Philips looks to immerse gamers into the action

amBX to offer full sensory surround experience

9 November 2005 6:28 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Philips is hoping to introduce a similar system to its Ambilight offering for television with the introduction of amBX an ambient lighting experience for computer gaming.

Due for release in May 2006, amBX has been designed to immerse the gamer further into computer games or movies by enabled devices such as LED colour-controlled lights, active furniture, fans, heaters, audio and video, which are all placed in the user's room allowing games developers to have control over these accessories.

“Imagine the room of the future, where all electronic devices are amBX-enabled. The treacherous road to Saigon will turn your room jungle green, swimming with dolphins will splash it deep blue, ‘Halo' jumps will turn your fans on full, lightning storms will strobe your white lighting, and attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion will blast on your heaters”, Philips said in a press release.

“For games creators this is a fantastic opportunity: amBX expands the immersive experience by bringing the real world environment into the gameplay”, said Jo Cooke, Chief Marketing Officer, Philips amBX. “The creative possibilities, using this technology, for the games industry and beyond are immense”.

Philips is currently in the advanced stages of talks with a number of leading computer games developers and peripheral manufacturers regarding amBX-enabling leading games and devices, and will be officially launching the technology to the market in May 2006.