Touch Screens for Gaming

I want a Star Trek like computer interface with no peripherals.  I want a workstation that is like a drafting desk that can be easily adjusted to desired angles.  I want the usual peripherals represented on the touch screen like a mouse, speakers, camera, and keyboard.  I want to customize the interfaces so they work how I want to work or play.  I want a touch screen monitor that does everything and I want it not to be costly.

Am I asking too much?  I don’t think so and I think we are super close.  Windows 7 ships with software to allow touch screen interfaces.  Touch screens are already cost effective for 1080p and as large as 42 inches.   As evidence, I’ll provide the Google link for the timeline as reference for 2009 touch screens.  Some games already use touch screen monitors especially those in casinos.  So, why not a complete package as a workstation?

Glad you asked.  It seems the software and perhaps some of the hardware have a hurdle.   It seems that touch screens can follow two fingers on the screen reliably.  Technology has yet to reliably reach 4 fingers.  In other words, the technology curve is at hunt and peck but needs to get to typing.

Typing is fine for working with word processing or browsing the web but gaming is going to be an issue.  In gaming we press multiple keys at once as well as some crazy mousing.  This combination to move forward while strafing would not be uncommon: w+e and left-mouse-button and slide-mouse.  If the mouse and keyboard are represented on the touch screen then this would be at least a 4 key combination:  3 presses and one slide.  We can easily get to 5 presses with a space bar press to indicate jump.  For a simple maneuver in a game the technology of touch screens has been easily surpassed.

Touch screens will change gaming positively when the technology catches up.  Imagine if you will, playing your favorite shooter not on a keyboard but a fully customized interface on your touch screen.  No more a,w,d,s and space bars but an interface that represents movement.   Maybe you think of movement as a roller ball or as a joystick.  Either could be represented.  Maybe the mouse to look around and shoot isn’t something you slide but more of a knob for lateral viewing.  Perhaps extra sliders are added to toggle skills or set them to certain levels or thresholds.  Games that create touch screen APIs for add-ons to the game will provide value just by being customizable.  Gaming shops may only need to provide movement interface and you pick your favorite way to move.

Touch screens for gaming is a gold mine.  The gaming industry will cross the $60 billion dollar mark by 2013 and it seems gaming is recession proof.  Compare that to folks using word processing and web browsing which generate little revenue.  It seems clear the gaming industry needs to step up and demand a technology leap in touch screens.  If not for the money then for Krunzy Himself.

Disclaimer:  I did not profit from this post.  Kinda wish I did though.