Kick Your Input Device

Darkfox writes "This story from BBC News shows a new Thrustmaster device designed to let you actually carry out physical movements for input into fighting games. Looks like contortionist heaven, and the input mechanism is ... coarse to say the least, but perhaps this is just the start of the evolution of input devices?" An input device that my brother and I can agree on -- except that it only works with Playstation for now. It's nearly guaranteed to be denounced as encouraging violence and lust. Ergo, we need drivers for PCs running Free operating systems.

Comments

It's like this, doctor...

[jbuhler]

I tried out that new "up up down down left right left right A B A B" combo kick... and blew out a disk in my back. Does my insurance cover this?

BTW, we're having a Quake deathmatch this weekend. You'd better write me a scrip for some Oxycontin, just in case.

Ahh, what about feedback devices?

[Kozz]

Really, what about the game providing physical punishment or feedback? The XBox will do just that.

Why would a Gamer use it?

[SyniK]

I have the same problem with it as I do force feedback. Why on earth would you use it?

If you can get the same scorces, results, and endings using a regular keyboard and mouse (or Joystick), why expend the extra effort and jump around? Purely for exercise? OK, but that's not going to attract any hardcore gamers.

If you turn off force feedback, you don't have the distraction. What does it add to the game anyway? Sure, without it the realism goes straight to hell, but if your bottom line is beating the game (or an opponent), then you like the realism of having to expend energy to be nonexistant.

Perhaps I'm just too damn lazy :).

Kicking my input device.

[sharkey]

I don't recommend it. The one time I did it, I had to buy a new keyboard and a new keyboard drawer. Kicking the PC case produces a much more satisfying thud, but is pretty hard on the hard drive.

--

Videogames + work = type mismatch

[SirSlud]

Hahaha! Oh yeah, I know that the average console/PC gamer geek is just /dying/ to get out of his chair or couch and perform the moves for real.

I'm sure the demographics of 'person who likes to tae-bo' and 'person who loves playing fighting video games' have a sizable intersection set! HA!

What's next? Drugs that look, taste, feel like the real thing, but without the fun high or addiction?

Nothing new.

[supabeast!]

This thing is weak. Back in the day there was a controller called "The Activator" for the Genesis that set up as a large, nearly flat hexagon on the floor. The hexagon would send up a grid of infrared beams, and could detect when beams were broken.

Of course, making it affordable meant that the technology was not up to snuff, so it never really worked worth a damn.

There is a short description of the Activator in the classic gaming museum. I ripped the text and posted it below:

Thrustmaster?

[Calle Ballz]

and they want people to use this with _computer games_?

A new generation of superheroes?

[Shoten]

Combine this with the impact of playing games in general and it makes you wonder just how badass we might all become! Just imagine...brains of a geek, moves of a streetfighter, reflexes of a rabbit. But, like all superheroes, we would be powerless without something, and in our case...caffeine!

Re:Shut up, idiot.

[Unknown Bovine Group]

Dear Mr Coward,
I believe you are slacking off in your duties. Posts identical to the above should be attached to 99% of the messages on here.