From: jew5001@venus.tamu.edu (WILLIAMSON, JOHN EDWARD)
Subject: INFO: VR in Feb issue of Computer Graphics World
Date: 25 Feb 1993 11:14 CST
Organization: Texas A&M University, Academic Computing Services


The Feb. issue of _Computer Graphics World_ covers several issues
that have been raised here in the last month.

A review of John Bates' Oz Project at Carnegie Mellon.  This is the
artificial life "blobs" called "woggles."  Using asubset of LISP
he is reported to be able to simulate 20 different emotions for
the woggles.  These include hope, fear,  shame, pride and  sadness.
The system currently runs on an Indigo and he hopes to demonstrate
it at this years SIGGRAPH.

A review of a _Star Wars_ simulator jointly developed by Hughes
Training and LucasArts.  Up to 16 "pods" can be connected.

And finally a review of the Nickelodeon _Nick Arcade_.  A non-immersive
"virtual world" type of game using a variation of the blue-screen technique
to merge the contestants with computer generated animation in real time.
It is running on Amiga with Mandala's software (among others).

Also, briefly noted: Tim Disney, nephew of Walt, bought $15 million worth
of the company that makes the successful Battletech centers, Virtual-World
Entertainment.  And a quick debate on the importance of the VPL patents
that France's Thompson CSF SA now own.  None of the people cited felt
the patents were of any great value.