Projection Mapping Provokes A Dazzling New Future For Table Tennis

It seems that the implementation of new gaming technologies revolve around playing table tennis. Nearly forty years ago when the rise of computer screen display technology was in its infancy the world was given Pong, a simple two-dimensional simulation of playing table tennis. Now with the rise of ubiquitous computing and motion tracking technology, table tennis has hit yet another evolutionary step, this time with a game entitled Pingtime.

Pingtime was created by Sergiu Doroftei, Bogdan Susma, Ion Cotenescu, and Silviu Badea for the Rokolectiv Festival in Burcharest, Romania. The teamed harnessed VVVV—a hybrid graphical and textual programming environment—to create the latest take on augmented ping pong (there have been others as Creat Digital Motion points out).

With the exception of a paddle that might resemble a dismantled electric fly swatter, the table of Pingtime appears like any other table tennis system when inactive. However, when the Pingtime table comes alive spectators and participants become dazzled by the magic reactive visual effects this new gaming interface delivers. "Pingtime takes a look into how real-time generated computer responses are affecting reaction time in fast gameplay situations.” says the team.

Along with providing quick responsiveness to real-time tracking of the ball and paddles, Pingtime also synchs those movements up with digital projections and designs that could make a Pink Floyd laser show operator blush.

Check it out below.

[via Create Digital Motion]