While VR is just slowly making its way into gaming, a streamer is taking it to the next level on Twitch: First, she controls Elden Ring with her thoughts, now she lets others control her body with electric shocks, at least a little bit. However, her clear warning is: Don’t try this at home!
Who is the streamer?
- The British streamer PerriKaryal has a master’s degree in psychology and usually hangs out in the “Just Chatting” section on her Twitch channel.
- During her streams, she talks with her chat about all sorts of topics, sometimes even at an academic level.
- Occasionally, she also showcases her technical gadgets, which she has a penchant for, as she says – especially when they are absolutely crazy. For instance, she once defeated a boss in Elden Ring using only her brain, and now she gives herself electric shocks.
What’s the deal with the electric shocks? PerriKaryal explains in a short TikTok video that she has developed a device that allows her to alter her balance. By applying electric shocks to specific areas in her neck, her body leans to the left or right.
In the video, she demonstrates the effects: While she walks, the person behind the camera controls the electric shocks with a controller. Depending on the direction, PerriKaryal moves left or right – like a character in a video game. The technical term for this is, as she explains: “galvanic vestibular stimulation,” or GVS for short.
In medicine, this technology is used to treat stroke patients and possibly regain lost body sensation (according to ergotherapie.de, more on this from the Saarland University and State Library)
However, the streamer’s primary goal was not simply to become a controllable NPC. She aimed to make racing games more immersive but strictly advises against anyone copying this idea.
Tech Enthusiast Warns: “That’s Extremely Dangerous”
In a practical application during her stream on Twitch, the streamer links her GVS device with the racing game Trackmania. She wanted to test whether the “G-forces” – meaning what happens when something pushes you into a turn – can be felt while playing.
Her result: Yes, they can, but it’s apparently not a really good idea. PerriKaryal visibly struggles to stay on her feet and complains that she sees “flashing lights” and has a headache. In the end, she clearly warns that this should not be tried:
Don’t do this. Don’t build this. I do not endorse anyone building this themselves. I do not condone this behavior; it is extremely dangerous, and I am not responsible for it!
PerriKaryal on Twitch
At this point, we also strictly advise against replicating this idea. Just in case anyone had the thought for any reason…
How sensible or practical it is to give oneself a more “immersive” gaming experience through electric shocks is debatable. As PerriKaryal herself recognizes: This is simply something one should not do.
The idea of controlling games with thoughts and diving deeper into gaming has been pursued for years – and is closely linked to medical technology, as can be seen here. Although we are not quite at Sword Art Online, there are indeed numerous successes: Man can barely move due to illness – chip in brain allows him to game and work
