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Games

Striking It Lucky: Kiss Controlled Bowling

Now you can smooch and play video games simultaneously.

Like a virtual mistletoe, make sure to add this one to the list of “Ways To Convince Someone To Kiss Me.” Digital artist Hye Yeon Nam has developed an intimate way for two people to play virtual bowling. Gone is the Wiimote, even the Kinect doesn’t get a look in, instead the video game’s controlled with your tongue.

This tongue-mote works by having one of you place a magnet on their tongue while the other person wears a customized headset. The magnet, while perhaps being a bit of a mood killer, is essential as it’s used to control the direction and speed of the bowling ball. The headset has magnetic field sensors acting as a receiver. The faster the tongue is moved, the faster the ball goes. Judging by the video it might not be the most practical or convincing way to get a strike, but certainly you’ll have fun trying.

The artist describes this unique game controller as:

Kiss Controller is an experimental project that allows users to control a bowling game by moving their tongues while kissing. Unlike existing game input devices, Kiss Controller seeks to generate the emotional experience of a kinetic act while users play the game rather than control games with their body.

It’s not the first time Hye Yeon Nam has used kissing as an interface in her work. Another of her projects (below) uses a similar set up—magnets and sensor headset—to create music, with the style of kissing changing the style of music.