Select from a list of years and regions, and watch how animals lived, and interact with them, in a simulation that approximates what you would see if you were actually there. Some of these species have been extinct for hundreds or millions of years. And you can spend time with them up close – or as close as they’ll let you get. Go to the island of Mauritius in 1400, to see dodo birds flourishing in their natural habitat. Take a boat ride around Alaska in 1700 and photograph Steller’s sea cow. Track down the Tasmanian tiger-wolf in Australia in 1600. Or fly over herds of mammoths in Eurasia one million years ago. It's no pre-recorded video -- these animals are alive again, programmed with accurate behavioral data, based on research, and with input from the scientific community. Eras and ecosystems will be added to the program regularly.

---Update---
I previously I hadn't communicated this baby well at all. Sorry about that. Refer to [link] to know why it's re-titled "The Quickening".
1) This is a computer simulation. The animals are digital, no actual DNA is used. It can be done right now, using graphics and programmed animal behavior, but it's unlike anything you've ever seen except in computer animation video documentaries. And those aren't interactive.
2) There are some programs sort of like this, but the hunting games have target animals that don't really do anything, including eat. Sim Park comes close with existing animals, but my idea lets you see extinct species (and the graphics are better).
3) Yes these animals were still alive for years after mankind discovered them.
4) They don't go extinct in this simulation. It's a pristine historical environment set in the time BEFORE we ever got there. Although you can "photograph" them, no simulated animals are harmed in the operation of this software.
-- Amos Kito, Nov 15 2002

Slightly like "Deer Hunter" games (with a camera only), http://www.cdaccess...screen/deerh42s.jpg
but programmed to eat, migrate -- they're scientifically accurate. [Amos Kito, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

A bit like a ready-made Sim Park http://www.sharewar...ages-4/sim_park.gif
but with animals you haven't seen in eons. [Amos Kito, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Walking with Dinosaurs http://www.bbc.co.u...s/index_week6.shtml
The BBC's website isn't as alive as you would like, Amos. But it's a start. [DrBob, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

"The Quickening Rule" http://www.halfbake...uickening_22_20Rule
How to know when you shouldn't "try, try again" [Amos Kito, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Too High http://steviewonder...fr/html/song11.html
But I ain't touched the sky [Amos Kito, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Esheep http://www.allclean...download/esheep.zip
If you like, pretend it's extinct. [Amos Kito, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

How about extending it using computer controlled evolutionary genetics to allow the "extinct" creatures to evolve as they might have done if we hadn't shot 'em all? Obviously this will require very accurate programming of the environmental conditions, but shouldn't be too difficult.
-- ScepticAL, Nov 15 2002


//Walking with Dinosaurs//
Thanks, [DrBob], for the link. I've seen the videos and enjoy them. Combine all four of those links, add Maxis "ElFish", and have a "Starry Night" timeline/position interface, and we've just about got it!

[ScepticAL], that's a full leap beyond my idea. Good job! And welcome to the Halfbakery!

//I had a screen dodo//
[Nick], I couldn't find that, nor Spock, so I put up a [link] for sheep that run around on the Windows Desktop.
-- Amos Kito, Nov 15 2002


question - do screen dodos do dodos?
-- po, Nov 17 2002



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