Those of us who have reached the age of thirty probably remember the first video game controllers. They usually consisted of a joystick and perhaps a button or two. While they were suitable for the technology of early gaming, they would be considered archaic by today’s standards. As video games evolved and became more complex, so did the controls that allowed the user to interact. Gradually, more detailed graphics and movements became possible. This created a need for additional buttons to perform a wide variety of in-game activities and functions.
Eventually, game developers realized that only so much could be done when only the user’s hands were involved in playing the game. From this came the first simulation style controllers such as racing wheels and flight sticks that mimicked what you would find in the cockpit of an actual aircraft. Arcade games such as “Afterburner” became huge hits and the industry got a first taste of the profit potential that existed for companies who could deliver a more realistic gaming experience.
Within the last year or two, motion sensing games that are controlled by the movement of the user became the hottest trend in the industry. The technology is still in the early stages of development but it is clear that the consumer appetite for an interactive video game experience is gigantic. The success of the Nintendo Wii and the Xbox Kinect are two great examples of how this technology is pushing the entire industry in a new and innovative direction.
At about the same time that motion controlled titles were starting to appear on store shelves, the first video game chair models were also introduced. At first, these were simply meant to provide comfortable, low seating for kids and teenagers. The biggest development came when companies such as X-Rocker began to outfit these gamer chairs with additional features such as built-in surround sound and volume controls. Once consumers started snatching up these gaming seats at a fast pace, new interactive twists were introduced that included motion and vibration to create a closer connection between the user and the game. The ultimate goal is to deliver an experience that closely matches reality across the entire spectrum of senses. Some of the latest models are starting to get very close to reaching that objective.
What does this mean for the consumer?
More excitement and an increasingly engaging video game playing experience are certainly on the horizon. Buyers can look forward to a whole new level of comfort with precision controls that closely replicate those that would be encountered in the real world. Some of the more advanced gamer chairs will come at a price but dedicated users should have no problem investing in such a new and exciting technology.