PS2 controller hack simulates fatigue to make games more realistic

We've seen more than our share of game controller hacks in our day, but few as devious as this creation by the folks at Near Future Laboratory, which promises to make games more "realistic" by simulating fatigue. That was done with the aid of the ever-versatile Arduino platform, which was wired to the DualShock 2's analog sticks and programmed to tweak the output signal ever so slightly so that the longer you play, the slower your character moves. Madness, we know, but if you want to give it a shot yourself, you can find the details and necessary code at the link below.

[Via MAKE:Blog]

[Freakin Ijit @ Jul 11th 2008 4:06PM]

Uh..the longer I play the more fatigued I get already.

Why fatigue squared?

[required @ Jul 11th 2008 4:11PM]

from the what if dept, what if it had a powerful gyroscope that made it harder to hold on to?

[water.and.sand @ Jul 12th 2008 1:05AM]

So, if you play a long time and your character becomes fatigued, can you stop inputting actions and let your character rest?

[The Dude @ Jul 11th 2008 4:14PM]

A self-imposed handicap...it's what every gamer dreams of. As if the damage your player takes in games didn't fuck you up enough. Thanks Near Future Laboratory!

[OneLove @ Jul 11th 2008 4:18PM]

just use wireless everything for the same effect.

[oGMo @ Jul 11th 2008 5:05PM]

Yeah right, if you want a real handicap you'll ascend an Athiest Pacifist Nudist Vegan Tourist with a vow of poverty.

[SushiPillow @ Jul 11th 2008 5:32PM]

Nethack?

[Idlemind @ Jul 11th 2008 4:15PM]

if anything, it should compensate for fatigue, so I can play LONGER...

[OneLove @ Jul 11th 2008 4:17PM]

I already have that with my 8500 GT (fanless) when playing COD4. The longer I play, the hotter my video card gets, the more lagged the shit becomes. (but I still own you)

[OneLove @ Jul 12th 2008 3:15PM]

(no really, i own you.)

[Dillon @ Jul 11th 2008 4:23PM]

When I read the title, I assumed that the controller did something to you to make you more fatigued. For example, slowly administer dissolved carbon monoxide through the pores of you hands until you just pass out and fall over while your cat stares at giving you that kind of "wtf?" look.

[HAI 2 U @ Jul 11th 2008 4:31PM]

I first assumed it had something to do with "shock" ... that'll fatigue you alright ...

[Cal @ Jul 11th 2008 4:30PM]

Madness?

[Jevanzz @ Jul 11th 2008 4:31PM]

Madness!

[jak0b @ Jul 11th 2008 4:35PM]

THIS IS SPARTA!

[Dillon @ Jul 11th 2008 4:41PM]

dammit jak0b! I wanted to say "Madness!" too :(

[Travis @ Jul 11th 2008 4:46PM]

indeed

[Travis @ Jul 11th 2008 4:47PM]

indeed

[Dave @ Jul 11th 2008 4:59PM]

Simulating a fatigued character? Wow. This just opens up a whole new world of gaming options. You could simulate a hearing impaired character by turning down the volume. You could simulate a character with Parkinson's by modifying the controller to keep rumble going full force all the time. Or you could simulate a blind character by turning off your television. Awesome.

[erislover @ Jul 11th 2008 5:19PM]

That game was already made. It's called Eternal Darkness.

[sockatume @ Jul 11th 2008 5:08PM]

Immersion, of lawsuit fame, were trying to sell the idea of haptic thumbsticks to Sony back around 2000. The idea was that as a character became fatigued, it would take more physical effort for the gamer to push the thumbstick. I'm sad that nothing came of it.

[Neebs @ Jul 11th 2008 5:11PM]

That's silly. What if you're playing something where you don't have hours and hours long mission. Even in MGS4 I think we can assume Snake rests between every mission.

[JeffM @ Jul 11th 2008 5:44PM]

A new tool for parents to make their fat kids sadder.

[Adrian @ Jul 11th 2008 10:18PM]

It's quite rare when I actually laugh while reading the comments.

Bravo.

[Reader @ Jul 11th 2008 6:57PM]

Lame... thought it was going to make the controls stiffer so it'd be harder to move them or something therefore giving the same effect.

[Ondskan @ Jul 11th 2008 7:09PM]

This could be a nice thing for the kids how spend a lot of time playing games, if the character become slower and harder to control the kids will get tired and will do something else, like watching porn.

Also, this is good for the hardcore gamers who like challenges.

[JerkfacedFed @ Jul 11th 2008 7:25PM]

dumbest fcking thing i have ever heard of in my life. EVER

[Anthony @ Jul 11th 2008 8:42PM]

lol wow yea the idea of harder pushing is cool n all , but when i wanna beat a game ... i wanna beat it , the duration of how long a game is beaten determines the games credibility and level detail. =]

[Cassini @ Jul 12th 2008 3:31AM]

The only way this would keep from becoming incredibly irritating or useless is if computer opponents suffered the same effects. Otherwise, although interesting, it would only put us at an unfair DISadvantage and suck the fun right out of the games.

And isn't that the whole point of games? Fun? I mean, physics plays a part and has its place in games to whatever degree, but apart from that, I don't play to experience real life. I play for fun. Once that's gone, I'm gone. If I want real, I'll shut down my console.

[Colin @ Jul 12th 2008 5:31AM]

Version 2.0 of this device will include biofeedback: The controller will analyze the buildup of Doritos/Mountain Dew under the player's fingernails and slow the game accordingly.

[Squishy @ Jul 13th 2008 3:32PM]

Like Kratos couldn't crawl any slower.