PS Move Creator: "I Think the Brain Interface Thing Is Too Far."
by Jeanine Celestin, posted on 17 March 2011 / 1,598 Views
If you've ever seen any kind of futuristic movie or read any kind of sci-fi book, there's always new and innovative technology. Some of it is reoccurring and we can probably expect to see it implemented one day. One of those reoccurring technologies that is currently being worked on is brain wave technology. In this case, I mean a situation in which people use computers to create a telekinetic like state where you can move virtual objects.
Recently Gamasutra interviewed Sony Computer Entertainment America's head of Research & Development Dr. Richard Marks who helped to invent the PlayStation Move and EyeToy. One notable piece from his interview was his opinion on this so-called brain wave sensing technology. When mentioned, Marks disagreed with the concept.
"That's where it always ends up because the final end everyone thinks of, the ultimate end is the brain experience. And actually that's where my past diverges. But I think the brain interface thing is too far. Actually I think the body should stay connected. Like having your, you know, adrenaline pumping."
Marks added, “When you play some of the experiences like Rock Band where you break into a sweat playing the drums, those things are good. I like those things. I don't want to remove all of that. Some people just say, "If I could just get rid of all those human body problems..." I don't agree with that. I like it when it's connected. So I'd rather get more information about what they're doing. A lot of expression comes through what you do with your hands and your body, so."
This may indicate that at least while Marks is heading up the motion sensing technologies, Sony may not go the way of the Microsoft Kinect and instead focus on handheld peripherals increasing game interaction. This may be further proved by his remarks on the Kinect, that - although a positive technology - it may be limited.
"The Kinect or a camera, just like that by itself, is good but for a fairly narrow set of experiences. It's really good for dancing. There's no way you could argue that. It's great for dancing.
But it's not so good for maybe first person shooters or an RTS. Those kinds of things just don't really make as much sense for that by itself. So I think that it's a good tool, again, but it doesn't solve all the problems of video games by any stretch."
If Sony continues to focus on handheld peripherals to intensify the gaming experience, one may wonder where this leaves the Wii, which was the first popular controller of its kind and created its own niche. It also begs the question if Microsoft might not continue moving toward hands free devices, perhaps even eventually creating a type of brain wave sensing device.
What do you think? Which kind of device do you prefer for your gaming experience, handheld or hands free?
