Delta Six gaming gun returns to Kickstarter, boasts Arduino innards
The Delta Six gaming controller first hit Kickstarter last fall, but the plug was pulled from the crowdfunding effort by its creator David Kotkin, as he reckoned it wasn't on track to generate enough support. With hardware and software refinements made over the last few months, the peripheral has just been relisted on Kickstarter. In case you need a refresher, the peripheral puts a premium on realism and motion-enabled gaming. Thanks to accelerometers, gyroscopes and buttons in odd places, users can do things such as bring up in-game sights by looking down the plastic rifle's barrel, or steady their shot by pulling the faux weapon close to their arm.
Now, the campaign is asking $159 for controllers with black or white paint jobs and orange tips, as a second look at production costs indicated the project's original $89 price tag was too low. This time around, the funding goal has been locked in at $100,000, instead of a cool half a million. As for internals, the shooter is toting an Arduino, which opens up the hardware to software updates and customization. Not only will the blaster work with PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the Wii U, but it's set to boast compatibility with next-gen consoles through an update, to boot. If the Delta Six reaches it fundraising mark, it'll ship out to supporters in December. Check out our hands on with the contraption or head past the break for Kotkin's video pitch.
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FORMER ACTIVISION EXECS INTERESTED IN THE DELTA SIX: an open source gaming gun on Kickstarter.
Miami, Florida, May 8-- Inventor David Kotkin announced today the launch of a Kickstarter campaign for the Delta Six: his new game controller that will take first person shooter games like the newly announced Call of Duty: Ghosts to the next level. Kotkin hopes that this revolutionary controller will impress the mature gamer audience.
The Kickstarter campaign site is here http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/356540105/297068986
With its sophisticated features and realistic aesthetics, the Delta Six has also impressed former executives from Activision. Here's how Kotkin describes his discussions with them:
"They saw the great potential and were very interested in the possibilities. We discussed how it could be compared to IMAX movies and how you have to offer more to not be taken over by the competition." Kotkin continued, "We were in agreement that Delta could be a Blockbuster with the proper support. They saw Kickstarter as a good test to see if they will give that support."
The Delta Six mirrors the look of a modern military combat rifle, including real time aiming as well as a kickback sensation. The Delta Six was developed using IR sensors, accelerometers and gyroscopes to provide unparalleled arcade experience. The Delta Six is compatible with XBOX, Play Station 3, and PC systems. The Delta Six can also be upgraded to the Next Generation systems like Playstation 4 with a downloadable patch. Kotkin also said, "The coding for the Delta will be using an Arduino programming language, making personal coding easy."
IGN has positively reported, "Not only is this coolest controller, but it makes the player using it look like a total badass."
NVISION
"It's always difficult to gauge the quality of gun controllers without actually trying one out, but it appears the ambitious Delta Six is in some competent hands as It's creator also made the highly-praised Avenger Controller."