However, video games are slightly held back in the pursuit of immersion by the fact that they are primarily dependent on audio and visual feedback to the player. For most players, the only haptic connection to a game is through the controller, which can only convey so much through rumbling, although the PS5 DualShock 5 controller has seen improvements to immersion through controller vibration.
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Now a haptic technology company called D-BOX is looking to bridge the gap between standard controller feedback, and highly specialized simulator rigs. The company is looking to do this with its new patent for a gaming chair with a built-in actuator which is able to connect to a PC or console in order to simulate in-game movements to the player. The chair will likely be most suited for simulation driving games where it could emulate the road surface the player is driving on in relation to the speed of the vehicle.
Gaming chairs have become an extremely popular choice for many players, especially those that use PC or desk-based setups. Gaming chairs also come in a wide variety of designs, and so, this makes it a good base design choice for D-BOX’s motion simulating chair. What makes D-BOX’s patented design unique among gaming chairs, however, is the actuator found between the seat and the base of the chair. Usually, an actuator like this would be one of many on a much larger specialized simulator rig, but using just one makes the design more compact and affordable.
D-BOX is a company that is experienced in creating simulators for both professional training and PC gaming. D-Box already has a co-designed gaming chair on sale with haptic technology, only without an in-built actuator. Its new gaming chair patent, however, is likely closer in design to its haptic cinema seating, which moves the viewer in sync with the action on the screen. Simulator rigs with built-in actuators are often used with games specifically designed to provide specific feedback to different points around the player. However, as D-BOX’s gaming chair only contains one actuator, it could be synced to the controller vibrations that are already designed for that game.
This should leave the players entire body affected by controller rumble, which would help to make driving games feel more realistic, but also the chair’s actuator could help to make smaller moments from other games more immersive, such horse riding in Red Dead Redemption 2, if a cantering effect simulated by the chair were to be added.
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