Do gadgets make gaming more fun?

Feels like the real thing
The vest, which sells for $169, houses eight contact points that are injected with air from a separate compressor. Those points jab, pulse and throb along with events in a supported PC game.

Right now, you’ll only find the most complete set of effects in a game that’s coded to support the vest: the company’s own “Incursion,” and a special edition of “Call of Duty 2.”

TN Games also has a software driver that supplies limited effects to games such as “Unreal Tournament 3,” “Crysis,” and “Medal of Honor: Airborne,” to name a few.

Phillips Electronics’ amBX PC system takes a multi-sensory approach to pulling us deeper into the game. The Premium System includes a battery of peripherals: two speakers with top-mounted lights, subwoofer, ambient wall-washer light, desk fans and rumble wrist pad. This system sells for $400 and is available on Amazon.com.

Games, including “Supreme Commander” and “Quake 4,” are either developed with the amBX effects embedded or use a software patch to trigger effects. The effects emanate from the game: red lights flash on the speakers as your character takes damage, wind from the fans buffets your face while you run and the wall behind your monitor glows with colors tuned to the game’s environment.

Without an intelligently designed game, however, all your going to end up with is a sore chest or a cheesy light show, says Gerry Block, IGN.com’s gear editor.

“It’s not so much a game’s support of a peripheral that makes it engaging, but rather the quality of the game itself and the ability of its developers to come to terms with new control schemes and mechanics.”

I road-tested the game peripherals mentioned here, and had mixed results.

“Guitar Hero III” and “Rock Band” are both fresh, engrossing games. The game and gear together create an experience that wouldn’t be possible otherwise; just holding a guitar, even if it is plastic, made me feel instantly cooler.

TN Games’ 3^rd Space vest started off on a strong note. Suited up and feeling slightly self-conscious, I nearly fell out of my chair after taking my first hit. The twitch in my chest was sharp and surprisingly strong. After a few minutes, though, the sensation was distracting and a little too much like a string of muscle spasms.

The future looks brighter for Phillips’ amBX system. The most subtle effects enhanced my gaming the most: a puff of air from the fans when my character opened a door or a slight shift in the hue of the lighting from behind the monitor to compliment the surroundings in a new game scene.

Ultimately, peripherals could transform gaming into a full blown body and mind experience. The success of this new generation of games depends on thoughtful game design as much as any new gear. For now, the landfills and pawn shops are waiting.

MORE FROM GAMES

Games Section Front

Controversy surrounds 'Modern Warfare 2' New 'Call of Duty' could set record Electronics Arts buys game maker Playfish No Doubt sues game maker over ‘Band Hero’ The sorry state of Windows 7 gaming Newsweek: How Microsoft may out-Wii the Wii   The video games of November Chinese agencies at war over online game Give the gift of a perfect gaming machine   The dark fantasy of 'Dragon Age Origins' Games Section Front   Add Games headlines to your news reader: