Seen@GDC: the Novint Falcon haptic interface device
Some of you may remember seeing the Novint Falcon before. The Falcon is a 3D controller that uses "haptic" technology to replicate the sense of touch. While the device itself appears a bit unwieldily, the fluidity of the control it provided was remarkably subtle and realistic.
Roll your cursor over a ball, and the controller pushes back just the right amount, giving you the tactile sensation that you're actually touching it. If the ball is pitted, the controller dips in and out of the contours. If it's abrasive, it moves slower with just the slightest amount of rumble. Other demos included a Barney-shooting FPS, a bow and arrow simulation, a tethered bouncy ball, and a basketball freethrow.
Like the Revmote, the Falcon is being shown with tech demos designed to accentuate its strengths, but how will actual games work with the controller? Novint told me that they have developed their own API that game designers can incorporate into their titles, but it was unclear if the controller would work with existing games.
They said it should be out in 2007 for less than $100. For some more info, check out Firing Squad's GDC interview with the guys at Novint.
[Pictured above: MTV News' Stephen Totilo gropes the Falcon]
