ambx

Ubisoft Games to Support amBX Surround Sense Tech

10:00AM Brian Crecente | Philip’s sort of over the top amBX, “surround sense” technology will work with a number of upcoming Ubisoft titles including Brother in Arms: Hell’s Highway and Far Cry 2. Games Industry reports that both games are being demoed with the full on amBX tech which includes colored lighting, rumble, air flow and sound. Working with one of the world’s largest publishers on two of the most successful gaming franchises of all time is an amazing opportunity for our amBX technology to really shine in front of a worldwide audience,” said amBX COO Jo Cooke. “Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway and Far Cry 2 are titles that will showcase just how powerful and in your face amBX effects can be in a war game. This is just the start of the alliance between amBX and Ubisoft and the level of our comarketing with Ubisoft will underline our dedication to bringing all-new ambient effects to world class games.” I’ve seen the amBX stuff in action before and while I can’t imagine dropping the money for the set-up, I bet it would really blow you away when playing a game like Far Cry 2, what with it’s weather effects and frequent use of raging wildfires. Philips also told Games Industry that while the system only currently supports PC games, console “announcements” are on the way soon too. Hell’s Highway and Far Cry 2 show off “surround sense” [Games Industry] More »

Overlord 1.4 Patch Delivers amBX & Split Screen Co-op

11:05AM Logan Booker | Overlord was a sleeper hit for Codemasters. Sure, it didn’t score 10/10s or possess people to take off clothes and throw them the game’s direction. But it had some nice RPG elements mixed with minion control, and a flavour all its own. Codemasters has pumped out a patch for Overlord bringing the game to version 1.4. From the patch notes: * Split Screen Select the Split Screen option on the Main Menu to start a Split Screen match. You can choose from any of the Slaughter, Pillage and Co-op Survival maps and change Time and Score limit for each. Maps include a new free Survival map called Rocky Race. You must have a second input device to play a Split Screen match. Player 1 will use Keyboard and Mouse and Player 2 will use a Gamepad. Use the “Config” tool to change key and button settings. * amBX™ OVERLORD PC Patch 1.4 is designed to support the amBX™ PC gaming peripheral. To ensure it is set up correctly: - Run Start Menu -> Programs -> Codemasters -> Overlord -> Config - Select the Video tab - Select “amBX” - Click “Save & Play” Is this the first game to officially support Phillips’ amBX? I have yet to see any other game declare its affiliation. I believe that split screen on PC is a rare treat as well in this era of online gaming. Codemasters Downloads: Overlord Patch 1.4 [Codemasters] More »

amBX To Light, Shake, And Blow QuakeCon

1:20AM Kotaku US Edition | QuakeCon 2007 kicks off today, and Philips is there to demonstrate how well their amBX ambient experiences technology gets along with Quake 4. They’ve set up a multiplayer demo of a mod for the game created by their amBX team in order to take full advantage of all the system has to offer. As players run and jump they’ll feel the wind in their hair, experience the jolt of landing. Weapons will have recoil and various custom effects, bullets will have impact, and blood will spatter in all its red LED glory. They’ve even set up the mod so that the light dims behind you when you use a weapon’s sights, simulating sniper focus. Perhaps they’ll be able to reverse the air peripherals to create a sucking effect for the losing team. That’s full immersion right there. It really sounds like they’ve gone all out to make the most of the demo, so if you really want to see the full potential of the amBX technology, you’ve got until the 4th to make your way to Dallas and give it a go. More »