When it comes to peripherals for racing games, the most famous ones are undoubtedly the realistic steering wheel kits from manufacturers like Thrustmaster and Logitech.
However, Lin Lixin certainly didn't intend to make that thing.
Neither the cost nor the style is suitable for a casual family game like go-karting.
To achieve the level of force feedback and precise micro-motion of later generations is far beyond the capabilities of current hardware technology.
However, this does not mean that Lin Lixin has no potential in the field of racing peripherals.
"Somatosensory?"
Gerald reached out and took the light gun from Lin Lixin's hand.
This is a peripheral they developed a long time ago for Wolfenstein 3D.
Using this device, you can turn the gun in-game.
With the added trigger engagement, a completely realistic shooting experience can be achieved.
It's essentially just a small accelerometer and a plastic casing.
Simply check the accelerometer for each input cycle and input commands like in a game based on the amplitude.
"Yes, I want to get a motion-sensing steering wheel. Is there any information about that?"
Lin Lixin was really impressed by the plastic plate that Nintendo made for the Nintendo Switch.
The so-called "steering wheel kit" is actually just a plastic ring that can be clipped into the Joy-Con handle.
Relying on the Joycon's own motion-sensing module, it can provide players with a somewhat interesting driving experience.
Its biggest advantages are its affordability and reliability.
Although the NX controller does not have motion sensing components, since it is a peripheral device, Lin Lixin naturally wanted to try to see if there was any opportunity.
"Hmm... let's try out a verification platform."
Gerald's eyes lit up; this was a good idea, and it excited him.
In terms of execution, GAMENOVA has always learned from Lin Lixin, so there's absolutely no time to waste.
Gerald hand-wrote the circuit board, and Lin Lixin casually wrote the software adaptation.
After all that tinkering, they managed to produce one machine—well, to be precise, a pile of junk—in just one day.
Because it has absolutely nothing to do with a steering wheel.
This thing is basically an exposed circuit board with various black bean chips and wires fixed on it.
"Since it's a test platform, let's not bother with the appearance for now."
Gerald hung his sunglasses on his collar and then breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Lixin, who was standing nearby, had already finished his work.
This is a simple little software that dynamically displays the input parameters on the screen, making it convenient for them to test.
Power on and start the machine!
"Hiss----"
But after just one test, their expressions instantly fell.
Looking at the wildly fluctuating numbers and the chaotic, illogical results, Lin Lixin clicked his tongue.
"This accuracy—it's fucking terrible!"
If it weren't for the fact that even after removing a lot of noise, Lin Lixin would have even doubted whether there was a problem with his code.
Lin Lixin picked up the testing platform, swinging it around while observing the situation on the board and the data on the screen in real time.
A few minutes later, he frowned and put it down.
I seem to have overlooked a very fatal problem.
MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems)
Even in the 1990s, this thing was far from being widespread.
To produce accelerometers and gyroscopes at the level of the future Joycon, there are only a handful of companies in the world capable of doing so.
For example, Lockheed ----
It is expensive and has a frighteningly large size; it is definitely a military-grade product.
Nintendo's Wii, the motion-sensing console that revolutionized the home console market, didn't just come up with this idea in 2008.
It was only after the millennium, with the rapid development of industrial technology, that this became possible.
This is going to be troublesome.
Even if Lin Lixin had the skills, these issues of processing precision, as well as the accumulation of materials science and technology, cannot be resolved in a short time.
Is the path of "body-sensory experience" truly a dead end?
Lin Lixin looked at the light gun that had been tossed aside.
This is feasible because Wolfenstein 3D doesn't require high precision and only needs to calculate the rotation of one axis.
This thing is completely unusable in games like Quake or even Doom.
"Hey, I have an idea."
After a brief hesitation, Gerald suddenly had a flash of inspiration. "We don't necessarily need these components to obtain motion information. What do you think of ultrasonic positioning?"
"Roughly speaking, we designed the steering wheel as a transmitter, and then installed receivers around the TV to calculate the motion state at the system level."
Gerald's eyes grew brighter as he spoke, and he was even about to rush to the warehouse to get the parts and get to work.
But Lin Lixin grabbed him, a bead of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.
"No way, let other manufacturers use this system."
Damn it, this thing is a sinkhole!
An ultrasonic positioning motion-sensing peripheral? That sounds so familiar.
Isn't this the " Power Glove " that Nintendo made for the FC Famicom)?
According to the original timeline, Nintendo would have partnered with Mattel in 1989 to launch this seemingly futuristic next-generation product.
That's right, it's Mattel, the same company that recently partnered with GAMENOVA.
However, this thing might be one of the most rip-off projects Mattel has ever invested in.
The concept behind this device is incredibly advanced, even frighteningly so.
Replace controller input with gestures.
The Power Glove utilize ultrasonic positioning technology to recognize a full fourteen hand gestures, sufficient to handle all input requirements on the FC.
This approach was widely used in the VR field even after the turn of the millennium.
For example, 0culus's gesture control technology can be seen, in a sense, as the spiritual successor to this solution.
Even from a purely long-term perspective, Nintendo) always manages to come up with some amazing products that catch people's eye.
Unfortunately, overly advanced solutions are often not accepted by the market.
Despite ultimately selling a staggering million sets, the Power Glove ultimately bankrupted the distributor, Pa, due to their extremely high barrier to entry, high latency, low precision, and lack of compatible games.
Mattel also quickly halted the project after the Power Glove recouped their investment.
"Huh? It's not okay? I thought this thing would be really cool."
Gerald, unusually proactive, was unexpectedly rejected by Lin Lixin, leaving him somewhat disappointed. "Alright, what do we do then? Order a batch of MEMS microswitches from Lockheed?"
"That's definitely not going to work. This product is meant for mothers and children. You're not planning to sell it for several hundred dollars a unit, are you?"
Lin Lixin shook his head, "Going down the path of microelectronics is definitely not going to work."
His gaze fell on the controller on the NX, and suddenly an eyebrow shot up as a bold idea emerged.
"Hiss—I have a way that might reduce the cost of this peripheral to just a few dollars."
"Ha?"