   Map generator using Google Earth/Maps
  Does anyone know of any games/projects that take advantage of Google Maps/Earth technology to render realistic map/environments?  I am considering attempting a personal "research" project to explore how feasible this is.  I think it would be pretty amazing if it were possible to use data from these tools to generate real life simulations of actual real world places in your game.   Instead of worrying about map/terrain editing you could specify a section of a city and it would be generated for you.   Is anyone aware of any resources that might be helpful in this endeavor?   
  Absolutely feasible for a research project, but not quite ready for a commercial game. Check these out.   ;  Once stumbled upon a project that used the Google Earth data to find the exact camera position of a photo (using some reference points) and then derived the depth of every pixel in the photo. That allowed to remove (or add) fog/haze as well as completely relight the photo. I don't have a link, but it was quite interesting, and certainly a nice idea.   ;  I think that the Outterra project integrates some Google Maps/Earth data to generate it's world. I could be wrong but the forum on their site might help you to find out.http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/mod/journal/journal.asp?jn=503094http://www.outerra.com/Andy   ;  There are definitely companies attempting to make commercial games with real data, like these guys; http://www.facebook.com/projectmyworld   ;  You would have to be very careful using google maps data, as it is against the terms of use and i believe google have had to pay for rights to this mapping data. By using it you could leave yourself open to lawsuits much the same way as using someone elses graphics or sound. IANAL, etc etc.   ;  I have used Google maps before in a GPS tracking application.  I believe as long as you don't restrict access to any part of your application that uses Google Maps (password protect) or profit off of it, its fine.  It wouldn't hurt to double check though...thanks.   ;  This game uses Google maps to build tracks,http://racing.vodafone.com/hometown/en-gb/;  A company like vodafone would have asked permission before using the mapping data. If you do the same, or use the official google api only, you should be ok.The terms and conditions are basically against bulk use of the data last time i read, e.g. downloading all the tiles and saving them for use in another app.[Edited by - braindigitalis on October 8, 2010 3:35:34 AM]