Holding joysticks, mice and keyboards to play could become a thing of the past, thanks to Google and its Project Gameface. The company's goal is to make gaming accessible and engaging to an even wider audience by eliminating physical controllers altogether.
Is the future of gaming written on our faces?
At the latest Google event, I/O 2023, everyone focused on Bard and on the other promises of artificial intelligence. Far fewer have noticed to the announcement of this Project Gameface, but it deserves two words.
Gameface is primarily intended for people who have mobility issues, such as those with muscular dystrophy. Check it out here.
No controller, no hands and no limits
The technology behind the project uses a common webcam, which frames the user's face. Thanks to advanced machine learning models, the system is able to recognize and track 468 unique points on the face, accurately interpreting intentional head movements and facial expressions, which are translated into in-game actions.
And, to be as inclusive as possible, Project Gameface also allows you to adjust the "facial controller", so that it can also be used by those who can only make very slight facial movements.
Possible applications
Project Gameface could have a significant impact on the game industry and game design, increasingly considering the needs of accessibility and inclusion. Implementing this type of technology could make gaming more engaging and rewarding for more people, regardless of their motor skills.
To be honest, the use of facial gestures and head movements as a controller could open up new scenarios even for "traditional" gamers, expanding their gaming possibilities.
Facial controller, in summary
With just a smile or a glance, Project Gameface could open the doors of gaming to a much wider audience, and expand the horizon to the already present audience.
Who knows if it's for me: my boomer side keeps imagining crowds of kids full of facial tics, and this leaves me perplexed.
Anyway, if you want to know more found here on GitHub the project.
