{"rewrite":{"id":"r_c3a19b08541caa5faaea191b","clusterId":"c_c5d7fa9fe2c46b70f0e77c43","slug":"bitsummit-punch-sees-a-boom-in-special-input-method-games","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"BitSummit PUNCH Sees a Boom in Special Input Method Games","summary":"At the indie game event BitSummit PUNCH, a notable number of games using unusual input devices were exhibited, including a smile-controlled running game and a motorcycle handlebar peripheral for the DualSense controller. The trend was observed both in dedicated special-input booths and regular exhibition spaces.","whyItMatters":"The proliferation of games with unconventional controllers at a mainstream indie showcase suggests that experimental input methods are moving from niche hobbyist corners into broader public awareness and playability.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eBitSummit PUNCH, held this year in Kyoto, featured a visible cluster of games that replace standard controllers with everything from facial expressions to custom hardware. The phenomenon was concentrated enough that 4Gamer.net called it a minor boom, noting that such titles appeared not only in the dedicated make.ctrl.Japan area but also in regular booths across the show floor.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong the standouts was Smile Muscle Trainer by Software Control, a running game where the player's own smile-detected by camera-makes the protagonist jump. The developer cited pandemic-era facial muscle decline as the original inspiration. Another notable exhibit was EnthuBike, a peripheral that turns a DualSense into a motorcycle handlebar, usable with commercial PS5 racing games. The device uses the controller's internal gyro and throttle inputs to lean and accelerate.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmile Muscle Trainer\u003c/strong\u003e: A running game operated by the player's smile, detected via camera; from Software Control.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnthuBike Motorcycle handlebar controller\u003c/strong\u003e: A peripheral that attaches a DualSense to create a motorcycle handlebar for PS5 racing games.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e","blueskyPost":"BitSummit PUNCH had a noticeable cluster of games with unusual input methods: a smile-controlled runner and a DualSense motorcycle handlebar. The trend spilled out of dedicated booths into the main show floor.","twitterPost":"BitSummit PUNCH saw a mini-boom in special-input games: a smile-controlled runner (Smile Muscle Trainer) and a DualSense motorcycle handlebar (EnthuBike) were among the standouts.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"At BitSummit PUNCH, games using unconventional input devices were unusually common, appearing both in dedicated special-input areas and regular booths. Highlights included a smile-controlled running game and a peripheral that turns a DualSense into a motorcycle handlebar.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"4Gamer.net\",\"url\":\"https://www.4gamer.net/games/991/G999110/20260607006/\",\"title\":\"A Boom in Special Input Methods!? Picking Up Games Using Various Inputs, from Player Facial Expressions to Balance Balls [BitSummit]\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":4555,"outputTokens":648,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1780814109,"createdAt":"2026-06-07T06:27:33.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-06-07T06:32:09.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-06-07T06:32:09.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_c5d7fa9fe2c46b70f0e77c43","canonicalTitle":"特殊入力のブームが到来！？ プレイヤーの表情からバランスボールまで，さまざまな入力を使ったゲームをピックアップ［BitSummit］","representativeArticleId":"a_e349648eed565654ebaa706b","sourceCount":1,"writtenSourceCount":1,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":true,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[],\"studios\":[],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"news\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":true}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-06-07T05:52:34.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-06-07T05:52:34.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-06-07T06:32:09.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"4Gamer.net","url":"https://www.4gamer.net/games/991/G999110/20260607006/","title":"特殊入力のブームが到来！？ プレイヤーの表情からバランスボールまで，さまざまな入力を使ったゲームをピックアップ［BitSummit］"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":[],"studios":[],"people":[],"type":"news","domain":"games","is_roundup":true},"keyFacts":["Smile Muscle Trainer by Software Control is a running game where the player's smile, detected by camera, makes the protagonist jump.","EnthuBike is a peripheral that turns a DualSense controller into a motorcycle handlebar for PS5 racing games.","BitSummit PUNCH in Kyoto featured a cluster of games with unconventional input methods, which 4Gamer.net called a minor boom.","The developer of Smile Muscle Trainer cited pandemic-era facial muscle decline as the original inspiration for the game."]}