Get Zapped While Playing Video Games 65
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."
Re:Old, boring, uninspired... (Score:5, Interesting)
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 [google.com], 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.
Re:Old, boring, uninspired... (Score:2, Interesting)
No, it's fine. Someone has finally invented technology that allows you to slap people over the internet. Should be mandatory I say.
Next thing I want after that is to be able to dial a persons license plate number on my phone and it will call them.