Telekinetic Video Games

[Praxus]

Any time someone talks about the "next-generation of man-machine interaction" we start listening. So when the Australian start-up Emotiv designed a mind-reading futuristic headset (for game playing) we just had to share it with you.

Project Epoc:

Based on the latest developments in neuro-technology, Emotiv has developed a new interface for human computer interaction.

Project Epoc is a headset that uses a set of sensors to tune into electric signals naturally produced by the brain to detect player thoughts, feelings and expression. It connects wirelessly with all game platforms from consoles to PCs. Project Epoc now makes it possible for games to be controlled and influenced by the player's mind.

Engaging, immersive, and nuanced, Emotiv-inspired game-play will be like nothing ever seen before.

For Developers:

Emotiv is working with game developers to bring the latest advancements in neuro-technology to the industry. To achieve this, we provide developers access to the Emotiv Development Kit (EDK™).

The EDK comprises of our headset - Project Epoc and a processing unit which incorporates a series of detection suites. Our Expressiv™ suite can identify facial expressions in real-time. The Affectiv™ suite measures players' discreet emotional states. The Cognitiv™ suite detects players' conscious thoughts. Each of the detection suites in the EDK allows developers to bring players into their games in a unique way, enabling a revolutionary game play experience.

The Expressiv™ suite uses the signals measured by the headset to interpret player facial expressions in real-time. It provides a natural enhancement to game interaction by allowing game characters to come to life. When a player smiles, their character can mimic the expression even before they are aware of their own feelings. Artificial intelligence can now respond to players naturally, in ways only humans have been able to until now.

The Affectiv™ suite monitors player emotional states in real-time. It provides an extra dimension in game interaction by allowing the game to respond to players' emotions. Characters can transform in response to the player's feeling - the experience of playing "The Incredible Hulk" will never be the same. The Affectiv suite can be used to monitor player state of mind and allow developers to tailor difficulty to suit each situation.

The Cognitiv™ suite reads and interprets players' conscious thoughts and intent. Gamers can manipulate virtual objects using only the power of their thought! For the first time, the fantasy of magic and supernatural power can be experienced.

Different detection suites can be combined to achieve even more spectacular game-play experience.

For some reason I don't believe this would actually work. Do they actually have technology advanced enough to do something like this?

[Soygen]

I see they improved upon the original design.

[Intrinsic]

They have to at least be on version 3 . . . version 2 was a big upgrade:

[Vorph]

When they make one that's like the Gamepod from Cronenberg's eXistenZ, I'm there.

[Thorpe]

Originally Posted by Vorph

When they make one that's like the Gamepod from Cronenberg's eXistenZ, I'm there.

QFT.

[Senen]

I don't think there that far advanced the last I saw was a guy with an electrode placed inside his brain with a wireless device on top of his head that he could control the mouse on a computer screen and play basic games that way. First use planned for this guy is to control cybernetic body parts. Maybe someone can find a link, since I saw it on the History Channel a few months back.

[Aulirophile]

Originally Posted by Senen

I don't think there that far advanced the last I saw was a guy with an electrode placed inside his brain with a wireless device on top of his head that he could control the mouse on a computer screen and play basic games that way. First use planned for this guy is to control cybernetic body parts. Maybe someone can find a link, since I saw it on the History Channel a few months back.

I've seen that. The technology for detecing flucuations in facial expression is pretty old actually. Tons of studies on the movement of muscles around the eyes actually being what express emotion to people and not the eyes themselves, etc., and that was done from far away with people staring at each other. Brain wave detection is also old hat, though learning to control specific brain waves takes ~6 months of practice and not everyone can learn to do it so... not entirely practical yet as a control scheme, unless they've developed something new. Which is possible.

[Eomer]

If I remember right, the guy moving the cursor around had to do so my thinking happy and sad thoughts, basically. One made it move one direction, etc.

Eye tracking technology is a lot further along than mind control. I wouldn't mind eliminating the mouse for some sort of eye tracking control.

[Taranatar]

Originally Posted by Eomer

If I remember right, the guy moving the cursor around had to do so my thinking happy and sad thoughts, basically. One made it move one direction, etc.

Eye tracking technology is a lot further along than mind control. I wouldn't mind eliminating the mouse for some sort of eye tracking control.

Just imagine the bullshit hacking-style crap you could pull in counterstrike.

[Alamando]

Originally Posted by Taranatar

Just imagine the bullshit hacking-style crap you could pull in counterstrike.

I got you now, you fuc...


OH GOD FLASH GRENADE THE PAIN

[Laerazi]

Eye-tracking isn't too difficult, afaik; for one of my college courses we went to a business that monitors the efficiency of websites and they have eye-tracking technology that monitors where your eyes are going when browsing through a site (basically just a device on the monitor that detects your pupils). I wouldn't think it would be too hard to have the PC know where you're looking. Not sure how you would activate a click though, maybe by staring at something for a second or two.

[Aulirophile]

Originally Posted by Laerazi

Eye-tracking isn't too difficult, afaik; for one of my college courses we went to a business that monitors the efficiency of websites and they have eye-tracking technology that monitors where your eyes are going when browsing through a site (basically just a device on the monitor that detects your pupils). I wouldn't think it would be too hard to have the PC know where you're looking. Not sure how you would activate a click though, maybe by staring at something for a second or two.

Blink.

[Aamry]

Problem is you blink far too often for gaming purposes. What if you're mid conversation then you blink and attack the person?

[Taloo]

Keystroke of course. Unless you plan on typeing with your eyes too.

[Aulirophile]

Originally Posted by Aamry

Problem is you blink far too often for gaming purposes. What if you're mid conversation then you blink and attack the person?

Wink. Left wink, right wink. Exaggerated blinking. Eye rolling. A chin strap, just twitch your jaw. Squinting. The variety of options is really nearly endless. There are a lot of muscles in your face and discrete control of all of them is quite possible and something nearly anyone can develop with a couple weeks of practice.