The first video game debuted in 1958, but it wasn't until the early 1970s that this new diversion began to catch on, emerging first in bowling-alley and bar arcades and then spreading to consumers' homes via personal computers....

Link:  http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/reshor/rh-s07/video-game.htm

Technology writer Justin Rubner of the Atlanta Business Chronicle has written a story on SimCraft and the impending product launch:

Startup set to sell high-end simulators

Atlanta Business Chronicle - April 20, 2007

by Justin Rubner

Staff writer

SimCraft announced details of the much anticipated "Primus" project on their website today. Product components, options, and different configurations were among the details as was a listing of supported SimRacing and FlightSim titles and projected pricing for the military-grade sim systems.

The ATDC Insider for the Spring of 2007 discusses how the gaming medium is growing in Georgia, and how SimCraft's technology is contributing to innovation in SimRacing and FlightSim.

Read the full article here:
http://www.atdc.org/newsletter/2007-spring/video-gaming.asp

The DIY project, where it all began, has been moved to SourceForge.net and released as a free open source project. The company is focusing all resources on the deployment of the Primus project, and this move allows DIY to be improved by the worldwide community of flight sim enthusiasts.

To download the latest file release of SimCraft DIY, click here:

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=180780

SimCraft LLC has announced that they have been accepted into the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The company plans to relocate its headquarters in the next week to join other ATDC companies on the campus of Georgia Tech.

In further preparation for the launch of the revolutionary new Primus motion platform, SimCraft has enlarged its staff with the following new hire.

Greg Pachman is now the Director of Marketing. Not only does Greg have a great deal of experience in both PR and Marketing he also spent 11 years as an F-16 pilot and AT-38B instructor pilot in The USAF. Greg has hundreds of hours flying, and instructing, in a wide variety of military simulators as well as 2000 hours in fighter aircraft.

Greg is also an avid amateur racing driver who has competed in stock cars, off-road cars, rally cars, and formula cars. He has a MEd in Instructional Psychology from the University of Oklahoma, a BS in Education/Psychology from Charter Oak State College, and a BA in English from Emory University.

SimCraft is continuing to work on the final version of the Primus project. We are a small company that is making a big technological step forward. In doing so, we face the same challenges that other small businesses face as well as the technological challenges of developing radical new gaming technology. We are currently refining the final prototype and will continue to do so until it meets our highest standards. We are looking forward to producing an outstanding product when it is completed. Please continue to visit www.simcraft.com for further updates. Thank YOU for your continued interest.

Each simulator will be packaged by-the-order, allowing customers to select a motion platform product within their budget. The price range for the Primus project is anticipated to be between $5,000 - $25,000, depending on the components selected. The Company further announced that the basic function of the motion platform will not change between the pricing points. Primus is a two, or three degree of freedom military-grade full motion platform, allowing a single occupant to yaw left and right, pitch fore and aft, and roll port and starboard in synchronization to flight, racing, and other games & simulations.

To request more information about the Primus project or to receive notification of its availability, please contact SimCraft support support@simcraft.com?subject=Primus

SimCraft LLC, the leader in affordable motion technology for video gaming at home, recently contracted with XenGenn Manufacturing Logistics to design, develop and manufacture the Primus motion gaming platform. The device is a two degree of freedom platform incorporating both pitch and roll motion to a fully enclosed cockpit designed as a spacious cabin for one occupant. A range of motion of between 30 and 40 degrees will be standard on both the pitch and roll axis and the final product will be composed of standard and privately manufactured components. Initial activities will focus on a product that will be offered as a "kit for assembly by the customer".

Sean MacDonald, President of SimCraft, expressed his support for the program and has pledged his personal commitment to the success of the endeavor. "Finding a single organization with the resources needed to handle our complex products took almost one year", MacDonald indicated. The selection of XenGenn was made after numerous visits and reviews with its staff.

XenGenn (ZEN-jen), with offices in both Macungie, PA and Trumbauersville, PA, is a manufacturing resource that provides a wide range of services from design support through prototyping and final assembly of products. With over 30 years of manufacturing expertise, XenGenn has carefully selected various business partners with proven mechanical, electronic and electro-mechanical capabilities and has integrated with these organizations to insure effective application of costs.

Thomas Ciesielka, the founder of XenGenn, marks this event as a milestone in the history of the company. "We are fortunate to be involved with such a dynamic company as SimCraft, and to bring this technology to the Lehigh Valley", said Ciesielka. "Interactive gaming is the future of home entertainment and XenGenn is now poised to capitalize on this market", he added.

Initial shipments of the Primus unit is targeted for the Fall of 2005 and both companies encourage a visit to their respective websites (www.SimCraft.com / www.XenGenn.com) for additional information.

Read more on XenGenn Manufacturing Logistics

SimCraft LLC announced today that the very first affordable motion platform designed for the home is now more affordable than ever. The complete SimCraft DIY package - including the full cockpit & motion platform specification along with the USB interface software for Microsoft Flight Simulator can now be purchased for $19.95 USD through the SimCraft website. (http://www.simcraft.com) This new price reflects a 50% discount over the previous price and is a show of commitment from SimCraft on the company directive: affordability of motion platform products

Yet another review of the mammoth video gaming expo, E3 2005. Instead of waxing hypothetical on the capabilities of the next gen consoles, I'll direct my highly biased commentary towards overall impressions and more importantly, taking a bead on the trending evidence of tactile peripherals.

This was our first official SimCraft E3 since joining the video gaming industry, but as long time gamers, many of our members have attended when the expo was more open and located in Atlanta (way back last century). In short, not much of substance has changed from my view. We saw the better graphics, more booth babes with less clothing, less ambient lighting and more expensive smoke and mirrors. This criticism is not intended as cynicism however, E3 is always a hell of a show...

SimCraft LLC, the leader in affordable motion technology for video gaming at home, will launch its product marketing campaign at E3 2005. We are, of course, interested in the next generation of gaming console hardware and peripherals, as well as surveying the competitive landscape for commercial gaming furniture and motion seats. Our promotion materials include a brochure summarizing our mission, history and current and developing product offerings. We will also have our first batch of T-Shirts and stickers to pass out, so look for a representitive with the SimCraft logo and ask for some free stuff! Our message to gamers on planet Earth: continued advances in game realism must include the sense of touch. The ultimate tactile advance is an experience that provides full body stimulation; made possible by a motion platform.

SimCraft LLC, the leader in affordable motion technology designed for gaming & simulation at home, is pleased to announce a professionally manufactured, and significantly updated, version of the SimCraft DIY motion platform.

The first affordable motion platform designed for the home is evolving from a do-it-yourself project to a completed product available for purchase directly from SimCraft.com. The military-grade full motion sim, codenamed "Primus", is a complete system integrated with SimRacing and FlightSim titles and provides realistic motion for an occupant weighing up to 250 pounds. This enhanced product also includes position feedback technology, providing superior closed loop motion simulation. The sim is shipped to your house with all parts and components included.

SimCraft LLC is pleased to announce the launching of new feature's on their website at http://www.simcraft.com. The site features phpBB2 user forums with both public and private discussion boards for collaboration and idea sharing. A private forum for customers of the SimCraft Primus DIY Motion Platform is now online. The SimCraft user profile is also enhanced, with custom forum themes among the new options. Existing customers have received further information about their enhanced user profile

SimCraft LLC is pleased to announce the launch of its corporate brand and incorporation of the official color scheme into its website. Included with launch is the graphical treatment of the SimCraft Primus brand motion platform

SimCraft LLC is pleased to announce the 3.0 release of the SimCraft Primus DIY motion platform - the first affordable motion platform designed for the home. Original plans to develop a PCI upgrade, replacing the antiquated ISA interface, were superceded when Measurement Computing® released the USB-ERB24 relay board in early 2005. The updated specification and USB interface are available for immediate download to existing SimCraft Primus customers, and will become the primary distributable for all new customers.

SimCraft LLC announces the name of their new product - tranXsend. The SimCraft tranXsend (pronounced tran-'send) motion platform is an affordable and portable product designed to spark the next evolution in video gaming.

SimCraft LLC will be providing user forums at SIMCRAFT.COM and will add an exclusive SimCraft Primus customer topic. Forum topics will range from flight simulation to console gaming. The forums launch is planned for late November of 2004.

SimCraft LLC announces intentions of upgrading the SimCraft Primus interface for PCI Relay Support by the end of Q4 2004. Development of this effort is underway. New customers will be given both the PCI and ISA interfaces while existing Primus customers will be automatically e-mailed the new PCI interface download instructions.