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Playtest Video: The Falcon
A Preview of What Some Call Wii 2.0
by Coop
I had a chance to play some Half-Life 2 and other minigames using the innovative new "Falcon" by Novint during the Digital Life conference in NYC. Needless to say I walked away completely impressed.
The name 3D mouse has been assigned to it and it feels like more than that. It is an extension of your hand in a way that the Wii never will be. While it doesn't have the percise movements or freedom of the Wii it gives you not a feeling of control, but of restraint. You cannot push past some objects or move through them. If there is a wall you feel it, and it is very, very cool.
The video is below as well as the most recent press release announcing the addition of a few more games to the lineup, most notably one of my favorite games: The Ship. It runs at $240 and is way too limiting to ever break through the competitive front, but if a few friends are playing a game together using it or simply for single player games it is a fun toy.
Here is their official site, as well.
Merscom Games Added to Novint Falcon Line-up Award-winning titles to be available for 3D Touch Game Controller (CHAPEL HILL, NC and ALBURQUERQUE, NM) – October 4, 2007– Novint Technologies, Inc. (NVNT), the pioneer of 3D touch for consumer computing, has partnered with Merscom, a leading global publisher of computer and video games, to make a variety of titles available for the new Falcon game controller. Merscom will integrate Novint’s patented 3D touch technology into titles including The Ship, WWII Tank Commander, Masterpiece Fishing, Buku Dominoes and Jewel Craft. "We’re excited about bringing this incredible new technology to our customers.” said Merscom CEO, Kirk Owen. “The Novint Falcon is a great new interface that adds a whole new layer to the player experience.” “Merscom’s titles are ideal for Falcon integration. In The Ship, players will be able to feel every interaction in a murder filled cruise liner, from the realistic feeling of injecting a poison filled syringe, to a surprise bludgeoning.” said Novint CEO, Tom Anderson. “In Merscom’s other games, users will feel the blast of tank artillery shells, the tug of their fishing line, and their placement of game tiles.” The Merscom titles will be available to download through the N VeNT player, Novint’s interface to Falcon games, information, software updates, unique content, and community. The award-winning Limited Edition Novint Falcon, which makes virtual game objects, environments, and actions feel real, is currently available for $239 at www.novint.com, at J&R, and at CompUSA stores nationwide beginning October 8th.
Comments
That's crazy. It's the kind of thing that might slowly creep into every aspect of gaming. Imagine integrating this technology into standard game controllers. XBox 1440, anyone?
That's cool but what is the point to waist money on the FALCON.
The Falcon is actually much less limiting than the Wii for a couple reasons. Although you cannot move in as large a physical workspace (i.e. you cannot swing it around in your living room), it is much much more precise. For many gamers, the lack of precision of the Wii keeps it from becoming a real gamers machine. The Falcon can play all games that the Wii can play (for example, in the Novint-Falcon sports pack, there is golf, basketball, table tennis, homerun hitting, and bowling.), but it can do much more given the precise forces. For example, you can actually feel when you put spin on the ball in bowling, making it curve down the lane and using muscle memory to improve your shot. It is very compelling. It is diificult to simulate throwing a basketball with the Wii, but is very intuitive with the Falcon. On the competitive front, if you use the Falcon for a couple hours, you see that it is not too limiting in a competitive situation. Even in a competitive player vs player situation, you can turn down the recoil, finely tune the navigation, which in itself would be better than the mouse, but you also get directional feedback when you're hit, which gives you an extra edge in pvp.
Also, to further address one of the questions towards the end of the video, there are over 40 full games being developed for the Falcon (not minigames, but full games), with at least 16 due out before the end of the quarter. Thx
-- Tomnovint
Um, My mouse will own your Falcon anyday tomnovint. I will put money on that in an FPS Multiplayer situation.
But test playing this thing was fkin amazing. Definitely awesome for single player games.