The real-world sensory technology of amBX could soon be coming to a PlayStation 3 near you, as the company announces a Tools and Middleware agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment.
amBX is a technology originally developed for the PC by Phillips Research that incorporates lighting, rumble, and even air-flow peripherals to help deliver real-world sensory experiences in video games and television entertainment. Now that technology makes the jump from the PC and specialty television market to the console gaming market, with a Tools and Licensing Middleware agreement that allows amBX to develop its technology for use on the PlayStation 3.
“This is a major milestone in the development of amBX as a ubiquitous standard for entertainment sensory experiences,” commented Jo Cooke, Chief Marketing Officer, amBX. “amBX has already proved incredibly popular and successful within the PC games, music, movies and apps markets and the Tools & Middleware License agreement with SCEI will allow us to bring amazing light, rumble, sound and air movement experiences to game users.”
With amBX already licensing its technology to major players in the gaming world, it might not be long before you're plugging light strips and fans into your PlayStation 3 in order to get the most out of your gaming experience.
Personally, I still see the whole amBX thing as more of a gimmick than anything else. This agreement shows that folks with a bit more insight into industry trends than I have seem to think otherwise. What about you? Would you fork over your hard-earned cash in order to make your television pulse color sympathetically with your PlayStation 3 games, or is this simply technology for those with far too much spending money on their hands?