Media Release – Thursday October 2nd 2008. For Immediate Release
Benabarre, Huesca Province, Spain.
A world first was achieved in Spain today when two high performance aircraft raced each other through a computer generated course in the sky – the Sky Challenge. The achievement opens the way to real-time races on the internet between online players and “real life” champions. This is the world’s first real life video game.
World number four aerobatic pilot Castor Fantoba from Spain and Belgian test pilot Bruno Van Waeyenberghe raced head to head through a series of animated 3D objects. The objects were displayed in the cockpit by an advanced on board computer linked to a precision inertial navigation system. Castor Fantoba is a Boeing 757 captain and Bruno Van Waeyenberghe is a test pilot for German manufacturer Extra Aircraft.
Two high performance Extra 300L aircraft took off from the remote airfield, 60 kilometres north of Lleida (Lerida) – and raced at speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour through the computer course above the runway. The race was captured on high definition television – combining the real world with the virtual world in a compelling duel of speed, strategy and skill.
The format of the race was to fly cleanly through the centre of each object and cross the finish line first. Each time a pilot hit or clipped one of computer objects – his finish line was moved further into the distance. The animated objects were in the form of diamonds, rotating doughnuts and a 3D cube which formed a tunnel in the sky. The revolutionary technology involved could be used for any type of racing - and would remove the need to use video replays and referees to decide if penalties should apply.
Internet gamers will be able to fly – in real time - against the best pilots in the world using this new online system. Following today’s successful trials – the Sky Challenge will be developed as both a spectator event and an internet video game.
The system is also expected to have very significant potential for pilot training, as well as a navigation and safety system. Video of today’s historic races will be posted on the official project website – www.skychallenge.com. A graphic illustration of the system is included in this media release. The Sky Challenge system has been developed by New Zealand company Air Sports Ltd. who have developed a range of technical and marketing solutions to promote the world’s air sports.
Contacts: Peter Newport, CEO, Air Sports Ltd.
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+ 64 21 380 318 Steve Townley, Active Rights Management,
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+44 (0) 20 8896 7060
System Diagram
Copyright Air Sports Ltd
The Sky Challenge system allows internet video gamers to race real pilots in real-time races – through a series of animated computer obstacles in the sky. The system was successfully tested in Benabarre, northern Spain on Thursday, October 2nd by New Zealand technology company Air Sports Ltd.
