What Do You Fight For ?

Well, What do you fight for?

SC-USVG01 - The Ultrasonic Goggles !

Hey guys, Been a long time since I posted here about something I did in Real-Live since [THE GILGAMESH]. This is another awesome experiment with Micro-controllers and yielded success beyond expectations.

The concept evolved while playing video games, mainly - Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction. It was the first game in the series to feature a SONAR Goggles and I thought the next game would probably revert back to old NV-HV-EM Multi-Vision Goggles combo. But surprisingly (Or maybe not) they retained it. Furthermore, I also ended up making a game revolving in minimalist graphics and the gameplay heavily revolving around navigating in dark labyrinths and caves underwater using SONAR, and planned further to push the game idea on Touch Controls, and even planned a two-player co-op more for it.
(Check it out [HERE] / Review [HERE] )

The overall idea of the project quickly developed once we had chosen how the core functionality would be. The Ultrasonic Sensor that we managed to get was DYP-ME007 v2. With the beam angle of 30 degrees and range of approx. 5 meters. Well, That did it. The only thing left was getting a few more components together and getting this baby in action. Of course, the overall packaging and aesthetics were heavily inspired from the Multi-Vision Goggles of Splinter Cell and amalgamation of whatever we could salvage from our household. The Micro-controller was Atmel's ATMEGA8, that we could easily manage to grab from the market.

Now, let me explain how stuff works. The central idea was to give the user a means to gauge distance between the sensor, which is the Goggles, and the obstacles, whether static or dynamic. The core functionality needed to be extremely quick, optimized and intuitive. otherwise the whole setup was no good. We settled on the audible blips from the buzzer. The varying interval between the blips would allow the user to gauge the distances. The quickened pace of the blips would suggest the obstacle drawing closer to the user. While no blips could be heard if unobstructed. The first recorded blip was if any obstacle was at about 4.5 meters away.

The major design challenge was making it optimized. If the functionality was sluggish, users would never get the clear idea and then it would be no good. However, we did manage to make it as reactive as possible with surprising accuracy. The major challenge was packaging all components with no trouble to the user's end and making it simple as possible. We did manage to make it as simple as just Strap-It, Turn-It-On and GO!

The Micro-controller ATMEGA8 did throw some tantrums like a real 8-year old kid. But we did manage to get it working for us. And furthermore, the packaging worked out brilliantly, without making us look like bunch of idiots wearing some funky stuff.

The test trials of the device yielded success beyond our expectations, and yes, the joy of running around with the device and camera in the college campus is really priceless! (P.S. I'm the one in the Black T-Shirt with White Dragon on it.)

Here's the demo we managed to shoot. :P



And if you guys want to discuss more about the device, either comment here, shoot me an email or just contact me on Facebook. :)

The Return...

Well, for the past few months, the blog was kinda abandoned as I had my hands full of other academic things that do manage to bring you closer to the computer but don't really allow you to do anything else.

Now that I'm really kinda done with them, I can finally update this blog with some other new things.

Firstly, I did manage to salvage the old project called BftC. For those who remember, it was a WarCraft III modification that never really got off the ground despite a great amount of effort poured in by it's lead developers. The BftC comes around, with 3rd remake in the row. Featuring a brand nee terrain, new heroes and much newer mechanics. And not to mention a surprisingly small map size. Nevertheless, the project did not spring to the life out of passion but, the necessity. We'll discuss about that sometime later.

On the other news, we might actually see the games I made soon coming over to Android or iOS. But that's for the far future.

Coming up in the few posts, will be the spotlights for the new BftC and map analysis and new features.

That's about it. For now.

DotA Scourge Intelligence Heroes Widescreen HD Wallpaper

At last, the final one in the set is here...
This finishes off the DotA Heroes set as of Version 6.73c

Anyways, Now I'll be doing the competitive heroes wallpaper, the community favored picks version and the furthermore the DotA Handsome Hunks and Sexy Chicks versions...

Stay tuned...

DotA Sentinel Intelligence Heroes Widescreen HD Wallpaper

Here's another one after the Agility versions... And this time a bit experimental backdrop.
Enjoy...

DotA Sentinel Agility Heroes Widescreen HD Wallpaper

Seriously, This one proved a much of challenge. Damn you Guinsoo and Icefrog for such awkward names that never get properly arranged. Still I did the best I can do with this all.

Hope you love this one too. :)

DotA Scourge Agility Heroes Widescreen HD Wallpaper

My mind seems working at an accelerated rate today. I just can't control the surge bursting through my brain. Managed to create another one in the rage. Hope you like it.

This time the job was much simpler, Once you know what you're doing it takes only a few moments to finish it up!

DotA Scourge Strength Heroes Widescreen HD Wallpaper

Within few moments of posting the first one, I realized that I should complete the counterpart set as well. People would definitely love to have two of them. :P

So here I go, With the Scourge version.

I think this was one of the best uses of the Sunday afternoons...
Argue to differ? :P

DotA Sentinel Strength Heroes Widescreen HD Wallpaper

Hello again, as the 101th post, I'm going the Gaming 101.
It's no use being a gaming freak if you're not a huge fan of the franchise. DotA is the BIG thing now and I can't resist making more artworks for it. Hope you love all these artworks and enjoy them thoroughly. :P

So this is the DotA Sentinel Strength Heroes wallpaper. It groups up all Hero Names together and arranges them in an awesome way. Unfortunately, You'll probably have to hide the Windows Task Bar to enjoy this beauty.

More on this series, I'll soon come up with rest all of them. :P

Project GILGAMESH - The Home Brewed Freestyle Motion Gaming Controller.

Hello again,
This happens to be the 100th post on the Blog, and also I have a lot special thing to talk about...

This time, I'm introducing Gilgamesh. The home brewed gaming controller for freestyle gaming. This turned up to be lot more than playing around with Accelerometers and Micro-Controllers and I ended up in making a whole new thing for myself and my friends to have fun with.

Gilgamesh was named after Dante's Devil Arm from Devil May Cry 4. It gave us the adrenaline rush and cyberpunk feel just by thinking about a wearable controller and gloves. The name was almost a reflex action.

Gilgamesh packs a lot of punch when it comes to the freestyle gaming. Its fast and reacts pretty well to the sensitive hand movements. Anyone can easily master its movements in few minutes training. Gilgamesh was made as a hobby project, although it turned out to be a lot more expensive for one. :P

Interestingly, Gilgamesh was never meant to replace any of the existing Keyboards or Mouses. It adds to their functionality. I had countless hours of playing my own made games with Gilgamesh even when he was just in his test phase. One thing I can say about him, is that the feel you get once you're strapped and jacked in, is awesome!

Here's the demo of Gilgamesh in Action and Hope you'll love him.

Remember, Gilgamesh is just born, He's waiting for your awesome shares and ideas to feed on and grow up to be a powerful monster!
Help him, Will you?

DotA - 240 x 320 Cellphone Wallpapers - Batch 6 - Continued

Hello all.
As promised, to make more of these as I find time, I have returned with 8 more.
Hope you like 'em all.

This was there in my mind for quite some time. Also there had been one request for this from PlayDotA.Com community as well. I just realized what I had in mind.

Queen of Pain from a different perspective altogether! :P

Cartoon Version of Anub'arak was something I never thought I'd make. But after making Weaver I realized that it was possible to pull this one off as well.

Web has always been Broodmother's trademark skill. I could not stop myself.

I leave this one to you to figure out why.

I wanted him to be stylish, So I had to make him like this. Though I know most of you still prefer the classic Nevermore.

Self Explanatory. These fellows are always going Ka-Frickkin-BOOM!

Dazzle was difficult. Till the time I selected his third skill for this illustration. I had been wondering if this still suits him though. :)

DotA - 240 x 320 Cellphone Wallpapers - Batch 6

Hello again people, Sorry I have been extremely busy lately.
Still, I managed to make three wallpapers, Hope you like them all.

Weaver's Ultimate was initially in the thought process while making this wallpaper, However I quickly realized that Shukuchi was the most used skill and the trademark skill of the Weaver. But it unfortunately it isn't so easy to illustrate. I did my best and Hope you like it.

Okay, I broke the rules, but so what?

March of the Machines is undoubtedly the best recognizable skill of the Tinker. Despite the Laser and Rockets being its trademark skills. Dare to argue?

DotA - 240 x 320 Cellphone Wallpapers - Batch 5

Okay, Here is another set of Six Cellphone wallpapers, I hope you people like this stuff. Meanwhile, I have got a great feedback on PlayDotA.Com community that encourages me to keep up this work.

Psionic Trap was obvious skill I'd have chosen for illustrating Lanaya. It's her trademark skill, apart from Meld. Still, I think I have done nicely.

The Wisps that whirl around this cute little girl always remind me of butterflies. And I think people will agree to me on this.

Nothing is simpler than a deadly Katana that illustrates Yurnero properly.

I was initially very confused between the glaive and the dagger, I think I chose the best option.

I don't really know what ran through my mind when I made him like this, And I'm still wondering.

Sniper was difficult. I wanted to illustrate him with a Gun, but I finally settled only on the Scope. :P

Remade Zeus with a lot better Concept this time. This really makes him the master of Lightning.

DotA - 240 x 320 Wallpapers - Batch 4

Here we go with some more, Keep on rocking people...
I really love making these. With this batch of Six wallpapers, we now have about 30 Wallpapers in our little collection. Hope I'm not the only one who has all of them in my Cellphone and keep changing wallpapers everyday to make other Gamers fume with jealousy. :P

This was also a real difficult, I had to take care that it should not look too 'Razor'-ish. At the same time, the bolt must also not be stronger that Zeus's one. Based of Thunder Charge skill.

This was tricky. One single misalignment can ruin the entire beauty of this illustration. I had to correct the alignment several times to get this.

Treading on Lina was a real pressure. DotA fans would never forgive me if I messed this thing up. But I think I have not messed anything up for now!

I had this in mind for a long time. Nothing describes Ogre Magi more than what I have already done.

The reason I waited to do Pudge for so long, despite him being my personal favorite, was that I was debating to myself whether or not only 'chain' would be enough.

Yeah Baby! The Shocking Rockstar returns!

DotA 240 x 320 Wallpapers - Batch 3

Here's another pack of wallpapers for Cellphones. I came up with Six this time. I really hope you people would love them...

Zeus was easy. But since I used up the Storm Could of Razor, I had to redesign a really strong looking Lightning Bolt for Zeus. I think it worked out.

I know I broke the rules, but Furion is so handsome that I think You'll agree to me on this. :P

Moon was already used up for Balanar. Eclipse was I could think of.

This was the best illustration I came up with for Spectre. I think really suits her. If anyone has better suggestion, please comment.

Although Mirana's trademark skill is Arrow, Starfall was much simpler to execute. I think I'll keep arrows for someone else, at least for the time being. :)

This was hard. Many times I discarded the whirlwind for being too 'windy'. I think I finally got it right.

DotA 240 x 320 Wallpapers - Batch 2

Hey all, To celebrate DotA 2, More 240 x 320 Cellphone Wallpapers are up for the grabs!

Alchemist's Concept is directly picked off his ultimate - Chemical Rage.

Night Stalker was fairly easy. Just make it an illusion of Day turning into a bloody night. That was fairly easy, except the part where to get the gradient proper.

Lycan was fairly straightforward, Wolf's paws placed one ahead of each other.

This girl was all about frost. Nothing would be more creative than a simple snowflake.

Ish'kafel was very difficult to pull off. He's very versatile, and all his skills seem very random at start. I was caught off between various ideas till I decided to put him the same was as I did for Enigma. A simple art that can be interpreted as Vacuum, Ion Shell and Surge as well.

Gondar was easy. His very first and trademark skill - Shuriken Toss - was too irresistible. I could not stop myself at all.

It's not easy to show off water or a warship without omitting details. So, his other skill - X marks the Spot was chosen for this Illustration.

Panda = Oriental Asia = Yin Yang. They are inseparable. Dare to argue on this one?

Fairy Wings almost killed me. I had to correct the alignment and rotations several times to make them look 'Organic' as they should be.

Huge Black Storm Cloud was easiest as one can get for this guy. Too easy, Meh.

Much more thoughts have gone by, before I realized that it was this simple!

As straightforward as Lycan. Really.