Firefly: The first game for Microsoft Surface.

February 28th, 2008 at 1:18 am · 28 Comments

firefly.jpg

Microsoft Surface has been the topic of many a geek discussion, both in awe of, and in support of this new computing platform. Having accepted an invitation from the Surface team to come to Seattle and experience Surface computing for ourselves, Lono and I headed up in mid-December, courtesy of Microsoft. Get all the juicy details and video, after the jump.After letting us run the machine through its paces, with the interesting apps seen in our original Surface Parody Video, we were ushered over to another Surface machine for a real treat. The first game ever developed for Surface.

It’s called Firefly. (If you’re not into all of this reading, you may skip straight to the video HERE)

Carbonated games (of Uno and Hexic fame) were tasked with coming up with a game that utilized Surface’s unique multi-touch interface. While certainly not on the scale of AAA titles in bells and whistles, what they delivered is a glimpse of what a game could be, if not limited to mice and controllers.

Firefly utilizes multi-touch by asking the players (up to four at a time) to herd tiny insects into glass jars. The object is to be the first player to collect 3 fireflies of each color, while preventing your opponents from doing so. A simple premise that can turn chaotic, as the only real defensive move in the game is to murder the poor fireflies that your opponent needs to win. Herding fireflies takes a gentle touch, as I found out on several occasions. If you’re too ambitious, it’s “lights out” for the poor bastards. Now for the video. (On the next page)

If you feel we’ve earned it, how bout a digg?

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Related posts:

  1. Microsoft Surface – Hands on Impressions Pt. 1
  2. MS Surface Hands-On Part 2: the Future.
  3. Just Scratching the ‘Surface’
  4. Surface, With A Smile.
  5. Twisted Trailers: MS Surface

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  • http://bebo.com/ajnokia ajnokia

    Looks pretty darn boring if you ask me?

  • http://www.sarcasticgamer.com Doc

    Think about the interface not the game.

  • http://andrewandliz.net Andrew

    “Anybody can do this”

    Except if you don’t have any fingers!

  • http://www.sarcasticgamer.com Doc

    @andrew… actually you could still do it. You’d just have to move whatever you had a lot more.

  • 1Colin1

    Lol, I thought of that a dirty way, :$ since you could use ‘anything’ xD

  • thesenderofeight

    Yea didnt think about it in terms of RTS games that would be damn sweet! however i dont think that makes it n e less of a stupid system because msoft never sold PCs and started a whole brand just 4 gamers

  • http://www.myspace.com/doro626 doro626

    Think about that Tom Clancey Endwar promo teaser, using this as the control scheme.

  • http://thegamersgarage.com Camaroguy579
  • http://emancipatedhandkerchief.tumblr.com Silentio

    My first big disappointment of the day. This isn’t Firefly, the show, video game. Thanks a lot SG.

  • Pablos102030

    Introducing Firefly: the only game that lets you collect fireflies with your toes!

  • http://www.gamingangels.com Trina

    Great article Doc! I asked the XNA guys about the Surface last week and they didn’t want to touch it. I added this to our news here: http://www.gamingangels.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2587

  • mpgd1kon

    i think the game sounds crappy but the idea is spectacular… pretty soon you’ll have command and conquer on the surface bc of its ease of motion

  • http://gamemag.ru crash

    Yeah, it could be a new era in RTS, imagine Supreme Commander on this table.

  • Bauer22

    Dig effect to take place in 5….

    Nice one Doc. While the game seems ok, its just to showcase the ability of Surface.

  • kov

    Rts and mmo’s would play great on this

  • http://edusim3d.com Rich

    Work being done on educational content in the same direct manipulation genera here – http://edusim3d.com – surface could be a boon in schools with some really rich/immersive educational environments

    Rich
    ==

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  • http://microsoft.com Nascar Sucks

    “We really enjoyed the opportunity to see this first-ever game application for Surface, and playing Firefly was surprisingly addictive and fun”…… “Its great b/c of the way its innovates gaming!”

    Hmmm…So you can praise Microsoft surface, yet you can’t give credit where credit is due for Nintendo’s many innovations? You constantly rave about the 360 while bashing Sony and Nintendo, disregarding what they have brought to the industry. Its clear this site is a 360 Fanboy site in disguise as you contantly bend over for the big “M”. Its a little disgusting.

    I”m unsubscribing today, and sticking with the Joystiq Podcast instead. Funnier, Smarter, Better.

  • http://www.sarcasticgamer.com Joshthegreat

    I’d say your comments would have been true of SG a few months ago, Nascar Sucks. But they’ve grown and matured as a site and definitely in their acceptance of other console’s achievements. Though, quite frankly, if the Wii actually had anything to celebrate other than Super Mario Galaxy and high sales figures (I mean really), SG would probably notice this.

    And to be honest, a touch sensetive table is a MUCH better innovation than a funny stick you wave around. I own a Wii, and I continue to be underwhelmed by almost everything it throws at me, or breaks my TV with.

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  • http://hci.cn HCI.CN

    Multitouch Company http://hci.cn

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  • John D.

    My office just bought a surface unit.
    Where do I download the game from?

  • http://www.airmaxpro.com Nike AirMax

    Different people have different opinions towards a new invention or creation.

  • http://www.surpashoespro.com supra shoes

    Firefly, the first game, a must have one. lol

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