Imagine entering a huge cube surrounded by ultra-high-definition screens, where your favorite game is spread out all around you. That's exactly what FIEC, presented for the first time by Sony in Las Vegas, offers. This is not virtual reality, but a true immersion in an interactive physical space.
A new dimension, literally, for games
To show what this cube has in its belly, Sony chose The Last of Us, its famous post-apocalyptic game. Participants were able to shoot zombies that "popped up" screens and feel the dark atmosphere of the game, reinforced by sound effects and, more surprisingly, smells. Yes, Sony has pushed the experience to the point of diffusing scents of rotten mushrooms or humid atmospheres, just to immerse players in the desperate universe of The Last of Us.
«This technology combines LED screens, immersive sounds, smells and atmospheric effects for total immersion,» Sony explained in a promotional video. But be careful, don't dream of an installation at home: this cube is gigantic and still far from being marketed.
Who asked to “smell” games? Probably not many. But Sony would probably have been more inspired to adapt a game like Cooking Mama, rather than a title that, let's be frank, smells of death! Nevertheless, some players have still shown enthusiasm at the sight of this video.
That said, the idea of mixing smells and video games is not new. In 2024, a product called GameScent already allowed the diffusion of scents adapted to games, such as forest or campfire. But with FIEC, Sony is moving to a whole new level by integrating these elements into a global and interactive experience.
FIEC is also part of a broader trend: that of ever-increasing immersion in video games. For several years, Sony has been looking to push the boundaries, as evidenced by its patent filed four years ago on olfactory games. But there remains a big unknown: are players ready to welcome these innovations? And above all, to what price?
For now, the FIEC is a simple technological demonstration. Sony could use it in public places, such as leisure centers or for special events, to test the reaction of players. We could explore the worlds of Horizon or face the venerated gods of God of War in this immersive cube. A dream for some, a curiosity for others.
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