[Jump]

netburnrol sent in this little review of his experiences with TrackIR while playing Jumpgate. It should be noted that the TrackIR implementation in Jumpgate is experimental and ongoing. How it will be implemented in Jumpgate Evolution is still unknown but it has been indicated that some things have already been improved.

netburnrol was kind enough to make us a little video of his experience which turned out quite nice. netburn was our contest winner in November and the TrackIR prize was provided by NaturalPoint the makers of TrackIR and other very cool devices. Give them a visit and get one for yourself. TrackIR : head tracking view control immersion for flight racing and action simulator

The TrackIR consists of two pieces of hardware, the first is a set of reflectors that clips onto a hat or headphones, and the second is a USB device that tracks the reflectors. Also included is a CD-ROM with drivers and a utility that allows you to make adjustments to the TrackIR settings based on game profiles.

Set Up: First I installed the CD and plugged in the device to my USB port. Next I opened the TrackIR application and performed a Game List update. Now that Jumpgate was in the list, I launched Jumpgate and the device worked first try. I did have some problems with the device being too sensitive, however the TrackIR software allows you to customize it just the way you want. This was probably the easiest set up I have ever had for game related hardware.

Ease of Use: The TrackIR is very easy to use. Simply plug it in, launch the TrackIR Application, and then launch your game. There are multiple ways to view the tracking in the TrackIR so it is very easy to set up the device if you need to customize the settings.

What it does: Depending on the game, you have have up to six ways of motion, which really allows you to immerse yourself in the game. In Jumpgate you can only look 90 degrees left, right, and up. In other games like Nascar 2003, you can use all axis which allows you to really "look around" which is a very cool feeling.

Complaints: None with the Hardware, so for its been great. I did notice one time that the heat of my CRT monitor had caused the TrackIR to get very hot which kept it from working. When I moved it farther forward on the monitor away from the heat vents the problem went away. The only real complaint I have is the implementation in Jumpgate, I really wish you could look over your shoulder like in some of the other games I tried, and also the inability to look down seems weird when the in ship cockpit graphics are turned off.

Would I recommend this product? Absolutely! Its a great piece of gaming technology and it really adds to the game....not to mentions frees up your HAT switch for other functions

YouTube - TrackIR in Jumpgate

I would like to thank JoystickRequired.com and Natural Point for giving me this opportunity to review the TrackIR.

[ELPIRATA]

I may get a TrackIR sooner than I thought.

@Net: Well, in theory, even with cockpit off you are still inside it, so you shouldnt be able to look at whatever is below your ship. I agree on the rear view a bit, but quite honestly should be ship dependent, not all Jumpgate ships have a profile that allows you to watch your back (like the HM or the Tow or the Tug or the...) but I'd agree on a 'monitor' of sorts that could be located in your lap (view down) or in the frame above, between the front and up views (as if it were a rear view mirror). As long as the ship's cockpit is not in a position to give you that kind of view... you shouldnt get it. The monitor view... obviously you should, because even today many truckers and cars have cameras installed to help you watch the back.

ELP

[Algore]

Looks extremely off putting and nothing more than a gimmick, at this point.
I hope it was worth a month of spamming.
Good review however. Nice one net.

Regards
Al

[Hornet]

Woot nicely done. I WANTZ ONE!

Oh and...WOOT PLUSHYFLUX IS ON TV! :P

[Hornet]

Originally Posted by Algore

Looks extremely off putting and nothing more than a gimmick, at this point.

What makes you say such things? I think it only looks un-natural because Jumpgate Classic isnt specifically made to work with it. Flight sims and other styles of games would be much more natural.

[Jump]

Plus Striker has already said he has fixed some of the view issues in the development code.

[Milkman]

This looks awesome to me! The hud issue when moving needs to be fixed.. but other than that, looks very very nice. I really do need to look into getting this.

Also, great job on the review! I think that review will do wonders for everyone involved in helping getting that working. Netburnrol needs a job doing hardware/gaming reviews.

PS Woot plushy flux!!!!!

[project3wc]

he did say that the HUD stays on as you look around. i just wish they support the full 6DOF TrackIR offers when Jumpgate Evolution releases.

[ND_Istvan]

Since Striker has begun his holiday vacation, I figured I'd offer some comments in his place.

First off, thanks for the review, netburnrol! Yes, the implementation in Jumpgate Classic was really mostly proof-of-concept. Striker adapted the existing "freelook" mode in Jumpgate Classic to use TrackIR instead of the hat, and that's really about it. The huge weakness we feel this implementation has (which netburnrol actually didn't mention) is that there is no HUD in the Jumpgate Classic freelook state. Therefore, you don't have your target reticles. I feel situational awareness is still enhanced, but nothing like it could be with a functional HUD.

In Jumpgate Evolution, the implementation already resolves this, with McBracket and Striker having collaborated to keep the HUD functional when TrackIR is in use. NaturalPoint has been urging us to add additional degrees of motion to our implementation, but we haven't yet determined whether this would actually be useful for gameplay. In part, this will depend on how we do any sort of rendered cockpit environment, and whether there is useful (presently on the HUD) info embedded in that. Time will tell.

[project3wc]

at least the most basic movements of TrackIR will be supported i hope, its gaining more popularity specially with sim game and would kick ass in this game imho. could be something a few of us can test when beta invites are sent.

[Algore]

Originally Posted by Hornet

What makes you say such things? I think it only looks un-natural because Jumpgate Classic isnt specifically made to work with it. Flight sims and other styles of games would be much more natural.

I'm only being subjective while referring to it's use in Jumpgate Classic.

[Jump]

What Striker posted in another thread.

Originally Posted by ND_Striker

The primary purpose of adding TrackIR support to Jumpgate Classic was to see what the effort would be in putting the technology into Jumpgate Evolution. We decided to include it in the last Jumpgate Classic patch because we wanted to see what people thought, and to gauge the interest in the technology. While the actual implementation of TrackIR in Jumpgate Evolution is still up in the air, we are looking at a variety of options at this point. What I can say is that the current implementation does get rid of the whole deadzone issue by keeping the HUD displayed while looking around. I personally have flow and participated in a battle while using the TrackIR setup.