digg

Facebook Connect Join Digg About

All the World's a Controller

failedrobot.com — Control Freaks are devices that attach to everyday objects, turning them into controllers for video games. When the Control Freak device clamps onto a host, sensors on the device can detect movement or vibration when the host object is manipulated. Watch a video where someone plays pacman by rolling in an office chair.

Who dugg this? Made popular Jul 6, 2006

Digg DudeWhat is Digg?

Digg is a place for people to discover and share content from anywhere on the web. Digg surfaces the best stuff as submitted and voted on by the community. Take the Tour to learn more.

17 Comments

show profanity settings
expand all
  • BugMeNot2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4To those thinking to themselves, "WTF?!", here's a quote from the article:
    "Control Freaks in your pocket can be attached onto any object at anytime, setting up an opportunity to play. The type of object, its location and its circumstance all become opportunistic license for fun. Characterization of the Control Freak devices can add a further dynamic to how play interfaces can influence game interaction. Social play experiences can also be enabled by wirelessly networking Control Freaks, enabling play between their owners."
  • DLitch, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I can already see myself knocking things over playing Pac-man.
  • BigHungryJoe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Forget the Wiimote :D The next ultimate controller will be "the office chair!!"
  • Hitchcott, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4@ niku, i'm guessing that cannongod is from the UK (as am I), and over here, that's we call "asian" people. I apolagise if the UK is stuck in the 50s.

    Anyway, i don't think this gadget will catch on. Once the novelty has worn off, someone'll leave it somewhere and tread on it and wont bother buying a new one.
  • CannonGod, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4It worked ok for me. I guess because the page instantly buffers each of the Quicktime clips as soon as you follow the link - that's probably the fault.

    However - regarding the device. I thought it was quite good how it can be multi-purpose, although I think the whole project seems pretty redundant.

    But at least I got to see a cute oriental girl spazing around in an office chair with a laptop to brighten up my morning.
    =D
  • zengonzo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3
    Courtesy of Wikipedia:
    "Major objections to the use of Oriental are chiefly limited to North America. Its use is much less controversial in Europe and Hawaii, as well as in Asia where, especially in Southeast Asian countries, the word is in comparatively widespread usage. In Europe the term is used to describe such things as the East's cuisine and goods, ancient culture, and religions, at times to denote an exotic quality with upmarket or mildly positive connotations."
  • Jimzip, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4That man is a genius.
    (Oh, and @ Suspected, I don't think the only use for this is an office chair. If it were made wireless imagine how many cool things you could use as a controller.. I'd love to see mum walk into the room while I'm using her cookbook to play GTA.. Ok on second thought is it a little silly.. ;) )

    Jimzip :D
  • altosaxon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It doesn't matter how practical it looks, it seems to work and looks like fun.
  • CannonGod, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Yes - I am a UK resident. Good guessing there.

    Apology's to those who found my comment offensive in any means, as that wasn't my true intention - rather the latter!
    I tend not to say 'asian' people when I refer to someone from Japan/Korea/China etc. as in the UK - 'asian' can also mean people from India or of partial Indian origins. I use 'oriental' as a way of helping to distinguish one subset of people from another.

    What I'm really trying to say is: "LETS ALL BE FRIENDS HERE AT DIGG!"

    :ŹD
  • skullbullet, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Umm... wow.

    Yeah, sorry, I have no more words. Seriously, though... WOW.
  • spazzedout, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Had a lot of pictures....and a lot of pointless videos with Japanese girls in it. At least... I think they are Japanese.....
  • raindog469, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Job offer from Nintendo in 3.... 2.... 1.....
  • Darkyoshi1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Put it in a wrong place and put on a rumble pack.. hmmm...

    Innoative yet pretty much useless.
  • videogamechamp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0While not immediately useful, a cool innovation.
  • Coolcan2, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Was I the only person who found that page to crash their firefox everytime they tried to open it?
  • Suspected, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2Personally, I don't see this as very innovative or practical.
  • humanerror, on 04/03/2008, -4/+1@CannonGod: "oriental girl"? Wow. The 50's called, they want their racial slurs back.

  • Add a Comment

    Login or register to comment!
    Or, sign-in super fast with your Facebook account ...

© Digg Inc. 2009 — Content created and posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain | Terms of Use Updated | Privacy Policy
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.