Computer gaming technologies could prove very useful to scientific visualization, but the game industry's emphasis on rapid product development and the sacrifice of data accuracy and reliability for the sake of entertainment is anathema to scientific computing. Successful deployments of computer-game-driven applications to OpenGL and other big application programming interfaces can only happen if game developers and the visualization sector can better understand each other's requirements. Developments in game-based graphics applications impact on advancements in graphics workstations and visualization software markets, but applying video games to visualization is an unsettling prospect for many scientists.
However, the advent of cluster computing means researchers must contend with graphics acceleration and PC hardware platforms optimized for computer games. A major focus of development are games that can play on PDAs, mobile phones, and wireless devices, and there are other initiatives to deliver scientific-quality computer graphics on such handhelds. A likely development in the next couple of years is a reengineering of visualization and virtual reality technology for game consoles. Small-screen computer image rendering and wireless connectivity will be capabilities of high-speed collaborative computing. Already, several groups are taking advantage of video games to solve problems: The Institute for Creative Technologies aims to improve soldiers' combat readiness and decision-making skills with the development of military video games.