DIY VR Game Gun packs built-in motion tracking, optional mullet
By Donald Melanson 
posted June 21st 2009 2:09AM
posted June 21st 2009 2:09AM
Homebuilt motion controllers may be a fairly common occurrence these days -- especially with the Wiimote simplifying things considerably -- but this so-called "PC VR Game Gun" takes a slightly different approach than most, and has the added benefit of a pitchman firmly committed to selling it as the greatest thing since ShamWow. As you can see above, the rig consists of a toy gun with an LCD screen attached to it, but the real secret is a Gyration Air Mouse mounted on top, which allows for some full, seemingly responsive motion-tracking in any PC game. To really finish things off, our fearless modder also ripped apart a gamepad and wired it up to the trigger in the gun, which turns out to be just the thing for playing F.E.A.R.... on the highest difficulty setting. Must-see video after the break.
Update: As helpfully pointed out in comments, there's now a wireless version of the Game Gun and, of course, a new video. Check it out after the break as well.
Update: As helpfully pointed out in comments, there's now a wireless version of the Game Gun and, of course, a new video. Check it out after the break as well.
Wow. That is sick.
Thank you, Thank you, best idea ever. I have two old gyration keyboard/mouse sets gathering dust (mouse batteries are dead). Gyration Mouse + G36C Airsoft gun + Dynex - 15" 720p = WOOT.
Can't wait to try this out.
He needs to copyright the concept and then hook up with a manufacturer as that would sell so well. It would completely change my opinion on first person shooters.
They would need to make sure the 'walk forward' command worked properly; otherwise, you'd need a super long cord and an open warehouse space.
I call bullshit.
This has been done for years! There's even how to's on the web.
Also, the second gun is already wireless. It's the gun from a Trimersion headset.
my icon you stole...
I'd kill for silent scope to come out on this or PSP via Remote Play
GMD = gun mounted dumbass. (rednecks like games and guns)
@ Craig
Agreed - You've had Yoda on lock down forever
L4D 4 person lan anyone?
Peels here.
School shootings anyone?
Practicing ones inner desire of going postal in the virtual world? Yeah...you could if you wanted lol
pretty awesome. now we just need a dy vr helmet
All you'd need are some stereo headphones with a little motion track built into them too. That way the sound environment would move around with your head.
@Asha
Technically the game should change the sound as it moves, so just, headphones in general would work! Get some stereo bluetooth headphones with an adapter (totally easy to find on the current market).
and force feedback
i think you missed the point of it being attached to a gun you could see...
Cool...
Wow. Sooooo cool. Preeeetty impractical, but cool. This could probably get picked up by some company and mass produced pretty easily.
My god I want that.
now THAT is a good idea. I would get WAY more into games. Especially scary ones, because your only option is to look down the barrel of the gun. If it gets strafing down....
yo quiero.
jesus christ i need one for myself
patent it, make it wifi and sell to law enforcement/military as a training device...make a freakin mint
A7
but the cops they need mmorpg with tactile feedback as they simulate live firing but still safer than live rounds...
Make this wireless and you have a multi-million product.
Pretty awesome product,
Pretty scronny man.
Scrawny fail.
This is surprisingly good. I saw the image was getting ready for some lulz, but I must saw that so quite impressive.
nice my english is
doubts i has many
I want that...so much right now...Imagine playing TF2 or HL2 with that...Hell...any FPS becomes even better with that gadget...
Strafing is enabled by downing the row of bottles just above his monitor. I especially like the 'Malibu' backdrop in the updated video...
Soooo..still living at home in the garage, sure has paid off. Wonder if mom still makes p.b.&j's and does the laundry .
Suhweet!! Let's order pizza.....
its probably his 'man cave' when you move out of your parents house and lose your virginity to the first girl who puts out and you marry her, then find out your 35, married, 2 kids and a dead end job. You'll have a man cave too (often times a basement or garage)
p.s. This knowledge is not from my own personal experience.
I know what you mean tom.
I perfer to call it my 'spank tank' though.
Mine is called the "spunk trunk".
P.S. I don't game in there
wow, that looks really nice :)
Looking at the size of the cable swinging from it he might have been better off mounting a fastish tablet on top rather than just a monitor, at least in terms of weight.
"DIY VR Game Gun packs built-in motion tracking, optional bullet", is how I read the headline at first. I was like, "whaaa--?"
Nice work, but pretty impractical for FPSes (like Natal)
Natal sucks
there is no way you can play a game without a controler
i was more impressed with sony
i want to see what games will come you for natal that actually uses it.
This seems awesome. Would buy immediately.
Love your Avatar!
Someone needs to make an IPhone or PSP game that comes with an iPhone-holding toy plastic gun.
Your avatar rules! Flashback was and still is an awesome game.
I want to see it with a 30" monitor.
that is 100% brilliance.
Two questions:
What does it chamber?
And can you fit it with a halo sight?
This is one of those "Hey, why didn't I think of that?" moments. This would be an awesome way of selling FPS game. Imagine Doom coming with it's own BFG like this that you can play away from the PC or console? Now if they could throw in augmented reality so your whole house becomes a FEAR map or something...
Hell, something like that might even make a gamer out of me!
Until you accidentally mêlée attack your mother with the but of a plastic gun in a particularly intense stage.
Shit yes - Augmented Reality + VR Gun would give drug users nightmares for sure. How about just using a tiny screen & shoe-horn it into the end of a scope so you have to close one eye & look through the scope?
Monsters! Monsters coming out of the fridge! Gah - Ghostbusters game with ghosts in your own house!!! You sneak 'round, hearing whispers of "Zuuuuuuuul..."