Neurogaming: Part I

We all know the scene, when Mr. Anderson gets a cable jack in the back of his head, learns kung fu, and becomes Neo. This classic scene, showing a true link between user and computer, epitomizes the synthesis of man and machine, albeit under duress and in a virtual world due to the nature of the Matrix films. 

Mass Effect 3’s synthesis ending was an even more eye-opening example of man and machine becoming one, simply due to the level at which the integration took place. This ending to the trilogy was lasting and very real for the inhabitants of Bioware's game universe. 

I am well aware of the morality issues that get called into question when speaking about basically anything new. Many people get scared, change is NOT easy for most, and a continuously uncertain future has the tendency to make “Doomsday Preppers” stars when they are getting their own show on the National Geographic Channel. There always have been, and likely always will be the people who want to put the brakes on progress. This is a good thing. Without the “laggards” raising questions about the validity, safety, or morality of a given situation or technology, more mistakes would be bound to happen in our age of seemingly compressed time and technological advancement.    

We are now at the precipice of a new era in gaming and entertainment experiences with the advent neurogaming. 2013, while obviously still early, could very well be the year where the baby steps towards these Matrix technologies become mainstream realities.

 There are a few promising developments making their way towards public awareness right now. Next generation video gaming consoles are promising to deliver integrated second-screen experiences (WiiU and PS4), previous military tested apparatuses like foc.us are proving to enhance mental learning capacity with transcranial direct current stimulation, and many other exciting developments that I mentioned in my February 8^th post are soon to make their way to the stage.

Growing up, it always seemed like the future was just around the corner and soon we would all have hoverboards, flying cars, be traveling the galaxy, and using a Minority Report style interaction with technology. All of this has proven to be a bit slower than I expected for sure, but I feel like some of what I mentioned above is indeed on its way to us. While we probably won’t be able to learn complex skills that are immediately uploaded directly from the computer to our bodies like Neo quite yet, we can look forward to what is becoming available and figure out new and exciting ways to put these devices to use…. especially in terms of the entertainment value. Soon, devices like foc.us, Google Glass, and augmented reality will be commonplace, and this only paves the way for even more exciting opportunities to learn, play, and interact.

To see how Neurogaming will change the entertainment industry, make plans to be at the NeuroGaming Conference & Expo May 1-2. Also, stay tuned for news about Microsoft’s Durango (New Xbox), which is widely believed to have an announcement coming sometime in April 2013.  

Part II of the Neurogaming revolution coming soon! 

*Chris out