PlanetInAction.com has released the first version of a fantastic free simulation game which leverages the browser-based Google Earth plugin as the primary graphics engine. The game is called “Ships” and lets you take the helm on ships – barges, cargo ships, container ships, and even a cruise ship (the QM 2). Everything is in 3D, you can drive the ships anywhere in the world, there are sound effects, physical modeling, and realistic visual effects that makes this a wonder to behold. Not only that, but the author – Paul van Dinther – has created some great camera tools to make it easier for people to follow the action and see the sights. This is the best example of the Google Earth API I’ve seen to date.

With a focus on simulator hardware, the Virtual Concept team is dedicated to bringing consumers an ultra-realistic experience in computer simulation. From auto racing to aviation, Virtual Concept provides professionals and enthusiasts with the tools they need to train for real life situations.

Released in 2008, the Virtual Concept Force 180 simulator unit created a starting point for our unique, high-quality product lines. Through consumer feedback and extensive testing by Virtual Concepts experts, Virtual Concepts constantly strive to improve our products and release versions that accommodate a variety of users.

Composed of computer experts, automotive experts, aviation experts, and a licensed race car driver, our team has the ability to proficiently review every part of a product in its development stages. The result is a flawless consumer product that provides a skill-testing experience for even the most seasoned professionals.

[ Visit Virtual Cockpit ]

Gaiagi Driver it’s a mashed-up 3D driving simulator that uses a lot of web APIs across multiple windows to create a unique driving experience. Give it a starting and ending address and it follows the path created by the directions and shows your present position in four different views:

• Upper left: Google Earth view (if yoy have it installed)
• Upper right: Google Map view. You can toggle traffic information as well as street view information as overlays.
• Lower left: Google Streetview
• Lower right: Microsoft Birdsview

Given how much is going in all those windows, it’s more than a bit demanding, so it helps to have a fast Internet connection.

As a bonus, it includes a dozen pre-defined tours, just press the button and go:

• New York City: Central Park to Times Square
• Las Vegas: Along the Strip
• San Francisco: Market Street to Golden Gate
• London: London Eye to Buckingham Palace
• Paris: Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame

It’s an impressive bit of mashup engineering.

[VIA]

A flight over San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge on a modified Specialized mountain bike powered by a SunSPOT.

The older readers can remember the game called SimTower, released in 1995 as a gift along with SimiCity2000.

The aim of SimTower is to build a hundred story tower block filled with offices, condos, shops, restaurants,a hotel, a cinema and a party hall. Your tower will also need a medical centre, good security, adequate parking and good recycling facilities. The eventual aim is to place a cathedral on the top and win the game.

At the start of SimTower you only have the option to build offices, cafes and condos. I would advise offices as the best place to start as they bring in a weekly rent and the occupants will not be as fussy as those who move into your condos. If you do choose to build condos keep them well away from your offices as the residents will not like the noise of the workers coming and going. Once you have been upgraded to a two-star tower, a hotel is the way to advance. Where offices pay rent by the week, hotel rooms pay by the night so you will see money come in much quicker.

Remember that everyone in your tower is an individual with feelings. If you have 1200 people trying to get into 1 elevator people are going to get stressed. Fortunately, if you have the money, you can put up to 8 elevator cars in one shaft (sounds dangerous to me!) which will reduce those stress levels

Download SimTower >>>