We can see the games, we can hear the games... how about....

[o_yoshura]

SMELLING THE GAMES!?

Wouldnt it be neat if we could smell whats going on in the games? Theres a pyro around the corner.. launching fire everywhere.. things are on fire.. you can smell it..

eww what stinks? HWGuy? Run away! That spy doesnt smell like us.. HE MUST BE ENEMY!

So i had this idea last night while trying to sleep, where you hook up "Smellers" to you PC, and they emit smells (they would need to be programmed into the game/application first... OH NOES MY SPREADSHEETS ON FIRE!).

And if theres other people in the room, dont worry about it! We got "Nosephones!", just shove the things up your nose, and only YOU can smell it!

Opinions? Questions? Flames?

[Jiggles]

I think they'll be able to do this as soon as scientists can come up with a perfume that doesn't smell terrible

[o_broodingdude]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

I think they'll be able to do this as soon as scientists can come up with a perfume that doesn't smell terrible

Davidoff Cool Water.

[o_cruor]

Hate to brake it too you man but you are hardly the first to think of this. The concept has been around since 1997, probably even earlier. Allthough not yet utilised mainstream the technology is available. I heard about this some time ago heck I bet it was back att 1997-98 something. That some games (can't remember which, had hardcoded in simulated smells compatible with such smell-simulators. Perhaps it was some tombraider episode.

Anyways here is a quote:

Description
Sandeep Jaidka, an inventor, has snagged the US patent for the world's first multimedia invention of a virtual reality device which conveys smells and sensations.

The idea behind such a device has been circulating for quite some time. In 1997 it was two Israeli scientists who claimed they had made a breakthrough in the field. Unfortunately for them they didn't follow up their initial announcement and now Sandeep Jaidka from India has claimed the rights to the patent.

Such a device would enable film makers and web designers to include smells relevant to the context of their creations thus greatly enhancing the viewing experience

So we might not be far from playing a game where you end up barfing from the smell of blood and burnt and decaying corpses. Oh the possibilities

*Edit* Found these two companies that allready have such a product available:

http://www.savproducts.com/ and http://www.trisenx.com/intro.html

the former beign the site of the man in the quote Jaidka who owns the patent now.

[o_puppychow]

like usual, the porn possibilities will push the technology envelope faster/further than anything else.

[o_sobe green]

Bleh I'd rather not smell the games I play.

[o_voipme]

I'd at least hope for an option to turn it off when playing some games.

[o_fresh]