Lecture Diary – Video Games and Alternative Controllers
6th March 2026
This week’s lecture explored the history of video games, from early creations like OXO in 1952 to the development of alternative controllers. I must admit, I approached this session with a bit of a “bah-humbug” attitude. I have never been particularly interested in playing games – video or otherwise – and have a bit of a reputation in my family as The Grinch when it comes to board games. Having said that, I was a Monopoly Champion back in 1980 (a local, Edinburgh, competition) and occasionally played Nintendo Wii 15 – 20 years ago when my son was growing up and the odd arcade game in Southwold. What an old misery!
However, Janet Murray’s definition of a game as “abstract storytelling that resembles the world of common experience but compresses it in order to heighten interest” caught my attention, particularly because storytelling brings me joy. It made me realise that while I dislike traditional gaming, the mechanics of alternative controllers perfectly align with my vision for ‘The Victorian’ Smart Bicycle project and I had not appreciated that a story influenced by the game player could lie within video games.
In my project, rather than designing a standard game, I treat the bicycle itself as a massive alternative controller – I had not really thought of that either as I tend to think of the bicycle as transport rather than ‘fun’. By manipulating the handlebars or pedalling to generate power the, the rider’s physical effort becomes the input that interacts with the 2085 world. Moving forward, I may also explore how to integrate subtle gamification so the rider experiences the joy of achievement without feeling like they are actually “playing a game”.
Example Project from shakethatbutton
https://shakethatbutton.com/Links to an external site. “Shake That Button is a website documenting alternative controllers, video game installations and playful performances (to sum it up : games exploring new physical ways to play). It wants to be a resource for the makers, the players and the curators as well”. (Source: shakethatbutton.com). In other words, this is a site decidicated to finding innovative ways – perhaps for practicality but also for fun – to control video games.
Though I am not a gamer myself, and therefore not famiiar with the most standard of controllers, I recognise that that commonly avalaible controller may be practical for most users, they do not necessarily offer the most fun or intuitive user experience and, for some, especially those differently abled and/or with upper limb difference the controllers typically supplied with consoles may not give the necessary level of access to all. As a result, a website like shakethatbutton is an excellent resource for those seeking something new or requiring alternative means of palying their favourite computer game.
As I am focussing on the bicycle for the project associated with this module, I was interested in the ‘You’ve Got Mail’ project https://shakethatbutton.com/youve-got-mail/ which reimagines the bicycle as a video game controller.
While this variety of controller is unlikely to offer universal accessibility, it is novel, interesting and uses an every day object in a gaming context. The premise described on the website (see link above) is that: “You play a delivery-robot in a city isolated by the rising of the ocean. You must end your daily round as fast as possible, avoid numerous obstacles obstruding your way and throw parcels all around the place”.
According to the website of the designer, Victor Cottineau – https://victor-cottineau.itch.io/youve-got-mail – “The only way to play the actual game is to come see us at conventions where we present the game” and therefore it is impossible to know how welcome the game is within the gaming and alternative controller community, which it is clear that this may not be a suitable alternative controller for many, it is one that I, as a bicycle enthusiast, would certainly be willing to try despite my gaming aversion.
Upload notes/photos/thoughts to tinkering with the bare conductive touch board from class, you can book this from the siso site here: https://ahess.siso.co/Links to an external site. Here is a guide on how to change audio etc on the board: https://www.bareconductive.com/pages/touch-board-get-startedLinks to an external site.
I followed the link to the Bare Conductive website to be met with a ‘404’ message. Further investigation showed that the site is now closed:
It says:
“March 5, 2025 Farewell to Bare Conductive: A Legacy That Powers Our Future:Today, we mark an important transition. After more than a decade of innovation, creativity, and impact, we are closing the Bare Conductive chapter to focus entirely on LAIIER. While this decision carries a sense of nostalgia, it’s one we make with confidence, optimism, and gratitude. The journey of Bare Conductive has been foundational to who we are as a company and where we are headed”.
A bit of Googling has shown that Bare Conductive is Electric Paint, a water-based, non-toxic ink that dries (or dried) into a conductive material, developed by Bare Conductive since 2009 and enabled DIY alternative controllers by users painting touch pads on paper, walls, or objects. Touching painted areas triggered sounds or actions, like retro game effects via microSD audio. It also enabled those with few technical wiring skills to create an alternative to the standard controller or joystick and enabled the use of everyday items as controllers.
It seems the business has pivoted to LAIIER which arose from the paint material but has a greater commercial use instead of gaming as they have been developed into smart stickers that sense the environment rather than control games. (Source: Bare Conductive website)
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