Recent advancements in video game design — and new game consoles with dazzling computing power — have endowed computer-controlled characters with a sense of self-preservation and unpredictability not seen even a year ago.
The swallows come back to San Juan Capistrano every year, the Olympics happen every four years, and old video game consoles get junked every five years.
What are the factors that contribute to uncanniness -- this unusual quality of realistic-looking characters that can seem so discomforting when we see them in action?
The annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the world's largest, and in the leadup to our exclusive CNET.com.au coverage here's what to expect from CES 2008.