Voice-Control in Gaming

The use of voice-recognition and control in electronic gaming goes way back to the early 1970s to a research project known as “Voice Chess” at the at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania as a means to control Chess moves by speaking it. The game ran on the Hearsay-I speech understanding system where the player simply spoke the instructions for the game to follow, like "Bishop to Queen Four" and other descriptive Chess notational commands.

From thence, the application of both voice and word/instruction recognition to execute moves through digital means moved forward in development. A good example was the MBX voice-recognition module for the Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Micro-Computer released by Milton Bradley in 1983, featuring several games with speech control.

By the 1990s and 2000s, with the advances made on both Micro-Computer and Console Gaming technologies, voice-interactive gameplay started becoming an option available on a number of games, providing players with an additional interface that one could use. Examples would be the Voice Recognition Unit (VRU) for the N64 in the 1998 game “Hey You, Pikachu!” providing another way to interact with the characters. The 1999 game “Seaman” for the SEGA Dreamcast which required the use of a microphone to talk with the main character was another. In 2003, the game “Lifeline” on the PlayStation 2 is considered to be the first fully voice-controlled game where the action and combat is completely directed 100% through voice commands.

Today, voice-control in gaming might as well be considered as an afterthought as video gaming and supporting applications in both software and hardware can add voice-command recognition to video gaming in general. Many gamers however, are not that much concerned with playing a game by speaking out loud although there are those who find the added option to be quite helpful and a great assistance to one’s gaming activities.

Voice-Control Gaming for Seniors

Among the various gamer demographics active in today’s gaming world, the senior gamers are some of the most unique if not remarkable gamers aside from the disabled. Voice-control apps that provide speech-to-input and smart assistance particularly to the disabled are in general use today not only in gaming but in other professional and medical fields as well. Regardless, when it comes to seniors playing Video Games, making use of one’s voice and game command can go a long way in providing a far easier, flexible, and enjoyable gaming experience for gamers who are continually afflicted with the “Old Bones” syndrome, which both the Boomers and current senior generation are notoriously known for.

To this, here are a few reasons why the application of voice-control gaming, not only for grandpas, but for grandma gamers as well, would continually make gaming not only immersive and enjoyable, but very accessible in many ways.

Accessibility and Ease of Use are probably the first 2 major reasons why seniors would go for voice-control. All one needs is a microphone and the game or software that recognizes and reacts to voice-commands. What’s more, minimal dexterity is required for this, as one “lets the talking do the walking”. No precise manipulations needed for toggles, buttons, keys, taps, swipes and interactions with complex and unfamiliar controls. Further, simply saying what has to be done keeps seniors with motor and visual difficulties continuously engaged and connected with the game.

Another aspect of voice-enabled gaming is the added brain stimulation that greatly facilitates Cognitive and Mental Health. Using voice-commands enables memory recall, mental focus, and quick decision-making. Likewise, it reduces mental strain, frustration, and fatigue, as the senior gamer can focus more on the game and storyline than having to continually fiddle with the controls.

Also, with a far easier User Interface provided by voice-control, senior gamers have a sort of “smart assistant” that helps them play the game, giving a much greater feeling of independence and self-sufficiency. With games that offer voice-interactions with the characters, the feature provides a sort of virtual companionship and interaction which can keep the gamer engage and forget one’s loneliness.

Playing Video Games for seniors like the many games for grandma online, and other senior-friendly immersive and engaging games, has been proven to improve one’s well-being. They not only improve one’s moods, but reduce stress, and give a higher satisfaction in life. Some games that require some physical activity to play like those using interactive projectors or motion tracking, provide a form of exercise for the player as well.

Voice-control and recognition, and the myriad of applications in which they are employed in today, provide a huge advantage and assistance to users who are experiencing physical difficulties whether brought about by age or disabilities.

In Verbis Virtus

Released in 2015 by developer Indomitus Games, “In Verbis Virtus” is a classic Fantasy-Adventure that uses voice-commands to cast spells. You play a wizard exploring a lost temple as you search for an ancient power while dealing with forgotten chambers and encounter unspeakable beauty and terror. The game however requires you to proverbially “talk your way through and out of it”, especially when you need to unlock spells to solve the game’s puzzles and battle the monster that lurk within. In “In Verbis Virtus”, as beautiful as the game is, it is quite a good example of how voice-operated gaming can lead to the accessibility and immersive engagement of the gameplay for seniors in the times to come.

Image Info:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/242840/In_Verbis_Virtus/
AI generated Senior gamer