novintfalcon
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3D touch interface for WoW due later this year
Keyboards, mice, and hand-controllers are so 2007. Get with the modern times, willya? Today we discovered that a 3D touch interface is on the horizon for WoW gamers. Using this weird robot-type gizmo, you'll be able to actually feel everything your character does in the game: casting spells, reeling from enemy attacks, feeling objects, bumping into things, and whacking ogres on the head! (I seriously want to bonk some ogres on the head with this thing. I expect it will feel somewhat hollow, like smacking a pumpkin.) The gizmo is called a Falcon game controller and it aims to replace your mouse or joystick. The Falcon is already usable with some other games, but Novint Technologies is now creating WoW drivers for the device using the LUA scripting system. You can map up to 36 actions to it for which the controller will provide feedback that you can feel in your hand and arm. You can watch a demo on the company's website, or a more hands-on demo in the video below. When the drivers are released, you can download them at Novint's website. We'll keep you up to date so you'll know when you can grab them. The Falcon controller sells for $189.99 on Novint's website. No word on what the drivers will cost, if anything.
Novint drums up "3D Touch Rights" to sign publishers for its haptic controls
It's been the story from day one: the Novint Falcon is great and all, but without games there's just no point. That's about to change, however, as Novint has committed itself to developing Falcon integration for some big-name games, including a sizable number of EA blockbusters. Novint is buying up what it calls "3D Touch Rights" to games from the publisher, a no-risk revenue stream for the them and a license for Novint to sell games at a small profit with Falcon functionality built-in. The games will sell for $30, and you can get the haptics update for an existing game for $10. Of course, the $190-ish controller puts it all in perspective, but this is certainly a promising move for PC gamers and immersion freaks alike.
Novint adds a black Falcon, pistol grip accessory
There's no denying the coolness of the Novint Falcon haptic gaming controller, but it looks like realness factor is getting upped a notch -- the company just announced the separate availability of that pistol grip it's been demoing for a while, as well as a black version, pictured above. The pistol grip is a $20 add-on for any Falcon, while the black version will list for $199 -- still pricey, but if you're a gamer, totally worth it. Check out a video of the pistol grip in action after the break.[Via I4U News]
Novint Falcon gets reviewed: undoubtedly cool, unlikely to sell
Ever since we first got wind of this thing, we had a sneaking suspicion it just wouldn't take off regardless of how clever it was. Sadly, reviewers over at Bit-Tech tended to agree, deeming the Novint Falcon the "coolest peripheral" it had ever touched, but completely unlikely to ever gain steam in the marketplace. During the review, it was reiterated time and time again just how phenomenal the device actually is; the internal motors were able to transmit textures to one's hand almost impeccably, and it certainly enhanced certain aspects of game play once it became second nature to use. Unfortunately, all that gushing was met with the stark reality that there's no real promise that developers will ever latch on to this thing, and without guaranteed support, it's hard to recommend handing over $239. Nevertheless, we're sure more than a few of you may be willing to take the chance, and either way, the in-depth look at this curious creation is worth a read just to see what you're (potentially) missing.
Novint Falcon crazay mouse gets a price, release date
We've been tracking this thing for a good while, but while the vaporware status of the Novint Falcon 3D haptic mouse was touch and go for a bit there, it looks like they're going to pull through with this one, with a release slotted for June 18 at a pre-order price of $189. Now what exactly that cash will be getting you, it's a bit hard to explain, but the basic gist is that the Falcon features a floating doohicky attached to a pod doohicky, and the floating part moves about in 3D space for controlling video games, 3D modeling programs and the like. The real kicker is the force feedback that's been worked into this thing, adding a pretty nifty layer of interactivity -- you know, gun recoil, rubber band snapping, the feel of textures against the skin, stuff like that. The MSRP on this unit is $239, but as of the 8th you can pre-order the Falcon for $189. You'll have until June to figure out what you'll actually do with the dang thing, though Novint will be bundling 24 touch-enabled microgames to get you started.
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]
