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, come to think of it, we have one of those things now. Anyhow, this Shadow controller will probably feature better force feedback and they say it has a better analog stick, but we’ll see. → 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. In bed. Years ago when this whole rumble started, I thought it would disappear faster than a crack-spiked birthday cake. Years later, two industry giants are paying nine figures. I guess the lesson to be learned here is: with enough lawyers, anything is possible. [via HardOCP] → 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 they’ll have it for Viva Pinata as well. Maybe they can use this thing for when you play on the terrorist side in America’s Army. O brave new world! → 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 the world so far but the project’s been spun off into a commercial company called Butterfly Haptics (web site here) and more details will be announced at a haptics conference in Reno on March 13th and 14th. → 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 custom FPS that uses the technology. When a monster shot me from behind, I thought somebody had hit me and I freaked out. It’s quick and punchy and it works. And, like so many new game accessories, it seems weird at first but quickly becomes second nature. → 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 FPS games, I might pick one up. The best part? It’s not ridiculously expensive at $189. You’ll get a custom FPS developed by TN Games, the company that sells the vest, plus a special version of Call of Duty II that makes use of the technology. There are also patches for Doom 3, Quake 3, and Quake 4 that’ll be available soon. The vest ships on November 21st. You can preorder it now and get a $20 discount. “3rd Space” Vest Lets You Feel Blows in Video Games [Real Tech News] → 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 skill to speak of, I’d be right there with them. That reminds me of the time when I tried to mod an Xbox 1 and totally hosed the motherboard. Plug-in mods to the rescue! PSP rumble (force feedback) Proof of concept. [Acid Mods via PSP Fanboy] → Read More
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