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."
Those are high stakes, Mr. Bond.
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.
10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
No, it's fine. Someone has finally invented technology that allows you to slap people over the internet. Should be mandatory I say.
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