Wall-to-Wall Gaming

Touchscreen technology has added a new dimension to gameplay with the advent of the Nintendo DS and iPhone, but some may feel limited by their tiny gaming area (especially those of us with gigantic hands). However, one game of Missile Command is showing that touchscreens can be threateningly huge, too.

Steve Mason, creator of this multi-sensor, wall-screen technology, decided the best way of displaying its capabilities was through a classic game of Missile Command. Now a video is circulating which shows players engaging enemy missiles with a touch of their dwarfed-in-comparison fingers.

While this makes for an interesting game of Missile Command and the opportunity to make your PowerPoint presentation even more awesome, I feel like this might have potential even beyond nostalgically-dated arcade games…

Duck Hunt: You might experience less frustration and laughs from that pesky dog if you were able to simply touch the fleeing fowl as if you were swatting at flies.

Tetris: Imagine the excitement as you reach for that “L” piece and frantically tap to get it in the right position before it’s too late. Okay, maybe not excitement, but who wouldn’t love to give our favorite puzzler a big ‘ol hug?

Myst: The interactive and in-depth world of Myst and other explorative adventure games would be greatly enhanced with the ability to dive into your environment and solve puzzles up close, hands-on.

Battleship: Who wouldn’t want to pwn a battleship? The best part: no red and white pegs to keep track of. Just punch around until you hear a “clunk.”

Rhythm games: You’d probably look like Vanna White set on high speed as you scramble to play Elite Beat Agents or DDR. This could also provide new instruments to play, without the need for a differently shaped piece of plastic each time. We’d be playing games like Jazz Piano Hero or Orchestral Conductor Hero in no time.

Real-time Strategy: Issuing out orders in games like Starcraft or the Civilization series would be much simpler and sweeter on a giant screen with point-and-touch commands. It would also offer a sense of realism on par with that of a real military strategist, as you observe the battle and give orders by the tips of your fingers. Maybe I just enjoy the Picard-like sense of command this would give me. I say, make it so.

Adult Games: The potential in the adult game industry is nothing to ignore, just don’t make me spell it out for you.