Gaming Technology and Windows 7 Deliver Serious Usability Benefits

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Anyone who uses or develops interactive software applications has been saying it for years: wouldn’t it be great if technical applications could have the same immersive feel as computer games?

The ability to feel like you’re moving around inside a reservoir would be so much more useful and insightful (not to mention just plain cooler) than traditional apps.

In the past, this kind of interaction has been accomplished using expensive “cave rooms,” head-mounted displays, and 3D pointers. But the cost and complexity was and still is prohibitive and not very intuitive.

The recent release of Landmark’s GeoGraphix Discovery 3D makes significant progress for ease of use and interactivity by incorporating state-of-the-art interactive visualization tools from Microsoft’s Xbox® gaming console combined with the 64-bit capabilities and performance of the new Microsoft Windows 7 operating system.

Using Discovery 3D software, users have an immersive, game-like experience when developing geologic interpretations. It improves the way geoscientists interact with and manipulate 3D subsurface models, allowing for faster, more accurate interpretations and decisions. It also provides up-and-coming generations of geoscientists a familiar environment to work in, making it quick and easy for them to adopt this technology.

Ergonomics is another important research area where the top software vendors have invested for years; most interactive applications are quite complex and require extensive use of keyboard and mouse to navigate the thousands of menus and options. The combination of game controllers and touch technology, like Surface or the built in capabilities in Windows7, play a significant role in improving ergonomics.

The “Holy Grail” will be finding the right combination of traditional mouse and keyboard, game controllers, touch, and voice to provide the optimum intuitive user experience.

Have you got any ideas on how new these new technologies can revolutionize traditional E&P work? Let us hear from you. Post a comment.

- Michele Isernia, Strategic Alliances Manager, Global Oil & Gas Industry Team