Force feedback to improve gameplay

1. A device comprising:

at least processor programmed with instructions to:

receive a first signal from a computer simulation;

responsive to the first signal, apply a first force to at least a first manipulable mechanism on a computer simulation controller configured to control the computer simulation;

receive a second signal from the computer simulation; and

responsive to the second signal, apply a second force to the first manipulable mechanism on the computer simulation controller, wherein the first signal is associated with a simulated presence over a first target type and the second signal is associated with a simulated presence over a second target type, and the first force is greater than the second force.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second forces are generated by a force feedback mechanism comprising plural force generators juxtaposed with the first manipulable mechanism, the instructions being executable to:

actuate all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the first manipulable mechanism in a first number of directions; and

actuate fewer than all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the first manipulable mechanism in a second number of directions less than the first number of directions.

3. The device of claim 1 , comprising at least one display device configured for control by the at least one processor to present the computer simulation.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first manipulable mechanism comprises at least one joystick.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first manipulable mechanism comprises at least one analog trigger or button.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first signal is associated with a simulated deviation from a travel path in the computer simulation, and the first force is greater than the second force.

7. The device of claim 5 , wherein the first and second forces are generated by a plunger coupled to the trigger or button and disposed in a fluid, the instructions being executable to establish at least one parameter of which fluid for a demanded resistive force.

8. A method, comprising:

applying, using a force feedback mechanism, a first force to at least a portion of a computer simulation controller based at least in part on a determination that a computer simulation comprises a first context; and

applying, using the force feedback mechanism, a second force to at least the portion of a computer simulation controller based at least in part on a determination that the computer simulation comprises a second context;

wherein the force feedback mechanism comprises plural force generators juxtaposed with the portion of the computer simulation controller, and the method comprises:

actuating all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the portion of the computer simulation controller in a first number of directions; and

actuating fewer than all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the portion of the computer simulation controller in a second number of directions less than the first number of directions.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the second force is zero and the first force is greater than zero.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the force feedback mechanism comprises at least one magnet.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the force feedback mechanism comprises at least one motor.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the force feedback mechanism comprises at least one fluid.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the computer simulation controller comprises a joystick.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the computer simulation controller comprises a trigger or a button.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first context is associated with a simulated deviation of a land vehicle from a travel path along a road in the computer simulation, and the first force is greater than the second force.

16. A method, comprising:

applying, using a force feedback mechanism, a first force to at least a portion of a computer simulation controller based at least in part on a determination that a computer simulation comprises a first context; and

applying, using the force feedback mechanism, a second force to at least the portion of a computer simulation controller based at least in part on a determination that the computer simulation comprises a second context;

wherein the first context is associated with a simulated presence over a first target type and the second context is associated with a simulated presence over a second target type, and the first force is greater than the second force.

17. A system comprising:

at least one computer simulation controller;

at least one computer simulation console configured to present at least one computer simulation responsive to signals from the computer simulation controller;

at least one force feedback mechanism configured to provide a first force on at least a portion of the computer simulation controller responsive to a first context of the computer simulation and a second force on the portion of the computer simulation controller responsive to a second context of the computer simulation; and

at least one processor configured to execute instructions, wherein

the force feedback mechanism comprises plural force generators juxtaposed with the portion of the computer simulation controller, the instructions being executable to:

actuate all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the portion of the computer simulation controller in a first number of directions; and

actuate fewer than all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the portion of the computer simulation controller in a second number of directions less than the first number of directions.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the first context is associated with a simulated deviation from a travel path in the computer simulation, and the first force is greater than the second force.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the first context is associated with a simulated presence over a first target type and the second context is associated with a simulated presence over a second target type, and the first force is greater than the second force.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the portion of the computer simulation controller comprises a joystick or a trigger or a button.