Q-Games On PS3's 'Gaia' Music Visualizer

One of the more hidden features of the PlayStation 3's 2.10 firmware update is the spectacular Earth-based music visualizer, seen in motion on multiple user-posted YouTube videos and in stills in the pictures below.

The feature's creator, Kyoto-based Q-Games (PixelJunk Racers), which was commissioned by Sony to create the visualizer, has been talking to Gamasutra about the feature's genesis, its use of NASA data, and possible expansion concepts.

Q-Games' PR manager Duncan Flett spoke to Gamasutra about how that project got started, explaining: "Originally, we were working on the Gaia project (our name for the earth viewer) as a possible boot sequence for the PS3. The waving cloth background, also created by Q-Games, got the nod when the PS3 launched."

[eagle21]

Everyone loves it. Best visualizer I've ever seen.

[InMyOpinion]

It's more like a movie, since it does'nt react to, or visualize the music in any way.

[marc 1975]

i dont want to wait in vain for your games.. lol had to be said

[rushbd]

I LOVE IT!!!!

[Daver]

this visualizer is awesome!!

[LOFT316]

very cool visualization!!even better when stoned

[rev20]

Everything is better when your stoned lol

[Coffin87]

haha lol. very true.

[PimpHandHappy]

i have something like 250 songs on my PS3. Pink Flyod "Dogs of War" is perfect for the spinning earth

SO is South of Heavon not that i think of it

yea its cool

[MaximusPrime]

best visualization on PS3. I have been playing cool relaxing music.
Looking forward to see more fantastic surprises from Sony.

PS: Those who disagreed are disappointed single gay xbots. Sorry to hear that your xbug360 do not have this type of visualisation. HAAH AAH Aa HA

[AllroundGamer]

i like to listen "Sugar Ray - Spinning Away" (from The Beach OST) together with this visualization, very relaxing.

[InMyOpinion]

I prefer "Marduk - Fistf#cking God's planet" (Panzer division Marduk, 1999)

[sfinXters]

Burzum's Jesus' Tod goes really great with spinning Earth.

[Slayer OP]

Very good feature. I hope they release more soon.

[Bordel_1900]

Yeah, I really liked this. A spectacular and relaxing visualizer. Love it.

[shrimpboat]

Dum comment coming soon by Zhuk

[Maddens Raiders]

just a ridiculous amount of baseless "disagrees".

[PirateThom]

Q-Games should just make visualisations for PS3.

[Lord Cheese]

am i missing something, or surely when people click "disagree" they are just saying they disagree with the opinion being put forward? So is there any reason for any of the retaliatory insults?

I for one think the viz is great, but its hardly life changing, is it?

[MaximusPrime]

people who disagreed are probably lazy, disappointed xbots having nothing to do but click on "disagree" while eating jam donuts.

[whoelse]

On the control aspect, i would like to be able to control the speed at least. Some of them you feel you want to make it faster!

Its top stuff. In fact, im going to put some more music on and have another play! :)

[acetw1n]

How can I access this feature ?

[Xemnas]

Just play music then hit square untill it change to the earth.

[DrakenSilverwing]

I can't think of to many words that justify how great it looks and how relaxing it is to watch..

Now i just really hope they come out with the Moon , Sun, and all the other planets in the same quality, i know NASA has got the details so I'm sure if there not already working on it that they may soon enough!

[Armyless]

A huge picture with all of them scaled on this link.
http://kokogiak.com/solarsy...

[unlimited]

always use it..now bring even more games next year Sony and shut the haters up..lol..

[Bathyj]

They should put Google Earth on it.

[Sarick]

I'd like to see one flying through solar system.

Game wise another interesting concept would be an AI fighter ship fighting off enemies generated by the music.

IMHO, This'd also be a nice concept for a game like everyday shooter. You load the game up then select a song to play. The enemies in that level are generated by the music while it plays. You can rewind your music and try again if you get killed. A gamer visualiser hybrid. It'd seem like a great new way to experience your music library. ^.^

@edit I was wondering why I got 3 disagrees so I stopped and checked all the post. Everyone who posted before me to this topic got at least two disagrees. Feeling cheated so, I went down the list and gave everyone that I agreed with an agree to be fair. Seeing as how some dubious group decided to vote disagree for everyone posting on this topic just before I made this edit.

[DJ]

Sounds like a sci-fi version of Beats.

[DJ]

The haters get jealous over the PS3's music visualizer! Never thought that would happen.

[uuaschbaer]

'We tried to accurately model the earth's atmosphere...'
Yeah times ten in size and brightness :P.

[ApocalypseShadow]

this person can't stop the ps3 from being a great system.

the system is so much quality.and the visualizer represents ps3 to a "T".

connect to your ps3 from anywhere in the "world" with the psp.

bluray,the "world" leading next gen movie format.

one of the "world" leading electronics manufacturers creates the most reliable system.

the amount of media sony can use for ps3 could stretch around the whole "world".

sony's pseye can be turned on and used to check on different locations around the "world" through ps3.

HOME will link all ps3 gamers around the "world" in a 3D community.

so disagree all you want f#cker,it won't change a thing about sony's eventual comeback with ps3.i bet you wished every disagree was a ps3 being sold by a gamer...........but it's not.

mag lev.................

[rushbd]

get the fuk out of here

[Armyless]

-

[Ri0tSquad]

This visualizer looks great in 1080p.

[MaximusPrime]

yea its wonderful in full 1080p

[LinuxGuru]

I personally find this visualizer to by very peaceful, serene, beautiful, and relaxing.

Good job to the makers!

=)

[Strife Lives]

Thanx for the visualisation. Now can you stop overcharging us on the music?

[NanoGeekTech]

Can't wait to go home and try this out......

--One thing I love about the PS3 are the firmware updates it show how versatile the PS3 can be...

--It also will allow people and startup companies to do interesting and creative applications that will make your overall gaming experience more satisfying..

--All next Gen systems in the near future will be an open platform and will follow this model... reason being its builds longevity into your product..and if you can provide the average joe or jane the opportunity to be creative and have the world either see there product or use it......thats priceless..

--For the first time my PS3 has been played more than my 360......the future is a little too bright I need to good and get my