You might be wondering why I am bringing this up as the names of these companies don’t sound familiar, but it is arcade related. Some time ago a company called Immersion Corporation signed an agreement with GlobalVR to put their force feedback technology into games like NASCAR and Blazing Angels. From what I have experienced in those games, the technology is pretty good and it’s one thing that helps set Blazing Angels apart in the arcade. Now Immersion has invested into a new company that is working on arcade-related products called NanoTech Entertainment and we will be keeping an eye open on this
development to see what will come out of it for arcades. In taking a look at the NanoTech site they have some PC perhipherals that work to emualte arcade controls, including a pinball controller which is new to me. They also have created a digital pinball table called MultiPin (pictured to the right) and according to the press release this investment will lead to “future products that include innovative technologies for the arcade, PC, and console gaming platforms.”
and
““Beyond the investment, we intend to feature Immersion’s force feedback technology in our upcoming consumer and coin-op products.”
(my emphasis added).
That last part doesn’t sound like a PC add-on but whether or not they will be creating a brand new arcade game is anyone’s guess at the moment but it is good to point it out now and see where it goes from here in case they do. New startups to the arcade industry are always welcome and I hope we will see more soon. Hit the post break for the press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robert DeKett
Phone: (408) 642-1559
Fax: (408) 351-4625
Email: bob@nanotechent.com
NANOTECH ENTERTAINMENT RECEIVES INVESTMENT
SAN JOSE, Calif. – June 17, 2008 – NanoTech Entertainment, a newly formed innovative gaming technology company, announces that it has signed an investment agreement with Immersion Corporation, a leading developer and licensor of force feedback technology. Immersion’s investment will help NanoTech launch current and future products that include innovative technologies for the arcade, PC, and console gaming platforms.
“When we approached Immersion, they immediately understood the synergy between our companies,” stated Robert DeKett, founder and CEO of NanoTech. “Beyond the investment, we intend to feature Immersion’s force feedback technology in our upcoming consumer and coin-op products.”
“NanoTech has assembled a team of talented and experienced game industry veterans and built some key technologies that we believe will create new demand,” said Mike Levin, vice president of IP Strategy for Immersion. “We’re excited about their innovations, and how our products will contribute to improving the gaming experience.”
For more information, go to www.nanotechent.com.
About NanoTech Entertainment
Headquartered in San Jose, California, NanoTech Entertainment operates as a virtual manufacturer, developing technology and games, and then licensing them to third parties for manufacturing and distribution. This business model supports extremely low overhead and efficient operations in the new global manufacturing economy. With an ever-expanding lineup of technology and products, NanoTech is redefining the role of developers and manufacturers in the gaming market. More information about NanoTech Entertainment and its products can be found on the web at www.nanotechent.com
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The NanoTech Entertainment logo is a trademark of NanoTech Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. Immersion is a trademark of Immersion Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
