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Sony Patents Technology To Turn Bananas & More Into Video Game Controllers
By Izza Sofia, 05 Mar 2021
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Image via Shutterstock
Sony has patented a technique to turn a banana, or any other object, into a PlayStation controller.
The patent filing, via GamesIndustry.Biz, describes that game peripherals can be too complicated and expensive for some users, so Sony is looking to find “an inexpensive, simple and non-electronic device” as an alternative.
Sony’s potential solution? Readily-available objects. The company suggested that as long as an object is “non-luminous” and “passive,” it can be used as a controller.
The patent states that a user could hold the object in front of a camera to be recognized as a gaming device before being imposed with inputs and being usable for video games.
It also details how the technology could generate “an augmented reality image of a non-luminous passive controller,” and then detect changes in the motions of the object to adapt to a player’s hand movements so as to generate superimposed virtual inputs like a “finger detector.”
The bizarre technology resulted in mixed reactions on Twitter. “Why on Earth would anyone use a banana to play video games?” a Twitter asked. One hopeful user wrote, “Better hope you don’t get hungry in the middle of a boss [stage]! That controller gonna start looking good.”
A look at a potential PSVR 2 Controller and it's Bananas! https://t.co/mnRoaRv3L2
— PlayStation Discourse (@RedditPS) March 3, 2021
okay. pardon my french, but what the FREAK!!!??? WHY IN EARTH WOULD ANYONE USE A BANANA TO PLAY VIDEO GAMES! Terrible marketing scheme by Sony even tho at this point it’s oddly expected from a Sony who are completely past their prime. SMH🤦♂️.
— Gerbalz (@Prodigy_Gerbalz) March 4, 2021
Better hope you don't get hungry in the middle of a boss! That controller gonna start looking pretty good.
— Valdin (@Lord_Valdin) March 4, 2021
— TREX (@Trexbradbock) March 3, 2021
I don’t know about you, but I play my PS5 with a #2. pic.twitter.com/DXMZnSxqNL
— Robert (@robert_8383) March 3, 2021
I mean come on just have a controller and a snack with you is awesome
— Zboss0204z (@zboss0204z) March 4, 2021
[via In The Know, cover image via Shutterstock]
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