Bill Gates: motion controllers "not mainstream"

by Ross Miller { May 26th 2006 at 5:25PM }

If you were wondering when Microsoft would jump on the motion-sensor bandwagon, you might be waiting a long while. According to Bill(ionaire) Gates, the all-powerful being who heads up Microsoft, the motion-sensing technology featured in Nintendo's Wiimote and Sony's PS3 controller "not mainstream for most games," although he notes that "there's room for innovation here." Gates likens his opinion to a Microsoft controller they made a few years prior, which featured motion-sensor controls: "you don't [mean] to fly into the ground ... you just want to put the controller down."

Then again, if the technology takes off, expects Gates to make an about-face and make 3D motion a key part of the Xbox 720's controller.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Paul P. @ May 26th 2006 5:28PM

If anything, the next X-box would be called X-box 1080. I think that is a much cooler fake name to give it, and I say the internet should call it that.

Amos @ May 26th 2006 5:39PM

"you don't [mean] to fly into the ground ... you just want to put the controller down."

It's true. Motion sensing, when it's not the main focue (like in the Wii), is just ridiculous. You just want to be able to use the dang controller to play the game. Gimmicky little additions about -how you're currently holding the controller- get old and tiresome rather fast.

Sabre @ May 26th 2006 5:40PM

Yea...this coming from someone who only threw their hat into the ring for game consoles b/c they wanted a piece of the action.

Sorry but Bill Gates knows NOTHING about gaming.

James @ May 26th 2006 5:40PM

That picture is priceless

Fat Sony Fanboy @ May 26th 2006 5:41PM

Bill is just jealous because PS2 is still outselling 360 and xbox and kiddycube combined despite being the oldest console. That just shows you that playstation is the strongest brand in gaming.

And stop whining about the price. If you cant afford it get a job outside of the fast food industry. Sony gamers are more educated and have better jobs, thats why they have no problem with a $600 price. Poor people make me sick.

XaviXPortFanboy @ May 26th 2006 5:43PM

If the Wii is going to be so awesome because of motion detection, how come nobody likes the XaviXPort? It's got a tennis game where you swing a tennis paddle to play and is lame. But then Nintendo does it and everyone craps their pants?

jabbertrack @ May 26th 2006 5:43PM

I think you really need to understand his comments. Motion control isn't going to be the central part of XBOX's control scheme anytime soon... that's it.

It's not 'mainstream'

He's right, Nintendo even knows that.

There's still nothing to stop MS from releasing a wireless motion control peripheral.

Just think of how that would work with MS's camera and the 'gesture gaming' they are working on with face tracking and such.

MetaHuman @ May 26th 2006 5:46PM

You could always pause the game if you want to put the controller down. ;)

While some like myself would debate against it, there are people would agree that Online console gaming wasn't "mainstream" until Xbox Live came out. There's nothing wrong with that.

Teen Beat, lol.

jon @ May 26th 2006 5:47PM

Really though folks...after the Wii launches...the wand and chuck controller will feel very old and gimmicki. Then all your left with is crappy graphics and only a few good first party games while all the 3rd party developers will not even bother porting their games to the Wii.

Look at the innovation in Gears of War...the innovation is not in the controller...but in the visuals and emmersion. Gears of war used motion capture not only on the characters but for camera movement giving it a very unique and realistic camera perspective. But you shure as hell couldn't play Gears with a WiiMote. It's apparent that the WiiMote is no good for FPS games and many other games as well.

Also it seems from E3 that the Wii mote is not intuitive. It's not easy to just pick up and use. There is a learning curve. I bet a learning curve that's bigger than using a controller.

MS is doing the right thing and sitting out on the motion sensor hype.

HA @ May 26th 2006 5:47PM

Sony Fanboy, poor people make you sick? That's hillarious.

(Now for a paragraph of sarcasm for those of you who can't pick it up.)

I think you're right though. The PS3 should cost $1,300 but it's our fault for being too poor to be it. Geeze, we are so stupid. Let's get higher educations and what not. What, the PS4 cost $3,000? That's it, we need Ph D.'s now.

PS5 is $10,000? Ack, I'm too poor to afford it. I make myself sick.

Canadian Geese @ May 26th 2006 5:47PM

Xbox 1080... that could stick. I think they called it the 720 because that's 360+360, but I like your name better.

The Wii offers a completely new way to play games rather than a gimmick (such as the orignal motion-sensing xbox controller or the PS3's conroller). I will agree that motion-sensing is not mainstream, but Nintendo is not trying to be mainstream.

Wii fans, don't take offense. I think this was a Sony-attack; not a Wii-attack.

MetaHuman @ May 26th 2006 5:48PM

Derek @ May 26th 2006 5:48PM

Xbox 720? Thats just crazy unlikley. Why dont people just call it codename xbox 3? Still loving xenon though!

Sabre & Fat Sony Fanboy - Crawl back into your PS3 fanboy loving, -2 stars corner.

Your both worthless.

Paul P. @ May 26th 2006 5:49PM

Wow. Does this site always fill up with so many fantrolls after E3?

In any event, I'd have to say Bill Gates is right. Motion sensing isn't mainstream yet, justl ike HDTV isn't mainstream yet, but after this generation, both will be mainstream.

Pedro @ May 26th 2006 5:51PM

It's going to be mainstream know. For him is going to be mainstream as son as he can steal it from someone else or buy them out. How I hate microsoft!!!

Bill gates world's richst man also world's biggest dork

jaemz @ May 26th 2006 5:51PM

Microsoft offering a motion sensitive controller... what a concept.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Z729/002-4168932-5420860?v=glance&n=172282

No thanks, been there and done that.

Paul P. @ May 26th 2006 5:58PM

Don't forget world's biggest philanthropist, Pedro.

Sabre @ May 26th 2006 5:59PM

@ Jon:

...and you know this b/c you tried out both the Wii AND Gears of War. Oh wait...you most likely haven't tried the Wii (I doubt you were at E3) and I know you haven't played Gears of War.

Good job making yourself look like a total fanboy. I assume you think the touch screen capability in the DS is a gimmick as well right?

Canadian Geese @ May 26th 2006 6:07PM

jaemz... it was interesting to read the reviews on the sidewinder from the link that you posted. There seemed to be more positive comments than negative.

Sabre @ May 26th 2006 6:15PM

The reviews are that normally posted on Amazon I would take with a grain of salt. A lot of them are posts by people who either have gripes about something that is pointless or done by trolls who haven't actually bought the item.

SuicideNinja @ May 26th 2006 6:16PM

"And stop whining about the price. If you cant afford it get a job outside of the fast food industry. Sony gamers are more educated and have better jobs, thats why they have no problem with a $600 price. Poor people make me sick."

It's so obvious that ignorant kids have these opinions.

Just because someone isn't willing to immediately waste $600 on a console doesn't mean they are poor. Squandering money doesn't make anyone get rich faster. There are better ways to spend money.

For the $200 difference between a Premium 360 and a Premium PS3, I could buy a basic PSP or a DS with a couple games, a Xbox or PS2 with a couple of games, or possibly even a Wii! That's a hell of a lot more gaming for the money.

Sony has failed to show that the PS3 will provide $600 worth of gaming. We don't care about Bluray, wimpy motion control sensing, or the wonders of the cell processor. We want a damn gaming console, and Sony is forgetting that.

Instead of acting like you make a 6 figure income, how about you just say that the price will come down in time? That would be way more impressive than pretending you have money.

jaemz @ May 26th 2006 6:16PM

I tried it a long time ago (almost 7 years ago), and didn't care for it. I am sure those who like it, like it alot. If it works for you, I am happy.

Being that MS has been selling this since 1999, they probably have some good numbers that back up their comment: "not mainstream for most games,".

Personally I like having options like motion controllers... and the option to not need them if I don't like it.

soco @ May 26th 2006 6:22PM

this wasn't really an attack, but more of a defense. MS tried the motion sensing thing 6 years ago and it didn't work for them. as with the touchscreen and other such things, it requires exactly the right type of games to be developed to take real advantage of it. MS didn't have that years ago, and they're focused elsewhere. as soon as it becomes mainstream, they'll make one. exactly as all the companies have done with the dual analog joysticks, rumble, and other such features.

Sabre @ May 26th 2006 6:22PM

Well the questions is...how many actual games came out that fully supported the MS controller? Last time I checked the PC didn't really have as many racing or flying titles that consoles did. Most of the titles you hear about for the PC are for the MMO, FPS and RTS/strategy genres...and none of those really would be "good" cantidates for a motion/tilt sensitive controller.

KawF @ May 26th 2006 6:23PM

In other news, Bill Gates claims he feels like the odd kid out, and makes a quick retort in order to sound cool again.

Anyway, that qoute with "you don't [mean] to fly into the ground ... you just want to put the controller down."... Why not push pause first? I can sorta gourantee that you would have pushed pause on your vibrating, gyrating, brick of a controller today before putting it down. Not controlling your plane, would have most likely caused you to crash anyways. At least I don't know of any auto piloting features on the non-motion-sensetive controllers.

And like Nintendo is claiming, a new feature on this level needs to be standard to gather enough support in order to get some software that's really made for it. Not just "yet another peripheral(tm)". That, or it has to be so revolutionary, so amazing, so good, that everyone will just buy it and the first game ever made with it is such an amazing success that everyone will copy it. But the likelihood of that happening... yeah, not so good.

gozirah @ May 26th 2006 6:26PM

Isn't anyone else as disturbed about the "sexy Bill" picture as I am? Thank Engadget for not showing us the more revealing pictures not meant for mainstream viewing.

Clearly we should have a caption contest.
"Why yes, darling, my floppy disk is five and a quarter inches"

fff @ May 26th 2006 6:29PM

To the idiot who posted the Amazon link - did you even read it?

"Date first available at Amazon.com: June 21, 2002"

I guess that means the Wii is copying Microsoft then.

Disposable Hero @ May 26th 2006 6:31PM

Not mainstream? Were video games in general mainstream before the NES? Idk, I can't think of anymore analogies, so I'll just skip to my point. So what if its not mainstream? What kind of a company just sits back and waits for other companies to innovate, and once it becomes popular, then they jump on the bandwagon? Well, a lot. But honestly, thats not something to be proud of. Taking risks is what strengthens and pushes the industry forward. Microsoft came at a good time to just sit back and pick up all the mainstream gamers that aren't willing to chance buying something new (the Wii) or something that tries to push the industry forward soo much, almost too much (the ps3) just yet. Sure it'll be succesful, but overall, in the long run, the 360 is doing nothing for this industry, except of course for xbox live, which is introducing what the internet can do for this industry. But that doesn't do as much for the games themselves as the wiimote or in some ways, the extreme power of the ps3.

bob @ May 26th 2006 6:32PM

Thankyou MetaHuman, finally, what kind of stupid example is that, you dont want to go towards the floor you just want to put the controller down? Thats what the start button is for! *claps patronisingly* stop talking out ur backside gates and get your team of so called crack programmers to make a pause menu, or are they too thick for that?

jaemz @ May 26th 2006 6:36PM

fff, you might want to do more research before you make idiot remarks... Yes I did try it almost 7 years ago, yes I read the amazon site (and posted it) and lastly, you might want to read my post #20.

Oh, if you want, read this:

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/freestylepro/page2.asp

gozirah @ May 26th 2006 6:37PM

I mean thank Joystiq.

BigZ @ May 26th 2006 6:37PM

OK, The comment by "Fat Sony Fanboy" has got to be kidding that sony fans are more educated. I can easily afford all systems but will not get a ps3. They have garbage games and their arrogance is rediculous. 360 and Wii for me.

Wii should be fun and the controller is gimmicky in a way but if refined could be something quite good.

wanderer @ May 26th 2006 6:37PM

"According to Bill(ionaire) Gates, the all-powerful being who heads up Microsoft, the motion-sensing technology featured in Nintendo's Wiimote and Sony's PS3 controller "not mainstream for most games""

Isn't that a large part of why Nintendo's getting so much press/excitement? Because their controller is new and innovative, and not old and mainstream? This actually might explain a lot, coming from Gates. Look at Windows - they don't add any features until other OSes have been doing it (and better) for years, and then slap it in and call it innovative. Maybe they don't know what the word means.

SheriffDane @ May 26th 2006 6:42PM

"Then again, if the technology takes off, expects Gates to make an about-face and make 3D motion a key part of the Xbox 720's controller."

50 bucks says Msoft releases a revised controller halfway thru the console's lifecycle, especially with all the emphasis being placed on controllers in the past & future months. They already set the precedent, so they will not lose face in doing so again.
...
...

SheriffDane @ May 26th 2006 6:42PM

...
...
Microsoft is bringing console gaming closer to the PC experience, expect them to have the next iteration of the box out 4 years from the 360 launch, give or take 6mos. Expect the controller revision 2 years from launch (1 year from the uuii=wii launch), and expect it to include some sort of motion-sensing qualities as well as mic/speaker. It would be nice to respond to voicemail without messing with the headset. idk what the third (trump) feature would be..?

Bloo @ May 26th 2006 6:45PM

"Yea...this coming from someone who only threw their hat into the ring for game consoles b/c they wanted a piece of the action."

Don't all companies throw their hat into the ring to get a piece of the action of an already existing pie?

"Last time I checked the PC didn't really have as many racing or flying titles that consoles did"

When that controller was out, almost all there was on the PC were racing games and flight simulators.

jojo @ May 26th 2006 6:49PM

not all motion sensing controllers are equal. there was a great arcade game called balde of honor

http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=13150

the camera moved, you had a foot pedal to lung forward once, and a sword controller. it was a fun game, like a house of the dead game but with swords. you are represented as a slice on the screen from what i remember.

nintendo will be bringing in much more than any one concept though, they are offering the start of new control systems beyond the remote and nunchuck, just wait a few years. that combined with their online system serving up old titles and homebrew/indie developed games for different virtual consoles is going to change the face of gaming.

i'm not saying the system is 'better' than the other 2, but it should have a stronger impact in the long run if they do this properly.

Cage @ May 26th 2006 6:55PM

Disposable Hero

"Sure it'll be succesful, but overall, in the long run, the 360 is doing nothing for this industry, except of course for xbox live, which is introducing what the internet can do for this industry. But that doesn't do as much for the games themselves as the wiimote or in some ways, the extreme power of the ps3."

What a joke. "Except for Xbox Live"...Except that Xbox pushed Sony to make a console all together!! And the download, demos, and E3 content takes a back seat to a copied controller!?! And to "The extreme power of the PS3", obviously you are a fanboy who still believes the PS3 will give you GRAPHICS TO MYTHICAL PROPORTIONS!! Hide Trolls...Hide!

GTG @ May 26th 2006 7:07PM

U-Force, Power Glove, Sidewinder Freestyle, Cyberman 3-D, lightguns, ROB, power pad, ...

Having a "radical" interactive control scheme isn't necessarily the best idea just because it is new (to people with short memories). I think that's Bill's main point (and a point I've also made since the first reveal of the "Revolution"). A wrist-twitching, wave-your-arms around control scheme may work well for some niche titles, but I don't think it will be useful or desired in a bulk of the games people want to play. I think this is especially true for long format games.

Hopefully most Revolution games will be smart enough to offer a Revolution-less (standard) control scheme once the initial novelty of flapping around dies down. Some people just want to sit on their couch, relax, and play games.

Fat Sony Fanboy @ May 26th 2006 7:21PM

Yeah, I remember when the peasantry cried foul when PS2 launched for $300. Then they tore out their hair when 360 launched at $400. And now again they gnash their teeth when PS3 announces for $600.

PS3 will sell out in the first day of launch and they will be selling on Ebay for $1500 each. Sony will EASILY sell 6 million consoles by March and will not be able to keep up with demand.

Blu-ray will win the HD wars thanks to a massive overnight installed base. Today HD-DVD has only sold 3000 players. They already lost the war.

Keep throwing yourselves under the juggernaut of Sony's Playstation brand. PS3 will be victorious again!

wtf @ May 26th 2006 7:28PM

microsoft is right, better get the social part of gaming (LIVE) down before messing with the controller

Fat Sony Fanboy @ May 26th 2006 7:31PM

For a bunch of PS2 owners, you all whine a lot.

Jon K @ May 26th 2006 7:33PM

The Wii remote is a very different prospect from the PC accessory, because it comes as standard. It's an awful lot harder to get game developers to develop cool and interesting stuff for a device only a few hundred people own, whereas anyone developing a game for Wii will have to consider motion control.

Nintendo's entire stance is about *forcing* innovation, not just making it possible. Joypads have been available for the PC for a long while, but bring out a game that relies on having one and wait for the cries of anguish.

No optional peripheral will ever change the face of gaming.

A game on the Wii, on the other hand, is going to stand out if it *doesn't* innovate.

striderhayasa @ May 26th 2006 7:35PM

Well, Nintendo has better first party development than MS. so I would assume that Nintendo could make games that take advantage of the remote and show its potential. Mario Galaxy has already done this as well as many other games at E3. The console is built around the controller so I'm not sure if it can be called a gimmick.

The Dual screens and touch screen were called a gimmick once but how can anyone call them a gimmick now? Any development in gaming is a gimmick first time out the gate. Gaming was thought to be gimmicky and a fad years ago and expected to phase out in a few years. Wasn't the analog stick a gimmick when it first came out? How about the rumble pak? Gameboy was a gimmick when it first came out right? GBA to GC connections were thought to be a gimmick but Sony is trying damn hard to sell PSP to PS3 connectivity.

My point is, Nintendo has gained much attention at E3 because they showed that the controller works. Even preview I've read about Mario Galaxy alone says that controller Mario with the remote was far better than expected.

Bill Gates is funny. He made his fortune blatantly stealing ideas and he comments like he knows the gaming industry so well. Hey Bill, how about making an OS that actually works for more than 5 minutes. How about that...

Sabre @ May 26th 2006 7:52PM

""Last time I checked the PC didn't really have as many racing or flying titles that consoles did"

When that controller was out, almost all there was on the PC were racing games and flight simulators."

That was Microsoft's chance to try and "push" and "attract" developers to use the controller and they didn't. Just b/c they goofed and missed out on that chance doesn't mean all other attempts will fail.

Jonn @ May 26th 2006 7:53PM

#4.
>And stop whining about the price. If you cant afford it get a job outside of the fast food industry. Sony gamers are more educated and have better jobs, thats why they have no problem with a $600 price.<
Let me get this straight; if you could buy a Dodge Ram, or a Ford F150 and a Vespa for roughly the same price, you'd rather take the Ram? What kind of education justifies that decision?

#7. Tell me, does being a fanboy grant you special psychic powers?
Even if innovation is in graphics and control, why can't it be in the very experience of gameplay?

Good ol' fanboy sliding rules.

#10.
>While some like myself would debate against it, there are people would agree that Online console gaming wasn't "mainstream" until Xbox Live came out.<
+1.

Disposable Hero @ May 26th 2006 8:05PM

Cage, you know, I tried to show my doubts of the PS3 while at the same time at least giving it a chance. Its just too bad people like you, the actual fanboys, who immediately accuse anybody who doesnt completely hate a system and everything about it of being a fanboy, have to open their stupid little hypocritical mouths. To be honest, I'm a Nintendo fan and I plan on buying a 360 after some price drops, and will most likely not be getting a ps3 at all. But at least Sony's taking a chance by trying to incorporate so much added multimedia nonsense. I don't support anything about Sony's strategy this gen, but I can at least acknowledge that theyre trying to take a chance and that they do have a chance this gen, despite the outrageous price point.

Fanboys are people who are too blinded by their devotion to see any fault with their favored system or see any good in the competition. What I was doing was acknowledging the strengths of all 3 systems without letting the fact that I support Nintendo get in the way of my judgement and reasoning.

Take my advice, it'll save you a lot of embarassment and might give you a chance of being taken seriously someday: dont talk or communicate in any way.

Garriq @ May 26th 2006 8:15PM

O RLY BILL? Bite me.

obo @ May 26th 2006 8:18PM

I love me some Pac-Man.

Sorry, just wanted to break up all the seething hatred with a little yellow smiley dude eating dots.

AJ @ May 26th 2006 8:24PM

Logitech has also had a motion sensitive controller for the pc. I have to agree with you Jaemz, I tried the logitech out back in 2001 and it hindered my gameplay rather than enhancing it. I promptly returned the PoS. In Sony's defense, I'm sure they've improved the motion sensing responsiveness and will make its use more enjoyable, but I doubt that it will amount to anything more then a gimmick. Thre idea just really isn't new at all.
Nintendo's implementation on the other hand is much more thought out and is a complete overhaul of how you will control your games. Personally, I think their controller will be great.

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