If you don’t know me already from other sites, I am currently in college to get a degree in Game & Simulation Programming. Aside from having to play video games and review them for homework (which is really awesome), I get to learn about the new technology that is coming to the industry. I have stumbled upon some really cool information so I thought I would share it with all of you out there! We are just now diving into the virtual reality type console world of gaming with the new infrared sensors that track movement such as the wii-mote. It has sparked a whole new way of home gaming and has truly set a high bar for the future of the gaming industry. So what’s next? Are we going to be wearing full body suits and virtual reality helmets like we see in 80’s and 90’s movies? Well…no. Not quite yet anyway. As cool as that might actually be, the new technology is going to add a much cooler aspect to gaming. There are a few projects out there that are basing some of the game on the users emotions. Now you may be thinking…so what? What’s the big deal about that? Well, I don’t mean they are playing on your emotions to get you into the game’s story or anything. I mean they will be using you emotions to create effects in the game. For example, one of the projects has a development team working on putting this technology into an RPG game. The character will be controlled as usual and use the standard RPG system as we know it today, however it will add a personal touch to it. Certain spells, abilities, etc., will only be activated when you are feeling certain emotions. Let’s say you are fighting a boss battle in the game. Imagine that when you get pissed off at the game, your character reacts that way as well. The emotion causes your character to burst into flames and then bust out some kick ass combo. Likewise, if you were happy it would trigger a totally different set of moves and options. This same principle could be used in fighting games such as Mortal Kombat or Tekken series’. Think about how cool it would be to have combo’s based on your emotions! This kind of technology will open up a whole new way of gaming. Basing certain aspects of a game on the players fear, nerves, and current mood will be absolutely insane. Best of all, this isn’t just some pipe dream…it is becoming a reality in a matter of time. How they are measuring these emotions and many other details about this technology are still not being talked about. It’s just too early to let so much loose, so keep your eyes and ears open as more info comes along. Until then, just imagine the possibilities this will open up!

After watching an interview with an Ex-Midway employee on FOX, it is completely obvious that the former employee was robbed of his dream. Not only did he come up with the idea, but he also had working versions of it 8 years ago! Which of course is long before the Nintendo Wii ever came out. Of course, the employee had great faith in the new video game controller technology and wanted to secure his piece of the pie for it. Apparently the ex-employee was fired from Midway games a few months after requesting royalties on the future of this project. As time passed though the ex-employee felt the idea had been dropped until the day he saw the first Nintendo Wii commercial. Ouch! What a way to learn you got robbed by two of the biggest companies in the industry. Nintendo’s defense for the situation is that they took the idea to another level and expanded it beyond what the former employee had ever done. However, by watching the video I feel that statement is untrue. Don’t believe me or want more information? Check out the video below! By the way, I still love Nintendo and will support them to the end, but I do feel they did this guy pretty wrong!!

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