Game addiction battled with silent sound
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Mar 13th 2007 at 4:43PM }
Hear that? No, you can't. But, according to a report in The Korea Times, venture start-up Xtive claims to have developed an inaudible sound sequence that could have already broadcast its message 200,000 times since you began reading this post. And what message is that?Xtive says its message will encourage so-called game addicts to stop playing. "Game users can't recognize the sounds. But their subconscious is aware of them and the chances are high they will quit playing," says company president Yun Yun-hae, before adding, "We can easily change the messages. In this sense, the potential for this technology is exponential." Yun then cracks a grin, followed by a sinister cackle. Exponential...
[Via GamePolitics]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JodyAnthony @ Mar 13th 2007 4:47PM
...so they developed subliminal messaging?
CowboyGA @ Mar 13th 2007 4:49PM
No, they developed a worthless attempt at subliminal messaging. Let me know when it works so I can buy a lottery ticket.
The True Gamer @ Mar 14th 2007 7:51AM
Don't let Kim Jong Il get his hands on this!
silkylove @ Mar 13th 2007 4:52PM
I see no problem here
sincerely,
Big Brother
Mr Khan @ Mar 13th 2007 5:04PM
It begins
Yvan eht Nioj!
steve17 @ Mar 13th 2007 5:07PM
wtf is the ultimate point of this. making inaudible sounds that tell your subconscious to stop playing the game.
is this the most worthless news all day or what?
kittenlicker @ Mar 13th 2007 5:08PM
That explains my sudden urge to buy a ps3...
Jay @ Mar 13th 2007 5:10PM
I believe there is some legislation on the books regarding subliminal messaging -- actually, there are over 1,000 laws regulating subliminal messaging ... so, umm ... yeah, illegal.
John @ Mar 13th 2007 5:27PM
Subliminal messages are a work of Sci Fi
Supino @ Mar 13th 2007 5:22PM
...what?
they should do similar stuff through TV and help people quit smokeing!
(this is bullsh!t guys)
Arbuz Chokaro @ Mar 13th 2007 5:24PM
Suddenly... have... temptation... to buy... Xtive stock...
@7 If I'm not wrong that company is based in Korea, so all your high and mighty squabble about US law is trash. I'm sure they're not planning to implement that system in America because HERE it is illegal. There is isn't.
SuperCNES @ Mar 28th 2007 6:28PM
This is how the government can get away with doing so many terrible things that people don't like. People want to rise up but just don't for some reason. This is why we need to pass Kucinich's mind control weapons ban.
Jonathan Tran @ Mar 13th 2007 5:30PM
I don't see the point
Pretty much every serious psychological study in the past 50 years has shown that subliminal messages don't work, and near-subliminal messages are too easily detectable to be considered "mind control"
consume. conform. obey.
Derbeste @ Mar 13th 2007 5:34PM
There is no such thing as subliminal messaging. Period.
There is NO reputable study that has shown a change in observable human behavior based on a stimulus the concious brain cannot interpret. NONE.
Sounds like these guys are trying to make a quick buck off gullible, lazy, and superstitious parents.
Jake @ Mar 13th 2007 5:44PM
Old. The government has been doing this for 30 years.
REUYL @ Mar 13th 2007 5:52PM
Excuse me while I go listen to Stairway To Heaven backwards.
TastelessRamen @ Mar 13th 2007 6:32PM
13, you're wrong. Slight changes have been demonstrated. Researchers have found that displaying negative words subliminally can cause people to flash frowns and other "negative" facial expressions for extremely brief intervals, and the same goes for positives words.
So it does have an effect, though it can be argued whether or not that effect is meaningful.
Markusdragon @ Mar 13th 2007 7:20PM
It's called the sound of my graphics card.
No-one can hear it but me ;_;
Justin U @ Mar 13th 2007 7:28PM
Love the Starcraft Screenshot within the computer. My one true Gaming Addiction is that game.
Off to play.
Derbeste @ Mar 14th 2007 10:36AM
@Tasteless Ramen
Source?
Matt B @ Mar 14th 2007 11:47AM
@6
Actually, I'm sure it's "Don't buy one". I've read it on here dozens of times and it's not so subtle.
I made my own choice and bought one and love it. You should too.
Rootbeer @ Mar 14th 2007 1:12PM
If the sound is inaudible (I'm assuming this means "a frequency around the ~20kHz upper cusp of human hearing"), then your $10 onboard sound card and $20 USB-powered desktop speakers aren't going to be able to produce the sound anyway. The gamer will never be subjected to it.
Phil @ Mar 14th 2007 1:37PM
But, money drives invention. This would be far more profitable if game developers utilized this type of thing in their games to keep people playing and paying. Who makes money if people stop playing? Who would pay for this, the Korean government? The company would make far more money working for businesses than the government.