amBX - lights, rumble, wind

Support
Much of the success will depend on how game developers that choose to use amBX technology utilize this hardware.

We applaud the innovation! As with the lights and rumble pad, the whole idea is that you try not to think they’re there and just get on with the game. As soon as you cross that point the effects do their magic.

It’s not a completely overwhelming reality surrounding game transformation, it’s just a nice couple of effects that some of you may really like.

Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed. Over the ditch where it’s already been launched the full kit is NZ$800. Not cheap, but when you add up all the bits in the box, and consider the quality of engineering it’s about right.

The fan innards have 2 500RPS contra-rotating spinners, they rev up very quickly and and the blast radius is about 3 feet

Of course success all depends on games. This is a proprietary system and only will amBX-enabled games offer full effects. Much will depend on the creativity of developers. We’ll see a range of lazy through to brilliant implementations. The potential to really use these devices is inspiring, and we really do hope it kicks off.

As a half-measure, the lights will work with any game. While not perhaps full custom effects, Philips amBX technology is well advanced thanks to the TV experience and this compatibility mode should deliver enough to reduce the risk if full support for amBX doesn’t take hold. Even if amBX struggles to win over developers, the lights are a safe buy, they’ll always work and the effect is far beyond gimmick.

You do have a degree of control over the effects via software. Custom settings or even sequences can be created for music, which is nice if you really want to trip out to your favorite tunes.

Inside the Wall Washer, showing the LED arrays and controller.

Right now amBX is PC only, but consoles are the next obvious step. Philips won’t commit at this stage, but work’s being done.

Support so far

Published amBX games:
– THQ: Broken Sword: Angel of Death
– Codemasters: Toca Racing Driver 3
– Introvision: DefCon
– ISI: rFactor

Announced relations/games:
– EA – Kuju: Railsimulator
– THQ – Gas Power Games: Supreme Commander
– Linden Labs: Second Life
– Codemasters: Overlord™
– Codemasters: Jericho™
– Codemasters: Turning Point™
– Codemasters: Rise of the Argonauts™
– Codemasters: Operation Flashpoint™ 2
Undisclosed relations / games
– Total 7 games until Oct’07