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.
Being proficient in electronics and basic electrical engineering, this does not look like a hard project. The mouse does all the work of the "motion sensing." You could use a wireless USB to VGA adapter (or any other wireless video devices) such as http://www.iogear.com/product/GUW2015VKIT/ hooked up to a cheap battery powered monitor or whatever display system you're using, and then all you need to do is tear apart a wireless keyboard/keypad/gaming controller to use for the action buttons/trigger.
What this thing needs is force feedback. A couple rumble motors and maybe a linear motor (similar to the one used on the Mythbusters Tesla episode) could create some realistic feelings, including recoil from shots. Of course you could only then utilize force feedback on supported games (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_games_supporting_force_feedback). Alternatively, you could make it so every time you pull the trigger, a standard rumble/recoil is produced. This wouldn't be ideal, for example shooting a rocket launcher would give the same feeling as shooting a pistol, but it would still enhance the gameplay experience.
In all though, considering the price involved to make such a controller, I'd have to ask myself if it's really worth it. I mean yea, it's awesome, but is it worth the $300-$400+ it would take to make it? A wired version would definitely be cheaper (and not as cool) and might be worth it to me. What I would really like to see is a compact wired version of this, with force feedback. Then you'd be put in a cylindrical room with multiple projectors (or one special projector) that displays a 360° view. Then you could look around, turning your head and not necessarily your gun, to see what's going on around you. The only thing that would make that better (besides a killer sound system) would be a 360° 3D display.
Add one of these Force Feedback Vests and a "Butt Kicker" in your boots and your set...
http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/20/medical-force-feedback-vest-tweaked-for-gaming/
http://www.thebuttkicker.com/gaming/index.htm
awww snap!!
Ahh...I forgot about butt kickers. Also, the video glasses are a much better idea than the 360 degree projection room. This technology has been so long in the making that I completely forgot about it.
wow, good job dude
If you can built it they will come : )
U need to STFU!
Now, why not connect it to an HMD. That way you get a bigger picture, with no outside distractions. You would only need to find a way to restrain yourself so you don't bump into the wall.
Right now, a corporation is walking to the patent office with his idea. . . .
Is it just me or does he look a a lot like wolverine?
Hahaha.. Thank god he cut that mullet in the 2nd video..
As someone mentioned earlier I'm pretty sure it would be pretty simple to attach this to VR glasses or whatever they're called. Then you would only need a padded room to prevent you from hitting the wall hard!
Actually, his idea with the gun-mounted picoprojector is quite nifty...if you have a 360° dome-shaped projection screen...
It's the worlds first nerdy redneck!
Wonder if one could add a video eyewear viewer like a Myvu, and a second Gyration mouse for the head. If this was possible, it would allow separate control for looking and aiming, like with a keyboard/mouse combo.
dude this would be sick with myvu glasses. at least to make it a little more vr like
http://www.myvu.com/
i
want one
does anyone know what lcd screen he is using?
I'm not buying this..
Not trolling here, but when you project onto the wall how is this different from something like the wii controller with the gun attachment? Couldn't you just attach a little 7" screen to the wii gun thing?
Ok so maybe the wii can't match a pc on graphics or games but you get my point right?
Projecting onto the wall would also loose the VR aspect unless, like a previous commentor mentioned, you had a round clear room to play in.
In my opinion, to experience vr you would need a headset, so you are imursed in the game.
now,
add a webcam too on the gun,
add informations to the image shown on the gun's screen
= augmented reallity and a 3D pointer no?