We’ve come a long way in gaming input technology. From four button controllers, to the penis-crippling abominations of the N64, all the way to the input devices of today. No matter what the future holds, there’s always going to be one constant feature that gamers have come to expect in their controllers. Vibrations. Much like the neck massager hidden in your girlfriends draw, those vibrations are a grand feeling to expereince during a particularly engaging game. Although in the near future, electric shocks could be the next evolution in that interface.
German researchers have come up with a new way to apply some more intuitive feedback, by sciencing the hell out of a controller according to New Scientist via Destructoid. Regular controllers use small motors located in the palm grips to create a rumble sensation, but ze Germans have come up with a method that uses electrical muscle stimulation to create a unique sensation of touch.
"It creates a strong, painless contraction, in your palm flexor muscle, that makes you fight your phone" said Pedro Lopes at the Hasso Plattner Institute where the research is being conducted. The effectiveness of the device was tested on volunteers who controlled an aircraft in a strong wind simulation. These participants used both regular and electrical controllers to do so, with all of them saying that they preferred the ‘zap’ controller over the old school rumbles.
Talk about a shocking experience. Why, this sounds rather positively charged. Could be an electrifying situation. This story has a real zap to it. Okay, I’ll stop now. What do you think? Would you be willing to take a shock during a rather heated gameplay session, after your palms have become sweatier than a liar in court?
Last Updated: February 19, 2013
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
February 19, 2013 at 15:04
I’d take the shock!
BELIEVE IT!
Admiral Chief Erwin
February 19, 2013 at 15:18
I, am your father!
(what? You said you’d take the shock?)
Uberutang
February 19, 2013 at 15:04
We are looking at the combat sim version of this. Basically lazer tag, but out doors and it shocks you out for a bit…
Admiral Chief Erwin
February 19, 2013 at 15:16
Out you say?
Best game ever!
Uberutang
February 19, 2013 at 15:18
Yeah it needs to be realistic. So if hit in arm..numb/paralyzed arm. Leg, leg collapses, chest or head… lights out son, wake up when medic does ‘cpr’.
Trevor Davies
February 19, 2013 at 15:34
I still miss laser tag, played for a couple of years before the place near me closed down 🙁
Uberutang
February 19, 2013 at 15:36
There is a new outdoor system out, fairly expensive, but 100m – 300m range and you can stream results to mobile server. each gun can run a profile, so assault has 100m range, 30 rounds per ‘clip’ etc. Sniper gets 300m, but slow reloads and only 10 rounds per clipt etc etc etc. Looks fantastic.
Trevor Davies
February 19, 2013 at 15:46
That sounds pretty damn cool
Anon A Mouse
February 19, 2013 at 15:06
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwrKKbaClME . Ze Germans with their fancy new stuff. We been having it.
Admiral Chief Erwin
February 19, 2013 at 15:16
HEADER WIN!!!
Sir Captain Rincethis
February 19, 2013 at 15:33
I want this out, now. Then, the PC crowd can mod the thing to shit. Would I buy that and quietly offer it to OVG for a UFC session. Why, yes sir, yes, I believe I jolly well WOULD.
Rudi van der Walt
February 19, 2013 at 16:36
I hope by the time that becomes the standard, it doesn’t interfere with my pacemaker…