The Ultimate Battlefield 3 Simulator

If you thought your super future proof gaming rig, 42” 3D TV or incredible 5.1 surround sound system all contribute toward you having the best Battlefield 3 setup in history, then think again my bejewelled friend because The Gadget Show have revealed the ultimate gaming setup. The “Ultimate Battlefield 3 Simulator” makes gamers’ dreams an incredible reality, read on for a look at the incredible machine.

Until now, the idea of a simulator or virtual reality that actually makes you feel as though you are within a game has been the work of gaming fan-fiction. Well not any more, as Channel 5’s The Gadget Show (that’s in the UK by the way) has visited a machine that is built specifically to replicate the actual experience of being in a warzone. With Battlefield 3 as the "programme" of choice, the simulator features a horde of bells and whistles all aimed to create a dauntingly life-like gaming experience. Oh and before we get into the details, yes, you do get shot . . . by paintballs.

The simulator is essentially a 360 degree dome, which has an image projected on to the sides by five HD projectors that move the image depending on which way the player is facing. Building from this, the player holds a responsive, wireless weapon that is used to aim and fire like your standard infantry weapon, although hopefully, less heavy. An Omni-directional treadmill is used to create the effect of walking and running through the environment, while a combination of surround sound and ambient lighting hammer the realism home.

As the small trailer for the show displayed already, it’s clear that Jason Bradbury (the GS presenter) feels the full effect of the simulator, claiming that “it’s so scary” and that “it’s completely real”.  We’ll assume he wasn’t playing the console beta then. As well as all this techno wizardry, the device uses a rather crude, yet painfully effective, method for creating that life like "shot in the leg" feeling. The dome contains paintball guns that fire in conjunction with enemy fire. No more kamikaze runs then?

The Battlefield 3 Ultimate Simulator will be shown in its full glory on the 24^th of November only on The Gadget show in the UK. I’ll be watching and be bringing you the latest news from the reveal. Until then, you can check out the trailer for the simulator below; also, be sure to check out our Battlefield 3 Preview. We know we’ll never get to play with this kind of kit, but at least we get the great game which lands October 25^th (US), 27^th (AUS), 28^th (UK) on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Dim lights

For news, reviews, previews and updates on your favorite games, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Have something to say? Duke it out in the GamerGaia forums, leave a comment below, or connect with other gamers and start your own blog using MyBlog, GamerGaia's new social networking feature.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites