Cogito, ergo interfectum.

January 3, 2009 12:50 PM

Do any of you have experience with the Neural Impulse Actuator for gaming?

My son is interested in this device. Engadget has a comprehensive review, but I wonder what you MeFi gamers think of it.

posted by weapons-grade pandemonium to Computers & Internet (3 answers total)

Best answer: I've used the device. First impressions were very good, and it's an brilliantly weird way to play games. But after about half an hour of use I realised it wasn't really reading my brain signals, more relying on me waggling my eyebrow muscles about like Roger Moore on steroids.

It's kind of like the Wii - great fun to start with, but practical uses are severely limited. Try and find somewhere to try it for an hour or so before buying.
posted by hnnrs at 2:55 PM on January 3, 2009

Best answer: The television show I work for did a review of this device and it's pretty much what hnnrs said. All who tried it said it responded to eyebrow lifts and forehead scrunches. Its ability to read brainwaves was not very evident.

This device is probably a godsend for quadriplegics, but is more of a gimmick for able-bodied young gamers.

The manufacturer came on the show in a later episode after issuing a gaming challenge. Here's how that went down.
posted by plasticbugs at 5:21 PM on January 3, 2009 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks, guys.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 2:12 AM on January 4, 2009