Phillips have launched their amBX gaming peripheral range at the CES show. The mix of lighting, fans and speaker will launch later this year costing between $2-400. At those prices you can see where Philips are pitching this product - gamers with deep pockets - but the price is only one barrier. Gamers have always wanted faster graphics, better sound and quieter PC's, but fans and flashing lights? No, me neither. Or until recently anyway. I had a go on a fully amBXed PC while playing Broken Sword and, amazingly, it did actually add something. Particularly effective were the fans. Yes, seriously. Having a fan blow in your face as the in-game character walks out into a storm - complete with white light effects - or flies a plane, really does make you feel more involved. You'll have to trust me on this.
Of course, whether it's worth getting the amBX kit is another question. All PC games can use the system - although specific amBX version will obviously work better - and the programming language is supposedly easy for developers to use, though Phillips would say that. But the launch price is too high and the concept as a whole is easy to mock. Which is a shame as by trying something different I have a sneaky feeling amBX will become a bit of a cult hit.
