Google Earth VR

It is nearly 25 years since I read Snow Crash, and read the description of the virtual earth - able to dive down form Space, and look round cities, seeing data feeds in real time, including your own position...

We are soooo close. Just don't trust the guy with the glass knives

[#] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_Crash

Re: Google Earth VR

#5

Post by mdrzn » Wed, Nov 16, 2016, 4:28 PM UTC

Why only on HTC Vive? Does this require huge computing power, or is it because of the controllers? I hope it'll become available on the Google Daydream phones.

Re: Google Earth VR

#6

Post by alasano » Wed, Nov 16, 2016, 4:37 PM UTC

I've been dreaming of this for a long time now... holy crap. This is as close as we have to the Black & White (lionhead x EA) god feeling, except for beating up your cow/monkey/etc of course. Can't wait to try it out.

Re: Google Earth VR

#7

Post by strictnein » Wed, Nov 16, 2016, 4:42 PM UTC

Now just make it so you can destroy the buildings as you walk around and you have VR Rampage.

I'm honestly surprised no one has made a VR Rampage for the Vive. I tried to play around with the idea a little bit, but game development is just something I don't have any time for.

Re: Google Earth VR

#8

Post by artofcode » Wed, Nov 16, 2016, 4:45 PM UTC

mdrzn wrote: post #5

Why only on HTC Vive? Does this require huge computing power, or is it because of the controllers? I hope it'll become available on the Google Daydream phones.

My bet would be the controllers, which would mean a Rift compatible release would be imminent when the Touch controllers are officially released in a month.

Re: Google Earth VR

#9

Post by RossM » Wed, Nov 16, 2016, 4:59 PM UTC

artofcode wrote: post #8

mdrzn wrote: post #5

Why only on HTC Vive? Does this require huge computing power, or is it because of the controllers? I hope it'll become available on the Google Daydream phones.

My bet would be the controllers, which would mean a Rift compatible release would be imminent when the Touch controllers are officially released in a month.

Same with Daydream - odd that they didn't keep earth for the release.

Re: Google Earth VR

#10

Post by billconan » Wed, Nov 16, 2016, 5:02 PM UTC

Is this based on 3D model or just 360 photo?

I looked at the online demo, it doesn't appear to be 3D model.

But if it is based on 360 photos, how does it perform the transition between different viewing locations?

Streetmap, for example, can't do very smooth transition.