According to reports from Reuters, a team of researchers at Ohio University has created a new technology named Scentronic designed to identify specific scents and transmit them via a remote device so that a receiver can perceive them. While currently in development, this system holds significant potential for the video game industry by adding a sensory layer to digital experiences.
The technology notably aligns with a long-discarded idea from renowned director Hideo Kojima. Years ago, while developing the game Snatcher, Kojima proposed that the game's floppy disks be coated with a paint resembling the smell of blood. His plan was for the heat generated by the PC to melt this coating, releasing an odor that would make the player's room smell like a crime scene to enhance immersion. However, Konami rejected this concept at the time due to safety concerns and lack of viability.
Currently, Scentronic is capable of recognizing only five distinct types of scents, though the research team aims to expand this range by training the device further. Beyond gaming, the developers envision applications such as allowing consumers to smell perfumes before purchasing them online. While the technology still faces a long development path and its public adoption remains uncertain, the existence of similar patents held by Sony for video games and virtual reality suggests that creators like Kojima may eventually integrate such olfactory features into future titles.
Sources: Vandal.