This week has been a mind blowing, eye opening and humbling experience for me. I am attending the SIGGRAPH computer graphic conference as part of the duties for the Test Center I work for. And while I'm here gathering info on interfaces, simulation, visualization, data storage, etc., I can't help but take in some of the presentations by leaders in the SPFX community - Transformers, Happy Feet, Pirates OTC, Spiderman etc., were all covered by special sessions with lots of information about breakthroughs in rendering, fluid dynamics, etc. Along with that there is a huge product exhibition, hands on experimentation with new technology (think Tom Cruise in Minority Report) and animation shows featuring the best of the best in categories like Science, Music, Storytelling, Creativity and one called "Madness". While I'm not a gamer, the gaming community is heavily represented. There were demos by EA and Others on their upcoming releases.
Model related, companies had working 3d "printers" to create 3-D prototypes from CAD data.
Amazing!

Yep. That's some good stuff, there.

I was forced to miss SIGGRAPH this year, but friends who attended echo your statements re: the "wow" factor.

Next year for sure.