We brought you details of ambX last month and at the time Phillips had plans to integrate the technology into movie theatres, home theatre systems and games. The new plan suggests that the electronics giant has decided to go with games for now and has, in fact, really made progress as it claims that the first ambX enabled games will be out by Q4, 2006.
Utilizing light, color, sound, heat and air, amBX submerges the user within a complete sensory surround experience. The aim for the technology is to extend the gaming world out of the screen and into the real world by barraging the senses with audio and visual queues tuned to the action on the screen. Philips is currently in the advanced stages of talks with several leading game developers and peripheral manufacturers regarding amBX-enabling leading games and devices. The amBX technology will be launched in May 2006, while amBX-enabled games and peripherals will arrive in Q4 of next year.
amBX delivers its effects through enabled devices -- such as LED color-controlled lights, active furniture, fans, heaters, audio and video -- strategically placed in the user's room. By utilizing this ground-breaking technology, the treacherous journey through the Amazon will turn a room jungle green, swimming with dolphins will splash it deep blue, 'Halo' jumps will turn fans on full, lightning storms will trigger strobe effects of white light and pirate ships on fire off the coast of treasure island will blast on the heaters.
The amBX experience comes alive through the incorporation of a scripting language, software engine and hardware architecture. Philips amBX provides the support framework for peripheral manufacturers to develop these enabled products and empowers game developers to amBX-enable and enhance their games. All this sounds good but the problem is that very few gamers will be willing to accept that they will have to buy a new PC, new hardware and new furniture in order to further immerse themselves into a game.
