NeuroSky and Square Enix set to demo mind-controlled gaming
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Oct 7th 2008 5:07PM
posted Oct 7th 2008 5:07PM
The last time we saw NeuroSky's MindSet brainwave-controlled gaming headset, the company was partnering with Sega -- now the peripheral-maker has teamed with Square Enix to produce what we hope will be a "mind-blowing" (groan) demo at this year's Tokyo Game Show. If you'll recall, NeuroSky has been pushing its unique brand of mind-controlled gaming since way back in 2005, but it appears the technology has become increasingly attractive to notable game-makers as of late. On Thursday, the two companies plan a demonstration of the in-game powers of relaxation at TGS in what appears to be a perfect example of Neo-like godliness. The whole thing goes down October 9th, so be there or be Square. Enix.
I'm screwed i have ADD
Ha ha. I see what you Did. There.
Why is this on Engadget before it is on Joystiq?
Because the person that posted it works for Engadget and not Joystiq.
That's kind of a silly explanation....they are the same blog network.
I find nothing humorous about the explanation.
Yes, and CNN and Engadget are both ultimately owned by Time Warner. What's your point?
Because mb engadget is better?
Do you know how many aneurysms are going to pop when people try playing Guitar Hero V with this?
Guitar Hero IX*
I was watching the last episode of James May's Big Ideas where he demo'ed something like this, except it was an EEG connected to a motorized wheelchair. He had to control it using his thoughts only, which proved much more difficult than it would seem. I would think this would probably use a similar, crapified version of the same tech so I have doubts about its usefulness or even effectiveness in controlling a video game.
From what I've read about using 'thoughts' to control things, it's as much about training your brain to do it as it is about the quality of the interface you use. You couldn't expect to just hop into a mind-control equipped car and take off. You'd need to train your brain in a simulator first, then the controlling software could interpret signals from your brain and make the decisions you're aiming for.
If output from the brain was simple and common amongst all individuals, we'd all be using our minds to control all of our devices.
That will be one hell of a calibration for sure.
Yeah, groan at the "mind-blowing" pun and then end the article with "so be there or be Square. Enix."
*sigh*
Actually, most of the time the humor is pretty witty, so I guess I expect more.
i saw something like this on some documentary where this paralyzed guy was moving a mouse cursor on a computer using his mind. they told him to draw a circle in MS Paint with his mind... looked nothing like a circle, but it's progress.
i saw that too
Circles are actually one of the hardest things to draw properly. Open ms paint and draw a perfect circle, first try, with your mouse or a trackball, shheeet, try it with a wacom, you will not be able to do it without training. And you expect some dude with experimental software, hardware and the idea to draw a circle, to do it well?
I didn't get that segment of the show.
oh man I can finally replace my real life non working wife with a virtual reality wife that I can mind control....oh wait she knows the Jedi mind trick.
This screenshot totally reminds me of Killer 7...
It's more like shin megami tensei: DDA and Nocturne.
Couple this with the 3rd Space Vest, and you're gonna have one hell of a gaming experience.
I'd like to play Bioshock with this rig. Any other ideas? No points for the old joke.
"You mean you have to use your hands? That's like a baby's toy".
Can somebody let me know where the HELL is ZION? I need some cover before I can find THE ONE.
Cypher! plug me please....
Fail. Just. Fail.
Great, now make a mind-controlled weapons platform for launching drones at alien spaceships. Burying it under the ice of Antarctica is optional.
How do you know its not buried there yet?
I can't wait to see this peripheral modified to be used on the computer.
Amiga Mind Walker?
Even if only for effects within a video game, if you could hold your hand out into a general direction and think "Explosion" and see things explode on screen, that would be neat.
dude you spelled your screen name wrong
It's only seven years from now that that (allegedly) takes place — I, for one, cannot wait for hoverboards*. :D
Looks kinda like a Bio Shock "Big Boss" challenge or something, cool. Bioshock Rules!!!!!!! Finished it though :-(
"Oh... god.... I am addicted to benzos/barbs/amphetamines, but it's worth it 'cuz I gots the highest score!!1!1"
For me, the most exciting application of this is interactive meditation-type software that, by monitoring your brainwaves, could interactively guide you into a transcendental state.
This is just begging for a Jedi game
With that in mind i don't like who they went with the headphone look.
I think they should have gone with more a crown look
Wouldn't it, in this case, be "mind-blown"?
Wait, I am looking at the bottom of the screen shot. Brain Waves? Bullets?
You know what that means...
MIND BULLETS!
TENACIOUS D Once quoted from wonderboy.
"how about the power to kill a yak, with mind bullets... thats telekenisis kyle."
how about the power... to move you. *plays guitar very sexily*
Its soo looks like the bioshock display except more things.
i mean the hand thing to use powers... although - i like the tatoo!!
time to go under the tatoo gun me thinks!!
I'd love to play Starcraft in some fashion with this "brain device".
In fact, they should open up an API to also allow this "brain device" to interface as a mouse/keyboard device to retrofit "older" games.
Should be a fun experience playing TF2 as well.
My understanding was that the neurosky EEG isn't terribly advanced, and consists of a single sensor. According to the what I've read, it can only detect the levels of 2 emotions, which doesn't exactly allow for it to be the sole method of control.
Personally, I'm more interested in the Emotiv BCI (assuming that it makes it to market), as it's supposed to be $300 for the device which has 16 electrodes and you can download a lite version of the SDK for free (neurosky charges upwards of $1000 to purchase their SDK).