Immersion is one of the primary companies behind force feedback and haptics. They’re working with a peripheral maker called dreamGEAR to put out a wireless Dual Shock alternative called the Shadow. It will feature “advanced vibro-tactile, spinning-mass technologies,” which is about as real-sounding as Master of Orion 2′s “black hole generator”* — although… → Read More
I’m just going to refer you to the excellent diagram above for your lesson in force feedback lawsuitology. The outcome is basically that Sony ended up paying a bunch of money, Immersion came out on top for the most part, and Microsoft is still richer than Croesus. It’s finally been settled, as Microsoft got their ounce or so of the pound of flesh that Sony had to deliver to Immersion. → Read More
Now I’m all for force feedback. I love me some Rumble Pak and I was impressed by the more advanced 3rd Space force feedback vest. But this is some freaky stuff right here. I’ve been known to play with electric fences or prank iPods now and again, but getting a shock every time you get hit by a pulse cannon or rocket? So far it only works with Unreal Tournament, but I bet soon… → Read More
Force feedback plus six dimensions of movement — I like what I’m hearing so far. This yet-to-be-named device has been in the workings for 11+ years by scientists at Carnegie Mellon University and uses a bowl-shaped apparatus connected to a joystick, all of which sits inside a larger bowl-shaped apparatus that magnetically levitates the smaller bowl. There are only ten such devices in… → Read More
I’d probably be the first to raise an eyebrow at the idea of a gaming vest that whacks you where you’re being shot/cut/bludgeoned, but these guys have made something that could really add another dimension to things, especially in creepy games like Silent Hill and Resident Evil (as if they didn’t scare me enough already). They put it on me, as you can see, and I tried out their… → Read More
Oh joy! Next time I think I’m man enough to play a first person shooter against kids half my age, I’ll be sure to wear this thing. That way, I’ll be able to feel myself getting shot non-stop thanks to 8 special zones placed around the vest that shoot a hard puff of air based upon where you’re hit. This actually looks like a cool device and if I didn’t suck so bad at… → Read More
I guess you can consider this a mod. Someone took apart a PSP and installed a tiny motor, giving the portable system ghetto force feedback. It doesn’t look like the mod will be mass produced or anything and it’s more of a “look what I can do!” than anything else. Be that as it may, it’s good to see people “hacking” their hardware. If I had any technical… → Read More
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