International Front

Since the 1970s when video games first broke into popular culture, the real world applications of the technology has been dreamed about. Since then, video games have been a foundation for movies, training, and fitness solutions. From military domination as seen in War Games to simulators used for training fighter pilots, surgeons, and astronauts, and health conscious exergaming, video games have found many uses over the years.

Now a new innovation using video game technology helps to fuel our world. IBM and Repsol are using a microchip meant for video game consoles to process data from geological surveys and search for oil deposits. The Cell processor in the PlayStation 3 game console allows for rapid detailed 3D imaging is helping to render seismic images of underground maps. The 3D imaging of the Cell processor has recently be found useful in medical research and imaging.

Not only has The Cell been helping with 3D imaging, but the Wii has new amazing applications for visual display, presentations, and teaching.

So what is next for video game technology? Perhaps genetic manipulation via a game controller? Or physicals online with the wii? One day soon we may all go to our offices and power up our Xbox for work. Here’s to the future of video games in our lives.

/Kirsten