NEW TECHNOLOGY UPDATE - TESTING REQUIRED
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 1:41 pm
This is actually kind of exciting and it's very important that all players read this information BEFORE adventuring.
As most of you know, I work in the IT industry with some very talented people (and some very untalented ones too, but that's another story). Recently a colleague of mine, Ira Pollof, came to me with an idea for a new piece of code based on existing computer mouse technology.
It turns out that almost all current computer mice, including optical mice and the inbuilt "trackpads" found in laptops, contain small electric devices capable of converting motion to electriciy. Normally these devices are used to capture a user's movements and send them to the computer. Ira has found a (surprisingly simple) way to reverse the process, essentially using the computer to send signals back to the mouse, activating the devices and thereby producing a vibrating sensation that the user can feel. This is known as "haptic feedback" and is similar to the way things like games console controllers and "force-feedback" computer joysticks sometimes work.
A few days ago, Ira showed me some javascript code that demonstrates this capability in a web browser and, here's the exciting part, has asked me if I'd mind adding the code to Paradox so that players (that's you guys) can test it. Do I mind? This is some cool stuff and we get to be some of the first people to try it out! Of course I don't mind, and I'm pretty sure you won't either.
So, here's where you come in.
I've added the new code to various parts of the game, and I need you all to help out by testing to see if you can feel the vibrations while you're doing things around Paradox. For example, while you're in combat, the code will activate whenever something happens to cause damage to your character. If it's working correctly, you should feel a sort-of grumbling vibration that will be smaller for low amounts of damage and bigger when the damage caused is larger. I've also placed a few random vibrations throughout the game when particularly interesting things are happening, and... well, something that's meant to be a surprise but which involves sending several different signals to the mouse to play what you might be able to identify as a "jaunty little tune" heh. Yeah, I had to play with it of course.
When you're testing, please reply back to this forum post with as much feedback as you can provide on the results you had and the hardware you're using. For example, were you able to feel the vibrations? How strong were they? What make/model is your mouse? What kind of computer are you using? etc.
NOTES
*The vibration effect is disabled by default, because we realise some people may not be in an appropriate situation where they can use it. To turn it on, please go to your Account->Options menu and select the appropriate option.
*This will NOT work with PS/2 mouse connections, only with inbuilt mice (eg. trackpads) and those connected via USB.
*If you have an optical mouse, very bright light can interfere with the vibration effect. If you can't feel the vibration, and you have an optical (red laser) type mouse, Ira recommends that you try turning all lights in the immediate area off or at least way down, then try again.
CAUTION!!
A brief, but important, word of caution is necessary here unfortunately. Ira tells me that he has occasionally noticed what seems to be a very small electric shock or jolt under certain conditions. I haven't seen it myself and he says it's incredibly small (no more than a slight "tingle"), but just to be sure, it's might not be a bad idea to take some precautions.
As most of you know, I work in the IT industry with some very talented people (and some very untalented ones too, but that's another story). Recently a colleague of mine, Ira Pollof, came to me with an idea for a new piece of code based on existing computer mouse technology.
It turns out that almost all current computer mice, including optical mice and the inbuilt "trackpads" found in laptops, contain small electric devices capable of converting motion to electriciy. Normally these devices are used to capture a user's movements and send them to the computer. Ira has found a (surprisingly simple) way to reverse the process, essentially using the computer to send signals back to the mouse, activating the devices and thereby producing a vibrating sensation that the user can feel. This is known as "haptic feedback" and is similar to the way things like games console controllers and "force-feedback" computer joysticks sometimes work.
A few days ago, Ira showed me some javascript code that demonstrates this capability in a web browser and, here's the exciting part, has asked me if I'd mind adding the code to Paradox so that players (that's you guys) can test it. Do I mind? This is some cool stuff and we get to be some of the first people to try it out! Of course I don't mind, and I'm pretty sure you won't either.
So, here's where you come in.
I've added the new code to various parts of the game, and I need you all to help out by testing to see if you can feel the vibrations while you're doing things around Paradox. For example, while you're in combat, the code will activate whenever something happens to cause damage to your character. If it's working correctly, you should feel a sort-of grumbling vibration that will be smaller for low amounts of damage and bigger when the damage caused is larger. I've also placed a few random vibrations throughout the game when particularly interesting things are happening, and... well, something that's meant to be a surprise but which involves sending several different signals to the mouse to play what you might be able to identify as a "jaunty little tune" heh. Yeah, I had to play with it of course.
When you're testing, please reply back to this forum post with as much feedback as you can provide on the results you had and the hardware you're using. For example, were you able to feel the vibrations? How strong were they? What make/model is your mouse? What kind of computer are you using? etc.
NOTES
*The vibration effect is disabled by default, because we realise some people may not be in an appropriate situation where they can use it. To turn it on, please go to your Account->Options menu and select the appropriate option.
*This will NOT work with PS/2 mouse connections, only with inbuilt mice (eg. trackpads) and those connected via USB.
*If you have an optical mouse, very bright light can interfere with the vibration effect. If you can't feel the vibration, and you have an optical (red laser) type mouse, Ira recommends that you try turning all lights in the immediate area off or at least way down, then try again.
CAUTION!!
A brief, but important, word of caution is necessary here unfortunately. Ira tells me that he has occasionally noticed what seems to be a very small electric shock or jolt under certain conditions. I haven't seen it myself and he says it's incredibly small (no more than a slight "tingle"), but just to be sure, it's might not be a bad idea to take some precautions.
