Your solution

Make a scratch and sniff manual for the game and direct the player to it at certain game points!

In response to some of the comments to this thread…Smell doesn’t work like colors or sight, smell is the ONLY sense directly connected with the emotional component to the brain. The Human Olfactory System (olfactory neurons) is limited to only about 6 to 8 fragrances in any “one” session before giving time for unsaturation. The “Scent Dome” contains a 20 scents cartridge which is more than adequate for any given application. The price to may be an issue .. just as it may be for any new electronic device. The price of the Scent Dome will come down considerably, with increasing sale volume, i.e. the PC 12 years ago. The sales price starting tin the range of $3200 without speakers. Can you imagine a computer without “sound, or even color”? Hey,in about another 5 to 12 years, you will not be able to imagine a computer without “smell”.

For more information about the sense of smell (the Olfactory System), visit http://www.senseofsmell.org. Or download http://trisenx.com/docs/SENX_Research_for_Educators.pdf

I just read an interesting article in the Australian Journal of Wine and Grapes dealing with olfaction. It was very interesting, and well-written.

Here's my take on the matter: Monitors generate light patterns that we can decypher with our eyes. Speakers porduce patterns of pressure waves that we can interpret with our ears. These only require that patterns be transferred--organizations of light and air pressure that are only present in the most abstract way, and can be readily generated by an electronic device.

In order for an olfactory output to operate, actual matter must be introduced to the olfactory receptors. A substance must pass from the device to the user, and be ingested. For various reasons ranging from allergic reactions to limited capacity to unreliable delivery to long-term saturation of the surrounding environment, I don't think this technology will be feasible in the foreseeable future.

Additionally, from my addmittedly limited understanding of the field, we're a long way from actually understanding olfaction to the point where we could stimulate the system in a precise and efficient way. It would amount to perfumery, trying to blend smells until one satisfies us. I don't know of any way to "record" a smell, and unless one exists or can be discovered, production of scent elements would require a considerable creative effort, one for which most computer programmers are totally unqualified.

Quote:Original post by PhoenixRisn
Hey,in about another 5 to 12 years, you will not be able to imagine a computer without “smell”.

I highly doubt it. I think people will prefer candles, incense, and air fresheners for ambient scents just like people seem to prefer a boombox for ambient sound and paintings for ambient visuals. I don't think e-mail, word processing, programming, or other such applications can gain at all from scent. It might have applications with web browsing, but it'd probably get old like all those sites that used to play midi music and have those water-reflection applets. The applications in combat games would be limited due to the number of unpleasant smells. It might be "cute" in the bejeweled class of games and improve the ambience of an RPG, but that's about it.

I think it'd be better as part of a home entertainment system than a computer system (until the two merge, but that still seems a ways off). I think it'd be great for movies or something to complement a set of music. By the way, didn't Glade or someone offer "scent stories" that would release a series of scents? It'd probably be good in the same way, but with more control over the scents played.

Overall, bad idea as a computer accessory, good idea as a TV/stereo accessory.

Quote:Original post by Way Walker
I highly doubt it. I think people will prefer candles, incense, and air fresheners for ambient scents just like people seem to prefer a boombox for ambient sound and paintings for ambient visuals. I don't think e-mail, word processing, programming, or other such applications can gain at all from scent. It might have applications with web browsing, but it'd probably get old like all those sites that used to play midi music and have those water-reflection applets. The applications in combat games would be limited due to the number of unpleasant smells. It might be "cute" in the bejeweled class of games and improve the ambience of an RPG, but that's about it.

I think it'd be better as part of a home entertainment system than a computer system (until the two merge, but that still seems a ways off). I think it'd be great for movies or something to complement a set of music. By the way, didn't Glade or someone offer "scent stories" that would release a series of scents? It'd probably be good in the same way, but with more control over the scents played.

Overall, bad idea as a computer accessory, good idea as a TV/stereo accessory.

There are things that appeal to every kind. What one individual may like or find useful, some one else may not have a need for it... i.e electricity, modern day technology, even cooking, just to name a few. And for those individuals that want to send an Card via the internet for a special occasion ... why not send a scented card. Also for Online Marketing, a company can enhance their websites by offering for the customer to experience before they buy. Hey, how about an Online Aromatherapy sessions visual and audio. Virtual Reality too will benefit from having scent-enabled content i.e. in the likeliness of porn. There is a musician by the name of "Zan" that has the first scent-enabled music video... (http://www.daddsproduction.com/product.html). . It will enhance the Theatre by digitally enhancing the experience ... smelling Bar-B-Que at picnic, smelling thanksgiving dinner, or burning rubber during a police car chase. Education is another application that can benefit from this digital device. It is studied that through the sense of smell assist in retention (I think someone commented on that earlier) … children learning how to ”read” the word apple, “see” the apple, “smell” the apple. Medical Toxicology.. some organs give off certain scents when they are damaged… what better way for a student having that kind of knowledge before being in a real life situation. It could cut down minutes during an emergency... matter of life or death. And back on the topic of Online… how about online classes for botany or science.

[Edited by - PhoenixRisn on August 27, 2005 4:03:46 PM]

Quote:Original post by PhoenixRisn
There are things that appeal to every kind. What one individual may like or find useful, some one else may not have a need for it... i.e electricity, modern day technology, even cooking, just to name a few.

I'm pretty well aware of this. I'm working at cutting all the crap out of my life, so I'm becoming increasingly aware of what I want/need and what others want/need. For example, I neither want nor need TV, but I see why others want (they enjoy TV) or need (a passive news source, a gathering place for their circle of friends) TV.

Also, you're too sensitive to negative criticism and not sensitive enough to positive criticism. I said bad for computer, good for home entertainment.

Quote:
And for those individuals that want to send an Card via the internet for a special occasion ... why not send a scented card.

I don't know anyone willing to shell out $300 to view e-cards.

Quote:
Also for Online Marketing, a company can enhance their websites by offering for the customer to experience before they buy.

I also don't know anyone willing to spend $300 for enhanced commercials.

Quote:
Hey, how about an Online Aromatherapy sessions visual and audio.

This is a possibility. A number of products are already marketed in this direction. Yours could provide greater variety. However, the cost is high, especially since the therapy sessions are likely to add to the cost.

Quote:
Virtual Reality too will benefit from having scent-enabled content i.e. in the likeliness of porn.

What's the current state of VR? I really don't know. My understanding is that all the half-way decent VR isn't appropriate for home use.

Quote:
There is a musician by the name of "Zan" that has the first scent-enabled music video... (http://www.daddsproduction.com/product.html). . It will enhance the Theatre by digitally enhancing the experience ... smelling Bar-B-Que at picnic, smelling thanksgiving dinner, or burning rubber during a police car chase.

Did you miss the part where I said it has applications as part of a home entertainment system?

Quote:
Education is another application that can benefit from this digital device. It is studied that through the sense of smell assist in retention (I think someone commented on that earlier) … children learning how to ”read” the word apple, “see” the apple, “smell” the apple.

Our schools are already strapped for cash. They ought to be spending money hiring more teachers, building better facilities (and before you say your product could make current facilities better, realize that asbestos and mold are dangerous even if they're in pleasant smelling air), and replacing outdated equipment.

And, for what it's worth, a trip to the grocery store would make for a cheaper alternative which can add "'taste' the apple" to your list.

Quote:
Medical Toxicology.. some organs give off certain scents when they are damaged… what better way for a student having that kind of knowledge before being in a real life situation.

That's why we have learning hospitals.

Quote:
And back on the topic of Online… how about online classes for botany or science.

In some sciences it may be of use. Biology and perhaps chemistry could gain some benefit, but physics? math? statistics?

Anyway, I'm done bumping your topic. If you want to advertise further, go to the "Your Announcements" board, or something.

Quote:Original post by Way Walker
Also, you're too sensitive to negative criticism and not sensitive enough to positive criticism. I said bad for computer, good for home entertainment.

Anyway, I'm done bumping your topic. If you want to advertise further, go to the "Your Announcements" board, or something.

However you classify your criticism whether positive or negative, it doesn’t bother me nor do I find offensive. I expect it.
And what I wouldn’t expect you to know is what we know cause you don’t have access to our database.

Quote: However, the cost is high,

What are you talking about? A serious gamer will spend anywhere from $135 to $2000 for a game chair… and any other accessory that they desire…but then again, If your not serious gamer then I can understand, why you would look at the cost… It is obvious that cost is an issue for you…

And as far as Advertisement, here, … not hardly…neither time nor place … I’m just here to tell you that
… everybody wants it, everybody needs it, I know you want it. You just don’t know it…

And in a year or so you’ll be trying to get your hands on it too.

It’s a shame that you can’t tell the difference between examples and being offended. There are those who are intrigued by the technology.

Those of small mindedness ….
Go smell somthin’…

Quote:Original post by Moe
Ah, I am glad to hear that someone likes the idea (or at least thinks that I'm not entirely off my rocker). I think it could be done, but doing it well and doing it so it doesn't distract the player could be tricky. I was just doing a little thinking about it - if you can get the player to remember times/situations where they have smelled a certain scent, it could have an amount of emmotional pull associated with that smell. If they think they are smelling that smell, then the game might be able to hook into that users emotions and pull the player into the game that much more.

I appreciate the visions that others have.. being able to think out side the box...cause it can be done http://www.savproducts.com/device.htm "New dimensions have been added to already existing 3D technology enhancing for the 4 D and 5 D. Complete fantasies of 5 dimensions are now available for the virtual reality theatres".

Quote:Original post by hplus0603
FWIW: I belive the iSmell was $99, and it used a 10-scent cartridge that allegedly could synthesize pretty much anything. It had a small fan to blow the scent towards the player; it was a USB device; they claimed the amount of stuff was so minute that you didn't get residues on monitor/keyboard/furniture. From the looks of it, they already had the consumerization done.

I was this -><- close to buying one -- they even had an SDK. Wish I had ;-)

Yes they lead people to believe that it was readily accessible, avaiable to be sold right then and there, but it wasn't tangible. Digiscents along with other competitors wasn't able to withstand the hardship of the worlds economic plunder (911). Needless to say, TriSenx was able to stay afloat winning an award for 2005 New Technology Innovation of the year by Frost and Sullivan.