Twitch streamer Perrikaryal plays Elden Ring with EEG device; brain-computer interface gaming not new, accuracy low.
Twitch streamer Perrikaryal has recently been playing FromSoftware’s Elden Ring with an electroencephalogram (EEG) device, which records electrical activity in the brain. This device has been linked to key binds to allow her to play the game hands-free, which has caused disbelief and cries of Ex Machina online.
Cody Cao, a cognitive neuroscience PhD candidate from the University of Michigan, explained that EEG has good temporal resolution, meaning that neural responses to gaming stimuli can be recorded down to milliseconds. Algorithms are then used to differentiate between responses and decode them into actions. However, decoding is still janky and accuracy is lower than manually performing an action.
Perri emphasized that she is not necessarily innovating, but bringing the possibilities of EEG usage to the public’s attention. It’s been around since 1988 and she is not sure if it is well known.
Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface company Neuralink released a video in 2021 of a monkey playing Pong using its technology, which shocked the public. However, playing a game with your brain won’t give you an advantage as decoding is still janky, with 60 to 70 percent accuracy considered good.
Overall, EEG usage is not a new concept, but Perri has brought it to the public’s attention. It is a revolutionary way to play games, however, the accuracy is still not up to par with manually performing an action. It is an interesting concept that could be further developed in the future.
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