A Kick in the Chest

by Brandom Freund on 23 Apr 2008

Since the conception of the video game, developers have spent countless resources making our gaming experience more realistic.

From the initial first person shooter - giving us the point of view of the main characters - to fancy controllers, vibrating seats and high tech surround sound, gamers have invested in gadgetry that has brought life to America's new favorite pastime.

And just when we are getting bored with our arsenal of electronics, someone like TN Games comes along with their new 3rd Space vest; a vest that actually lets you feel the shots fired at you in computer games.

As a vascular surgeon, creator Mark Ombrellaro was inspired by the need for a vest to diagnose special patients remotely. From his work on that vest came the inspiration for this video game model.

With four pneumatic cells firing five pounds of compressed air each in the front, and four in the back, the player can be more aware of their surroundings in an intense game.

Jen Mellor, marketing assistant for TN Games, said that Dr. Ombrellaro is often asked what the vest really feels like. His response likens the sensation to lying on your back and dropping a roll of pennies on your belly. He has dropped rolls of pennies on his own belly to test this comparison.

Retailing at $169, the 3rd Space vest comes bundled with TN Game's own first person shooter called 3rd Space Incursion.

The video game developer, Activision, has also released a 3rd Space compatible version of their popular Call of Duty 2.

Along with these, you can download a driver from the TN Games Web site that adds 3rd Space compatibility to other popular games like Halflife 2, Quake 4, Doom 3, as well as future support for racing and flying games.

Currently only a PC version is available, although there are future plans to extend compatibility to console systems. New add-ons, like a 3rd Space helmet, sleeves, and leg covers, and models with increased air
pressure are also in the works to help serious gamers immerse
themselves even more in their gaming experience.

So if you're on the look out for the next cool gadget to add to your gaming experience, you can't pass this up.

The new sensations provided by the 3rd Space vest are sure to give you the edge you need to slip even further out of reality. After a few minutes with the vest you'll wonder how you ever survived without it.

Seed Newsvine

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