond via exertion, not just e-mail. ... The prototype game is a mix of soccer, tennis and the hit video game Breakout, and has been developed by the Human Connectedness group at MIT's Media Lab Europe in Dublin. ... It has already proved to be a big hit with 56 volunteers who tested the game ... None of the volunteers knew each other before the experiments. ... But after 30 minutes' play, they reported that they bonded much faster and felt they were far more matey than those who played similar games not requiring any sweating. I would love to try my hand ... erm ... foot at this. Maybe me and billsaysthis vs Fat Buddha and BigCalm?

posted by worldcup2002 to other at 02:22 PM - 2 comments