Table Top Systems

At CES this year, there have been a number of table top systems shown off including a new one by Lenovo.  Basically, imagine laying your flat screen down so it works like a table.  You have a touch screen for multiple players, and even special tools that work with the screen like a set of dice, playing pieces, or a controller.

Right now, these look to be about a thousand bucks a piece and don't actually include a table, so you'd either have to be a craftsman and build your own table around the device, or you'd set it down on an existing table and it'd look a bit awkward.

That said, I like the idea.  I think it bridges the gap between video game and traditional board and pen/paper games quite well.  People can gather around the table and participate in a game.  How is this different than everyone staring at a TV?  I think there is a better social feeling about gathering in a circle around something than there is staring at something distant.   I also think it can enhance many RPG style games.  Imagine setting your pieces on the board and seeing things unfold around them.  

I think the technology needs to get to a point where the screens are much larger and affordable, which is quite possible as everything gets bigger/cheaper over time.  Having a large family sized table that is interactive.  That would be amazing.

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Permalink Reply by Payden on January 8, 2013 at 2:13pm

These things better be water proof and be able to with stand having a 10 pound ball dropped on it. 

Just a thought.

Permalink Reply by Kevin J Baird on January 9, 2013 at 11:09am

I thought similar things.  Again, if the screen is built into the table, the waterproof part could be accomplished fairly easily.  As for the durability, good point.  I guess Corning will have to continue to improve Gorilla glass until it's as touch as transparent aluminum.

Permalink Reply by ProxyCell on February 6, 2013 at 12:39am

didn't microsoft make something like this a few years ago and charge a fortune for it? then it sort of languished and now I never hear about it. my company has a few of them sitting idle in some R&D closet.

and for the gaming side: is spending a fortune on something the size of a coffee table to emulate dice a good idea? people bitch at the games already if they think you're dice's edges/corners aren't perfect because they won't give "truly" random numbers I can't imagine what i'd hear if i brought one of these things out.

Also: tablets can basically do this rpg stuff now and cost a lot less and are the size of a roleplaying game book.

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