548 - Thesis Prep

I. Title
Interface: Human

II. Abstract

This thesis proposes an investigation into game interface and play possiblities when natural human gesture is the guide. A gestural interface game vocabulary would allow for a much wider game playing audience, as well as increase the communicative possibilities of the game medium. By using the natural movements of the human body, I hope to design a game that is enhanced by the computer, instead of being dictated by it.

Influences:
The New Games Movement
Bernie DeKoven
Grotowski
butoh theatre

III. Images

Coming

IV. Text
A. Motivation

"Play is older than culture . . . [for] animals have not waited for man to teach them their playing . . . We have only to watch young dogs to see that all the essentials of human play are present in their merry gambols."
Homo Ludens, J. Huizinga

1) Games Connect People Together
It is demonstrated in the games kids play - they play the same games that have been handed down over generations and across cultures. Games can speak to all ages and races, and can be and extremely powerful communication tool.

However, as computer and console games have developed, their controls have been created almost completely self-referentially, so that each genre of game has a vocabulary of interaction that is specific to its own genre of gaming, and nothing else. For example, in a fighting game such as Mortal Kombat, one would expect that there are four buttons to use for upper-kick, lower-kick, upper-punch, lower-punch, a button for defense, and various standard combinations of these buttons will trigger a wider variety of moves. While this control schema is common to the genre of fighting games, it is not common to how people fight each other, nor is it common to the way our bodies are designed to move. Using this type of control schema limits the possibility of which peoples can play the game, and it limits the amount of new players it can attract.

2) Solution
My intention is to create a system that uses body language as its control schema. I believe this will allow for a wider range of players to participate, while not simplifying the game mechanics that make it exciting to more season players.

To truly meld our digital culture and our play culture, we must use the physical body to interact.

B. Methodology

In order to develop an effective gestural interface, it seems imperative that I play test. I will do a series of tests using pre-existing games with new gestural interfaces. Through these tests I plan on developing a gestural play vocabulary that is both natural and fun for the player.

Once this vocabulary is created I can then create a game that will highlight the benefits of this new control schema.

C. Definition
The final product of my research will be a simple game that demonstrates the results of my research and play-testing, offering a solution to the problem of controller interfaces.

V. Timeline

May - August: Research & Build Prototypes for Play Testing
Sept - Dec: Play Test and Develop Content for final iteration
Jan - April: Build final Iteration

VI. Budget

Coming

VII. Advisors

VIII. Possible future venues

IX. Bibliography & Prior Art