A topic that has always interested me is innovations outside of code; software can only do what the hardware allows it to. For instance, you can''t write code that will modify the physical dimensions of the monitor. You can''t write code to change the texture of the controller. You can''t write code to modify the temperature of the player''s current environment. You can''t ... do a lot of things. :-) To borrow a phrase: think outside the box. Processors are powerful enough to handle most things currently out there. What kind of hardware would you love to have that could add a whole new dimension to gaming? -Steven

My husband and I just bought a couple of Sidewinder GameVoices. We play a lot of MMORPG''s, and these bring the experience to a whole new level. The voice synthesizer is pretty good, the voice command macros are good, and the quality talking to other players is very good. I think that perhaps a few improvements to make it easier to hook up with other gamers, hardware like this will be very popular.

-fel

well...there are only 5 senses (disregarding any "I see dead people" stuff)... our entire world is experienced through these 5 senses.. so if one can perfectly control these senses you could change the texture of an object or mess with the room temperature... graphics and displays are getting better and better..and so is sound. Smell is in the works (www.digiscents.com), and taste is sure to follow. AFAIK touch has been left behind.. touch is more complicated than just pressure - texture, temperature, pain, weight (when holding an object), etc.. imagine feeling the heat rising from a lava pool, or being blasted by an icy arctic wind..
While being burned or frozen probably isn''t everyone''s idea of a fun time I think it could certainly add to the experience.. how however is the problem... I don''t like the VR suit option and am not a fan of neurological implants..


BTW - whatever happened to Virtual Motion''s MotionWare - the bookmark I had to them is now a dead link..

Personally I think some of the appeal of video games actually is a certain level of separation from the reality of what would happen if someone actually shot you with a huge fireball, or an uzzi, or whatever. We want the sense of power and adventure without the pain that would actually be involved if someone were to attempt to dice you with a large sword. I find the idea of being able to smell a level of Quake rather unappealing (and perhaps a bit nauseating, all things considered). For that reason, I think that the majority of the improvements will be based on the senses we already cover. We''ve had sound forever, but being able to talk to your fellow gamers realtime is relatively new. We''ve had monitors forever, but it would be truly sweet to have full visual input from VR glasses (that work well).

-fel

KaneTHP Actually a human being has more than 5 senses. Pple keep forgeting sense of balance , time , orientation etc

If I had my way , life would be just fine , but the world is too much and it makes be cry .Sometimes I feel like grieving , but I must be wise , because Time is not on my side.