The Fantabulous Contraptions of GDC

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Sometimes all it takes is a soldering iron and a dream

You control it with your what?

Emotiv EPOC
The Pitch: "The neuroheadset is a lightweight, sleek and easy-to-use wireless device, featuring sensors that detect conscious thoughts, expressions and non-conscious emotions based on electrical signals around the brain. Emotiv's technology processes these signals, enabling players to control their in-game character's expressions or actions and influence gameplay using their thoughts, expressions and emotions."

For now it seems that the only EPOC games are gimmicky proof-of-concept exercises. However, Emotiv’s EmoKey software promises to allow users to map the controls of any PC game the 30 expressions, emotions, or movements tracked by the device. Much like the Wii’s innovative control scheme, we expect that this will be awesome for a handful of games, and a nuisance for all others.

3RD Space Driver
The Pitch: "With the new 3RD Space Effects Driver, gamers can now enable 3RD Space technology to an ever-growing number of popular PC FPS titles. The 3RD Space Effects Driver, in conjunction with the FPS Vest, introduces a range of physical effects to games from bullet fire, blasts, stabs, punches, kicks, vibration to G-force. This solution gives gamers the benefit of experiencing their existing games in a new body-thumping light."

In case you missed the launch of the FPS Vestlast year, it’s a flak-jacket that will actually pummel you while you play your favorite shooters. Sort of a rumble-pack for your torso. Thanks to the release of this new driver, even more of your games can beat the shit out of you. The obvious evolution of this peripheral is too diabolical to even consider. Combine with the Emotiv EPOC emotion sensor for a truly realistic (read: not fun) experience.