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{{short description|Computer input device}}
] ]
The '''SpaceOrb 360''' is a ] computer input device that is designed to be operated with two hands. Each of the 6 axes have 10-bit precision each when measuring the amount of force or torque applied. It has two right-index-finger buttons and four right-thumb buttons. It interfaces with a computer through an ] serial port using a custom binary protocol. Drivers for the device exist for ], ] and ]. Logitech had similar 6DOF devices during the same time period called the Cyberman and Cyberman II. The '''SpaceOrb 360''' is a ] computer input device that is designed to be operated with two hands. Each of the 6 axes have 10-bit precision each when measuring the amount of force or torque applied. It has two right-index-finger buttons and four right-thumb buttons. It interfaces with a computer through an ] serial port using a custom binary protocol. Drivers for the device exist for ], ] and ]. ] had similar 6DOF devices during the same time period called the Cyberman and Cyberman II.<ref>{{cite web |title=Logitech Cyberman |url=http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/12416/Logitech-Cyberman/ |website=Centre for Computing History |access-date=8 March 2023}}</ref>


The device was released in 1996, the same year as popular ] games such as '']'' and '']''. It was originally called the Spaceball Avenger II, a sequel to SpaceTec's Spaceball Avenger. <ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1996_Jan_5/ai_17983496/</ref><ref></ref> The SpaceOrb was especially suited for the gameplay of ''Descent'' because of the complete freedom-of-motion afforded by its ]. There was strong support for the device in both ''Quake'' and '']'', but the ]-type keyboard-and-mouse controls eventually became more popular. As of the '']'' engine (based on the original ''Quake source''), there was specific support for the SpaceOrb's capabilities. Developers later started to drop variable movement speed support, which reduced the 10bit translation force measurement to 1bit per direction. The device was released in 1996, the same year as popular ] games such as '']'' and '']''. It was originally called the Spaceball Avenger II, a sequel to SpaceTec's Spaceball Avenger.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1996_Jan_5/ai_17983496/ | title=Unknown}}{{Dead link | date=December 2024 | fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17983496.html|title=Spacetec IMC unveils new 3D game controller. - Search results from HighBeam Research|date=November 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106052257/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17983496.html |archive-date=6 November 2012 }}</ref> The SpaceOrb was especially suited for the gameplay of ''Descent'' because of the complete freedom-of-motion afforded by its ]. There was strong support for the device in both ''Quake'' and '']'', but the ]-type keyboard-and-mouse controls eventually became more popular. As of the '']'' engine (based on the original ''Quake source''), there was specific support for the SpaceOrb's capabilities. Developers later started to drop variable movement speed support, which reduced the 10bit translation force measurement to 1bit per direction.


It was originally manufactured and sold by the SpaceTec IMC company (first bought by ], which itself was later bought by ]). The device is no longer sold nor supported by Logitech. It has been supplanted by more modern devices sold under Logitech's ] brand, which are all one-handed 3DMice that afford the other hand the freedom to interact with the keyboard/mouse. It was originally manufactured and sold by the SpaceTec IMC company (first bought by ], which itself was later bought by Logitech). The device is no longer sold nor supported by Logitech. It has been supplanted by more modern devices sold under Logitech's ] brand, which are all one-handed 3DMice that afford the other hand the freedom to interact with the keyboard/mouse.


In 2009, a SpaceOrb fan with the username "vputz" has designed ] add ons (OrbDuino,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php/topic,8304.0.html|title="OrbDuino" serial gaming device to USB HID shield! - Arduino Forum|website=arduino.cc}}</ref> OrbShield,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jaycrowe.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44|title=The ultimate orb solution, at last. - www.jaycrowe.com|website=www.jaycrowe.com}}</ref> Orbotron<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thingotron.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_62&product_id=54 |title=Orb9k3 |website=www.thingotron.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803005249/http://www.thingotron.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_62&product_id=54 |archive-date=2017-08-03}} </ref>) to make SpaceOrbs available over USB, making it compatible with modern operating systems by emulating joystick, mouse, and/or keyboard.
Recently fans of the SpaceOrb controller have designed an ] add on that makes a SpaceOrb available over USB, which makes it compatible with modern operating systems.<ref></ref>


==ASCII Sphere 360== ==ASCII Sphere 360==


] (formerly Ascii Entertainment) licensed the SpaceOrb 360 design and technology to manufacture the ''ASCII Sphere 360'' model for the original Sony ]. ASCII Entertainment (later ]) bought the SpaceOrb 360 design and technology license to manufacture the ''ASCII Sphere 360'' model for the original Sony ].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Having a Ball?: Spacetec, ASCII Set to Unleash New 3-D Control for PlayStation |magazine=]|issue=87 |publisher=]|date=October 1996|page=28}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
* is Birdman's SpaceOrb Messageboard. * is Birdman's SpaceOrb Messageboard.
⚫ * AGETEC ASCII Sphere 360 product page.
* CyberWorld, Inc. still has SpaceOrb 360 available for sale.
* LGR Oddware: SpaceOrb 360 RealLife 3D Game Controller
⚫ * AGETEC ASCII Sphere 360 product page.


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{{videogame-hardware-stub}}

Latest revision as of 02:27, 24 December 2024

Computer input device
SpaceOrb 360

The SpaceOrb 360 is a 6DOF computer input device that is designed to be operated with two hands. Each of the 6 axes have 10-bit precision each when measuring the amount of force or torque applied. It has two right-index-finger buttons and four right-thumb buttons. It interfaces with a computer through an RS-232 serial port using a custom binary protocol. Drivers for the device exist for Mac OS, Microsoft Windows and Linux. Logitech had similar 6DOF devices during the same time period called the Cyberman and Cyberman II.

The device was released in 1996, the same year as popular 3D games such as Descent II and Quake. It was originally called the Spaceball Avenger II, a sequel to SpaceTec's Spaceball Avenger. The SpaceOrb was especially suited for the gameplay of Descent because of the complete freedom-of-motion afforded by its rendering engine. There was strong support for the device in both Quake and Quake II, but the WASD-type keyboard-and-mouse controls eventually became more popular. As of the Half-Life engine (based on the original Quake source), there was specific support for the SpaceOrb's capabilities. Developers later started to drop variable movement speed support, which reduced the 10bit translation force measurement to 1bit per direction.

It was originally manufactured and sold by the SpaceTec IMC company (first bought by Labtec, which itself was later bought by Logitech). The device is no longer sold nor supported by Logitech. It has been supplanted by more modern devices sold under Logitech's 3Dconnexion brand, which are all one-handed 3DMice that afford the other hand the freedom to interact with the keyboard/mouse.

In 2009, a SpaceOrb fan with the username "vputz" has designed Arduino add ons (OrbDuino, OrbShield, Orbotron) to make SpaceOrbs available over USB, making it compatible with modern operating systems by emulating joystick, mouse, and/or keyboard.

ASCII Sphere 360

ASCII Entertainment (later Agetec) bought the SpaceOrb 360 design and technology license to manufacture the ASCII Sphere 360 model for the original Sony PlayStation.

References

  1. "Logitech Cyberman". Centre for Computing History. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  2. "Unknown".
  3. "Spacetec IMC unveils new 3D game controller. - Search results from HighBeam Research". November 6, 2012. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012.
  4. ""OrbDuino" serial gaming device to USB HID shield! - Arduino Forum". arduino.cc.
  5. "The ultimate orb solution, at last. - www.jaycrowe.com". www.jaycrowe.com.
  6. "Orb9k3". www.thingotron.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-03.
  7. "Having a Ball?: Spacetec, ASCII Set to Unleash New 3-D Control for PlayStation". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 87. Ziff Davis. October 1996. p. 28.

External links

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