It seems that ever since humans learned how to send audio and video signals through the air, we’ve been captivated by the idea of beaming smells to accompany them. Practical “Smell-O-Vision” appears to still be a dream, but one company is looking to use the power of scent to immerse players in their favorite videogames.
AromaPlayer demoed at CES, letting users finally smell their media
GameScent has developed its own “scent release system” for gamers that utilizes the recent breakthrough of deep learning audio AI to trigger the dispersion of specific scents into the air when appropriate. For instance, when the GameScent system recognizes that the player is in a forest, it will release an appropriate scent, which the company says smells like “ancient pine and earth.” There are currently five scents available:
- Gunfire-“Let the smoky echoes of gunshots immerse you in the adrenaline-pumping world of virtual combat.”
- Explosion-“Smell the detonations from explosions and debris as you navigate through virtual warzones.”
- Storm-“Feel the freshness of rain and ozone as you walk through the rainy streets of gotham.”
- Forest-“Immerse yourself in the scent of ancient pine and earth, transporting your gaming space into a magical realm of adventure.”
- Racing Cars-“Accelerate into the fast lane with invigorating blend of rubber, fuel, and asphalt propels you into a high-speed race-ready arena.”
In addition to these scent profiles, Gamescent will periodically emit a “clean air” smell to neutralize odors so users don’t get too overwhelmed. The company says that it plans to release several more scents this summer, including Ocean and Fresh Cut Grass, and aims to have between 20 and 30 available by the end of the year.
GameScent is compatible with PCs as well as all gaming consoles, and is available now for a retail price of $179.99, which includes all five scents.
