A Joystick With a Jolt

The must-have gift for video-game fanatics might be a gadget that momentarily immobilizes your hands when your character takes a hit.

Mad Catz, the maker of the Bioforce joystick, thinks it has a winner, and some people who have tried it think it’s great. But other game enthusiasts aren’t sure people will pay for a gizmo that helps virtual opponents pound them into cyber paste.

“Force feedback” joysticks and game pads have been around for years. They deliver vibrations, similar to the buzzing of a pager on silent mode, for car racing, flight simulators and other video games.

Bioforce goes beyond that by producing a mildly shocking sensation.

Still being refined and tested, Bioforce could end up as a complete controller or simply an add-on to existing devices. In its current version, small wired pads attached to forearms transmit a mild electrical current, causing muscles to spasm when your game character is hit.

“Your muscles tense up, and you can’t defend yourself,” said Matt Bennion, Mad Catz’ business development manager. “You feel it as kind of a shock, but what you’re really feeling is your muscles tightening up.”

Richardson said Mad Catz plans to study its medical impact before Bioforce reaches store shelves.