Discontentment and Betting Lead to Smart Band's Alert System Activation
Gaming gets more engaging as the immersiveness increases, and this engagement often stems from the feelings that emerge during gameplay. A company based in France, named OVOMIND, has taken this notion a step further by creating a wristband that allegedly measures these emotions to better serve both gamers and developers.
While video games are designed mainly for entertainment, repeated failures or constant defeats in online battles can lead to feelings of frustration and stress. To address this, OVOMIND has designed a wristband, which reportedly interprets the emotions of the gamer. This device could assist individuals in managing their mood swings while gaming, and developers in balancing their games for optimal player enjoyment.
However, it's important to note that the wristband doesn't literally measure emotions; rather, it deciphers them. It does so by analyzing factors such as pulse rate, body temperature, and sweat (microtranspirations) from the wearer of the sleek black smartband.
During a demonstration at Gamescom, the test subject will be subjected to the horror game "Dead Shadows", a co-development by OVOMIND. In this game, set in an old, dilapidated factory, the player searches for a missing friend in first-person perspective. As the player continues, they realize that the abandoned mannequins have come to life and are now hunting them down.
Every corner conceals fear. The intense visual and auditory jump scares common in the horror genre cause a racing heart, releasing adrenaline and triggering microtranspirations. The app records these real-time fluctuations in emotion and maps them out, pinpointing the current dominant emotion. Developers can then relate specific game scenarios to these emotions.
Dynamic Narrative
In the case of a horror video game like "Dead Shadows", the smartphone display predominantly displays "alert". However, joy, anger, and frustration are also detectable. An advanced AI connects these game segments with the heatmap. Developers can examine how narrative and visual/auditory elements affect players, allowing them to modify them for improved game development. This results in dynamic storytelling shaped by the emotions of the players.
Beyond helping developers, OVOMIND's wristband aims to benefit individual gamers as well. It could function as a tool for anger management, alerting the user when frustration and frustration with a game reaches excessive levels. The total cost for the wristband, app, and "Dead Shadows" game is estimated to be around 100 euros, making it an affordable option. The product is set to hit the market next year, aiming to deliver even more immersive gaming experiences.
At the annual gaming event, Gamescom, OVOMIND showcased their innovative wristband, using "Dead Shadows" as a demonstration to showcase its capabilities. This high-tech device can provide real-time emotion analysis during gameplay, helping developers optimize their games for better player enjoyment.
Following the successful demonstration at Gamescom, OVOMIND's wristband is scheduled to hit the market next year, offering individuals an affordable tool for managing emotions during gaming and promoting more immersive gaming experiences.
