Rumbling - Gimmick or Game Enhancer?

[NeoZeedeater]

Do you think force feedback enhances games or is just a gimmick?

I think it does enhance gaming. Whether it's crashing a car, or a sudden explosion in a cut-scene, or something like the tug from dragging Yorda around in Ico, it adds to the immersion.

[Damian79]

Do you think force feedback enhances games or is just a gimmick?

I think it does enhance gaming. Whether it's crashing a car, or a sudden explosion in a cut-scene, or something like the tug from dragging Yorda around in Ico, it adds to the immersion.

Most of it is just a gimmick and sometimes even annoying. Though there are some games that use it properly.

[Zerodash]

Psycho Mantis proved how awesome the rumble feature can be. And don't forget the "Stone of Agony" (?) thing from Zelda OOT...it vibrated when hidden loot was near- very cool.

[Diff-chan]

Gimmick. The first thing I do when I turn a game on is go to the Options Menu and turn it off.

[bishop]

About the only time I thought it was cool was when I was wearing boxers and layed the controller in my lap during a cutscene not knowing their was going to be an explosion with some intense rumbling.

[George]

I dunno...most of the time I barely notice it. But if I turn it off, I definitely notice it's GONE. I guess it's one of those subconscious deals. Just another step towards the effect of "being there."

[Cheebs]

Gimmik. I always turn the damn thing off.

[EightBit]

I like it, and I think it can add alot to a game. Often though, game designers use it in a gimmiky way. Since most game designers dont give a rats ass about the game as a whole, they just use it for the most base things like explosions and crashes. Yay for them I suppose. I like being lazy on the job aswell. Rez is esspecially enveloping with the rumble.

[James]

Gimmick for me. Even the Rez trancevibrator get ignored once I really start gaming, I tend to tune it out just as I tune out most outside distractions once I start gaming. It's a neat idea and can be used well, but 95% of the time I ignore it. I never turn it off, though.

James

[MechDeus]

Enhances on some, not nessecary but nice for a lot. Rez and SP5p2 use it damned well (although they do cheat a bit with the trancevibrator) although I probably wouldn't truly care if it hadn't been for MGS. MGS was and still is the essential game that truly takes advantage of and shows what rumble can truly do. From using it to show distance and speed of the helicoptor in the opening to triggering at just the right amount during every appropiate moment, MGS without rumble feels like it's missing something. Playing it on PC without the rumble makes it seem more detached, almost hollow. It really gave an extra feeling.

Although nothing else has come even close to matching that.