gedye.org.uk

Yes, it’s been announced by US/Australian company Emotiv that a new gadget is on the horizon for us gamers; A neurological headset which uses EEG technology to do it’s bidding.

This kind of reminds me of a short film I saw once of a malnourished girl sitting in the corner of an empty unclean apartment playing computer games via a pair of glasses. As there was no movement required on her part to play this game and that she no longer saw her surroundings she was content to keep playing until she had waisted away entirely.

However, unlike the ‘gamer glasses’, the ‘Emotiv EPOCâ„¢ Neuroheadset’ allowes all your senses to function completely so the only thing you have to worry about is keeping your concerntration. I for one would loose this if someone were to shout through the wall ‘you fancy a cup of tea luv?’

I’m 50% for it because it’s what we’ve been promised via sci-fi films for decades, an exciting way of controlling the world about you - but I am also 50% against it because I’m happy moving my arms and fingers to get things done on the computer screen, much like handwriting with a nice pen it’s something your body learns to do without the use of obvious brain matter. For example; I can touch-type from a magazine and watch the tv at the same time, my fingers know where they have to go without me consciously telling them too, which leaves me time to concentrate on what the tv is saying to me (not that I watch tv that often mind you) - so if I had to type via a neuroheadset I’d possibly wouldn’t be able to do anything else.

A final thought is that Nintendo have successfully introduced the the need for bodily movement during game-play by giving us the Wii, and now it is Emotiv who will try to take that back again. Wonder who will win.

References: Emotiv -&- BBC