14 DAY TRIAL // Gaming is more than a leisure time activity, it has continuously evolved into a profitable business. Not only do the hardware and software providers earn important amounts of money, but so do professional gamers. Good hardware is essential, but fast response times make the difference between professionals and leisure gamers.
Some players would use state-of the art hardware, some others would take up drugs just to improve their response time to the on-screen stimuli. OCZ tried to eliminate the use of the hand in the gaming process, just to make sure gamers won't waste critical seconds on clicking the mouse buttons. The new device, called the Neural Impulse Actuator (NIA) is the world's first gaming control system based on muscle and eye movement mixed with brain waves.
The device was firstly demonstrated during this year's Consumer Electronics Show. It was tested by company's VP of Technology Development, Dr. Michael Schuette, who connected it via USB to a gaming computer. The system has to be calibrated to match each user's physiology. This operation requires strapping on a headband around your head at temple level, then following a few steps in the calibration interface. There are a multitude of aspects that need calibration before starting the actual game, such as muscle movement, brain waves, and glandular levels.
The muscular aspect takes into account the muscles around the forehead and eyes. The device can be trained to make the difference between say, turning and strafing. The results are similar to those achieved using a normal keyboard, but the response time is much faster than any keyboard or mouse can achieve.
Alpha and Beta brainwaves are monitored by the device and can be used for changing the weapon. Simulating a "Tourettes impulse", the subject can raise the level of brain beta waves in order to switch the available weapons. This impulse is triggered by moderate levels of stress, and in order to avoid accidental changes, the threshold is kept at high levels. Eye movement can be used for directional guidance only.
The device was demonstrated using the Unreal Tournament III software. The mouse was used for aiming only, but Dr. Schuette managed to move and cycle through the available weapons using his brain and muscles.
The device, which will become available soon, will be more than a collector's item. It will be highly functional and will revolutionize the way we play games. Too bad that the logo "the way it's meant to be played" cannot be applied on OCZ's actuator.