Wondering how goes progress on Ben Heck's one-handed controller for the PlayStation 3? The modder has announced that those interested can now pre-order a copy of this unit, which is currently being prepared for distribution by eDimensional. Further details are available in the full article.

We've seen customized game controllers, heavily modded controllers, and even ones that look like coin-op arcade controllers, but we're pretty sure we've seen nothing like this one here.

Independent game accessory designer Benjamin J. Heckendorn (a.k.a. Benheck in the gamers' circle), designed a controller exclusively for one-handed use. The PlayStation 3 console prototype controller has all the features a standard controller has and is configured for either handiness.

Called the "Access Controller", this is the second prototype designed by Benheck. Its biggest draw is the fact that the five button area placements are interchangeable for either left or right-handed preferences. It's also possible to switch them around to optimize its layout on a game-by-game basis.

Here are some images of the Access Controller in action, as well as views of it from different angles:

    

Innovative design indeed. Just how practical this new controller will be is yet to be seen. The unit is currently in pre-production for manufacturing through eDimensional.com. For the Microsoft fans out there, a Xbox 360 version of the Access Controller is also in the making.

If you're interested in getting one of these units, then you can click the Via link below for the details on how to order them through email.

A couple of months ago, mod meister Ben Heckendorn (aka Ben Heck) hinted on a new product he was developing in tandem with accessory manufacturer e-Dimensional. The guessing game ends today, with Ben Heck spilling the beans what he's been up to all this time - ladies and gents, we present the  Audio FX Pro 5+1 Headset.

The headset includes a 40s-style exterior for an additional retro feel, and full-sized ear cups to ensure that no outside noise interrupts the wearer's gaming sessions. What grabs our attention the most, however, is the unit's force feedback rumble feature.

This will allow gamers to "feel" low-frequency ambient sounds, which improves your game's immersiveness... and sounds like a good way to get a massage (or a migraine).

The Audio FX Pro 5+1 Headset will connect to your PC's USB port (Possible PS3/Xbox 360 compatibility?), and is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. 

That's the rough on this 80-dollar head piece - Full tech details should be available in the box pictures below, and over at Ben Heck's site (the source link).

 

 

Yes, and how much heck could Ben Heckendorn heck if Ben Heck could heck heck? The Master of Mod has united with eDimensional to offer a new, inspired-by-the-hardcore gamer product. And they won't say a thing about it. Not a darned thing. They'll never tell.

No. They're so mean they want you to guess what the hell - er, heck it is.

The Read link below takes you to the contest website, What the Heck?!, where you will find where to send your guesses to eDimensional, in the hopes of winning a free signed copy of WhateverTheHeckItIs from eDimensional. One guess per person, per day (no spamming, in other words).

So what the heck is it?! (Fine, the silhouette kind of resembles a 360, but it could also be a red herring, a decoy). A laptop? Deceptive controllers? An actual analog stick for a portable?

Christmas is just around the corner, and as we're getting ready with arranging decorations, drawing up shopping lists, preparing the tons 'o food, and practicing for our game pwning session with our buds (guilty as charged!), let's take another step into the holiday spirit, and see what we can do for our fellowmen/gamer.

We just picked up this news that games accessories manufacturer eDimensional donated a total of US$ 5,000 in PC accessories and 3D movies, putting eDimensional in the Platinum sponsors group of Child's Play.

Founded back in 2003, Child's Play is a Seattle-based, gamer-run international organization that sponsors a yearly toy donation program for children's hospitals. It's run by the guys behind the Penny Arcade web comic.

Child’s Play coordinator Kristin Lindsay had this to say about the donations: "The eDimensional donation will raise money towards toys, games and other items for Children’s Hospitals all over the world, to bring a little brightness to a sick child this winter. When gamers give back, it makes a big difference."

Like we said, given the bad flak we've been getting collectively as gamers (pick your stereotype), maybe it's about time we let the dudes know that we love our fun, we'd love to share the gaming experience with a new friend, like what the dudes over at ScrewAttack just pulled off with their PS3.

eDimensional is taking PC and PS2 gaming to next-gen level with its new wireless G-Pad Pro Gyroscopic Gamepad with VRMS (Virtual Reality Motion Sensing) technology. G-Pad Pro features intuitive and precise motion sensing technology, which can be adjusted on-the-fly to individual gaming style, as well as various types of games. The controller's multiple axis provides four additional control options in 3D space, giving gamers smoother, more dynamic ability to control in-game action.

The G-Pad Pro, according to eDimensional, is the only motion-sensing gamepad that offers force feedback officially licensed from Immersion. The feedback combined with the motion-sensing capability simulates a genuine next-generation gaming experience and more immersive gameplay. eDimensional calls it next-generation technology at the price of an ordinary third-party controller. Something to keep gamers occupied while waiting for the PS3 and Wii.

The G-Pad Pro wired controller is currently available for US$ 29.95 only through eDimensional's website (link below) until end of November but will be offered through worldwide retail later.

Remember we once talked about eDimensional's G-Pad having motion tilt sensors and rumble technology? Well, here's a video of it in action.

Are your more 'elite' friends making fun of you when you tend to tilt your body left and right when playing, especially when you're new at driving or flying games? Well, this controller turns all that body-tilting into an advantage.

While this is a nice controller for PS2 users, what's more interesting is that this MAY BE a preview of the next-gen experience. You see, Immersion Corporation, the company that granted eDimensonal the patent for the advanced vibro-tactile technology has had a very interesting history with Sony.

Immersion had once sued sony for allegedly stealing the rumble technology present in earlier PlayStation controllers. Given that Sony seems like they're warming up to a company that has sued them for millions as evidenced by the fact that they immediately removed the Rumble Technology in their old controllers, it may be safe to speculate that this technology will be seen in the PS3.

If console wars are to be considered an actual battle among the triad of gaming industry, then it's only apt for each to gather as much ammo they could muster. Nintendo Wii has the revolutionary Wiimote (and a cheaper tagprice), Microsoft's Xbox 360 has a well-established online feature with its Xbox Live! (and pretty good headstart), and Sony's PS3 is promising to have the complete package.

Immersion, the same company that sued Sony for allegedly stealing the rumble technology present to earlier PlayStation controllers, has just granted eDimensional a patent license for advanced vibro-tactile. The said technology is aimed for PC and Sony PlayStation and PlayStation 2 gaming peripherals. While it may be noticeable that the PS3 is not mentioned among them, it's not actually farfetched to assume that the feature could be infused to Sony's upcoming next-gen machine.

eDimensional will now include Immersion's TouchSense tactile feedback technology along with next-generation, virtual-reality motion-sensing in the upcoming G-Pad Pro Gyroscopic Game Pad designed for use with a PC or with the Sony PlayStation 2 game console. It's worth noting that Sony has removed the rumble feature in its PS3's controller claiming that the said technology is messing up the controllers motion- and tilt-sensing capability.

However, Victor Viegas of Immersion Corporation has openly announced before that "Immersion has experts that would be happy to solve that problem for them" thus signifying possibilities of merging the features. Mark Belinsky, Immersion vice president of marketing strategy even claimed that "adding eDimensional as an Immersion licensee means that we're supporting the combination of touch feedback along with motion sensing. Together, these technologies define what most gamers would call 'next-generation,' and we're pleased to be working with eDimensional to make it happen."

If Sony's starting to warm up with the company that cost them million of dollars, then a controller equipped with motion- and tilt-sensing features, plus reality-based vibrating actions might be part of PlayStation 3's growing armament -- and this pact with Immersion and eDimensional could be its gunpowder. The way this console war is shaping up, PS3 might just have found their own MOAB, or should I say, MOAC (Mother Of All Controllers)?

Immersion Corporation, the technology firm that sued and won against Sony for illegal use of their 'haptic' (rumble technologies, has already commented on Sony's announcement that the PlayStation 3 DualShock will not have a rumble feature due its possible interference on the controller's six axis motion-sensing controller. Now, it's eDimensional's turn to dish out a commentary.

eDimensional is a gaming accessory manufacturer. Like Immersion, they believe that the combination of a touch feedback and motion-sensing is possible. They claim that they are currently working on a G-Pad Pro Gyroscopic controller for PC and PS2, which will make use of both Impression's "advanced vibri-tactile, spinning-mass gaming technologies" and the virtual reality motion-sensing technology.

If they do come up with such a device, then can Immersion representative Mark Belinsky be correct when he said that "there is more to the story than Sony is telling us"? I guess we can not tell for now. Let us all wait until this eDimensional controller comes out and see the combination of the two technologies realized.