I Am More Than My Thumb
I Am More The My Thumb: A Gestural Body Interface
aka my Thesis Project
This thesis proposes an investigation into game interface and play possibilities when natural human gesture is the guide. By assuming that technology is going to develop to a point where we will no longer need a physical device to interface with gaming consoles and computers, I have developed an experience that examines how body-based interfaces will expand the experience of play, as well as increase the communicative possibilities of the game medium. The current controller/keyboard interface options for digital games often restrict players from fully engaging in the interactive experience because they are physically awkward for many body types, can be damaging to the physical well-being of the player, often require previous knowledge of the controller in order to engage in the game, or are so complicated that it detracts the player from being immersed in the world of the game.
The game, "Cloud," developed by students at USC, is a game designed for newers players, with easier to understand controls. The game utilizes an intuitive keyboard and mouse control schema, making it a good candidate for my own experimentation, because of the stark contrast and comparison between a popular game interface and a gestural body-based one. By using the natural movements of the human body, I experimented with interface for "Cloud" that explores what it means to use the body to interface into virtual gaming worlds.