Brain-computer interfaces for 3D games: hype or hope?

Abstract

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) are communication systems conveying messages through brain activity only. This paper elaborates on the suitability of BCI for 3D Video Games (VG). Thus, we first review some recent BCI-based 3D VG. We then discuss the limitations of current BCI technology, those being mainly related to usability and performances. Finally, we report on some areas in which BCI could be useful for 3D VG despite their limitations. More precisely, BCI could be useful as an additional control channel, to send commands that cannot be intuitively sent with other devices. BCI could also be used for mental state monitoring either 1) during the game, in order to make adaptive and dynamic video games or 2) during the game creation in order to maximizes some measures of game quality that could be derived from a tester's mental state.