I'm fascinated by physical interface peripherals of all kinds. In particular, I'm very interested in how peripherals influence players' perceptions of their living space. A new article from the Reuters wire explores this topic: Game accessories strain relationships, decor.

The basic premise is that peripherals like Guitar Hero axes and bongos and the like take up a lot of room and they are ugly. Those beloved guitars are even cited as "a particularly egregious affront to interior design." The article suggests that plastic peripherals may be the man's equivalent of the stereotypical closet (or floor) full of shoes. That premise is a bit of a stretch, but there is no question that all these devices are having an impact on living spaces and the way people live in them.