Interviews

Ultimate Gaming Chair offers new experience for console play

By Michael Lafferty

 

“This chair fits any gamers needs now”

 

In the world of peripheral devices, gamers have been treated to a wide array of joysticks, gamepads, steering wheels, dance pads, and the like. But little has been done to enhance the primary piece of peripheral gear that most gamers use – the chair.

 

At E3 2004, some companies where showing off the latest designs for steering-wheel cockpits, snowboards that allow you to experience the realism of carving down a mountainside, as well as other peripherals. Then there was Ultimate Game Chair – a company that is dedicated to providing the most complete seating experience on the market.

 

At its core, the UGC is a pillowtop leather recliner, equipped with 12 motors throughout the chair to provide feedback from any console game a player may be experiencing. Add to that speakers set up near the headrest, and controllers split apart and placed at the end of each armrest and you have the notion of a completely different kind of seating experience.

 

 

Richard Florez, of Ultimate Game Chair, LLC, talked with GameZone.com about this rather comfortable way to ease into your favorite game.

 

Question: In the world of peripherals, where everything is about the latest gamepad or wheel or even a joystick ergonomically designed for comfort - why enter the chair market? What need did you see out there and how do you feel you are filling that need?  

 

Rich: The technology of gaming becomes more sophisticated by the minute and we wanted to capitalize on the great work of the leaders in gaming technology but focus on delivering the gaming experience.   Little competition combined with our design and production experience made it a winning business proposition.  If you really look at the "game chair" options on the market today we did not see anything out there that compares to ours, you see we designed our controllers around the comfort of the chair and we believe once you try it you’re hooked.  You don't have to wake up sore after hours of late-night playing  I can’t go back to playing Halo on the couch – “ no way!"

 

Q: There have been other chairs on the market, like the Battlechair, that surround the player with sound and send vibrations from the game - albeit in the form of sound and bass reverberations - to them. What makes your chair unique?

 

Rich: We are not using the audio and here is why.  To us it distracts the player from the actual action in the game.  We tapped into the effects your games are using and placed them strategically into our design.  We spoke with several game developers at the E3 show that would like to re-release past favorites as better enhanced UGC special editions.  We believe this puts UGC in a category alone.

 

Q: What kind of speakers does this chair use, and how is the chair configured to amplify that surround-sound concept?

 

Rich: In our current design (which is being upgraded to offer 5.1) we are using the stereo output and amplifying it through Logitech's Z-640 satellite speakers.

 

Q: This chair is available for the console systems. How does it hook up? Does it require special software? How are the controllers at the end of the armrests configured? Could more than one chair be hooked into a system? At the present each chair is specific to each console. 

 

Rich:  When the production hits mid-summer we should be compatible with X-box, PS2 & GameCube, and we should also be wireless as any other controller out today.  You will however have to plug in the power converter to obtain the 12v DC needed for the effects & audio.  Our controllers are similar the x box/ps2 controllers.  Our lead developer, Ken Real, in his first designs wanted to "split a controller in half" and give the gamer comfort and ergonomics while playing but not losing the familiarity with the controller layout he or she is familiar with.  You can treat each chair as you would any controller and hook them up in the same ways that your current platform allows you to.

 

Q: Tell us a little about the accoutrements of the chair. Is this an intrusive piece of furniture? How long are the wires to hook this up to the console? You spoke about going wireless with this chair - is there a time frame on that? Is this chair so comfortable that people are likely to find their favorite gamers asleep in this chair the next morning, game blaring in the background?

 

Rich: The wires for hookup are currently the same length as an existing controller, around 9'.  Again we are going wireless so you need to have a convenient plug or extension cord.  The UGC is comfortable, but sleeping in it?  No way!  It increases your heart rate as well as making you break into a sweat as your game heats up, I know from experience.  Medal of Honor made me scream out loud, when you first see "the flood" in Halo, Ken and myself almost flipped the chair over backwards in our rush to retreat, pushing both controllers as far away then reclining as much as possible we continued to retreat by sliding the chair backwards across the floor until we hit something then almost flipping onto our backsides.  It's really a great experience!  But fall asleep? No.  You can however experience all of the action I just mentioned,  but at a very low volume.  This gives you a great simulated surround sound effect with your speakers right next to each ear, you hear thing around you as they are moving around you, cars planes enemy bugs, et cetera.  UGC does not have to disrupt all conversations while you are playing,  The rest of you family outside the game can't hear much of the action.  But you can crank it up!

 

Q: The next iteration of this chair will be for the PC. In a conversation we had, you spoke of options for the control functions. Can you elaborate - what controllers are you working on, and will they be interchangeable?

 

Rich: I'm sorry but I can't elaborate at this time. I would be happy to notify you when the time comes.

 

Q: is there a certain type of game that this chair is best suited for, or do you feel that it fits any gamer's needs?

 

Rich: This chair fits any gamers needs now and with the mods and accessories we have planned for the end of year and 05....well,things can only get better.