This Elden Ring streamer beat the FromSoft RPG with brain waves

Twitch streamer Perrikaryal beat Elden Ring using a brain imaging headset to defeat the RPG’s toughest bosses. Unorthodox methods of completing FromSoftware’s open-world game have become increasingly more common, with dance pads, guitars, and even Bop-It toys taking the place of controllers, but this is the first almost hands-free run so far.

Perrikaryal used a brain imaging set from Emotiv to register button inputs for attacks and other actions, but used a traditional controller for movement. The streamer told GamesRadar that the device uses sensors and a saline solution to turn brain activity into action. Perrikaryal used the set for a while and taught it to interpret certain brain patterns as attack commands in Elden Ring. 

They first made news for defeating Malenia with brain waves and then just a day later, they defeated Radagon and the Elden Beast using the set after multiple attempts. The winning build was a combination of Rock Sling and Ranni’s Dark Moon, with some help from the Black Knife Tische summon.

I finally beat Elden Ring using only my mind for everything but movement. Here are some highlights from yesterday's stream. Thanks to everyone for their support, including @emotiv I've already started the next project… stay tuned pic.twitter.com/7jwSYJ8unH

— Perri (@perrikaryal) April 19, 2023

Perrikaryal said they’re already working on their next project.

“Hang tight for what’s next: completely hands-free Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., and the new Elden Ring DLC,” they said on Twitter. “No controller needed; all mind control. I’m also soon launching a psychological isolation experiment live on Twitch.”

Their goal is raising awareness for accessibility in gaming. Currently, most mainstream accessibility devices still require inputs from hands or fingers, even Sony’s recently-announced PS5 accessibility controller kit.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF