Red Bull Rampage

Overview

Because of its remote location, only about a thousand people get to attend Red Bull Rampage each year. We partnered with Red Bull and Microsoft to recreate the thrill of that experience with as much virtual detail as possible.

We started by creating a three-dimensional model of the course at Gooseberry Mesa and the surrounding area. Then, on the day of the event, we attached a Go-Pro camera and a small GPS device to each rider’s bike, giving us his exact location during the ride. Finally, we combined all three into a unique and truly breathaking experience that allowed the viewer to track the rider's progress in 3D and while viewing footage from the rider's perspective.

Press & Awards

With Internet Explorer On Board, WebGL Is Ready For Prime Time Tech Crunch, October 2013

IE and Red Bull Bring Rampage Freeride Biking to the Web with Internet Explorer 11 Windows Blog

Flight Arcade

Overview

The first version of Flight Simulator shipped in 1980 for the Apple II and, amazingly, it was in 3D! That was a remarkable achievement. It’s even more amazing when you consider that all of the 3D was done by hand, the result of hand crafted calculation and low-level pixel manipulation.

As Microsoft launched Edge, a new browser for Windows 10, they wanted a way to celebrate. A reimagination of Flight Simulator was in perfect order: it's a nod to their proud history of meticulous computing and a celebration of the gaming power of the modern browser. They asked us to build it.

Press & Awards

Microsoft revisits its Flight Simulator series with the web-based Flight Arcade game Windows Central, April 2015

Microsoft Flight Arcade shows you how awesome the Edge browser really is WinBeat, May 2015

Honda Fit Challenge

Overview

As Honda launched the 2015 Fit, they wanted to send a clear message: this compact car is fun to drive and "fits" anywhere. To make that message as fun as it is interesting, we helped them design and a build a retro-themed parallel parking game to find the "who's who of the parallel parking world." The most skilled parkers were entered into a sweepstakes with a chance to drive away in a new 2015 Honda Fit.

To reach the broadest audience, Honda wanted the game to be web-based but run great on any device. We helped them design the game and invent a set of controls that introduced a similar challenge anywhere it might be played. So, don't let the retro graphics trick you—the resulting game is very modern and lots of no matter where you play it.

Press

Parallel Park this 8-Bit 2015 Honda Fit, Win A Real One ] Automobile Magazine, May 2014

Play Parallel Parking Video Game, Enter to Win a Honda Fit Motor Trend, May 2014

Cut the Rope

Overview

We partnered with ZeptoLab to bring Cut the Rope, their award winning iOS puzzle game, to life in a browser. The end result is an authentic translation of the game for the web, showcasing some of the best that HTML5 has to offer: canvas-rendered graphics, browser-based audio and video, CSS3 styling and the personality of embedded fonts.

Press & Awards

Look Out, Apple--The Future Of Web-Based Apps Is Here, And It's Gorgeous Business Insider, January 10, 2012

Microsoft launches HTML5 ‘Cut the Rope’ game for desktop, new levels for IE9 users The Next Web, January 10, 2012

People are Saying

The web based version of Cut the Rope is the best game developed for a web browser so far. Matt Lynley, Business Insider

FishGL

Overview

Internet Explorer has a history with fish aquariums as performance benchmarks. To celebrate the introduction of WebGL into IE, they aksed us to create the best aquarium yet and this one is packed with features. Some of the fun includes: a "diver mode" where you can swim around the tank, tap interaction to scatter the fish, fish feeding, real-time adjustable lights and, or course, customizable algae levels!

The primary goal, of course, was to create a fair benchmark that could be used to test the browser... but we have to admit that we had a lot of fun along the way.

Press & Awards

Internet Explorer Team Post modern.ie

FWA Site of the Day June 9, 2014

CyArk

Overview

We first encountered CyArk in, of all places, a print magazine! National Geographic had a fantastic write-up on of the organization's efforts to preserve cultural heritage sites with high definition 3D scanning. We were captivated and began looking for an opportunity to help them make that data more broadly available.

Fortunately, Microsoft saw the value of this effort too and we were able to work with both partners to produce a new kind of site where CyArk could make their vast library of digital 3D scans and other historic information available to the public.

Press & Awards

CyArk is digitally documenting World Heritage Sites in 3D with a little help from Microsoft The Next Web, October 2014

Press Release Windows Blog, October 2014

Glacierworks

Overview

We joined forces with Microsoft Research and renowned mountaineer and photographer David Breshears to put GlacierWork's vast collection of high definition photography from the Everest region into the hands of armchair travelers everywhere.

This was unique experience. We recognized from the get-go that these astonishing photos had been captured in an effort of love and, at times, with real peril. Bringing them to the web was a true joy.

Press & Awards

A 3.8 Billion-Pixel Tour Of Mount Everest NPR, December 2012

Microsoft scales Mount Everest The Next Web, May 2013

Microsoft, GlacierWorks Team for 'Everest: Rivers of Ice' Site PC Magazine, May 2013

FWA Site of the Day, Sep. 12, 2013 / 2014 Webby Awards Honoree

Hover

Overview

In 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95 and included "Hover," an early 3D game, on every CD-ROM. The game was a cult classic. If you happened to be in Junior High School at the right time then chances are that you've played it.

The original Hover! was the harbinger of support for 3D in Windows and so it was fitting that Microsoft wanted to bring this classic to the web to as they introduced 3D in the browser. We had a lot of fun helping them do it. Make sure to check out the video and the "retro mode" easter egg (just type "bambi" on the homescreen... and maybe click on twitter.exe).

Press

Microsoft Lets You Relive Your Windows 95 Years Through Any Browser ABC News

Microsoft brings classic 'Hover!' Windows 95 game to the web The Verge

Contre Jour

Overview

Last fall Microsoft brought Contre Jour, the beautiful and groundbreaking art game, to the web with an HTML5 port. Fans wanted more. So, building on the success of the first release (done by the smart team at Clarity Consulting), we extended the game by porting two new worlds. The first was "Moonlight," a striking interpretation of the nighttime in Petit's stark world. The second world, "New Friend" is exclusive to the web and includes a new character named Amie, a name which we helped choose since neither the world or character exist on any other platform!

(Insider tip: since we launched this for Valentine's Day, we also created a Contre Jour Valentine Card.)

Press

Microsoft brings 'Contre Jour' iOS game to the web and Windows 8 The Verge

IE takes Contre Jour to the next level CNET

Pulse

Overview

With millions of users and vocal fans like Steve Jobs and the New York Times, Pulse has set a clear standard for news reading with their apps for iOS and Android. We had the privilege of helping them take that vision to the web. We helped them translate their tile-driven news browsing experience to HTML5 with a focus on, responsibe design, a complex layout engine and a set of gestures that bring the experience to life in touch-capable browsers.

Press & Awards

Pulse Leaps from App to Web, at Last CNET, August 9, 2012

Pulse news reader launches for web with IE10-exclusive touch features The Verge, August 9, 2012

Pulse Builds Snazzy Web App With Help From Microsoft All Things D, August 9, 2012

Agent 008 Ball

Overview

With the launch of Internet Explorer 9, Microsoft wanted to create a handful of premium experiences that showcased the full power of the new browser and the “future of the web.” They asked us to create a web application would match a native app in it's power to immerse and engage. We created Agent 008 Ball, a simple physics-based pool game with a twist.

Press

HTML5 billiards proof-of-concept is dangerously addictive The Next Web, March 11, 2011

10 Amazing Web Designs That show the Power of HTML5 Smashing Hub

12 Fun & Clever Examples of HTML5 Web Design Ledger, January 28, 2011