THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO, EVEN THAT they use HDTV for gaming, still keep an old TV with a cathode ray tube to play old games as well, because 8-bit graphics look desperate at high resolutions. Fortunately for them, two researchers and their algorithms can change that. This new algorithm depixelizes 8-bit low-resolution graphics and turns them into elegant vector graphics.
The algorithm, developed by Johannes Kopf of Microsoft Research Laboratory and Dani Lisinski of Hebrew University, analyzes pixels and then replaces image contours with smooth interpolation curves.
Basically, their algorithm rounds broken edges and removes stepped contours that are easily visible when the pixels are magnified. The results are pretty good, with smooth edges and with a preserved resemblance to the original graphics that look better compared to other ironing options or the simple blur used when the old game is spinning on Xbox 360 or PS3 consoles.
Of course, the results are not perfect, because Joshi's neck is a bit cut, and Mario looks like he was in Picasso's mixer. However, researchers say that although their algorithm is quite complex in terms of computing, it can be turned into a real-time retro game emulator with some optimization. (MV)
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