Beyond the Wii: Neurofeedback Technology

06/25/2007 06:22:00 PM (1)
Below is the first EMERGE post from BSSP staffer and full-time coolguy Scott Mcfadden. Expect much more from this guy in the days, weeks, and months to come:

I remember when my roommate first brought home the Wii, it was amazing. I kept thinking that this was the next step in gaming, an actual physical interaction with the game beyond the thumb-numbing, action-packed pleasures
of the past. But whatâ??s beyond the next step? Neurofeedback technology, that's what.

Basically the way it works is sensors are applied to your head measuring your baseline brain-wave activity, including signals related to concentration, anxiety and relaxation. These signals can then be translated to the gaming experience allowing you to move object simply by concentrating your focus on them. Think about throwing a fireball at your opponent and it
happens- awesome. Need to jump out of the way of one of those spikey-shelled turtles from Super Mario Bros? Just think about leaping over that pesky terrapin and it's done!

The two companies researching Neurofeeback technology for gaming purposes are Emotiv Systems and Neurosky. This is some pretty heady stuff and it's bound to make the Wii look pretty basic once the technology is further refined and software optimizing its capabilities is developed. If nothing else, nobody will be able to tell you that you're rotting your brain with all those video games...

Check out the videos below to learn more

Neurosky on BBC

Emotiv Systems on Tina Wood's Blog on on10.net
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Comments
Neurofeedback Medical
Neurofeedback is a medical application! Using it in a gaming platform is potentially extremely dangerous for developing brains. Neurofeedback strengthens certain brain frequencies and inhibits others. You could accidentally "train" yourself to have ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, or another neurological problem. Please be aware that electrodes attached to your scalp is not a game.
Posted by Nancy on 03/19/2009 12:56 PM
It appears you don't have Flash installed.
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