Think this can play FFXI? (OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator)

[LadyKiKi]

Product:
OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator

OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator | Our Review | TechRadar.com

For those that cannot view the link, here is the article:

Trust us, you’ve never experienced anything like the OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator.
In fact we’d wager that you’ve never come across anything even vaguely like it. Personally, I’ve never seen anything quite like it, and I’ve seen some odd things in my time.



A unique gaming experience
Indeed, between vests that make you feel as though you're having your ribs tickled, and chairs that rumble when you're shot, it's all too easy to dismiss this as another ridiculous gadget.
The difference here is that it can potentially give you the edge to make you a better gamer. The Neural Impulse Actuator is something more commonly seen in a sci-fi film.
Essentially, it interprets various signals from your brain and facial muscles, turning them into a signal that you can control your games with.
In real terms this means you can turn a corner, pop to zoomed sniper mode and headshot an opponent halfway across the map, all without actually touching a key or clicking a mouse button.



Mind control
Which, by the way, is exactly what one of the team here did after a few minutes of play. This leads on to another point about the device – you improve the more you use it. You essentially train your brain to make the most of it.
It’s like unleashing a muscle you didn’t know you had – tricky to start with, but it gets easier and easier. To start with this means that you over exaggerate things, grimacing when trying to shoot and overdoing it.
But even after a few minutes of playing Pong in the driver screen (of course, that’s with just our minds) subtle movements were possible. This isn’t a replacement for your keyboard and mouse; it’s more an accompaniment to them… at least in the short term.


Simple to use
To begin with, you probably only want to map a single event to your games, but as your confidence improves you'll be able to do more and give your hands a break. And as the NIA can speed up response times (200ms to click fire, 100ms to think it), it means you’ll be more efficient at shooting before getting shot.
We got to use the device for an extended play in the wonderfully frenetic Unreal Tournament 3, and the buzz you get when you knock up your first frag is every bit as stunning as it is scary.
‘I just killed him with my mind’ will trip off your lips with your first few kills, but you’ll soon get over the awe and focus on the insanely quick fragging. We’re still grinning thinking about it.
This is one of the most interesting developments for computers that we can think of, and we’re eager to get another one in the TechRadar bunker so that we can try out all manner of games to see what’s possible.
I just want to free up some keys on WoW, while others are getting excited about driving their beloved car games hands-free. We’re impressed with what we’ve seen so far – much more testing soon!

And here's a picture:




My thoughts are ... if this can indeed work with any game, what about FFXI? Could I throw all my macros away and ... macro it all into my mind? I believe I solo with near extreme precision as of now, and pull it off very good.

But ... adding this on top, and not use Windower Macros to perform all my "soloing" functions ... what imagine, mind swapping gear back and forth to do absolutely all my casting, charming, WSing, kiting, ... everything haha ... I'd be a frigging soloing machine.

If anyone here is made of money, buy it and try it, let me know ...

Oh, prices. £100 or roughly $240

I'm extremely curious.

[Feba]

Technically? Probably; yes, it probably just keybinds certain thought patterns to certain keys. Playability wise? It is probably slower and less effective than just using key presses. Not to mention less reliable. it could be better than I'm giving it credit for; though; but I don't think you're going to get $240 of improvements out of it; unless you have arthritis or you're missing a hand or have some other condition that makes using a keyboard hard for you.

[Kittyneko]

I suppose you can compare this with the Logitech G11 and G15's programmable buttons function. This is just another way of triggering the hotkey's. For example, there are programs around on which you can record speech through a microfone, then link that to a certain action. (Key combinations, opening directory's etc.)

Technically? Probably; yes, it probably just keybinds certain thought patterns to certain keys. Playability wise? It is probably slower and less effective than just using key presses. Not to mention less reliable. it could be better than I'm giving it credit for; though; but I don't think you're going to get $240 of improvements out of it; unless you have arthritis or you're missing a hand or have some other condition that makes using a keyboard hard for you.

I'd love to try it out before paying for it.

[Mhurron]

I'm torn. Do I point out that April 1 was 2 weeks ago, or compare the above investor scam, er, product to the Phantom Console?

[Feba]

Except there were reports over a month ago of these entering production, and I've seen at least one site where you can buy one (or at least, preorder it).

Also, OCZ seems to be an established brand in other computer parts (memory, mainly); so I doubt they'd try to pull that crap.

[KingOfZeal]

Didn't they have this on a demo at E3 or some other major gaming convention recently? I seem to recall there being one set up, and whoever's article I read about it said that it was always packed.

I would love to be able to say "I just killed Kirin with my mind" though... but, as others have said, it's likely just a keybind. Until they can come up with something that can actually translate commands through a device like this, I don't think it's worth it for FFXI.

[LadyKiKi]

Even if it's a keybind to my macros, I'll accept that.

Just a novelty I guess, I am extremely tempted. Maybe if I find someone with one I can temporarily steal it .....

[Balfree]

So if you think "refresh", it activates your refresh macro, then you think of a character's name and it casts on that character..?

I doubt it would work on FFXI.

What if i simply thought about "refresh" and didnt really want to cast it? Just thinking about it or chatting about it or whatever...

o_o

[LadyKiKi]

No I don't think it's that kinda thought, maybe.

Hard to say without really knowing but you know like how those mind wave machines work? I guess you gotta train your mind to think that way or to the point of activation.

Just remember, if they can turn around in Unreal Tournament 3, from what I gathered a first person shooting game, aim, run and fire and take someone out, it's already a lot more complicated than FFXI. If in that game it's possible for that, then I can't see why it won't do similar things with FFXI. Just a thought.

But we'll never know. Hunting people down with the controller or seeing if I can "borrow" it from a shop

[Kittyneko]

So if you think "refresh", it activates your refresh macro, then you think of a character's name and it casts on that character..?

I doubt it would work on FFXI.

What if i simply thought about "refresh" and didnt really want to cast it? Just thinking about it or chatting about it or whatever...

o_o

Be reasonable. It's not a device that can read your mind.

Be reasonable, that goes for everyone in this thread. :p

[LadyKiKi]

Be reasonable. It's not a device that can read your mind.

Be reasonable, that goes for everyone in this thread. :p

It's a specific thought which triggers a certain wavelength within the device which picks up on it, and therefore will trigger a function you assign to that thought.

It's nearly reasonable.

[Deeke]

Anyone ever face that dilemma where you're in a really dangerous area, but some one's just /telled you or something was said in LS that you reeeeeally want to reply to?

Do you reply? Or get to safety first?

I reply..

Can't help it. And I've certainly suffered my fair share of deaths from it.


More often, it's simply following someone and I'll end up running into a wall wondering how 'absorption' is actually spelt..

Other Person: Where the hell have you gone? You were just behind me 2 minutes ago!
Me: Don't blame me!! It's YOU that won't stop talking to me in party chat!


This magical hat (I assume it uses magic hat technology..) would be perfect for my non-multitasking arse, methinks. I'd be able to control my movement and actions with super head-powers and use my archaic outdated limbs to do the typing.

[LadyKiKi]

If I'm about to charm something, I usually don't reply until I start fighting.

Just a thought, if anyone gets this don't map any horny, angry or sad emotions to the controller.

[LyonheartLakshmi]

So if you think "refresh", it activates your refresh macro, then you think of a character's name and it casts on that character..?

I doubt it would work on FFXI.

What if i simply thought about "refresh" and didnt really want to cast it? Just thinking about it or chatting about it or whatever...

o_o

"Man, I hate that guy. I wish someone would just MPK him... WHOOPS!"

[Jaice]

I think I'm dangerous enough with a keyboard... incorporating mind powers to what I'd be able to do ingame would just drive other people insane. Since I'm usually a few steps away from that myself I'd probably not notice too much of a change.

I did see a clip regarding this when one of the testers was trying to show off the amazing mind powers he has with the brain bucket and failed, horribly, the item on screen lifted maybe a few inches but I'm thinking that's where it was defaulted to at the beginning of the test