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Get Zapped While Playing Video Games

itwbennett writes "Force feedback in video games (when the game controller shakes and vibrates in response to an experience in the game) has been around for a while now. But a research project on display at the Computer Human Interaction conference in Paris this week takes it a step further, administering small electric shocks."

6 of 65 comments (clear)

  1. I think I've seen this before. by mr_mischief · · Score: 5, Funny

    Those are high stakes, Mr. Bond.

    1. Re:I think I've seen this before. by girlintraining · · Score: 4, Funny

      "Do you expect me to win?"

      "Ha ha, no Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!"

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    2. Re:I think I've seen this before. by drkim · · Score: 3, Informative

      Hmmm.

      Do the shocks get stronger in relation to the amount lost?

      No, you're missing the point.
      The shocks are not a 'punishment' for losing.

      Have you ever played with a force-feedback joystick or racing wheel? The stick/wheel pushes against your hand to simulate the force of the wind/turbulence/road/turning force.

      What this system is trying to do (although it looks pretty primitive, he's just ripped open one of those commercial muscle stimulator) is use the force of your own muscle to create the same opposing force that the motor/servo in a force-feedback device would generate.

      Unfortunately, the video editing focused on the host being randomly shocked, which implies the punishment idea.

  2. Re:Old, boring, uninspired... by Trepidity · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The idea is in fact so old that it was used in pre-computer arcade games, from back in the days when there were electro-mechanical arcade cabinets with parts that get moved around by motors.

    On the plus side, at least the patent is expired. Here is a patent from 1946, describing a rather bizarre rabbit hunting game. If you shoot the rabbit successfully, a colored light turns on to illuminate the rabbit's face in red, which the patent describes as the rabbit blushing (I guess rabbits are embarrassed at being shot). But if you miss the rabbit with your shot, then the rabbit turns around and shoots you, which the cabinet implements by delivering a mild electric shock.

  3. Re:Old, boring, uninspired... by Intrepid+imaginaut · · Score: 3, Funny

    No, it's fine. Someone has finally invented technology that allows you to slap people over the internet. Should be mandatory I say.

  4. Re:Old, boring, uninspired... by cusco · · Score: 3, Funny

    Back in 2000 one of my bosses had just hung up the phone after yelling at her kid. She said, "Brian, remember when we were in grade school and they said that by the year 2000 everyone would have phones where they could see the other person?" I agreed that yes, they had said that. "I don't want to see the other person, I want a phone where I can reach through and SLAP them."

    --
    "Think about how stupid the average person is. Now, realise that half of them are dumber than that." - George Carlin