14 DAY TRIAL // If you're a FPS gamer and a Quake fan alike, then grab-hold to your armchair and hope that you don't have a heart attack because Philips amBX have unveiled today an amBX-enabled multiplayer demonstration of id Software's Quake 4, soon to be available to play on a dedicated amBX booth at QuakeCon, Dallas, USA, from 2nd to 4th August 2007. Better make sure you get there!
Just so everyone's on the same level, QuakeCon is a free convention held every year in Dallas, where PC gamers from all over the world come and play on a giant gaming network set in one big room. Gamers will also get the chance to see the latest technology and compete in world-class tournaments.
amBX are well known for delivering a full 'sensory surround experience' by equipping game developers with a tool box to use light, color, sound and even air flow through enabled devices, including the Philips amBX PC Gaming Peripherals range of LED color-controlled lighting capable of representing 16 million different colors, rumble peripherals and variable speed desktop fans. Oh, you know you want to be there...!
Of course, the Philips amBX team had to craft a mod for Quake 4 which, when played with amBX peripherals, will see fans, lights and rumble effects, including 360 degree environmental lighting, form an integral part of the gameplay. In short, players running and jumping in the game will actually feel the air move around them and the effect of landing and impacts. As for the weapons, they will generate custom effects, including surrounding light, rumble shudder and fan blast effects from the rocket launcher.
But what do you think happens when you get hit? As the official report informs, damage feedback is displayed through a multi-directional red light blood splatter and bullet impact vibration. Finally, power and pick ups are represented through different light effects, including a light blue aura for Quad Damage, pulsing red for Regeneration, a fast yellow pulse for Haste, green light for Health and blue light for Mega Health.
"Multiplayer gaming doesn't come any bigger than QUAKE and QuakeCon is our chance to show the world just how awesome FPS multiplayer gaming can really be with amBX," commented Jo Cooke, Chief Marketing Officer, Philips amBX. "Fragging will reach a whole new dimension with light, wind and rumble effects taking in-your-face explosions right out of the gaming screen and into the hall at QuakeCon."
Be there man, be there...!