TN Games News

New Game Driver, version 4.0 is now released.

TN Games — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:00:00

Version 4.0 is a major redesign and performance upgrade from version 3 that includes a new, interactive, web based user interface and enhanced vest responsiveness.

Features include

"Settings" options that let you customize the intensity of vest effects,
"Tools" to let you explore and experience the range of various vest effects along with an inteactive 3D dashboard view
Streamlined update and error reporting functions
Enhanced troubleshooting
News feeds options.

Catch us at PAX , Seattle, WA , Sept 2010

mark — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:00:00

Booth #3849

New Game Driver Update (PC)

mark — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:00:00

Battlefield Bad Company ^TM 2, DarkVoid ^TM, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. ^TM Call of Pripyat are now supported.

TN Games Introduces The 3RD Space ® Trigger™

TN Games — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:00:00

TN Games Introduces The 3RD Space ® Trigger™: Enabling 3RD Space Vest Physical 3D Functionality For Console Games.

DELIVERING THE UTMOST IN IMMERSIVE, REALISTIC GAMING.

Redmond, WA (6/14/10) — TN Games today announces a major advancement in 3D entertainment: the 3RD Space® Trigger ™, enabling use of the acclaimed 3RD Space Vest with videogame consoles. Unlike rumble or motorized force feedback devices, 3RD Space delivers actual impact forces to your body, creating a Physical 3D experience that makes you an integral part of the action for the utmost in immersive, realistic gaming entertainment. The technology will be showcased at the E3 2010 videogame tradeshow. The 3RD Space Trigger will support Vest functionality for the top action/shooter game titles playable on the Xbox 360® and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems and begins shipping in the US on October 30, 2010.

Visual technologies use 3D to enhance the perception of depth and the relative positions between objects and viewer. Within a broader context, a 3-dimensional relationship also exists between an individual and their environment. These spatial relationships are perceived using all of one’s senses, which each differ in their capacity to provide location based information. As it is possible to hear the effects of an event occurring beyond our range of vision, the closer we get to the source, a threshold is reached where it begins to be felt. Physical 3D develops those spatially accurate physical cues for the virtual environment that would normally be associated with what is seen happening, giving the user a unique multi-sensory, 3-dimensional experience.

“With great entertainment, there comes a point where we become lost in the story.” said TN Games’ CEO, Dr. Mark Ombrellaro. “While visual realism and motion based input control devices are steps towards make videogames more engaging, our novel hardware provides opportunities for creating even greater immersion. Our emphasis is on strengthening the player’s connection to their character. Combining the events that are seen with an interpretation of what they also should feel like, to create an actual physical affect on the player makes the game more tangible and immersive.”

TN Games has developed a modular system to advance its 3RD Space PC technology to console games. Console use requires 3 elements: the Trigger, new game driver software, and the Vest. The 3RD Space Trigger is a specialized microcomputer that seamlessly integrates information output to the TV from the game console with the game driver, creating the appropriate Physical 3D controls for the Vest. The Trigger communicates with the 3RD Space Vest either via wired USB or wirelessly. The Vest is a lightweight, wearable, pneumatic peripheral containing 8 active contact points that strike the player’s chest and back to generate a diverse range of spatially accurate impact effects. All 3RD Space Vests are compatible across all supported gaming platforms.

3RD Space immediately takes players into a 3 dimensional world, surrounded by action and the ability to experience its physical consequences. It heightens awareness and enables more strategic, accurate game play. The unique sensory experience amplifies the excitement, challenge, and fun of gaming. You’re not just an observer, but actively engaged in the story

The Console Kit (Vest with Trigger) can be pre-ordered for $189 at www.tngames.com. The 3RD Space Vest is currently available for $139. A wireless communicator for the Vest will also be available and is sold separately. The free 3RD Space videogame driver software and a comprehensive list of supported games is available at www.tngames.com.

Feel what you’ve been missing.

About TN Games

Based in Redmond, WA, TN Games is the market leader in Physical 3D impact technology. Our unique, wearable, human interface products create 3-dimensional impact, force, and environmental pressure effects for entertainment and custom applications. Our computer hardware and software systems let you feel the effects of the action you see, delivering the most intense, realistic, and immersive digital media experience.

3RD Space and TN Games are registered trademarks of TN Games. Xbox 360® is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corp. PlayStation®3 is a registered Trademark of the Sony Corp. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.

For more information, please visit www.tngames.com.

Press Contact:

Modern Warfare 2 on 3rd Space

balt — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00

Add Modern Warfare 2 to the list of 3rd Space compatible games! The 3rd Space Driver update also includes Borderlands and Godfather 2.

King 5 News

TNGames — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:00:00

ESC - 3rd Space Gaming Vest

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:00:00

3rd Space Gaming Vest Thursday, April 2

12:30pm – 1:30pm
ESC Theater
Sponsored by Microchip

Video game characters live in a three-dimensional world, but gamers have only been able to experience two dimensions...until now. The 3rdSpace® Vest from TN Games takes gameplay beyond sight and sound, creating spatial awareness of the world your characters inhabit. Unlike traditional force feedback devices that rumble or buzz, the 3rdSpace Vest gives you precise impact where it happens, as it happens. Get pounded with body slams, crushed with G-forces, and blasted with bullet fire.

Visit the Microchip Booth (#416) to test your shooting skills while dodging bullet fire and crushing explosions. Richard Nass, Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Director, Embedded Systems Design, embedded.com and the Embedded Systems Conference and Jon Perrin, Sr. Field Application Engineer, Microchip will do a live teardown on what is giving gamers the "ultimate" gaming experience.

Source: http://esc-sv09.techinsightsevents.com/product_teardown#spacevest

IGN: 3rd Space Gaming Vest Review

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:00:00

3rd Space Gaming Vest Review

Force feedback that truly packs a punch. But is it necessary?

by Scott Lowe

November 18, 2008 - I'm not particularly adventurous when it comes to PC gaming accessories. I'll give anything a try, but in most cases I find myself calling upon a comfortable chair, a no-frills keyboard, and a reasonably responsive mouse with accurate tracking. I can understand and appreciate the need for some to utilize more extensively featured control devices, but I prefer to keep things simple. I've seen my fair share of gaming mice, keyboards, and headsets, but really, the industry standards for these product types have long since been established and the limitations are clear. On the other hand, this isn't to say that there is no room for advancement within the standard issue PC gaming peripheral realm; there is, as we've so clearly seen with the SteelSeries World of Warfcraft MMO Gaming Mouse. If you are looking for thrills beyond the mouse, keyboard, voice communication and audio realm, the particularly intriguing peripheral work is being done by the mad scientists of the world, or in this case, medical practitioners.

I am referring, of course, to the 3rd Space Gaming Vest from TN Games, which was invented by a licensed physician, Dr. Mark Ombrellaro. The 3rd Space Gaming Vest brings a new level of physical immersion to PC gaming through the use of repurposed medical technologies. The vest uses an advanced air compression system and eight pneumatic cells, four on each side, to give players an unparalleled force-feedback experience. In other words, the 3rd Space Vest allows players to physically feel the strikes, shots, and other effects being dealt to them in-game. The eight contact points can deliver up to five pounds of force and can be customized to fire at varying rates and duration. The vest receives its cues from game drivers for a variety of AAA titles, released by TN Games. So far, the 3rd Space Gaming Vest has been adopted for the following titles:

Call of Duty 2 and Call of Duty 4
Turning Point - Fall Of Liberty
You Are Empty
Blacksite
Bioshock
Frontlines: Fuel Of War
Rainbow Six Vegas 2
Turok
Mass Effect
F.E.A.R
Prey
TimeShift
Crysis
Unreal Tournament 3
Clive Barker's Jericho
Halflife 2: Episode 1 and 2
Medal Of Honor Airborne
Enemy Territory Quake Wars
Quake 4
Doom 3
Farcry 2
Mercenaries 2
Fable
World of Warcraft

As you can see, TN Games has been quite busy gaining game support for the 3rd Space Gaming Vest. Quality title support, or lack thereof, can make or break an innovative gaming peripheral like the 3rd Space Gaming Vest. Fortunately, TN Games has pretty much all of their bases covered with a firm hold on the FPS market. Support for FPS fan-favorites like Call of Duty 4 and Crysis will certainly attract a sizable amount of attention from intermediate and hardcore gamers, but the support for World of Warcraft and Fable will definitely garner the interest of the MMORPG community.

With all of TN Games' proverbial "ducks in a row" in terms of title support, the real question becomes how does the 3rd Space Gaming Vest perform? Well, a portion of the answer comes from the product itself and the other from your own willingness to try new and unconventional gaming accessories. The product itself performs just as you would imagine, assuming of course that you don't envision gasping for breath as you cradle your stomach in searing pain. The compressors provide a significant jolt, but not to the point of any discomfort or pain. I would most readily compare the sensation to being lightly-to-moderately poked, which is impressive considering that the system relies exclusively on air-compressors. One would think that the inflation and deflation would be somewhat gradual, but in reality the points of contact come and go quite quickly. The swift punch of the compressors is what truly makes this product unique. Unlike vibrating feedback or competing technologies, the 3rd Space Gaming Vest is fast and unrelenting. Each burst falls in perfect sync with in-game effects and gunfire.

One clear cut benefit of owning and using the 3rd Space Vest is for adversarial online play in FPS titles. Instead of relying on a subtle red tinge on one side of your screen, you can actually feel what direction the shots are being fired from. By adding touch to the existing and audible and visual sensory perception in gaming, users will find that they react faster and with better accuracy. While use of the 3rd Space Gaming Vest has not yet been authorized for moderated competitive play by the various gaming leagues, it will certainly give casual competitors a serious edge.

The build of the 3rd Space Gaming Vest itself is quite sound, made from durable 600D polyester and the zippers and straps are all made of the highest quality materials. The product's price of $169.99 sounds expensive at first, but once you get a feel for the vest and the components that come with, you start to wonder how they could afford to sell it at such a low price. With durable mesh and well-stitched zippers, straps, and compartments, the 3rd Space Vest feels as if it could be used in legitimate combat situations. When it first arrived to our offices, I was tempted to wear it at all times like 50 Cent or My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way. The only thing that stopped/stops me from parading around like the badass I am, is the several feet of tubing that connects to the independent compressor. Which brings me to the other crucial aspect of the vest—its setup.

Setting up and installing the vest and its software is effortless. Simply connect the external compressor to its dedicated power supply, the vest to the compressor via the aforementioned tubing, and to your PC via USB. While this sounds like a lot of work, there are a number of ways that the design could have been more complicated. For instance, the vest could have required a dedicated AC cord of its own, in addition to the one required for the air compressor. After setting up the hardware, a simple general driver install for you PC is all that the 3rd Space Gaming Vest requires. Once the initial install is completed, all that you have to do is fire up your favorite supported title and prepare to be physically immersed. There is an automatic update feature within the 3rd Space Vest's driver that ensures that you can play freshly supported titles as the updates become available.

But despite the exceptional quality of the vest's performance and build, the value of the 3rd Space Gaming Vest really comes down to how adventurous of a FPS or WoW gamer you are. As I said, I'm not the type to use something like the 3rd Space Gaming Vest every time I play--but that's just my preference. Everything that the 3rd Space Gaming Vest could do to impress me, it did. There is little I could ask more of the 3rd Space Gaming Vest, and for the audience that is interested in immersive force feedback gaming, there is nothing currently on the market that can beat it.

IGN's Ratings for TN Games 3rd Space Gaming Vest

Rating	Description
out of 10
8.7	Performance Quick, immersive, and unrelenting bursts of force.
9.0	Build Quality We'd wear it as a tactical vest if we could.
8.8	Ease of Use Make a few connections, install the driver, and you are all set.
7.6	Value Seemingly steep, but ultimately reasonable for the quality of the build and performance.
7.3	Comfort Not exactly couch-potato caliber, but when you are getting bursts of force in your abdomen, who's going to be slouching?
8.3	OVERALL (out of 10 / not an average)

Read the full article on IGN’s site

3RD Space vest at the Microsoft booth, MIGS 2008

mark — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:00:00

3RD Space vest at the Microsoft booth, Montreal International Games Summit November 18-19, 2008.

Compatible with World of Warcraft™

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:00:00

3rd Space™ Gaming Vest now is compatible with World of Warcraft™.