Philips have finally released their amBX gaming peripherals. amBX? Think lighting, fans, speakers and rumble mats, all designed to further immerse you in your PC gaming. I've been playing with the premium pack - lights, fans, speakers, 3 amBXed games - for a few days and still can't make my mind up. The kit is expensive and many games remain unsupported, but when the lights dim and the fans kick in you do get a sense that amBX may be worth bothering with.
The kit itself is plug and play idiot-proof to set up, although I had a few niggles with the software. I tested it on a laptop and found moving the wall washer - which also acts as the central control unit - further away from the back of the screen really helped. Too close and the white just shone through too brightly.
You can use the kit with any PC game - or music for that matter, with the FX-generator plug-in allowing you to live out those Jean Michel-Jarre fantasies - but to get the full experience you'll need to play one of the properly amBXed games. So TOCA Race Driver 3, for example, flashes proper starting lights and simulates speed with the fans. Similarly effective is Defcon, with the dramatic lighting really adding gravitas to the nuclear playground. Broken Sword: The Angel of Death is the best example with the fans, which kick in while in flight or when the temperature drops, really adding something.
But impressive as these titles are you could hardly call them cutting edge. A large number of more modern PC games are amBX compatible but some of the bigger titles, like World of Warcraft, remain unsupported. And this is key really. Even if you have the money there is little point in buying the system if your favourite game doesn't take advantage of your new toy.
You'll need deep pockets to get started too, with beginner kits - lights and wall washer only - starting at £149 and rising to £279 for the premium version. The latter offers the full experience - complete with the fans. But the Pro Gamer option, basically everything except the fans, is probably the best value (around £229).
But let's face it, hunched up over your PC is one thing. Having the full lights/fan experience while playing Halo 3 or Mass Effect is what we really want. Well, ok, what I want and then only because I have an understanding wife, but you get the point. If amBX is going to be anything more than a niche product is has to come to consoles. Phillips say they are in discussions but not to expect any news until the end of 2008! Whether you'll still care by then is another matter but if amBX ever arrives on console it will mean it has succeeded on PC. At the moment it has a fair chance of doing that, but only if the price comes down and the really big hitters - Blizzard, EA etc - come onboard.
Tempted then?
