It’s too bad Gary Gygax is no longer with us, because it would be interesting to get his opinion on SPHERES (for Synchronised Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). These prototype devices are currently floating around aboard the ISS as part of an experiment developed by MIT students. The goal is to test flight formations that could one day lead to autonomous maintenance satellites capable of building large spacecraft while in orbit.
We can only guess what the ancient Romans might have thought about the latest revision of the Dungeons and Dragons rulebook (super approachable; they’d love it!), but we do know they were gamers. That’s because an incredibly old, incredibly valuable Roman glass d20 was sold at auction by the famous Christie’s auction house. For US$17,925. Historians know the symbols are Roman, but have yet to figure out which game for which it was used. Any guesses, Gizmodo readers/ancient gaming history buffs? [Christie's]
I haven’t played Dungeons and Dragons since I was a little kid, but I remember the time I spent geeking out with my friends fondly. So, when D&D co-creator Gary Gygax passed away earlier this month, I couldn’t help but feel a little bummed. Apparently, a group of students at MIT felt the same way—which is why they erected this huge 20-sided die on the campus in his honour. It doesn’t appear to be anything more than some cloth draped around a framework—but it is a fitting tribute nonetheless. [The Tech via Laughing Squid via CNET Photo via Eric Schmiedl]
