the world's first thought-controlled game is expected to be launched by the Sydney company Emotiv by the end of this year.
Co-founded by Allan Snyder, a neuroscientist and former University of Cambridge research fellow, Emotiv says its EPOC headset features 16 sensors that push against the player's scalp to measure electrical activity in the brain - a process known as electro-encephalography. In theory, this allows the player to spin, push, pull, and lift objects on a computer monitor, simply by thinking.
Mr Iwata says that video games, far from being the mindless toy of today's youth, will soon be regarded as a crucial part of a child's development.
Nintendo's hand-held DS product, along with the software program Dr Kawashima's More Brain Training, has been used as part of a trial in Scotland to improve children's concentration.
“I think the video game might be able to cultivate the curiosity and the concentration of children - that's something I personally I believe as a father,” he said. “In Japan, schools are using English-language training software and they're showing results.”
