Get shot and feel it with 3rd Space FPS Vest

  • By TomM_GScom, GameSpot
  • Posted Oct 23, 2007 12:41 pm PT

The nice thing about storming the shores of Normandy or confronting a host of merciless aliens in a game is that getting riddled with bullets doesn't actually result in the player's death. But why play a game if there's no punishment for failure? Luckily, gamers will now have a chance to feel the...

The nice thing about storming the shores of Normandy or confronting a host of merciless aliens in a game is that getting riddled with bullets doesn't actually result in the player's death. But why play a game if there's no punishment for failure? Luckily, gamers will now have a chance to feel the impact of those deadly rounds with TN Games' new force-feedback 3rd Space FPS Vest.

Using TN Games' proprietary "impact-generating" technology, the vest is equipped with eight embedded pneumatic cells which lend a real-world jolt to the in-game ordnance that strike home. The cells are calibrated to mimic the direction and force of projectiles, and TN Games notes that the vest can also be used for "a wide array of sensory experiences, from crushing explosions to fear-inducing finger taps on the gamers' shoulders."

When it goes on sale November 21, the 3rd Space FPS Vest will come bundled with TN Games' multiplayer first-person shooter Incursion, as well as a vest-compatible version of Activision's Call of Duty II. The bundle can be preordered through the company's Web site for $189.00, though the site currently has the item discounted to $169.00. The vest is compatible with Windows XP "or higher," and TN Games had not responded to whether a console version was in development as of press time.

TN Games claims the vest will also work with id Software's Quake 3, Quake 4, and Doom 3 through free software patches. It is available in three colors: camo, black, and pink, presumably for the ladies.

188 Comments

  • eleedir

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 8:35 am PT

    The Gaming Vest is now on sale. I've seen it for only $154 at http://www.fpsvest.com. Also, I've heard the the xBox and Playstation versions will be out by Christmas 2008.

  • crulend

    Posted Nov 2, 2007 4:30 pm PT

    It's a good thing it's pneumatic and not electric. Can you imagine if it was damaged and something short circuited? Might get "shot" for real..

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 1:30 pm PT

    Just if it doesn't hurt like an actual bullet.

  • geekgrl

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 10:10 am PT

    Seattle/Tacoma area gamers: You can now try this yourselves as of Thursday November 1. Message me and I can tell you what locations they will be at.

  • veni-vidi-vici

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 6:58 pm PT

    WHOA. AWESOME.

  • membernametaken

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 11:59 am PT

    Driving games have wheels with force feedback.

    Why can't FPSs have vests that do the same? Sweet idea and i'm sure if it's marketed right, it could do well. At least, with hardcore FPSers.

  • ebookerd1

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 10:43 am PT

    I wonder if they could integrate it with a 360 ????

  • ebookerd1

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 10:40 am PT

    They way I die in Halo 3 that thing might kill me!! LOL

  • Masterui

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 7:31 am PT

    Now we can really die while we play, and we'll have a better reason not to get shot

  • powerframe8

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 5:48 am PT

    gimme console versionn

  • ttttoooogggg

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 3:46 pm PT

    "Is this thing safe?"

    A very valid question, GenericFanboy.

  • need_id07

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 12:00 pm PT

    while it is a cool concept, I just don't see it being very comfortable to suit up and then sit down on the couch, something like this would lend itself to laser tag, or at the very least a game with a light gun where you stand in front of the screen.

  • KingKoop

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 8:59 am PT

    Sounds good, I hope it takes off unlike the Pyramat Sound Rocker.

  • Gigglefitz

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 6:59 am PT

    Vest + Wiimote + Wii balance board = most immersive gaming EVER!!

  • celark

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 6:15 am PT

    This with WIi boxing would be amazing

  • Lumenadducere

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 4:38 am PT

    I think it's a great step in the right direction, though I wonder how much people are going to start liking it when they actually feel pain from playing games.

    The horror elements that could be tied to this are great, though. Imagine playing through FEAR or Doom 3 with the "finger-tapping" enabled, so at various points you'd feel the tap suddenly and get startled, or turn around to see something that scares the ever-loving nutterbutters out of you.

  • ryan_bow_100

    Posted Oct 25, 2007 3:06 am PT

    One step closer to virtual reality!

  • 1357900

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 9:42 pm PT

    Scratch that, I have a friend who hunts, & he's not a redneck. Further, I'm not a hunter but I've been told by my people who do, that the restrictions on hunting are extremely terrible.

    But, really, this device may make people feel like they're in some bizarre lab experiment. I just thought, LOL, colleges could use this in psyhc classes, on the students, or professors. Seriously now, Y'know, I just relized, this devce could actually get used by sadistic weirdos; force people to wear it. *sarcastic*-> School guidance counselors should have one to make behavior problem student feel pain when they mis-behave. The idea does have merit, for thearoputic, and/or mendicinal purposes outside the gameing realm. Just needs to be explored.

  • 1357900

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 9:31 pm PT

    This idea sucks! I can imagine a court case now:
    Plaintif: Well, judge, I was playing Halo online next to my open second story window, someone got a leg up on me, & the force feedback from the vest I was wearing threw me out the window...
    Judge: That just proves you suck at Halo.
    Seriously now, Jack-O-Lantern Thompson definitely will have a field day about this, especially when the vest causes injury, or worse death, and news of such reaches the public, from the shock to the heart, wheather, or not the device is fuctioning properly, or not. Not to mention, if the vest actually shocks people. Does it have it's own battery? Lithium Ion cells can't take extreme heat, w/out malfunctioning. And plugging yourself into a wall outlet is just plain stupid, & makes you look just as stupid. Like those static mats for computer techs. I don't enjoy pain. I'm not disgruntled, either. I know how they can advertise this: Now you too, can look like Marty McFly. Or a total moron! But yeah, the lady in red{Not a word!} is hot. I'd buy the vest if she came in it. Ya know what? This would be awesome for all those idiot redneck deer avenger type games; Make hunters afraid to go in the woods.

  • Cowmanik

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 7:31 pm PT

    Well I guess it beats going to Detroit to feel being shot is like.

  • dennis8

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 7:11 pm PT

    this is awesome... imagine playing resident evil and you can actually feel a simulated heartbeat everytime a door creaks open ..... grrr... too bad my wallet cant compete with the price...

  • Dylanius

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 7:03 pm PT

    DANE COOK. Dont get your ass kicked by your games.

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 6:29 pm PT

    LOL

  • KamuiFei

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 6:20 pm PT

    This has lawsuit written all over it...

  • cheezlarson

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 6:15 pm PT

    They need a headband thing for when people get headshots on you.

  • athletesfoot

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 4:55 pm PT

    Would people really wear this while sitting in front of their computers?

  • Daemon_X_

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 4:45 pm PT

    SWEET!!!!

  • MysticDynamite

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:26 pm PT

    Interesting vest, but I won't buy it. Part of the reason is because I hate physical pain.

  • solaris1979

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 10:52 am PT

    As much as this sounds good on paper.. I'd rather join a round of paint ball..

  • Get_Shorty

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 10:11 am PT

    I'll take the pink one.... the girl wearing pink that is

  • mariomusicmaker

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 9:47 am PT

    Yea we all saw this comming eventualy in 93 with the arcade version of doom 2 where you push the tred mill, HEY what if there was a vest that makes you feel the hits?! WELL NOW WE GOT IT! my child hood dreams came true!

  • Space-Q

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 9:47 am PT

    when does the matching helmet come out? FYI- If anyone gets one of these they are never getting laid ever again.

  • Grouchu

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 9:23 am PT

    Sounds like a very interesting idea.

  • sieg6529

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 9:10 am PT

    That's a lot of money for some good vibrations.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 9:07 am PT

    Wearing this when you play videogames is really not the best way to look attractive to the opposite sex.

  • ftjx

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 8:41 am PT

    I want one for my Wii(the console)

  • plm3d_basic

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 8:28 am PT

    A rumble mouse would be pretty cool for FPS.

  • ele975

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 7:57 am PT

    But what happens if we get hit by a exploding bullet?

  • Proman84

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 7:02 am PT

    Cool idea! They should come up with a new standard to make it work with all newer games.

  • soulsearch11

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 6:41 am PT

    gzaneski AWESOMESSSSS!!!! Now I can brag to everyone that I was "shot".

    Tell me about it...."....yeah man, I got shot 58 times yesterday. Hurt like hell but I took it like a man."

  • THEMOD3158

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 6:17 am PT

    this definitely sounds cool, but $170? i'll wait for a significant price drop before i even consider it

  • Calmed_Fury

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 5:32 am PT

    very interesting item

  • Witchsight

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 5:32 am PT

    Call me when they have the underwear

  • yukine

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 4:23 am PT

    Meh, I had something very similar for my SNES back in the day.

  • Devvy01

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 1:44 am PT

    surely there are better things to be developing?

  • chupamelpo

    Posted Oct 24, 2007 12:36 am PT

    MAN, THIS 5UCK5!!! Now every one will be dieying to get shoot. I can imagine now, a bunch of idi0ts standing waiting to get shoot.

  • NotNotNotALoser

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 11:42 pm PT

    This is great! One of my biggest disappointments in life is that the highest caliber bullet I have been hit with was a 9 mm. Now I can feel the full impact of .50 BMG!

    Anyway, the thing is that getting shot is different for everyone. Merely feeling a push isn't something that one is likely to experience. Some people don't even realize at the time that they've been hit. I would tell you that it feels like a burning rod of pain being shoved under your skin, but a buddy would tell you the only thing he felt was the surprise of seeing his wounds.

  • whitey3221

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 10:31 pm PT

    cool concept the cost should come down eventually. My main question is does it actually hurt you, because although I like the realism aspect I still don't want to get hurt playing games.

  • jazilla

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 9:43 pm PT

    that is awesome. i just wouldn't spend $170 on something that works with 4 to 5 games. awesome concept though.

  • V-Nine

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 8:34 pm PT

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