Flight of the Falcon: Tech-Gaming Reviews 3D Input Technology


Last week, the kind representatives at Novint Technologies sent us a limited edition Falcon to conduct our review of the unique 3D controller. After posting a preview of the input device a few weeks ago, we received a number of comments and emails from fans of the device, each mentioning how much they loved the revolutionary device. With the Falcon in our offices, it was time to see if this peripheral could meet our expectations.

Once we opened the box, we found the Falcon Controller with two interchangeable knobs, an AC adapter, a USB Cable, an installation disk, Newton’s Monkey Business disk, and a user manual.  The main unit was packaged with enough styrofoam insulation to withstand nearly any abuse a postal courier could inflict. 


Upon unpacking, we took notice of the Falcon’s revolutionary design. Unlike 2D mice, which merely have a horizontal and vertical axis, the Falcon moves along those two planes while also allowing for movement away/toward the player. Players hold one of the quickly transposable knobs, which are just slightly larger than a ping-pong ball. On each knob are four, small buttons that give a satisfying click when depressed.

Installing the software was a snap, which took about two minutes in both Windows XP and Vista. Newton’s Monkey Business Mini Games took seven minutes to install on our midrange system. Novint’s main application launcher, N Vent, conveniently downloaded and automatically patched the software and we were on our way.  This front end launcher allows users to download games as well, although perplexingly, players use the mouse to navigate through the menu system, not the Falcon controller.


The first title we tried was Feelin’ It: Top Pin Bowling. After stating the game, we moved our virtual hand toward the ball return and clicked. Then we felt it- amazingly, the Falcon conveyed the weight on the ball. All skepticism we had had of the controller was immediately erased. By giving force-feedback resistance to the two lower arms of the controller, we immediate felt the sensation of the bowling ball’s mass. After a few games, we encountered our first software glitch- at the beginning of a frame, some of the pins were inexplicably missing from the typical ten-pin setup.

We moved on to Newton’s Monkey Business, a collection of twenty four mini-games, which range from shooting, basketball, fishing and baseball. Mad Sam’s Shootout was our first choice; a simplistic shooting gallery that showed off the peripheral’s capability of force-feedback jolts. Firing at onscreen targets gave the player a satisfying, and realistic kick.


Next,we tried Haptic-Life 2, the Half-Life 2 mod that expertly integrates Falcon control into the popular first person shooter. After a brief fifteen minute learning curve, we were engaged in the title like never before- gun recoil felt much more realistic that the typical force-feed ‘buzz’ on current controllers. Items carried weight, and jolts were given when the player ran into walls. Overall, it was a completely engrossing experience and made going back to playing Half-Life without the Falcon completely lifeless.

Overall, we found the build quality of the controller to be exceptional. The plastic is high quality; the molding shows no imperfections and all joints are well constructed.  While the included software was functional, it felt a bit laggy on our midrange system- a processor of at least 2.4 GHz is highly recommended to aid in the felling of immersion. On our higher end systems, we found the software ran exponentially better. Haptic-Life 2 was a different story- it ran perfectly on all CPUs and was the perfect showcase for the peripheral.

For FPS’s, the Falcon adds a level of input and feedback that is unmatched by any other controller on the market. If players have the money and the desk space to accommodate the unit’s large footprint, we highly recommend the controller.

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Posted by DesertEagle at 7/1/2008 12:24 PM
Categories: PC,Technology,Reviews
 

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