If this was done smaller it could be nicely integrated into certain games, say when fear has those "scary moments" they could do that in games if you're playing it casually, but if you have to wear it on your finger it's too intrusive, I can see it coming back in years to come in a smaller form but not like that. Maybe this is the return of Dr. Mario?
I know everyone is quick to poo-poo this concept, but I think it may have applications that "core" gamers may not be familiar with. This console generation, Nintendo has been rewarded by thinking outside the box and experimenting with controls that don't conform to standard game play. I doubt the system will be marketed towards the audience that visits video game sites. Rather, it will show up on Good Morning, America or the Today Show where (the lovely) Meredith Viera will test it out, talk about the convergence of mind, body and spirit, and do some deep breathing exercises to move the video game ball into the on screen cup. The peripheral will be seen as an addendum to the WiiFit board. The "core" may scoff at the introduction of a heart rate monitor to a game console, but Nintendo has had great success at appealing to areas of the public previously ignored by game makers. Microsoft and Sony have been expanding their consoles beyond just games to include social networking, HD video and internet radio. They want their systems to be the hub for all the digital entertainment that you enjoy in your home. Nintendo is moving in a different direction. They want to help you become a better person through exercise, mental training and now stress relief.
Below are excerpts from an article published in the Rocky Mountain Times in 2005. I think it illustrates the type of thing Nintendo has planned for Vitality.
Pixels of peace Biofeedback game helps players build mental serenity
By Jeff Smith, Rocky Mountain News April 11, 2005
With biofeedback sensors attached to three fingers, a player begins a computer video game journey through lush gardens, temples, reflecting pools and mountain landscapes.
Sophia and a Buddhist monk are two of the wise mentors who guide the participant through 42 experiences to teach breathing control, relaxation and focus.
In one, a person learns how to juggle balls through laughter. In another, players build a staircase toward an Asian-style temple by controlling their breathing. Completion results in a breathtaking, ground-splitting experience.
Kurt Smith and Corwin Bell, of Eldorado Springs, who founded and created the Wild Divine Project, see the interactive game as a tool to help people reduce stress and be in better balance and control of their lives.
Biofeedback is a behavior training program that teaches a person how to better control certain reactions normally outside conscious control, such as heart rate, blood pressure, muscular tension and sweating. Biofeedback can be used to reduce anxieties and stress and to improve focus and performance.
Bell believed computer animation could put some zest into the process. He already was tinkering with a homemade biofeedback system, made partly with Radio Shack components, in which a dove on the computer screen would speed up and fly off when a person got excited.
Judy Chiswell, a therapist near Buffalo, N.Y., is an advocate of Wild Divine, using the video game as part of the treatment process for her clients..."So from a biofeedback standpoint, it's very exciting," said Chiswell, who has a doctorate in psychology and a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. She said she often chooses "chapters" of the video game that she wants her clients to experience at the time. The whole concept is enabling yourself to quiet your mind and move your energy in a new way and then get it back again. It's the kind of control that's very important in terms of helping people live a more healthful life," she said. "And there's an interesting spiritual dimension to their work, which I feel is the missing piece" in the relationship between the mind and the body.
" They need to jack that into a sanity meter for a new Eternal Darkness game. There we go that is the only possibility for awesomeness. When your heart rate goes up the game gets mad stupid. Then again, you would need the game to get your heart rate up.... scratch this, its just a dumb idea. "
I totally thought Eternal Darkness 2.Umm, I don't see myself being duped into buying one. Color me baffled. "
They can easily put seriously scary and suspenseful stuff within the game as well and also people that know that if their heart rate is gonna go up the game will essentially get really reallly screwed, their heart rate will go up anyway.
As a few people have said, everyone seems to be forgetting that Nintendo's main market isn't for "traditional" games anymore. WiiFit was a huge seller, and the information a sensor like this provides is very useful for exercise tracking. It's that simple. Someone MIGHT try to shoehorn it into a regular game as many of you are suggesting, but I doubt it, as it would be retarded and forced.
This is obviously going to be used mainly for WiiFit, which will probably be getting a sequel. The added heart rate information will be able to better determine things such as calories burnt, and will also allow WiiFit to monitor and then alter the rate of exercise. It's kind of like the MotionPlus for WiiFit.
A pulse oximeter, are you kidding me? So they can tell you your heart rate and how well you're breathing. This could potentially be cool for something like horror games if it could also measure galvanic skin response, but as best I can tell, that requires contact with two adjacent fingers, and that's not happening here.
What's the bets this thing is gonna cost something like $30/£20, when it's essentially only worth a buck?
This is what I feared for the Wii when that stupid expansion port in the controller was revealed along with the nunchuk, way too many peripherals killing the system, and that's whats starting to happen here. I mean, Nunchuck, MotionPlus, This, then you have all the silly things you plug your controller into (steering wheel, golf club, guitar, gun) then the balance board. Damn. It's just too much stuff. I mean, the balance board alone is too much stuff for those of us without the moon as our living room.
come on guys, its a conspiracy. the governments first step was getting this silly console installed into every home in the world and then begin releases all kinds of nazi stuff to monitor us.
I think people are thinking too hard, it's for the avalanche of exercise games coming out, nothing more. Maybe a game will come out that will toss in support, but this is for the people that need/want their heart rate monitored while exercising.
When he said something about having games helping you to sleep a friend of mine said "But there is so many Nintendo games that makes me sleep all ready, this is just overkill" ^^
Yea, ya'll have mentioned Eternal Darkness and such. I was trying to figure out how a game could use this thing. Even if it was for ED . . . . . whoa. ED. I'll just say Eternal Darkness. It would be incredibly awkward having a finger tied down (or pinned down) while playing one-handed.
" They need to jack that into a sanity meter for a new Eternal Darkness game. There we go that is the only possibility for awesomeness. When your heart rate goes up the game gets mad stupid. Then again, you would need the game to get your heart rate up.... scratch this, its just a dumb idea. "
I totally thought Eternal Darkness 2.Umm, I don't see myself being duped into buying one. Color me baffled. "
Yeah. This item only seems good in the Eternal Darkness idea as I can only see another one of those games using a heart rate monitor in a cool way. WTB Eternal Darkness 2, but i dont really want a heart rate monitor for it. Just the game is fine tyvm =P
Can anyone say new Eternal Darkness? Cool add on, can't wait to see how it is used by devs. I'm still hoping for the Wii to come back around and fill my dreams for it.
" They need to jack that into a sanity meter for a new Eternal Darkness game. There we go that is the only possibility for awesomeness. When your heart rate goes up the game gets mad stupid. Then again, you would need the game to get your heart rate up.... scratch this, its just a dumb idea. "
I totally thought Eternal Darkness 2.
Umm, I don't see myself being duped into buying one. Color me baffled.
They need to jack that into a sanity meter for a new Eternal Darkness game. There we go that is the only possibility for awesomeness. When your heart rate goes up the game gets mad stupid. Then again, you would need the game to get your heart rate up.... scratch this, its just a dumb idea.
It looks like it would measure electrical conductivity in the skin as well as heart rate. This can provide useful information regarding emotional arousal. I see potential applications with regard to survival horror games wherein the game can adjust according to your level of perceived fear. Additionally, high octane action games are known to increase emotional arousal - what is done with this information eludes me in that particular genre.
As a psychologist in training, I can see many clinical applications which may or may not come to fruition. There are already systems created to monitor relaxation and adjust game performance accordingly. You could train relaxation in an individual who suffers from high-stress or constant anxiety. This could be done by reinforcing the player for lowering their arousal by making the game more playable (i.e. your car goes faster the more relaxed you are, the game blurs with too much arousal, etc.). Additionally, as Iwata mentioned in passing, such relaxation can be useful in helping a person fall asleep. It is a simple way to slow your body down and relax - skills that are not easily learned.
I think the peripheral has a lot of potential if it is implemented properly. It is certainly useful to have actual biofeedback to give games cues regarding arousal. This is less fallible than, say, voice or facial recognition. I think this an Project Natal are important first steps for taking games to a more immersive and interactive level.
Nintendo continues to try to improve us; but to what end?
First, hand-eye coordination. (Wiimote)
Second, body fitness. (Wii Fit)
Third, stress levels. (Whatever this contraption is named)
It looks like they are trying to make us into super solider fan boys. So, this is how the Nintendo revolution (or apocalypse) will start! I think Cobra Commander tried this once... So, I will not fall for in your diabolical plan this time, you fiend! Go Joe!
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