Philips amBX?

[NrthnStar5]

<p>EverQuest II now supports the Philips amBX experience.  With the amBX system, you can experience dynamic lighting, wind and rumble effects. See <a title="http://www.ambx.com/" href="http://www.ambx.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #b5c7c2;">http://www.ambx.com/</span></span></a> for more information.</p><p>Can anyone shed any light on what exactly this means? Is this a new lighting system that has been added to the engine?</p><p>Are there specific options for this? Any hardware requirements?</p><p>It sounds exciting but it is kind of unclear about exactly what we are looking at.</p><p>Thanks!</p>

[Obadiah]

<p>If you follow that link and click on "See it in action" you'll get a pretty good idea. It's just lights on the side of your monitor that match the lighting in the area you are in in-game. So it's like, you're THERE, and stuff. Probably not real effective if daylight is spewing forth into the room you're in.</p><p>Yes, there are hardware requirements. The basic stuff is pretty cheap right now though. I guess my question would be whether it's just the ambient lighting that's supported as seems to be the case for most games or whether EQ2 will support the rumble effect and fans as well.</p>

[Lorzus]

<p>I enjoy having a nice soft light  on at night while I play with the rest of the room dark. Has anyone used this to know how much light gets put out from these? I do also like to be able to see around me <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Webin]

<p>To me, it looks like some niche company is paying developers to include support for their product.  From the videos, it looks gimmicky at best, and I don't see this being something that will catch on very well.</p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>Aldia@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I enjoy having a nice soft light  on at night while I play with the rest of the room dark. Has anyone used this to know how much light gets put out from these? I do also like to be able to see around me <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>They put out a fair bit of light, specifics depend on how it gets coded, that said, I think the only thing you'll see out of EQ2 is going to be Edge Light Expansion.  I'd love for it to be fully support [please let me have more than one game that uses the rumble-bar and fans <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />], but I don't ever anticipate that <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.</p>

[Reiella]

<p>Although to be fair, can't seem to find an in-game option to enable the amBX support, and the Ambx Control Panel still does not detect Everquest 2 so I dunno.</p>

[Rothgar]

<p>Hiya! </p><p>I've taken some video of the amBX system in action while playing EQII.  I'm planning on posting a short video that will let people see exactly how it works.  Until then, here is a brief rundown of the feature.</p><p>The options to enable amBX as well as control many aspects of the system can be found under User Interface -> Philips amBX.  It is off by default, so you'll need to enable it if you have the system.</p><p><strong>Lighting</strong></p><p>The EQII client pushes two types of lighting data to the amBX system.  First, we send sunlight intensity and color values.  Many of our zones have a day/night cycle that includes varrying colors for ambient light.  This light color will be mixed into all of the light devices evenly.  This can be seen to the extreme in lavastorm as the sunlight cycles between yellow, orange, green and purple.  I show this cycle sped up in the video. </p><p>We also mix point lights into the devices based on their in-game location relevant to your camera.  So if you run by a torch, the light device nearest the torch will get brighter and then fade as you run by.  The intensity of the point lights are mixed in based on their distance from the device.  This creates a very cool effect when you running through buildings and tunnels that have torches and other light sources.</p><p><strong>Fans</strong></p><p>The amBX fan system is something we chose to use sparingly.  If the fans are constantly running, they tend to lose their impact so we chose not to run them for things like wind or they would never turn off.  The fans are also a little noisier than I would like, so unless you're running headphones, you probably don't want them running all the time. </p><p>All fans are controlled based on your character's velocity.  There are two values you can tweak under options, Fan Intensity and Fan Threshold.  The threshold allow you to set the minimum velocity where fans will activate.  So if you happen to be a character that can run around at 90% run speed all the time, and you don't want the fans on, you can increase the threshold.  The fan intensity lets you amplify how hard the fans blow so you can tweak it to your liking. </p><p>Be default, the fans should not turn on if you're running at a normal speed, but should spin up when on a server controlled mount, or if you reach velocity from jumping off a high point in a zone.  The settings should allow you to increase or decrease this behavior to your liking.</p><p><strong>Rumble</strong></p><p>Currently the rumble bar is triggered when your character takes damage.  The rumble intensity is based on the percentage of damage taken, not a flat damage amount.  As the damage becomes more lethal, the rumble becomes more intense.</p><p>There is also a Rumble Intensity value you can tweak under options to control this setting.  This will let you determine if the bar rumbles during normal combat or if you only want to feel it on this big hits.</p><p>I hope to have the video completed soon and will make a post on the forums after I've posted it.</p>

[Gaige]

<p>Uh, oooooooookay.</p>

[PakMonyet]

<p>it appears that amBX is <strong><em>only</em></strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2.1</span> surround sound......(am I right?...anyone got info on that)</p><p>if that is its current limitation.....its a real pity given that 5.1 (or better) is really the standard.</p><p>....having said that however, I REALLY like the concept of this tech.....I hope to use it and I hope to see it upgraded significantly SOON!</p>

[Noaani]

<p>The amBX system is basically an immersion enhancer.</p><p>You buy a kit that has speakers, lights and fans (optional iirc), and when used with a program that supports the system, means you have RL lighting that matches the in game lighting for the area you are in, you have fans blowing on you when you are moving fast, and the rumble strip, which I have absolutly no idea about (I assume some form of vibrating something).</p><p>amBX make some incredible lighting for systems, for homes, restaurants, nighclubs and also for computer gaming. Its essentially a perphial support addition much like the G15 support was.</p>

[Lorzus]

<p>Random question on these no eq2 related, can they be used as just general lights when the game isn't running? I poked around the website a little and didn't see much on it, but I'm not sure if missed anything.</p>

[Rothgar]

<p><cite>PakMonyet wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>it appears that amBX is <strong><em>only</em></strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2.1</span> surround sound......(am I right?...anyone got info on that)</p><p>if that is its current limitation.....its a real pity given that 5.1 (or better) is really the standard.</p><p>....having said that however, I REALLY like the concept of this tech.....I hope to use it and I hope to see it upgraded significantly SOON!</p></blockquote><p>The amBX system really has nothing to do with sound or your speakers.  They are not a replacement for your speaker system, although I think they have a set of lights that also include speakers.  You can continue to use your 5.1 channel speakers and add the amBX system if you are interested in the lighting, air and rumble effects.</p><p>Gage, it might not be for everyone, but no one is forcing you to go buy it.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Rothgar]

<p><cite>Aldia@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Random question on these no eq2 related, can they be used as just general lights when the game isn't running? I poked around the website a little and didn't see much on it, but I'm not sure if missed anything.</p></blockquote><p>Yes.  You can set the lights to a specific color (supports up to 16 million colors) or use their API which integrates with Media Player so you can have lighting effects that match music you're listening to.</p>

[Lorzus]

<p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Aldia@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Random question on these no eq2 related, can they be used as just general lights when the game isn't running? I poked around the website a little and didn't see much on it, but I'm not sure if missed anything.</p></blockquote><p>Yes.  You can set the lights to a specific color (supports up to 16 million colors) or use their API which integrates with Media Player so you can have lighting effects that match music you're listening to.</p></blockquote><p>Ok paid on friday and I know what i'll be buying ... <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[PakMonyet]

<p>Im with you Aldia......my Father Christmas list is growing!!</p><p>(thanks for the info Rothgar!)</p>

[Reiella]

<p>Fair note of warning, if you are using Win7 x64.  I'd advise against purchasing AmBX unless you're ok not using the lights in Win7 x64.  The back-end driver still does not work in Win7x64 [works in Win7 32bit, and Vista 64 however, it's just odd with Win7].</p><p>And doh, it's under user interface.  Makes sense when consider the g15 stuff is in UI as well, just figured it would have been in display.</p><p>The default velocity threshold is set prolly a bit too low, it's trigger the fan when walking in lavastorm <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.  And well it's difficult for me to notice if there is any real difference in fan intensity when it's set anywhere between 0.060 and 1.000.  And it's coming it rather forceful at that minimum, I remember them being slower in Overlord, but it's been a long time since I've actually had another game that used the fans.</p>

[Rothgar]

<p><cite>Reiella wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>The default velocity threshold is set prolly a bit too low, it's trigger the fan when walking in lavastorm <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />.  And well it's difficult for me to notice if there is any real difference in fan intensity when it's set anywhere between 0.060 and 1.000.  And it's coming it rather forceful at that minimum, I remember them being slower in Overlord, but it's been a long time since I've actually had another game that used the fans.</p></blockquote><p>What is your run speed?  I tried to set the default so that you'd experience the fans when travelling on a mount with around 50% run speed.  Its possible that if you are achieving this run speed without a mount that you're activating the fans.  This is why I added the options to tweak the threshold.  The idea is that you probably only want to feel the fans when traveling faster than your normal rate, but everyone's "normal" rate is different.</p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Reiella wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>The default velocity threshold is set prolly a bit too low, it's trigger the fan when walking in lavastorm <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />.  And well it's difficult for me to notice if there is any real difference in fan intensity when it's set anywhere between 0.060 and 1.000.  And it's coming it rather forceful at that minimum, I remember them being slower in Overlord, but it's been a long time since I've actually had another game that used the fans.</p></blockquote><p>What is your run speed?  I tried to set the default so that you'd experience the fans when travelling on a mount with around 50% run speed.  Its possible that if you are achieving this run speed without a mount that you're activating the fans.  This is why I added the options to tweak the threshold.  The idea is that you probably only want to feel the fans when traveling faster than your normal rate, but everyone's "normal" rate is different.</p></blockquote><p>Checking, but doubt it's too high, I'm a returning player whose just 56.   Ya run speed at 0%...  Although unlike when mounted, it kicks on at 0.070 intensity instead of at 0.060.</p><p>The velocity threshold is set to 0.500 for me, that is supposed to be the default right?  If I step it up to 0.530 it stops turning on when I'm just running around.</p>

[Gaige]

<p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Gage, it might not be for everyone, but no one is forcing you to go buy it.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>My comment was more about how funny I found it that you guys are supporting such a niche hardware system.</p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>Gage wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Gage, it might not be for everyone, but no one is forcing you to go buy it.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>My comment was more about how funny I found it that you guys are supporting such a niche hardware system.</p></blockquote><p>Hehe, can't say I'm complaining.  Although will say this, the SDK for ambx is public now.  With Phillips having spun-off amBX some time ago, I have a bit of uncertainty as to if/when such deals may have been made.  On that note, I'm a bit more interested into why NVidia PhysX's logo has started to appear on the page bottom.</p><p>What's interesting though in regards to amBx, alot of games, it'll work on it's own just populating screen-edge data [for lighting].  Everquest 2 is one of the very few games I've encountered where FXGen fails to work.  And the others are usually games with known 'odd' graphic implementations.</p>

[Froed20]

<p>Huh... niche or not, this system looks kinda cool.  I like the lights.... would look really nice at night.  Not so sure about the rumble thingie though.</p>

[Lantis]

I fail to see how developing this for 0.05% of the userbase is worth the time, but eh. Now can we get some work done toward ditching Miles 2D and supporting something like OpenAL, so at least 50% of the playerbase can get accelerated audio? ALchemy is a workaround at best, and not sure how long it will take for it to work under Windows 7 64-bit (it doesn't). Seems to me it would be developper-time better spent.

[Wrapye]

<p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><strong>Rumble</strong></p><p>Currently the rumble bar is triggered when your character takes damage.  The rumble intensity is based on the percentage of damage taken, not a flat damage amount.  As the damage becomes more lethal, the rumble becomes more intense.</p></blockquote><p>Learning a new raid mob and this would get annoying.  I'd want a way to turn it off entirely for that.</p>

[feldon30]

If there isn't already a /slash command to disable rumble (which could be added to your hotbar), one can probably be developed, right?

[Rothgar]

<p><cite>Lantis@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>I fail to see how developing this for 0.05% of the userbase is worth the time, but eh. </blockquote><p>Just as with Logitech G15 support, I did this in my own time.  No bugs went un-fixed as a result of this feature.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>If there isn't already a /slash command to disable rumble (which could be added to your hotbar), one can probably be developed, right?</blockquote><p>All features are configurable in options.  You can modify fan and rumble intensity all the way down to zero (disabled).</p>

[WikiView]

<p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Lantis@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>I fail to see how developing this for 0.05% of the userbase is worth the time, but eh. </blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Just as with Logitech G15 support, I did this in my own time.  No bugs went un-fixed as a result of this feature.  </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></span></p><p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>If there isn't already a /slash command to disable rumble (which could be added to your hotbar), one can probably be developed, right?</blockquote><p>All features are configurable in options.  You can modify fan and rumble intensity all the way down to zero (disabled).</p></blockquote><p>This right here is why Rothgar is the coolest dev ever... oh and why i added him to facebooK! <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Lantis@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>I fail to see how developing this for 0.05% of the userbase is worth the time, but eh. </blockquote><p>Just as with Logitech G15 support, I did this in my own time.  No bugs went un-fixed as a result of this feature.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>If there isn't already a /slash command to disable rumble (which could be added to your hotbar), one can probably be developed, right?</blockquote><p>All features are configurable in options.  You can modify fan and rumble intensity all the way down to zero (disabled).</p></blockquote><p>Awesome on first bit, if you can answer at least, did you use the public sdk or did you work with Tasker and the others?</p><p>[ edit / add ]</p><p>And of couse, have you tried the g19 yet?</p>

[Lantis]

<cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite><blockquote><p><cite>Lantis@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>I fail to see how developing this for 0.05% of the userbase is worth the time, but eh. </blockquote><p>Just as with Logitech G15 support, I did this in my own time.  No bugs went un-fixed as a result of this feature.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p> </p><p><cite>feldon30 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>If there isn't already a /slash command to disable rumble (which could be added to your hotbar), one can probably be developed, right?</blockquote><p>All features are configurable in options.  You can modify fan and rumble intensity all the way down to zero (disabled).</p><p> </p></blockquote> My apologies then. And kudos for your dedication to this game - I've seen you get involved in a lot of areas that were definitely above and beyond your duties at SOE, and I'm sure everyone here (at and SOE) appreciates it.

[Rothgar]

<p><cite>Reiella wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Awesome on first bit, if you can answer at least, did you use the public sdk or did you work with Tasker and the others?</p><p>[ edit / add ]</p><p>And of couse, have you tried the g19 yet?</p></blockquote><p>We're using their public amBX API.</p><p>I've been working with Logitech on getting a G19 but they've been going through some personnel changes which slowed things down.  I had hoped to have one last November but that didn't work out.  As soon as I can get my hands on one, I'll be looking at better support for the color LCD.</p>

[Delerium]

<p>I have amBX and it works in a ton of other games and is very very cool.  Reiella told me to not buy the rumble bar and fans because at the time no one really supported the extra calls.  I'll probably be getting them since EQ2 supports them now.</p><p>Definately if you do buy, don't bother with the speaker/lights combo.  Get just the lights + whatever else.  You can use your normal speakers/headset =).</p><p>If you want to talk about niche, I also have a Matrox TripleHead2Go digital which lets you run with 3 monitors at once as if it were 1 monitor.  So price a nice monitor then x3 the cost and maybe a tri-monitor stand depending on desktop space... Makes an amBX look pretty cheap =).  I can't use it in EQ2 because when I have it spanning 3 monitors, I'll get an INT OVERFLOW exception randomly throughout my play time. Not sure yet if its a Vista issue or not, but I know EQ2 supports the device/setup natively since last year.  Its probably because my resolution is higher than most use with it.</p><p>It also [Removed for Content] the fonts if I have my desktop running at 5040x1050 and the game running at 1680x1050, they are squished to 1/3rd the size =).  Works awesome in other games though, and when its not crashing, Eq2 at 5040x1050 is freaking awesome =).</p><p>All these little extras really add to a game like EQ2.  Maybe I need to buy one for Rothgar so he can fix my problem =p.</p>

[Rothgar]

<p><cite>Delerium wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Maybe I need to buy one for Rothgar so he can fix my problem =p.</p></blockquote><p>Haha!</p><p>We actually did some testing with the TripleHead2Go awhile back and didnt have any issues, but that was on XP.  Its highly probable that the memory management issues with Vista are amplified when your resolution is increased by such a large amount.</p><p>Hopefully Windows 7 will prove to be a more stable platform for EQII than Vista is.</p>

[Kalliand]

<p>I thought you were going to post a video? I'm really on the fence for this and would love to see how it plays with eq2 since this is the game play 99% of my time.</p><p>I'd like to see a couple zones in video that really show off the ambience you were talking about earlier.</p><p>Also, how demanding on your processor is this? I don't expect it to make any noticeable difference, but I also don't want to get it and take a big hit I didn't expect.</p>

[Famdari]

<p>First, I just wanted to say "Thank-You" to Rothgar for adding support for the system on his own time. </p><p>Second...  The lighting implementation is really cool.  I love the sunset / sunrise effects.  I did not have time to play test in a dungeon last night, and was wondering if the lighting picks up the dungeon atmosphere / torch lighting? </p><p>I have to agree with the other poster about the fans.  The default setting has them activiting a bit too early.  (Level 1 Human ranger with no buffs had them turning on full blast.)  I tend to turn the fans off anyhow, as they are just a bit too loud. </p><p>The rumblebar is cool for the damage taken.  I don't know if anyone else would concur, but I would love a setting in the UI to have the rumble option toggle between damage taken and damage given.  For example, on my Wizzy maybe I would rather have the bar rumble when I dish out damage (same threshold settings could work), rather then receive damage.  (Then that massive nuke I just dished out would be cool, as a wizzy should really not be getting hit.) </p><p>Thanks again, VERY cool!</p>

[Kalliand]

Rothgar is this where I should be making requests for feature changes/adds? I was thinking about it today and there are some things in game that make my subwoofer shake my desk and in game your screen shakes. The wizards Fission/Fusion, a very large creature walking nearby. Is it possible to tie the rumble bar into the system already set up to make your screen shake? I've felt it always really added to the game that my subwoofer would literally shake my desk because of how much bass it has, I'm sure many people would enjoy the rumble bar going off at those moments as well.

[bryldan]

<p>Just a question for those of you who have this. Around abouts how much money is it for the fans and the rumble? I do not of course need the speaks as I have a custom sound system for my comp.</p>

[Ariamithra]

<p>Its $180 on Amazon.com for the side lights and back light (which is the main component that everything else plugs into) and another $100 if you want the two fans and rumble bar.  Somewhere else might sell it for less.</p>

[Kalliand]

<p>From philips website it is much cheaper. 49.99 for three lights, 24.99 for the rumble/fans.</p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>Famdari wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>First, I just wanted to say "Thank-You" to Rothgar for adding support for the system on his own time.</p><p>Second...  The lighting implementation is really cool.  I love the sunset / sunrise effects.  I did not have time to play test in a dungeon last night, and was wondering if the lighting picks up the dungeon atmosphere / torch lighting?</p><p>I have to agree with the other poster about the fans.  The default setting has them activiting a bit too early.  (Level 1 Human ranger with no buffs had them turning on full blast.)  I tend to turn the fans off anyhow, as they are just a bit too loud.</p><p>The rumblebar is cool for the damage taken.  I don't know if anyone else would concur, but I would love a setting in the UI to have the rumble option toggle between damage taken and damage given.  For example, on my Wizzy maybe I would rather have the bar rumble when I dish out damage (same threshold settings could work), rather then receive damage.  (Then that massive nuke I just dished out would be cool, as a wizzy should really not be getting hit.)</p><p>Thanks again, VERY cool!</p></blockquote><p>If it's like Neriak, it picks up torches, but not the ambient light, since I'm guessing there's no sky-box acting as a psuedo lightsource.  Lightsources should still pick up].</p>

[Detor]

<p><cite>Lantis@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Now can we get some work done toward ditching Miles 2D and supporting something like OpenAL, so at least 50% of the playerbase can get accelerated audio? ALchemy is a workaround at best, and not sure how long it will take for it to work under Windows 7 64-bit (it doesn't). Seems to me it would be developper-time better spent. </blockquote><p>When I first read about it in the patch notes I kind of thought "Sound system" when I read Philips and amBX just sounds like something somebody would name some new sound engine. </p><p>I'd say Rothgar probably has one of these himself at home, thought it'd be cool for EQ2 to support it, so he programmed it on some time off because he personally wanted to have it work. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Quick, somebody send Rothgar a:</p><p><a href="http://home.novint.com/products/watch_demo.php?id=6" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://home.novint.com/products/wat...h_demo.php?id=6</a></p><p>And maybe also a:</p><p><a href="http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_prelude.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.auzentech.com/site/produ...-fi_prelude.php</a></p><p>I'd prefer of the two somebody send him a Novint Falcon though. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" /></p>

[mobocaster2]

<p>Picked up the starter kit for 39.99.</p><p>I am curious, does any one know if the fans can be purchased individually?</p><p>Thanks!</p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>mobocaster2 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Picked up the starter kit for 39.99.</p><p>I am curious, does any one know if the fans can be purchased individually?</p><p>Thanks!</p></blockquote><p>You can get the extension kit, which is Fans + Rumble Bar.  But if you're just looking for fans, you can't really without 3rd party market.  You don't have to plug in/use the rumble bar though.  As for where...  That is a very good question.  Can't find any vendor with them in the US myself.  I believe SGC6101BD/27 is the model #.</p>

[Errlan]

<p>TigerDirect is the listed US dealer.  Just the lights cost 39.99 & 18.00 for shipping.  My lights will be here this week  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Froed20]

<p><cite>Detor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Lantis@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Now can we get some work done toward ditching Miles 2D and supporting something like OpenAL, so at least 50% of the playerbase can get accelerated audio? ALchemy is a workaround at best, and not sure how long it will take for it to work under Windows 7 64-bit (it doesn't). Seems to me it would be developper-time better spent. </blockquote><p>When I first read about it in the patch notes I kind of thought "Sound system" when I read Philips and amBX just sounds like something somebody would name some new sound engine. </p><p>I'd say Rothgar probably has one of these himself at home, thought it'd be cool for EQ2 to support it, so he programmed it on some time off because he personally wanted to have it work. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Quick, somebody send Rothgar a:</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://home.novint.com/products/watch_demo.php?id=6" target="_blank">http://home.novint.com/products/wat...h_demo.php?id=6</a></p><p>And maybe also a:</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_prelude.php" target="_blank">http://www.auzentech.com/site/produ...-fi_prelude.php</a></p><p>I'd prefer of the two somebody send him a Novint Falcon though. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>I can easily see this with the Falcon:</p><p>"OMG, that's the 5th time you've evac'ed the main tank group from the raid.  [Removed for Content]?!"</p><p>"I got hit and it kicked me back over the button!!"</p><p> /em gets booted from raid</p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>Keeno@Blackburrow wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>TigerDirect is the listed US dealer.  Just the lights cost 39.99 & 18.00 for shipping.  My lights will be here this week  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>Ya, but can't find the extension kit at Tiger [or CompUSA].  Not just the lights, but the fans + rumblebar.  Without getting the kit that has the lights integrated into a USB speaker set.</p>

[Seolta]

<p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Lantis@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>I fail to see how developing this for 0.05% of the userbase is worth the time, but eh. </blockquote><p>Just as with Logitech G15 support, I did this in my own time.  No bugs went un-fixed as a result of this feature.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rothgar is one of the few ppl @ SOE who actually keep this game playable, can't blame him for assorted numbskullery beyond his control.</span></p></blockquote>

[theriatis]

<p>Hey,</p><p>i'm still waiting for a Play-Video of EQ2 with the Ambx <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Regards, theriatis.</p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>theriatis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Hey,</p><p>i'm still waiting for a Play-Video of EQ2 with the Ambx <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Regards, theriatis.</p></blockquote><p>Hehe, I'd make one myself at this point, but two factors really inhibit that.</p><p>My desk is a bloody mess.  And I don't have a camera <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.</p>

[Raetsel]

<p>I didn't know about amBx before reading the initial post about it getting implemented into EQ2. I watched the demo videos @ambx.com and said to myself -- I doesn't cost a fortune (here in Germany about 59EUR StarterKit and 29EUR fan/rumbler ExtKit) so just buy it.</p><p>I was trying to find a local retail store that sells it but had no luck, so I just ordered it at amazon.</p><p>According to postal tracking both units should arrive today :-)</p><p>I already cleaned up the mess on my desk so that I have a spot to place the lights.</p>

[Gungo]

<p>Share what you think about it. Iwould really like some player feedback on the overall effect this new system has on the game. Does it add to the games enjoyment and feel?</p>

[Rothgar]

<p>Sorry for the delay in responses guys.  I just got back from E3 after being gone all week.</p><p>I actually met with some of the amBX team at E3 who came over from the UK.  I have a couple of tweaks to make to the video before I can post it, but hopefully I'll have it posted very soon.</p><p>Also, we have a few fixes and adjustments to make to the amBX integration.  There's a possibility that we might not have enough time to make them for GU52.  If for some reason we cannot get the changes fully tested, we might delay the feature for a short time.   I'll keep you posted on the progress though.</p><p>Thanks!</p>

[Rothgar]

<p>It looks like we aren't going to be able to resolve all of our amBX issues before the GU52 cutoff so we are going to postpone it for now.  Hopefully it won't take too long to get it ready and we'll be able to include it in a future hotfix.</p>

[Efroma]

<p>hope this doesnt get forgot... i was really looking forward to finally getting to use this stuff in eq2.</p>

[Lorzus]

<p><cite>Efroma wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>hope this doesnt get forgot... i was really looking forward to finally getting to use this stuff in eq2.</p></blockquote><p>I hope so too <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>It looks like we aren't going to be able to resolve all of our amBX issues before the GU52 cutoff so we are going to postpone it for now.  Hopefully it won't take too long to get it ready and we'll be able to include it in a future hotfix.</p></blockquote><p>Looking forward to it.  Will be nice to have another game that actually is full support <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.</p>

[FAMarinecr]

<p>Got mine a couple weeks ago on Woot.com ! 90 bucks for the whole set.    Not to bad imo.</p><p>Rumbler makes my wrists sit VERY high so i dont use it.   Other than that. Worth the $.</p><p>Sounds is pretty good and the lights can get bright as hell if you want them.  Or you can turn them down a bit from a wheel on the side like the volume control.</p><p>So long as you dont mind a bunch more wires behind your desk then not a bad buy.</p><p> I use it on live atm and it works great. Best effects so far have been either looking into fire, torches or looking at the lava carpet. Or flying around KoS not to bad. It really doesnt have to much of an effect in the dark zones unless something bright happens or again lookin into light.  But the lights really react great.</p>

[Lowell_high]

<p><cite>Raetsel@Valor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I didn't know about amBx before reading the initial post about it getting implemented into EQ2. I watched the demo videos @ambx.com and said to myself -- I doesn't cost a fortune (here in Germany about 59EUR StarterKit and 29EUR fan/rumbler ExtKit) so just buy it.</p><p>I was trying to find a local retail store that sells it but had no luck, so I just ordered it at amazon.</p><p>According to postal tracking both units should arrive today <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>I already cleaned up the mess on my desk so that I have a spot to place the lights.</p></blockquote><p>Did you ever get it?  I had so much trouble ordering this with Amazon.  The website said in stock - I was charged and given a delivery date.  It never came and they never bothered to tell me into I inquired about it that it was actually Out of Stock.  It seems so difficult to find this in the US, there are only two retail stores that sell it in like Florida and some random state I forgot which).  I'm not sure if this is worth getting because no one seems to be selling it in the USA.  I really wanted it too.</p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>Jubilee@Nagafen wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Raetsel@Valor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I didn't know about amBx before reading the initial post about it getting implemented into EQ2. I watched the demo videos @ambx.com and said to myself -- I doesn't cost a fortune (here in Germany about 59EUR StarterKit and 29EUR fan/rumbler ExtKit) so just buy it.</p><p>I was trying to find a local retail store that sells it but had no luck, so I just ordered it at amazon.</p><p>According to postal tracking both units should arrive today <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>I already cleaned up the mess on my desk so that I have a spot to place the lights.</p></blockquote><p>Did you ever get it?  I had so much trouble ordering this with Amazon.  The website said in stock - I was charged and given a delivery date.  It never came and they never bothered to tell me into I inquired about it that it was actually Out of Stock.  It seems so difficult to find this in the US, there are only two retail stores that sell it in like Florida and some random state I forgot which).  I'm not sure if this is worth getting because no one seems to be selling it in the USA.  I really wanted it too.</p></blockquote><p>Ya, near as I can tell, ambx/philips has been letting the stock clear the channel.  From what I've been hearing on the ambx forums, we might see new bundles out, but that was the rumor from Q1, so *shrug*.  If   That said, try tigerdirect, while they are based out of Florida, they are primarily a web-front, and they appear to have starter kits at least in stock.</p>

[PakMonyet]

<p>bump....any word on progress getting this tech in-game?</p>

[Tuvogg]

<p>Noob moment here. I was redirected to this thread after googling AmBX in EQ2. Has this ever been implemented on live or is it still test server only?</p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>Obiadin@Splitpaw wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Noob moment here. I was redirected to this thread after googling AmBX in EQ2. Has this ever been implemented on live or is it still test server only?</p></blockquote><p>Not live yet, plan is part of a hotfix this GU though.  Time will tell, as always <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.</p>

[Rothgar]

<p>No additional progress on the few remaining amBX fixes.  Unfortunately I've been tied up with GU52 bug fixes.  Hopefully soon though.</p>

[Josgar]

<p>im anxious too. This looks like it could be really cool.</p>

[PakMonyet]

<p>you da man, Rothgar!</p>

[Lowell_high]

<p>Any update on this?  Im really anxious to use mine.</p>

[Wulfborne]

<p>Aye, still hoping to see a video here too. Even if it's not officially in game yet, I'd like to see what's in the works.</p>

[Rothgar]

<p><cite>Jubilee@Nagafen wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Any update on this?  Im really anxious to use mine.</p></blockquote><p>Still have a few things to finish up before we can push it to the live servers.</p>

[PakMonyet]

<p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; color: #ff0000;"><strong>ROTHGAR!! ROTHGAR!! ROTHGAR!!</strong></span></p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Jubilee@Nagafen wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Any update on this?  Im really anxious to use mine.</p></blockquote><p>Still have a few things to finish up before we can push it to the live servers.</p></blockquote><p>Hehe, so guess we're looking more at gu53 than a hotfix now?  Still ok [obviously <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />] just looking forward to it.</p>

[Rothgar]

<p><cite>Reiella wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Jubilee@Nagafen wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Any update on this?  Im really anxious to use mine.</p></blockquote><p>Still have a few things to finish up before we can push it to the live servers.</p></blockquote><p>Hehe, so guess we're looking more at gu53 than a hotfix now?  Still ok [obviously <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />] just looking forward to it.</p></blockquote><p>Unfortunately I won't be able to guarantee GU53 either.  There are some contract issues that our legal department is working on with amBX before we can ship their API with EverQuest II.  Hopefully it won't take them long because the code is ready to go.  When I have more info, I'll let you know.</p>

[Lorzus]

<p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Reiella wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Jubilee@Nagafen wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Any update on this?  Im really anxious to use mine.</p></blockquote><p>Still have a few things to finish up before we can push it to the live servers.</p></blockquote><p>Hehe, so guess we're looking more at gu53 than a hotfix now?  Still ok [obviously <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />] just looking forward to it.</p></blockquote><p>Unfortunately I won't be able to guarantee GU53 either.  There are some contract issues that our legal department is working on with amBX before we can ship their API with EverQuest II.  Hopefully it won't take them long because the code is ready to go.  When I have more info, I'll let you know.</p></blockquote><p>Dang legal issues always gotta ruin the fun <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2e207fad049d4d292f60607f80f05768.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Ahh well keep up with the awesome job of bringing in freatures like this, even if they are for a small audience we do appreciate them, and the time you put into them! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Reiella]

<p><cite>Rothgar wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Unfortunately I won't be able to guarantee GU53 either.  There are some contract issues that our legal department is working on with amBX before we can ship their API with EverQuest II.  Hopefully it won't take them long because the code is ready to go.  When I have more info, I'll let you know.</p></blockquote><p>Thank you for what you have told us, and for the work you have done for it already.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Galean]

<p>Any update to this roth?</p>

[Gadge]

<p>Wondering the same thing - any chance it will hit the December update? Thx.</p>

[theriatis]

<p>Hi,</p><p>ok, bought mine today - not just for EQ2, but for a price i could not resist.For 59€ it was nearly a steal, thanks ebay <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I'm really eager to see what the One-Hit-Deaths i have will do with the Rumble-Pack <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Regards, theriatis.</p>

[Gadge]

<p>The lawyers seem to have lapsed into a coma. Does anyone use it even though it does not have native support... I am wondering if is worth getting or not for EQ2.</p><p>Thanks.</p>

[Loendar]

<p>Whatever happened to this?</p><p>I purchase an Ambx system (that I had never even heard of before reading it in a Rothgar posting) and have been patiently waiting for actual 'real' support for it.  Is that going to happen or should I be annoyed that I was suckered? ;p</p><p>I have yet to purchase a game that REALLY supports it and I would love to have it work as designed instead of ambient lighting that sorta fits ....</p>

[Xarous]

<p>Any news on this, just received my ambx lights, and hoping that they'll do something nice in EQ2</p>

[Gargamel]

<p>Last update was like 9 months ago and at that time Rothgar said the code was ready to go, but was waiting on some legal issue to allow them to include the API within eq2 before it could be moved live.</p><p>And that was it... pretty lame if you ask me that 'lawers' can hold this up for so long, I wouldn't be surprised if someone dropped the ball and nobody was even aware that they were supposed to be doing anything on this.</p><p>Since Rothgar and Sony are ignoring this for so long, perhaps if we bother ambx with some questions, it might get the ball rolling again. </p>

[Gargamel]

<p>I'm not buying the 'legal issue' excuse at this point TBH... I checked their website and there is a TON of games offically supported, heck in their forums people even posted that starcraft 2's beta is supported.  There can't be something 'special' about eq2 that makes them impossible to release while all these games (some crapply little no name games) have.</p><p><a href="http://www.ambx.com/wiki/List_of_compatible_games">http://www.ambx.com/wiki/List_of_compatible_games</a></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: #ffffff; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></p>

[Jaremai]

<p>Maybe its not a legal thing, but a license fee that SOE doesn't want to pay.  That would mean the suits/accountants are stopping it, not the lawyers.</p>

[Gargamel]

<p>I don't know looking at some of the super low budget games I'm not sure they have any fee at all (or its nominal if they do)</p><p>I mean in this case they want people to buy the hardware so they'd want support to be as broad as possible.  </p><p>Its not like cyrsis or unreal game engines that require publishers to pay to use.  In that case it'd more like NVidia making game publishers pay for a game to run on their cards in addition to ATI.</p>

[Xarous]

<p>Everquest 2 is now being shipped with the new Mad Catz Ambx kit as one of the free games that's full compatible with Ambx.</p><p>Anyone know what SOE's take is on that?</p>