Kotaku: ben heck

Ben Heck's One-Handed Controller Now On Sale

Mike Fahey — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:20:00 MDT

First announced back in October of last year, the Access Game Controller designed by technical wizard Ben Heckendorn for disabled gamers is finally ready for sale via eDimensional's website. The device, listed for use with the PlayStation 2, PS3, and PC, allows one-handed gamers modify the controller as they see fit via a series of circular modules containing face buttons, shoulder buttons, analog sticks and a d-pad.

The controller can be preordered right now for $129.95, with a shipping target of 8-10 weeks. A portion of all proceeds goes towards Children’s Hospital and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

New Access Controller Designed by Ben Heck [eDimensional's Product Page]

Ben Heck's Guitar Hero Pedal

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:30:00 MDT

What, Ben Heck, coming up with excellent, craft, gaming-related things? You don't say. This is his latest contraption, a heavy-duty pedal designed to work with Guitar Hero to give it that extra dash of authenticity. After Heck did some one-handed GH controllers for the Games for Health conference, Activision decided to send him some guitars for further experimentation, and these are what he came up with. Although primarily designed to allow someone with the use of only one hand to play Guitar Hero (as the pedal allows them to strum with their feet), they can also be used to activate the whammy bar, giving them a much more general application. While they look nice and rugged, the highlight's got to be the fact he wired them using the controller cables from an old Jaguar controller.

Guitar Hero pedal controllers [Ben Heck]

Ben Heck's PlayStation 3 Laptop

Mike Fahey — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:00:00 MDT

My consoles absolutely hate Ben Heck. Every time he releases a new mod, such as this gorgeous PlayStation 3 laptop, similar to his Xbox 360 Elite laptop from awhile back, I tend to spend many hours sitting in my living room, eyes moving curious from consoles to the cabinet where I keep my (barely used) tools. With my degree of electronics knowledge, this is the game console equivalent of having someone quietly staring first at you, and then at a loaded gun in front of them, over and over again. Luckily for them I've yet to work up the nerve, though I do have an extra PSone sitting around gathering dust. I think I just heard it whimper.

Ben Heck's Latest Wonder Project: PS3 Laptop [Gizmodo]

Ben Heck, Not A Huge Gamer

Mark Wilson — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:40:00 MDT

Reuters just ran an interesting profile on internet-famous console modder Benjamin Heckendorn. It's definitely worth a quick read if you're interested in the man behind the DS Atari 2600 or Xbox 360 laptop, but we particularly enjoyed his response to his own gaming habits.

I didn't used to play, but last year I went out of my way to play more video games. I would probably maybe buy one game a year. Last year I said you know what, this is ridiculous.

Uh oh, all those games will probably rot his brain.

"Modder" turns hobby into career [Reuters via BoingBoingGadgets][Image by Maxamegalon2000]

Xbox 360 Elite Turned into Halo 3 Laptop

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 02:00:03 MST

Modder Ben Heck (aka Bengamin J. Heckendorn) dazzles. He's got the uncanny ability to take things, and turn them into other things. Pretty things, at that! Last spring, he crafted an Xbox 360 into a laptop. Now, he's done the same with an Xbox 360 Elite. Nice trick, but we've seen it before. How about turning an Xbox 360 Elite into something else — like a stack of waffles?
Official Site [Ben Heck via Engadget]

Ben Heck's Mystery Solved

Mike Fahey — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 13:20:13 MDT

Ben Heckendorn, who's mutant power involves pulling dreams out of my head and making them a reality, has finally unveiled the mystery product McWhertor mentioned back in late April, and I am very pleasantly surprised.

It's not the one-handed controller McWhertor predicted. It's the Audio FX Pro 5+1 Headset, a custom made USB headset that eschews modern sensibilities for the sake of...well, comfort. Look at those poofy ear cups, designed to cup your ears instead of crushing them. Sure it might get hot, but I'll take a little heat over bright-red ear soreness any day of the week. It even features a low-frequency force feedback effect for when that one guy in your WoW guild who still finds it hilarious shouts "Leeeeroy Jenkins" for the millionth time.

The headset will be shipping to retailers in July, and right now you can preorder one from eDimensional here for $79.95. Between Lord of the Rings Online's built-in voice support and Second Life getting it soon (much love to the Sumos couch), I'm definitely picking one up. Finally a Ben Heck custom I can afford. Michael Fahey

The Audio FX Pro 5+1 Headset [benheck.com - Thanks Scott!]

Gameport, The Emulator For Your Pocket

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 29 May 2007 15:40:17 MDT

Console modding champ Benjamin J. Heckendorn (aka Ben Heck) is not only teaming up with eDimensional for a mystery accessory, he's bringing his hardware know-how to Retrogames' Gameport, a handheld "portable multimedia gaming system."

According to Heckendorn the Gameport will currently play Atari 2600 and Colecovision titles, with other hardware supported by software upgrades. The official Gameport site lists additional platforms including the Sega Master System, NES, Intellivision and Atari 7800 under its "games" section. Actually getting software to play on the system? That's up to you and your favorite .torrent provider, matey.

While some of that sounds legally grey, the site's FAQ makes the prospect of actually owning a Gameport much more sketchy given that the Retrogames' distributor "perished after legal problems". Yikes!

No word on a release date yet, but we'll be keeping our eyes on the official Gameport site for more. I assume various legal departments will be doing the same. Michael McWhertor

Port your games around with the Gameport [Ben Heck, thanks Scott!]

Make The PS360 Controller

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 02 May 2007 00:00:50 MDT

Ah, to be console modder Ben Heckendorn (AKA Ben Heck). No, to be Ben Heck's buddy and get some of his amazing creations! The modder's recent project? Stuffing a PS3 SIXAXIS in an Xbox 360 controller, thereby giving birth to the PS360 controller. You don't just have to be BFF with Ben or pay him gobs of money for the PS360. Now Ben has put a how-to up, you can make it. So, if you know the difference between a Phillips screwdriver and a Small Torx screwdriver, they have a gander. Who knows, you might just be able to pull it off! That, or totally muck up controllers. Either way, good luck. Brian Ashcraft

Make A PS360 Controller [Engadget]

Ben Heck Mystery Product Comin' At Ya

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:20:26 MDT

Console modder and guy who turns stuff into other stuff Benjamin J. Heckendorn, aka Ben Heck, has partnered with accessory manufacturer eDimensional to make... something. They won't say what it is exactly, because they're running a contest to let John Q. Gamer figure out exactly what the hell... er, heck their unannounced gaming accessory is.

Ben's previous projects include the Xbox 360 Laptop, multiple portable Atari 2600s and the PS360 Controller, so whatever it is, it's probably going to be somewhere north of awesome.

My guess? Someone's obviously taken Heckendorn up on his offer to manufacture a single-handed Xbox 360 controller, similar to the one he built for a disabled gamer. Hey, no stealing my idea. I'm determined to win this contest!

Mystery press release after the jump. Michael McWhertor

What The Heck? [eDimensional]

What the Heck? Guess the New eDimensional Product Designed Exclusively by BenHeck!

eDimensional teams up with renowned modder Benjamin J. Heckendorn on new gaming accessory.

Leading gaming accessory manufacturer eDimensional has teamed up with renowned modder Benjamin J. Heckendorn on their latest product. Gamers worldwide are clamoring to know about what Ben will design next and eDimensional is eager to build it and bring it to market. Now you can win one just by guessing what it is! eDimensional and Ben are pleased to announce the "What the Heck?" contest, where you can send us your guess for what the new product will be. Correct answers will be entered to win a signed copy of the newest product when it is released soon.

eDimensional CEO Michael Epstein raves, "It's been an absolute pleasure working with Ben on the new eDimensional product. He's full of fantastic ideas that are truly inspired by the hard-core gamer, which is exactly who we design our products for. We've really given him free reign to fulfill his creative vision and are thrilled with how the new product looks and performs. We can't wait to offer a benheck original to the entire gaming community."

Author of Hacking Videogame Consoles, BenHeck has been creating acclaimed custom devices such as his recent XBOX 360 laptop since the last century.

He notes, "I'm really excited about releasing my latest project, the first opportunity for gamers worldwide to purchase a Heckendorn original! Thanks to eDimensional for their contributions and support in making my latest creation a reality."

Please visit www.eDimensional.com/whattheheck.php for the latest clues and entry information. New clues will appear at random, so be sure to check back often to see if you can figure it out.

About Benjamin J. Heckendorn

Author and engineer Benjamin J. Heckendorn, known to the gaming community as benheck, is renowned for his innovative modifications of gaming consoles and peripherals including his popular XBOX 360 laptop, portable Atari handheld, controllers and more. Featured in such media as Popular Science, Maxim, MTV, Engadget and much more, his flair for creating the most novel of gaming devices has generated a cult-following and considerable demand for custom projects. His work is available on his personal blog,
www.benheck.com.

About eDimensional, Inc.

eDimensional is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative gaming software and hardware accessories. The critically acclaimed eDimensional product line consists of 3D, motion tracking, audio and voice recognition products and is distributed online and in a variety of retail locations worldwide. eDimensional is focused on providing gamers with the most realistic gaming experience possible and has received numerous awards and accolades related to our proprietary technologies. For more information, please visit
www.eDimensional.com or email sales@eDimensional.com

Xbox 360 Laptop Redux

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 16:40:53 MDT

Professional console modder Benjamin J. Heckendorn (aka Ben Heck) has released pics and video of his latest custom hardware hack, the Xbox 360 Laptop 2. Better than his previous Xbox 360 laptop by a factor of two, this one ups the green like it was 2001 and uses an mind-boggling 60% less aluminum. If I were a religious man, I'd think this material goods reduction were some sort of witchcraft, nay, the work of Satan himself. It's that good.

Ben promises an upcoming how-to for making your own (sadly, with our distinguished competition) in the near future. Watch for it! Michael McWhertor

Xbox 360 Laptop The Second [BenHeck.com]

New Atari 2600 Hack Smacks Of DS

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:40:19 MST

Another day, another amazing Benjamin J. Heckendorn console mod. This time, Ben has churned out the Mark VII Atari 2600 (aka Atari VCSp Revision 7) portable with a cool clamshell design.

Don't miss the spectacular making of and hilarious head-to-head against the Nintendo DS Lite which answers the question "Which portable outperforms against cavedwelling beasts?" Michael McWhertor