Joystiq Impressions: Multiplatform games on Sixaxis
by Zack Stern 
{ Nov 7th 2006 at 4:00AM }
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Need for Speed: Carbon, and Tony Hawk's Project 8 are being littered across every current console in addition to the next-gen systems. (Wii gets Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam instead of Project 8, however.) While you can now buy these games for the fad-lacking, buttons-and-thumbstick systems, the titles are being tuned for Wii and PS3 motion-sensitive controls. At the Sony Gamer's Day last month, we saw how the three games use the Sixaxis controller.
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Need for Speed: Carbon will add the simplest motion controls, augmenting the traditional game design. In the playable parts of Marvel -- which felt a lot like the old X-Men arcade game in a good way -- controller movements charged superpowers or interacted with the level. I thought this use of the motion control was passable but didn't add too much to the game. The game rep said that these and other techniques would be more integrated into the game in later levels.
Need for Speed: Carbon didn't have any motion controls on display, but it looked and felt good, racing down a mountain at night with my headlights pointing the way. I grew skeptical of its motion controls, however, while talking with one of its developers.
The motion-sensing option in Carbon -- which can be turned on or off -- will create a a way to steer even more. When you're driving with the thumbstick -- which is always used -- but need to corner slightly tighter, a twitch of the controller will turn the car even more. I can't figure out why someone would play with this activated instead of having the thumbstick mapped to the car's full range of motion. Maybe it will just be fun to twist the controller for a tighter turn. But this motion-sensing implementation reduces the range of the thumbstick control in order to add it back to the motion-tracking side.
Of the three, Tony Hawk's Project 8 will best integrate motion-control. This method of play will also be optional -- you can opt to play with only the buttons and thumbstick -- but Project 8 seems to give new ways to play the game without sabotaging old techniques.
Project 8 will let players steer with Sixaxis movements, but the game demo was most interesting when tilting the controller for tricks. The Neversoft developer, who had clearly spent a lot of time playing the game, used the controller to balance and lean on the skateboard during tricks. When jumping, he flicked the controller to kickflip and rotate the skateboard in any direction. These controls looked like they'll add more depth to the title, although I'm sure they'll take some practice.
Project 8 struck the best balance of the three, giving something new with the motion tracking without sacrificing established control schemes. We expect a lot of gimmicky Sixaxis -- and Wii -- games, but sifting through those initial releases may yield deeper, new ways to play.
See also:
Joystiq hands-on: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Wimote vs. Sixaxis, Round 1: Downhill Jam vs. Project 8
Wii impressions: Tony Hawk Donwhill Jam
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Adam @ Nov 7th 2006 4:28AM
Does anyone else feel this "motion controlled" idea is already being overdone? I don't have a problem with it on the Wii, but it seems like every PS3 game coming out has to use the SIXAXIS to show off the motion idea.. what ever happened to just relaxing and playing a game?
Jdoki @ Nov 7th 2006 4:41AM
I'm all for additions that makes games more fun and immersive, but I'm getting a strong feeling that Sony are leaning on devs to make the most use of the SIXAXIS.
A lot of the additions seem a bit gimmicky. Using the controller for balance in Project 8 sounds good, using it for tricks not so much.
The changes made to Virtua Tennis look awful.
Any added features should be welcomed, but adding a feature in favour of losing another is not on. Bring back rumble or convince me that motion control on the PS3 improves gameplay significantly!
fredrik dunder @ Nov 7th 2006 6:14AM
spider senses tin.... oh wait, THERE IS NO RUMBLE FEATURE
phranctoast @ Nov 7th 2006 6:17AM
I wonder if you could turn off the motion sensing in the wii games. I really believe wihtout a doubt that this whole thing is the biggest gimmick ever, and people will realize after a week of playing the wii, that they would rather not be swinging their arms around their living room rather then just chilling out and enjoying a game.
unimental @ Nov 7th 2006 6:37AM
From the Marvel Alliance screenshot:
"Precise timing of a downward thrust with the impact of a power or the launch of a projectile will cause additional damage."
Watch your jibblies, kids! Perhaps they'll market a special Marvel edition athletic supporter for "gamer protection" given the amount of special powers usage in this game.
azesino @ Nov 7th 2006 12:02PM
all the motion sensing mambo jumbo is the biggest gimmick the industry has seen since the nintendo glove and soon it will all flop
Martin @ Nov 7th 2006 7:20AM
"4. I wonder if you could turn off the motion sensing in the wii games. I really believe wihtout a doubt that this whole thing is the biggest gimmick ever, and people will realize after a week of playing the wii, that they would rather not be swinging their arms around their living room rather then just chilling out and enjoying a game.
Posted at 6:17AM on Nov 7th 2006 by phranctoast 0 stars"
People will realize they would rather not be swinging their arms around their living room rather than just chilling out and enjoying a game. That is why they will start to just chill out and enjoy the Wii without swinging wildly. It seems that more movement is needed for the Sixaxis at a less comfortable and more awkward way than the Wii, which everyone who has played it said it is comfortable and natural.
J Dub @ Nov 7th 2006 7:16AM
honestly, I do not understand this motion sensing thing, wouldn't it make it just HARDER than anything else? it just gives you more obscure stuff to remember than say 8 buttons
Timo @ Nov 7th 2006 7:36AM
Is motion control optional in these games? If not how are they going to make store demos for them since the PS3 store demo I have seen had a stationary controler
Don Jose @ Nov 10th 2006 3:46AM
Can the motion-sensing aspect of the Sixaxis be turned off at will? Eventually, PS3 owners' wrists are going to need a break...
I read a brilliant quote from Tomonobu Itagaki about motion controls, but cant recall it at the moment; something about the ratio of gamer input with the controller to onscreen results, and how the former should never outweigh the latter. Anyone have that one nearby?
Rich @ Nov 7th 2006 8:07AM
"8. Is motion control optional in these games? If not how are they going to make store demos for them since the PS3 store demo I have seen had a stationary controler"
Motion control is optional in every PS3 Game... if you dont like it you can always just turn it off
Rubx @ Nov 7th 2006 8:34AM
I love how everyone who's psyched about the PS3 hates motion controls...and why shouldn't they!
I'd be pissed too if the company I loved so much decided to tack-on motion controls late into the system's developent and then chuck it into games it wasn't needed (Tony Hawk, Virtua Tennis, Lair...etc)
Its upsetting enough to see all these ports with tacked-on motion controls. With Ubi and EA throwing all their stuff at every console imaginable...its obvious the controls will more often then not be sub-par.
It'll take a bit for developers to get used to motion-control, but motion control is here to stay.
Checkers @ Nov 7th 2006 8:37AM
@4
"I wonder if you could turn off the motion sensing in the wii games. I really believe wihtout a doubt that this whole thing is the biggest gimmick ever, and people will realize after a week of playing the wii, that they would rather not be swinging their arms around their living room rather then just chilling out and enjoying a game."
Ok.
From IGN
"So were the other 30 or so journalists who played alongside me. And when the gameplay session came to its too-early end, everybody in attendance agreed that the Wii remote and nunchuk combo performed beautifully. Nobody's arms were tired."
From GoNintendo
"You will absolutely not get tired while playing Twilight Princess on the Wii. Well actually, let me rephrase that. If you are going to go all out, standing up while playing, and swinging the hell out of the Wiimote, then yes…you may get tired. On the other hand, I didn’t sit there playing it with the most minor movements possible. I found a very happy medium on my own. I never held back from swinging too hard or too light. I just did what felt natural for what was going on in the game. Swinging the Wiimote and Nunchuck to perform Link’s attacks adds such a visceral experience to the game…it truly does further the entire Zelda experience."
From Gamespot
"As far as the exhaustion factor goes, if you grip the remote like a real sword and go about your business like you're actually performing the actions in real life, then yes, you're going to be winded and maybe a little sore. However, like any new system's controller, once you get the hang of it, figure out the nuances of how it handles, how the sensor bar reads your inputs and whatnot, it all seems very manageable."
From PlanetGamecube
"And before you ask: No, you don't get tired by swinging the remote around. It's just smooth and simple wrist movements."
Jdoki @ Nov 7th 2006 8:46AM
I think #6 makes a great point.
Potentially this is adding complexity to an already complex controller.
One of the things Nintendo has stated (and there's plenty of articles around on the subject) is that casual gamers are 'scared' of the multiple button commands required for most games.
Each button on the SIXAXIS could be combined with one of six movements... so Square button plus up, down, forward, back etc... Square plus Circle plus forward, back etc
That could lead to a horrendous number of combinations to remember.
I'm not for a second suggesting developers should dumb down controls, but I'm sure everybody has experienced a game where it feels like the developers utilised every button on the controller just because they were there. And just how much a slick, well thought out, control scheme adds to the experience.
It just seems kinda pointless, for example, to have to shake the controller to reload a gun when a button would do fine - the chances of accidentally engaging the reload because a player moves their hands suddenly in a frnatic firefight would be annoying to say the least.
MosquitoControl @ Nov 7th 2006 9:45AM
Motion control will work better with the Wii than the Sixxaxis.
Why? Because the Wii is one handed. Shaking one wrist is very, very easy. Shaking something in both wrists is impossible if it's stiff, as the controller is, so it becomes more about shaking with your forearms. You can do some motions with your wrist but not all. It's especially hard while hitting buttons or sticks.
That said, if motion control dies the Sixxaxis is still a normal controller, and Sony is still ok. Nintendo put all their eggs in that basket, so they'd be rushed to put a replacement out there, if anyone would even accept it by then.
OM @ Nov 7th 2006 10:25AM
Has anyone tried to do that action in the screenshot with their Dual Shock? It's horrible awkard.
allen straith @ Nov 7th 2006 10:36AM
First off, I was never a fan of the SIXAXIS controller. I don't see why EA didn't use the same controlling scheme for the PS3 as they did wht the Wii -- it's the same technology, so why not the same controlls?
Second off, to the comment that said the Wii is a gimmick, give me a break. It is true you wouldn't want to swing your arms, and hardly anyone who plays it for more the 15 min actuall does that. The developers don't, game journalist don't. And I truly believe that this "gimmick" will change the way we play games forever.
To the person who said wouldn't motion sensors make it harder to play. Maybe with the SIXAXIS, considering it doesn't seem like it would be natural, but with the Wii it's all natural. How would you accomplish this in real life? Thats how you control the game. Like you are the character. Now for car/plane games it would be different, but thats it.
But you just gatta play it b4 you make any judgements.
tanngrisni @ Nov 7th 2006 11:01AM
13. If motion sensing dies and Nintendo needed a new controller (which seems implausible at best), then they could just repaint/remanufacture Gamecube controllers. There should be loads of them sitting around, or at least canibalized parts, it wouldn't take them too long to set up the production lines, and it works with all the VC/GCN games on the system. However, if motion sensing "dies", I wouldn't be suprised to see Nintendo leave the console arena and focus on handhelds.
Martin @ Nov 7th 2006 11:26AM
Sure it is a gimmick. Everything starts out as a gimmick. You know sex is a gimmick. A majority of the animal kingdom doesn't use it and it isn't as successful so far as other forms of reproduction. So, it is a gimmick. Perhaps that is why Sony fanboys aren't getting sex either???
ill trooper @ Nov 7th 2006 12:48PM
I played Call of Duty3 on the PS3 the other night and it was cool - the melee attack is very intuitive and easier to remember than the button command. There was also a little 'twist' the controller move to set the detonator on explosives, not necessary, but an interesting addition. Only gimmicky feeling when it gives you step-by-step instructions on how to place the bomb... I wish all of these games (Splinter Cell, GRAW, Gears of War, Call of Duty, etc, would stop showing icons in the lower center of the screen showing what we're supposed to do when we approach a door, wall, or explosive... but that's another topic)
I said it before, 'haters no like,' (to quote Jay-Z) but it wasn't really that different from some implemetation I've experienced on the Wii games I've played - certainly the same as the tennis in Wii Sports. The Wii has more potential as it can sense position in relation to the TV, but still - the Sixaxis is very usable and only as gimmicky as developers make it - just like the Wii has potential to be gimmicky, like in the Wii's Trama Center, where the controller is essentially being used like mouse - dissappointing. No motions for stitching, etc. - just wiggling back and forth like a mouse.
somaxd @ Nov 7th 2006 8:07PM
actually the sixaxis sounds kinda cool for nfs:carbon.
not entirely steering the car... but it sounds like youll be able to break traction for easier drifts by tilting it.
John Lucas @ Nov 7th 2006 3:46PM
Sony should have never perpetrated with that Sixaxis.
It is the wrong design for that kind of idea. Someone already detailed the reasons why in an earlier comment.
Very limiting & limited. And all it makes them look like is Nintendo's lapdogs.
But guess that shows to go ya that Wii is legit.
Give it to Sony. They copy from the best.
John Lucas
Marco Cano Jr @ Nov 7th 2006 7:23PM
@#10
You know whats funny? Lair's developers (factor 5) apparently requested to Sony if they can have motion control. I don't know the exact details but its in episode 48 of the 1up show.
Oh and another thing, tacked on or not (Apparently Sony Forces people to do stuff according to Jdoki), if it works well (from what joystiq is saying) isn't that a good thing? Motion control on the PS3 is more like controlling a ball. Where the Wii is all over the place. Thats what seems like from what I've seen. Regardless, I kind of doubt you'll being doing sword slashing on the PS3 anytime soon.
solstryke @ Nov 7th 2006 8:16PM
about this whole swinging your sword for zelda is the best thing since sliced bread. You do realize this was done a long time ago in a way not many people knew about. Im talking about Soul Calibur for the Dreamcast using the Get Bass fishing rod. Yes you could do it and was actually pretty fun. a little bit difficult yes, but it could be done. Its funny how many people jumped on Nintendo's balls and swore this was the most revolutionary feature in the world, when in fact its not at all revolutionary. Just a super hyped up rehash of previous technology