CC Skywave SSB 2 With AM FM SW WX and Aviation Bands / Includes SW Wire Antenna Adapter

New Spin on Virtual Fishing

Techstination feature for Tuesday, May 18, 1999

So you're leaning back with one on hand your fishing pole and all of a sudden you feel this tug. It's the next generation of computer game. I'm Fred Fishkin with Bootcamp, a report on computers and technology. What's called force feedback technology has been out for a little while now in joy sticks and racing wheels. They let you feel the action you see on screen. Bumps and turns, football tackles and gun recoils. Now a company called Miacomet is teaming up with InterAct Accessories to create new game devices. For instance, a fishing rod that hooks up...pardon that line...to your computer....

"And the way it works is we have two technologies. We have the force feedback technology that gives you, when you get a strike or a nibble from a fish, you will feel that. So you will know to set the hook. The second part of our force feedback is in the reel, so we can simulate one to fifty pound fish and the play in that fish."

Miacomet's Randy Hujar says you'll have to sit back from the computer screen when you cast. Fishing games are surprisingly popular on the PC and this should hook even more fans. Look for it later this year...along with a device that lets you play computer pool with a real cue...

"And it measures the stroke and force that you are putting on the ball."

Golf and other games are in the works too using what the company calls Real Feel technology.