Sony's High Velocity Bowling started 'literally right before' Nintendo announced Wii Sports' Bowling
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ May 22nd 2007 at 1:48PM }
But why argue about who was first to the gimmick? Considering price, Wii Sports and High Velocity are categorically different. Wii Sports is free, but as a PSN title, High Velocity will likely cost in the $5-to-10 range (and planned expansion packs could balloon the total price). If Rohde's statements are accurate, then High Velocity will end up more akin to Rockstar's Table Tennis or maybe the Outlaw sports series, as it will apparently feature a more robust physics engine than Wii Sports and pre-built unlockable characters. Wii's Bowling will ultimately be matched up against PlayStation Home's built-in bowling game, which is being developed separately from High Velocity, but, like the others, will probably incorporate motion controls.
Accusations that Sony has fallen back on a "Mii-too" strategy are partly fueled by fears that Sony's Home products are gonna trump what Nintendo has already laid down. By screaming "Copy cat!", Nintendo faithful are downplaying Sony's efforts -- even crediting Nintendo for Sony's possible future success. But if Nintendo was so convinced that its latest 'innovations' would inspire the future direction of the industry, then the company must have possessed the foresight to predict near-identical products arriving from its competitors. And if so, then maybe Nintendo needed to try a little harder. Are we not already bored with parading our Miis? Are fanboys so insecure about Nintendo's stability that they fear competition? Get stuck on who invented motion-controlled bowling games first and you miss the point: which virtual bowling experience is the best.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AJ Vaynerchuk @ May 22nd 2007 1:57PM
In the end it is irrelevant, nothing will be better than WiiSports bowling!
------------------------------------------
AJ Vaynerchuk
Founder: WiiTube
http://www.wiitube.com
Check out the WiiTube Blog!
http://blog.wiitube.com
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Koopaknight29 @ May 22nd 2007 1:59PM
lolz, sOny copy Nintendo agian!!!
---
Sorry about that, had to get it out of my system.
And Mr. Wiley? Am I sensing a little anger in that post? At least the others attempt to hide their contempt for other systems you know. Its just common courtesy. As for which is better, hey, their both bowling games. How sophistocated can you get with bowling games?
OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ May 22nd 2007 2:01PM
In the end quite a few things will be better than Wii Bowling. Actual Bowling, for one.
However, I'm pretty sure one of the things that will not be better than Wii Bowling is High Velocity Bowling.
Matt B @ May 22nd 2007 2:04PM
I don't know about that AJ. I'd rather bowl with real fake people than Fisher-Price 'Little People'.
I posted this 'literally right before' you too. :P
Koopaknight29 @ May 22nd 2007 2:04PM
Woah, that was weird... sorry about the double post there. My computer hiccupped for a minute.
sheppy @ May 22nd 2007 2:10PM
Honestly, I'm a bit tired of an industry more interested in who copied who instead of "well, is it fun?"
Seriously... All games copied Space War. Got it? Now can we move the fuck on and enjoy games like Rygar or God Of Way instead of hearing about how they ripped off Devil May Cry, which ripped off Resident Evil, which ripped of Alone In The Dark, which ripped off Lucasarts adventure games, which ripped of King's Quest... awwwwwww fuck it, I'm done.
Joshua @ May 22nd 2007 2:10PM
Ignore the last paragraph of that post.
I agree with OhJustSomeRandomGuy (#3) -- real bowling is better than any bowling game. In fact, I find it very difficult to play Wii Sports Bowling. The ball ALWAYS rolls to the left for me. Eh, whatever. Wii Sports isn't a particularly good game, anyway.
Heliophage @ May 22nd 2007 2:11PM
We totally were doing it first! Swearsies!
This feels a little... Saint's Row. As obvious with that case, it doesn't necessarily mean that its bad, but its pointless to argue who did what first.
Just make a good game and hope its good enough for people to choose over the competition.
Heliophage @ May 22nd 2007 2:13PM
Wow, I didn't even absorb the last paragraph until I reread it. Talk about bait...
bigd7387 @ May 22nd 2007 2:44PM
Ok I really hate to keep pounding on Sony but they have not had an original idea during the time they have been into gaming machines. I have a PS1, PS2, PSP and most all my electronics is Sony, TV's & Computers, etc.. And other than the dual shock they, maybe the Eyetoy, they look like nothing more than a second rate delivering second class lies. Even the software sucks, ie Killzone, the Halo killer. I beta tested that terd and the beta was better than the final product, Playstation Home, ie Xbox Live, and what do they call their achievements, entitlements? Notice a pattern Fanboy, Sony come up with a new, never done before idea or you may be on the outside looking in.
minus_273 @ May 22nd 2007 2:18PM
imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. nintendo now knows for sure their "gimmick" was the right way to go. How much longer before a dual shake tennis game is going to come out.
verdigris @ May 22nd 2007 2:19PM
If you have to rationalize your game by saying, "We thought of it first! Well, I know that sounds unlikely... but it was RIGHT before they thought of it. Considering no one even knew of the SIXAXIS for a long while after Nintendo dropped the bomb... ugh, what's that over.... THERE! *runs away*"
Well, that's how I would have done it... I guess we shall see what provides a more accurate representation of bowling by flailing your arms in any direction and lettting go of a button at the right time.
Almack64 @ May 22nd 2007 2:20PM
Yeah I'm glad that last paragraph was "after the break" maybe less people will read that dribble. The rest of the post was ok. Regarding the game I say who cares, I actually enjoy Wii Bowling and think it controls very well. If this game controls as well or even better I say that's good for them, its defintely isn't a system seller or even a contest maker. I'm not going run and buy a PS3 because its bowling sim is better. I'd rather use that same money to play real bowling 3 times a week for a year.
verdigris @ May 22nd 2007 2:20PM
I'm no SONY fan, but I do find it quite weird that I can't type the name of one of their products without capitalizing it... anyone else feel the same?
*sorry for the dp
zwarrior @ May 22nd 2007 2:22PM
Dude Nintendo confirmed Wii Sports in September but showed a demo of it since the beginning of 06. He's lying, and wii bowling is still better because of the controls alone
JodyAnthony @ May 22nd 2007 2:25PM
come on joystiq, why must you tease me so? you say we're not allowed to flame, and then you make this post that is just DRIPPING with flame fuel. you're not nice!
Beaudry @ May 22nd 2007 2:26PM
What is up with the crazy last paragraph? It reads like it was written by the Sony PR team.
verdigris @ May 22nd 2007 2:26PM
Calm down now Jody... you can always hop over to destructoid to get your flame wars on. You and Summa would get along just great!
Almack64 @ May 22nd 2007 2:26PM
@verdigris
I know you probably made that "flailing your arms in any direction and lettting go of a button at the right time" comment as bait, but if by chance you made it out of ignorance, I know at less for wii bowling that's not going to work. Simply put any twist motion in the release is represented on the ball as spin. It's actually pretty similar to the idea in real bowling. The truth of the matter I'll just take your comment and simplify actual bowling to simply "releasing the ball at the right time"
Almack64 @ May 22nd 2007 2:27PM
@18 Correction: "...at least for wii..."
verdigris @ May 22nd 2007 2:29PM
@ Almack64
Don't get me wrong. The Wii is the only system in my house. That and a DS. I love the bowling. But really that's all it is. I usually pay it in a fashion I would normally bowl, but you can get the same results by just laying down on the couch and flicking your wrist.
Wiisels.com @ May 22nd 2007 2:33PM
Uh... If it took them THAT long to just finally get a bowling game out, then they really need to question the quality of their employees and engineers. Remember, these are the same people who couldn't figure out how to get rumble to work without screwing up the motion-sensing.... Or so they say.
sheppy @ May 22nd 2007 2:33PM
"If you have to rationalize your game by saying, "We thought of it first! Well, I know that sounds unlikely... but it was RIGHT before they thought of it. Considering no one even knew of the SIXAXIS for a long while after Nintendo dropped the bomb... ugh, what's that over.... THERE! *runs away*"
Well, that's how I would have done it... I guess we shall see what provides a more accurate representation of bowling by flailing your arms in any direction and lettting go of a button at the right time."
It has to be said. Sony filed the patent for the motion controller mere weeks before PS2s E3 debut. Sony also showed a motion controlling dongle for the PSP during it's big unveiling. Look up early Mercury impressions. Ken Kuturugi, when questioned about the boomerang controller said the controller was not done yet and held a few more suprises. Honestly? The writing was on the wall, most chose to ignore it. Kinda like this...
http://www.xavix.com/products/bowling.html
Say what you want, Xavix was unveiled at CES of 2004. Now how did Nintendo invent motion control bowling games again?
Which brings me to my original point. Innovation is a fucking lie. It's all a bulletpoint in a factoid sheet handed out to the tardland fanboys. If you spend time looking up your heroes works, you'll often find the people you applaud as being so original are just as thieving of bastards as everyone else. So why fight it? If it's fun, it's fun. Innovation does not equal fun.
DBX00 @ May 22nd 2007 2:34PM
Arguing who made a bowling game first is like arguing who made the first football or baseball game. Who cares? The sport has been around for ages and the implementation of the motion controls is simply common sense.
Extinction @ May 22nd 2007 2:36PM
"Considering no one even knew of the SIXAXIS for a long while after Nintendo dropped the bomb..."
Developers did. You didn't
You don't count
megaStryke @ May 22nd 2007 2:36PM
I called it! I called it! I effin' called it! RIGHT HERE:
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/high-velocity-bowling-is-bowling-its-way-onto-ps3/
"Now, just wait and watch for a Sony rep to come along and say that they had a patent or a desire to develop a title like this for YEARS before Nintendo ever conceived of Wii Sports."
Granted, it wasn't as exaggerated as a few years, but the notion is the same.
Extinction @ May 22nd 2007 7:10PM
"I called it! I called it! I effin' called it! RIGHT HERE:"
And that makes you a moron for accusing them of lying
verdigris @ May 22nd 2007 2:39PM
@ Extinction
I remember very clearly at E3 that the developers of Warhawk said they had 3-4 weeks to even incorporate SIXAXIS into the game, as that was when they first heard about it. So I'm assuming as a showcase game they would have heard about it first, no?
megaStryke @ May 22nd 2007 2:40PM
@Extinction
O Rly? Do you recall those two weeks before E3 2006?
Heliophage @ May 22nd 2007 2:41PM
I've gotten a few psychic strikes myself, not letting go of the ball until well after I've completed my full upward swing, pausing for a few seconds before releasing the button and letting the ball fly toward the pins.
I don't always do that, but it usually forces a little giggle out of me.
JodyAnthony @ May 22nd 2007 2:43PM
holy shit! breaking news everyone!
Nintendo's video game version of bowling is NOT a 100% accurate representation of actual bowling!
I know, I couldn't believe it either.
sheppy @ May 22nd 2007 2:47PM
"Uh... If it took them THAT long to just finally get a bowling game out, then they really need to question the quality of their employees and engineers."
Or likely this isn't a 30+ person team. How many people do you need to create a bowling game? Your longest time will be with asset creation (which... *GASP* you need before screenshots come out). Let's say there's a couple artist or even the more probable one. This long to make a game doesn't sound so far fetched. Hell, the whole POINT of DD games is small teams can be used to make em.
Hell, with my own game, we've been at it for six months. I'm the only artist. While they are pounding away the game engine (we're building from scratch for DX9&10), I'm just building stuff in bulk. That way, hopefully, once they figure out the limits, I have a ton of assets ready to use.
Heliophage @ May 22nd 2007 2:48PM
SIXAXIS was a knee-jerk reaction to the combined reception of the Boomerang prototype and the Wii remote.
I'm pretty sure it didn't exist long enough for a game to be developed around it by the time that Nintendo announced Wii Sports.
In all fairness, though, HVB could have been in pre-development prior to hearing about Wii Sports. Like Warhawk, it could have been built around DualShock or the Boomerang, only to be adapted to the SIXAXIS later.
The controls could have been easy enough to adjust. Take the schematics off of throwing the Boomerang as hard as you can at your screen, waiting for it to come back, and doing so again and put them into motion sensitive slight gestures.
sheppy @ May 22nd 2007 2:51PM
bigd7387,
I guess we can start from giant robotic rabbit first person platformer and go from there...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_Flash
Heliophage @ May 22nd 2007 2:53PM
@30
Playstation Home is more like HD Second Life than anything else, but that doesn't refute your 'originality' argument.
JodyAnthony @ May 22nd 2007 2:56PM
who cares about originality, honestly? there have been a hell of a ton of great games on PS1/PS2/PSP, and soon to be PS3. Very few of them were original. Who cares? If the games are fun, isnt that all that matters?
JodyAnthony @ May 22nd 2007 2:56PM
also holy hell jumping flash was a great game
samfish @ May 22nd 2007 2:57PM
AAAAAHHH HAHAHAHAHAH!
Yeah, JUST LIKE you implemented motion controls in the PS3 controller JUST BEFORE you knew about the Wiimote, right, Sony?
And Joystiq – I'm not even going to touch that pathetic piece of flamebait.
Especially since this morning you guys went crazy and wiped the SSBB thread for flaming Nintendo.
That is truly the definition of BAD FORM.
AssemblyLineHuman @ May 22nd 2007 3:03PM
Isn't it sad that there are "the Nintendo faithful"?
jay @ May 22nd 2007 3:03PM
35-
Most of the time it is all that matters. As a 21 year old gamer brought up on Amiga, Nes, Mega Drive et all, I'm sick of playing recycled crap or "best of" styled games like Gears of War. In the end I've been there and done that and it really doesn't excite me. Probably why I'm more into experimental indy games than anything else right now.
On a similar note I don't watch films or TV shows twice unless they're *really* good. Maybe I just remember things too well :p
David @ May 22nd 2007 3:07PM
@sheppy
Oh I'm sorry, you're right. Except the real problem here is that the real thought comes from the application of these motion controllers. I don't care who thought of the idea first for the hardware, what really is important is who could take that hardware and produce compelling hardware for it. Sony thought of a motion sensitive controller, they probably weren't the first to do that either, but they apparently couldn't apply the idea to enough interesting software to warrant its production, even as a peripheral. You see what I'm getting at here? Hardware ideas are useless unless they're supported by the truly important ideas, good software. Kutaragi said the boomerang still had surprises, but that doesn't help the fact that they abandoned it. As already stated, the Warhawk developer went on record as not having more than a few weeks notice for implementing motion controls. "The writings on the wall," sure, but it doesn't mean what you say it to mean. I suppose you could always say that Sony was just keeping it a secret, but the point is at Nintendo and Microsoft have beat them to the market with some ideas that are very similar to Sony's. Am I to understand that Nintendo and Microsoft don't think these ideas through very far in advance, as Sony seems to always be doing? Surely they can't think of everything first, and never be first to market with these ideas.
Jason @ May 22nd 2007 3:08PM
@1, F you and your 3 link-whoring signature. I hate all the other cockbiters who spam us with their personal sites here, and yours is juuust a bit crass, isn't it?
David @ May 22nd 2007 3:10PM
Hmm, no need to create compelling hardware for hardware, I meant software. Going to be hard to be taken seriously now.
Vainglory @ May 22nd 2007 3:22PM
It's not that I hate Sony, it's not that I care if they copied an idea; it just bothers me that they're determined to make themselves look stupid. And when they say something *that* stupid, it kind of makes you feel like they think *you're* stupid if you're going to believe that kind of thing.
Here's how it *should* have gone down in a perfect world:
Interviewer: So, you copied Wii bowling, right?
Hip, cool Sony rep: (laughs) I wouldn't say "copied." "Inspired by" is more the right word. We just thought that motion controlled bowling is a great idea and people really like it, but it could really stand to be a bit more immersive and fun. We think that by having more realistic looking player models, X features, X play modes, etc, will really set our game apart. They got it first, but we'll get it better.
See? Still a perfectly Sony positive response, but not the scorn-inviting practice of telling an *obvious* bald-faced lie.
Nightram @ May 22nd 2007 3:33PM
I think it comes down to the controller. I saw my Grandma hold the Wii-mote with no problem. She's held a remote before. Trying to teach her how to properly hold the SIXAXIS for bowling would be a 10-minute process. Also, it seems really easy (as I'm imagining it in my head) that it would be easy to hit buttons accidentally (particularly the PS button).
It doesn't really matter that Sony thinks they thought of it first. Nintendo employed the idea first and the Wii is currently selling like hotcakes as a result. Now, do you think that High Velocity would sell a PS3?
Mor epower to Sony for trying to make a better Wii Sports, but I think the new Brunswick Bowling for Wii will add all the extra features that users of Wii Sports Bowling are wanting. Same with Tennis, Golf, etc. WiiSports is meant to market the console, and it's doing it beautifully. Can't argue with sales numbers.
JodyAnthony @ May 22nd 2007 3:34PM
Vainglory, call sony and make them hire you.
Thats EXACTLY how these things should go down. "We started it before!" comes off as stupid and makes me think less of sony as a company. "They did it first, but we'll do it better!" comes off as cocky and cool, and would make me respect them for having the drive to go for better.
Nightram @ May 22nd 2007 3:40PM
Also . . . Simpsons did it!
Steve @ May 22nd 2007 3:39PM
WiiSports is not "free". It's simply a component of a $250 package. It's as ridiculous as suggesting that the Wii console is free with the purchase of a $250 copy of WiiSports.
REP96st @ May 22nd 2007 3:40PM
IF they started before nintendo, Why did they only have a "demo" when Wii sports dropped?? Shouldn't they have droped WITH the PS3??
Sony LIES.
Rubang B @ May 22nd 2007 3:49PM
#43 was awesome. Sony could've handled this exactly like that, but they chose their tired "No way we've just been working on it for a million years for no reason even though it's only bowling" response.
Re: Wii Sports Bowling, it's really the perfect way to practice real bowling. You can bowl 20 games in a row without the weight of the ball messing your arm up. I spin my ball in the game the same way I do in the (real life) game. After a month or two of Wii Sports I hit the real lanes and tried out the spin move I'd mastered in the game. Wii Sports Bowling allowed me to break 100 in real bowling for the first time in my life!