Enhanced protocol and architecture for low bandwidth force feedback game controller

Haptic features are stored in a haptic device by preloading or otherwise downloading them, e.g., wirelessly, into the haptic device at the time of manufacture, immediately prior to game play, during game play, and/or at any other time. Haptic features may be activated, deactivated, modified or replaced at any time. All or a subset of the haptic features may be selected as an active play list, which may be modified as necessary. A host may manage some or all device memory and the haptic features stored therein. Haptic features stored in haptic devices and control information provided by the host are used by the haptic device to execute haptic effects. The haptic device may sustain haptic effects between control messages from the host. New communication messages may be added to an underlying communication protocol to support haptic effects. New messages may use header portions of communication packets as payload portions.