The gaming industry grows at a rate of about three to five percent each year. Despite this growth, wearables designed specifically for gamers are still relatively hard to come by when compared to the high accessibility of devices like FitBits and notification bracelets. Fortunately, the gaming industry is catching up in the wearable world with the release of several wearable devices specifically for gaming use. Here are four high-tech wearables for gamers looking to take their favorite games on the go.
1. Myo
The Myo gaming armband slips comfortably on your arm and allows you to take control of your phone, computer, or other electronic device. You can use it to take control in your digital world of choice with a simple flick of the wrist. The device is currently available for $199 on the official site. You can also purchase sizing clips and an additional USB Bluetooth adapter if needed. The Myo gaming device is compatible with popular PC games like Audiosurf and Minecraft. You can also use the device to play Myo-exclusive games like Kaiju and Carnage. The Myo Market shows a full list of games you can play using the device.
2. Gameband + Minecraft
If you’re a fan of the best-selling game Minecraft, you’ve probably noticed that it can be a bit irritating when you take your gaming on the go. You build up an entire Minecraft world, then have to start anew when you play on a different computer. Fortunately, there’s a handy wearable seeking to remedy this common Minecraft problem. The Gameband + Minecraft is a bracelet that automatically backs up the Minecraft worlds you build. You can then take the band with you when you play away from your home computer. The band also comes with an accompanying app that you can use to build time, date, and animations. The band is available for around $50 at retailers like Target. It’s also important to note that you can only use this wearable for play on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. It’s not yet available for console play.
3. Pokémon Go Plus
We all know that walking around looking down at your smartphone isn’t necessarily the smartest idea. Despite this knowledge, the Pokémon Go craze has most of us walking around town without looking up from our phones. Fortunately, the creators of this wildly popular game have come up with a solution to help players enjoy the game without looking down at their smartphones the entire time. Introducing the Pokémon Go Plus. This bracelet straps to your wrist and connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth connection to notify you about events in the game. For example, if the ever-allusive Pikachu is nearby, the bracelet will vibrate and emit an LED light to get your attention without making you stare at your phone watching for Pokémon. You can purchase this device for prices ranging from $35 to $55 from several major retailers.
4. VUZIX IWEAR
The VUZIX iWear has won several CES awards for its innovative approach to providing a home-theater experience through a mobile device. The device, which is worn like a pair of headphones and eyeglasses, is said to have the equivalent of a home theater’s 125’ screen viewed from a 10-foot distance. The device is compatible with 2D and 3D gaming modes which allows gamers to hook the device up to their mobile phones, tablets, console systems, PCs, and 3D Blu-ray players. All of these features might make it sound like you’ll need to wear a full-blown helmet on your head to enjoy this headset, but the producers of this product note that the device was built to be lightweight and compact in order to make gaming as comfortable as possible. If you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in your next gaming experience, the VUZIX wearable can help, but it will cost you. The headset goes for $299 on Vuzix.com
Conclusion
The market for wearable gaming tech is quickly growing but hasn’t quite made it to major market status yet. Experts predict that the global accessories market for VR and other wearable interfaces will grow to $1 billion by 2020. Wearable technology has the ability to take your gaming experience to a whole new level, but for now the options are still a bit sparse. However, if you’re playing your favorite console game from your laptop on vacation, chasing Pokémon through a busy city, or visiting a friend’s house to compare Minecraft skills, wearable technology pros have already created the solutions you need. Image credit: Myo.com, Microsoftstore.com, Vuzix.com
