Phillips amBX Enables Quake 4

[Detomah]

Philips today announced an agreement with id Software, makers of the hugely popular and successful DOOM, QUAKE and Wolfenstein series of games, to provide an amBX-enabled Mod for QUAKE 4.

A multiplayer version of QUAKE 4 was initially amBX-enabled through a Mod in August for public demonstration at QuakeCon, the free convention held in the Dallas area where PC gamers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to play and compete on a giant gaming network. The multiplayer demonstration proved hugely popular with everybody who saw, heard, felt and played it.

Shorthand for ‘ambient experiences’, amBX revolutionises the gameplay experience by extending the gaming world out of the screen and into the real world. amBX delivers a full ‘sensory surround experience’ by equipping game developers with a tool box to use light, colour, sound and even air flow through enabled devices, including the Philips amBX PC Gaming Peripherals range of LED colour-controlled lighting capable of representing 16 million different colours, rumble peripherals and variable speed desktop fans.

The Philips amBX team has crafted 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.

Players running and jumping in the game will actually feel the air move around them and the effect of landing and impacts. Weapons will generate custom effects, including surrounding light, rumble, shudder and fan blast effects from the rocket launcher. On a more subtle level, rear view lighting is darkened when players use a weapon scope mode, to draw players into the sniper frame of mind. On the receiving end, 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.

“The response to the QuakeCon multiplayer demonstration was overwhelmingly positive and we’re delighted to offer all those fans an amBX Mod for QUAKE 4,” commented Jo Cooke, Chief Marketing Officer, Philips amBX. “The range of effects amBX brings to QUAKE 4 is so diverse, it really offers an all-new first person shooting experience.”

“It’s exciting to see Philips’ innovative amBX technology enhancing the already intense experience in QUAKE 4,” said Todd Hollenshead, CEO of id Software. “amBX was a definite hit at the last QuakeCon and we look forward to even more gamers checking out the visceral amBX experience at QuakeCon 2008.”

Philips is setting a global standard by licensing the amBX technology to computer game developers, publishers and peripherals manufacturers and id Software joins a rapidly growing list, including Codemasters, THQ, Introversion, Gearbox Software, Zombie, Riot Games, Brain in a Jar, Invictus Games, Instinct Technology, Kuju, Revolution, Sumo Digital, Rivers Run Red, Philips Peripherals & Accessories and SpectraVideo.

Games which are amBX compatible include Broken Sword: The Angel of Death, Clive Barker's Jericho, Darwinia, DEFCON, Overlord, Supreme Commander, QUAKE 4 and Toca Race Driver 3. Over 100 titles are also compatible with the FXGenerator and a full list, searchable by genre and publisher, can be found at amBX.

Philips is currently in the closing stages of agreements with a number of other high profile companies regarding amBX-enabling and Modding all kinds of games.

A video of QUAKE 4 in action at QuakeCon, as well as interviews with attendees playing the amBX-enabled mutliplayer version can be found at amBX.