Game design and control using EEG signals (I)

• Main Author: Ng, Lynette Yanrong
• Other Authors: Smitha Kavallur Pisharath Gopi
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Computer science and engineering::Computer applications::Life and medical sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/72766
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The objective of this Final Year Project (FYP) is to develop a game where players utilize Electroencephalography (EEG) signals. EEG signals differs from the traditional forms of controls in allowing the user to communicate directly with the application without the need to translate their thought into a physical action. With the addition of EEG signals as a form of control, a wider variety of actions can be developed in the games. In addition, it will enable the players to have a new and enhanced overall gaming experience through the intuitive controls and hence, smoother gameplay. The game “Find The Orb” is created using Unity3D, a cross-platform game engine, and the Emotiv EPOC headset is used to utilize EEG signals as a form of control in the game. Players will utilize EEG signals, mainly the cognitive actions of “Push” and “Left”, to navigate around the map. The main goal of the game is for players to find the “Ultimate Orb” and channel it successfully at that altar. An experiment was carried out over three days with participants playing the game. Results have shown that participants have increased focus level and are able to trigger a movement with increased ease over the three days. However, the limitations of EEG signals, such as the inability to accurately and consistently reproduce signals, render the participants to be unable to master the usage of EEG signals. Despite the limitations, participants still view EEG signals as controls in a positive light, showing increased acceptance towards it as indicated by the increase in gaming experience felt. Future work could involve the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) technology to further enhance gaming experience.