Could peripherals based on the sense of smell become a part of gaming in the future? A science team at Birmingham University are attempting to develope a new technology that releases context-sensitive scents while you play video games.
The device was partially funded by the Ministry of Defence and was used for use in military training simulators. It uses a system of paraffin waxes that are laced with many different aromas and fans to simulate in-game smells.

PC unit releases odours – from ‘fired gun’ to ‘burnt tyre’ – when triggered by in-game events.

A group of engineers at Birmingham University are developing a new technology that releases odours throughout the duration of a video game.

Headed up by Professor Bob Stone – who has previously worked on several ‘serious game’ projects – the team are currently testing the smell-technology on a variety of self-made PC games based on the Half Life and Far Cry SDKs.

“Smell is the most underrated sense, but next to vision is the most information-rich one we have,” says Stone.

Miss Razz via developmag.com »