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Evolution of a Control Freak: How Human/Computer Interaction is changing how we Design and Play Games

By following the development of how humans have communicated with data (from the abacus to puch cards to mice to analog sticks to touch screen and motion sensor), it becomes apparent that the data held within computing devices started as physical and tactile, the moved into virutal and abstracted, and is now "faux-physical" through new technologies such as multi-touch and motion sensors.

The discussion on where controls will go for entertainment applications is an exciting one at this point in time. What new standards will replace "WASD to move" and "rt-click for options"? How has this impacted how we design and play games? How does this affect the role of the indie developer as we now have an unprecedented opportunity for innovation?