| Gaming is about to embark on a fundamental change | | | | recently. Most game consoles are controlled by single |
| in the next 5 to 10 years. Revolutions are occurring in | | | | or multiple joysticks with tons of buttons. The |
| computer hardware impacting visual technology, | | | | Nintendo Company made the first revolution in |
| game controllers and sensory feedback. Add to that | | | | controllers when it introduced the Wii and the first |
| revolutionary software will change the whole concept | | | | motion sensor controllers. Instead of controllers, |
| of what we consider games to entice participation | | | | games will be controlled by our brain waves. |
| from all demographics. All this will be impacted by | | | | Microsoft is not far behind with it's version of motion |
| incredibly higher processor speeds that will | | | | sensor controls. However, these controls are primitive |
| fundamentally change the way computer games are | | | | to what's coming down the pipe. Already, there have |
| played. | | | | been successful experiments with humans moving a |
| Revolutions are coming in visual technology. 3D | | | | cursor across a computer screen with their thoughts. |
| technology has hit the movie screens big time, | | | | The first headset is already available for sale at a |
| generating an added realism to movies. It won't be | | | | company called emotive. It won't be long before the |
| long before that technology is transferred to the | | | | old joystick is a thing of the past. |
| video game industry. Imagine the 3d realism of | | | | All these revolutions would not make a difference if |
| gunshots coming at you or a football heading your | | | | the new influx of data cannot be processed quickly |
| way in a 3d football game. The hardware in primitive | | | | enough to give the user real time execution. That's |
| form is already available as specialized headsets from | | | | where the biggest revolution is coming in processor |
| Display Systems. Even more amazing, a company | | | | speeds. For years chip makers have hit a wall in how |
| called Ethereal is working on a 3d hologram projector | | | | small they can shrink the computer chip. There is a |
| that will make the holo-decks of Star Trek and | | | | limit to the size of the wiring in the chips that carry |
| X-men a reality. It won't be long before games are | | | | electrons from transistor to transistor. To overcome |
| written to take advantage of the new technology as | | | | that limitation scientist have been able to design chips |
| movies are today. | | | | that use light waves instead of electrons. This will |
| Revolutions are coming in the sensory feedback we | | | | enable them in five to 10 years to make chips with |
| receive from games. Currently, almost all of the | | | | incredible processing speed. Some scientists think that |
| feedback we get from games are visual and audio. | | | | in 20 years the super fast chips could make |
| We get a little touch feedback from game controllers | | | | computers that can think like humans. Imagine games |
| that shake in our hands to simulate hits. Well hold | | | | that learn enough about us to keep us perpetually |
| onto your hats. Soon to hit the market are vests | | | | engaged as we learn how to master the game. |
| that simulate being punched or shot to add realism. | | | | Games will take on the roles of life. Like the movies |
| These are called Force feedback devices and they | | | | the the Matrix, games will involve interacting with |
| are already available from a company called Tngames. | | | | other people with avatars ( digital representations of |
| Next to be developed will probably be full body force | | | | us) in virtual worlds. It will be like Facebook, merged |
| feedback suits. Imagine playing a zombie game and | | | | with World or Warcraft, but add in voice, touch and |
| feeling the pressure of a simulated bite on your leg | | | | smell. Games like spore are already at the forefront |
| from the undead. There are also companies working | | | | of this revolution. We will be able to produce ideal |
| on smell machines that will generate a scent based | | | | versions of ourselves and engage in virtual risky |
| on the computer program. There is already a patent | | | | activities while our physical bodies remain safe. |
| out for a computer scent dispenser that can connect | | | | The gaming industry is poised to take a revolutionary |
| to the Wii. It won't be long before the smell of | | | | step forward that will impact every demographic on |
| gunpowder is added to war games like Medal of | | | | the planet. The new technology will increase the use |
| Honor giving it a new sense of realism. In the not to | | | | of video game hardware and software in everyday |
| distant future, games will be able to manipulate our | | | | life. I can already see the effects on how we learn. |
| senses merely by beaming signals directly into our | | | | Understanding how to make video games will put a |
| brains. | | | | person in charge of their economic future in the |
| Game controllers have not change much in years until | | | | years to come. |