A peek (and head tilt) into the future: head-tracking in FPS games
by Christopher Grant 
{ Jul 1st 2009 at 6:29PM } 
The video after the break shows off several very impressive demonstrations of this technology using none other than Half-Life 2's Source engine: 1) VR Desktop is a "replication of the [technique] made popular by Johnny Lee"; 2) Zoom in by moving your head closer to the screen; 3) Peering allows you to look around the corners by tilting your head; 4) Camera rotation/spinning allows you to look around, "more like a Handycam"; 5) Ironsighting "allows the player to aim down the barrel of their weapon by tilting their head to the side."
If you're anything like us, you're already imagining this functionality in games using both the Xbox Project Natal camera and the PlayStation Eye. Afraid that new camera-based interfaces herald the death of traditional gameplay? ("I don't want to play Halo Reach by jumping up and down!") Fear not! This video is whispering in your ear, Core Gamer, and saying, "Don't be afraid. Everything is going to be alright."
[Via PushingPlay]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Marty @ Jul 1st 2009 6:31PM
The screaming head is not funny anymore.
Captain Planet @ Jul 1st 2009 6:33PM
Shutup McFly.
The Dark Wayne @ Jul 1st 2009 6:34PM
yeah what are ya, chicken?
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 1st 2009 6:39PM
Hello? Hello? Anybody home? Huh? Think, McFly. Think!
MystileArmor @ Jul 1st 2009 6:46PM
Since you're new here, I'm gonna cut you a break... today. So, why don't you make like a tree and get outta here?
Rich @ Jul 1st 2009 6:47PM
yea really, espiecally lazy edits like these
PR0F3TA @ Jul 1st 2009 6:48PM
1.21 GIGAWATTS!!
MystileArmor @ Jul 1st 2009 6:51PM
Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads
Marty @ Jul 1st 2009 6:53PM
Hehe, I knew I was going to get voted down for that one... but hey, I'm sick of it now, and just being honest about it.
zkey14 @ Jul 1st 2009 6:55PM
Yeah, it's getting kinda dumb.
Eh @ Jul 1st 2009 6:56PM
its only funny when the quotes are relevant to the comment...
MystileArmor @ Jul 1st 2009 6:59PM
I only ordered the medium relevancy for the day. You only get free refills with the king size.
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 1st 2009 7:02PM
Well look at it this way,Joystiq only do this once every full moon and this is way better than patcher "crwwazy" guess taking all the front page space.
Desert Eagle @ Jul 1st 2009 8:38PM
MANURE! I HATE MANURE!!!
ill trooper @ Jul 2nd 2009 2:36PM
I have to agree with Marty... It's not even the head in the photos, but rather the annoying clogs of comments that TALK about the screaming head that need to stop. The 'bow to the new overlord...", "Full of WIN!!1!" comments, the "I heart DSG" comments... Just roll with the joke, people! You don't need to "Laugh Out Loud" and type about it every time.
Flo @ Jul 1st 2009 6:32PM
It's almost like he knows DSG is in his presence.
C.A. @ Jul 1st 2009 6:33PM
Yep it's like being stalked in The Ring. You know you're going to die and you know that screaming face will be the last thing you see.
Afterburner @ Jul 1st 2009 6:32PM
I still think it's hilarious.
Marty @ Jul 1st 2009 6:52PM
In your elation, did you forget how to use the reply button?
Ghen @ Jul 2nd 2009 8:28AM
no, its probably just a comment system error.
UberNeuman @ Jul 1st 2009 6:33PM
More head please....
:D
dTondro @ Jul 1st 2009 11:26PM
Can you get carpal tunnel in your neck? hmmm.... I smell some future lawsuits brewing... damn American legal system. Maybe the EU will require that it be sold separately after imposing a huge fine.
DaRabidDuckie @ Jul 1st 2009 6:33PM
I love Dead Space Girl.
charlie b. @ Jul 1st 2009 6:34PM
i also welcome our new digital overlord.
Sly (of the Dead Space Face Promotion Squad) @ Jul 1st 2009 6:37PM
we must promote her.
David @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:35PM
Mom? Is that you?
born2expire @ Jul 1st 2009 6:33PM
sounds terrible, stop making gaming more casual and accessible, your ruining it.
The Dark Wayne @ Jul 1st 2009 6:39PM
wat? This just sounds awesome, and he did it with Hl2. Not Stylz: Half Life edition
Amrosorma @ Jul 1st 2009 6:49PM
This isn't just for easy or casual games; ArmA 2 (and a whole boatload of other sims) supports stuff like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wXx3vMy_AQ
The Dark Wayne @ Jul 1st 2009 6:33PM
this dude and mysterious mullet man need to team up
The Dark Wang(Ohyeahcola in disguise) @ Jul 1st 2009 6:35PM
hehe
Sly (of the Dead Space Face Promotion Squad) @ Jul 1st 2009 6:38PM
the mullet man came to me in a dream. he is the future of gaming.
Shadsy @ Jul 1st 2009 6:34PM
The last time they tried face-tracking, it was a disaster. If we try something like this, couldn't it at least be with a cool peripheral like the Novint Falcon?
Flo @ Jul 1st 2009 6:34PM
By the time I get off joystiq her face will be burnt into my monitor
Leroy_Octopus @ Jul 1st 2009 6:47PM
Her face is already burned into my heart.
kill_strike @ Jul 1st 2009 7:44PM
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
MystileArmor @ Jul 1st 2009 6:38PM
Someone learned alot from John Lee and wants a job at Microsoft...
Diskoboy7 @ Jul 1st 2009 6:40PM
Ok. That joke got old real quick.
Leroy_Octopus @ Jul 1st 2009 6:44PM
Why don't you go dance over to Kotaku then, Diskoboy?
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 1st 2009 6:40PM
I ignore why but this time the head made me LOL.
You guys should do this every week.
Next week could be Optimus Prime.
Sly (of the Dead Space Face Promotion Squad) @ Jul 1st 2009 6:57PM
this reminds me of the jason photoshops that engadget does to every post on every friday the 13th. i pretty much stopped reading engadget, but i go back on friday the 13th just to get in on the jason action.
SithLibrarian @ Jul 1st 2009 6:44PM
Thanks, Joystiq, for making my day!
Aivskar @ Jul 1st 2009 6:44PM
Time to invest in the whiplash medical supply industry.
Lov3 @ Jul 1st 2009 10:26PM
Yeah man, imagine the neck strain of cocking your head to the right real fast to try and get into iron sight before you're shot. 5 hours of that and your webcam will be out the window.
Odog4ever @ Jul 2nd 2009 12:23PM
@ Lov3
My guess is that if you are moving you neck muscles intermittently during you game play sessions you neck will eventually get stronger and won't get tired as quickly. I know some "gamers" are allergic to physical activity and don't understand the concept of muscle breakdown and recovery.
So basically what I'm saying is that at first it may be annoying but your body will adapt and get used to it. I'm sure the GOOD developers will find a nice balance of controller and motion input to give games a new level of immersion. (Valve, Bioware, Bethesda, Epic, etc.)
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 1st 2009 6:52PM
I think its awesome but I also believe this could lead to some serious head aches.
I was trying to imitate the movement and I got a headache
MystileArmor @ Jul 1st 2009 6:56PM
You should check out the video though, Dead Space girl is cool and all, but the video is good too.
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jul 1st 2009 7:00PM
I was talking about the head tracking ¬_¬
Then again I almost forgot to read the article due the face,it seems many of us are just here to see the creepy lady photoshop images.
Sly (of the Dead Space Face Promotion Squad) @ Jul 1st 2009 7:09PM
i am.
MystileArmor @ Jul 1st 2009 7:43PM
"I was talking about the head tracking"
Yeah I know... I was just being a smartass.