PS3 EndWar gets Minority Report-esque gesture controls
Sorry, Johnny. It seems like Ubisoft Shanghai might have beaten you to the punch with gesture controls in video games. According to Eurogamer, the team has integrated gesture-activated commands into the RTS Tom Clancy's EndWar.
Using the Playstation Eye, the PS3 version of the game will allow players to wave their hands underneath the camera to navigate the game's overhead map. The feature is currently only being developed for the PS3 version, as the 360's Vision Camera lacks the stand to hold the camera vertically.
Of course, like head tracking in Boom Blox, this somewhat ancillary feature might not make the final cut of the game. We'll keep our fingers crossed (and moving in a counter-clockwise circle, which is how our own fancy gesture control system knows we're being sincere).
Using the Playstation Eye, the PS3 version of the game will allow players to wave their hands underneath the camera to navigate the game's overhead map. The feature is currently only being developed for the PS3 version, as the 360's Vision Camera lacks the stand to hold the camera vertically.
Of course, like head tracking in Boom Blox, this somewhat ancillary feature might not make the final cut of the game. We'll keep our fingers crossed (and moving in a counter-clockwise circle, which is how our own fancy gesture control system knows we're being sincere).











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dvnt @ May 29th 2008 5:07PM
No gestures for 360 because the camera "lacks a stand". That's some BS right there. Sony wrote somebody a fat check for an exclusive feature.
Intentless @ May 29th 2008 5:15PM
If they included that feature I could find a way to make it work... I don't imagine it taking a great amount of intelligence to figure out a way...
Nick the Hero of Canton @ May 29th 2008 5:17PM
Would be better with touch, but still awesome.
But I don't buy that stand BS at all. Exclusive check.
Eggy @ May 29th 2008 5:25PM
Or the quality of Sony's cam is just better.
blehh @ May 29th 2008 5:25PM
"When asked by CVG whether the 360 and PS3 versions were identical, EndWar content director Julian Geright replied, "Almost. We're still working on getting a decent anti-aliasing solution on PS3 that doesn't cost three frames per second.
"We've got six months left of debug, so we've got plenty of time for polish, but they're going to launch with more or less the same stuff.
"Maybe we're going to have some PlayStation Eye stuff, but that all depends on whether we can slip it past Microsoft. I might not be able to talk about this just yet..."
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=189828&skip=yes
Eggy @ May 29th 2008 5:26PM
But yeah Sony paying a huge check for a fairly useless feature that might not even make it into the game seems way more likely. :S
browntown @ May 29th 2008 5:39PM
If theres no stand, how are 360 owners supposed to get the camera at the angle needed for it to work. It's sad that the first thing u think of is that someone wrote a fat check. They explain right there why, its an honest and its pretty easy to understand answer.
browntown @ May 29th 2008 5:42PM
@ blehh's link
why would they have to go through MS. There developing the game, stop being pussies, sometimes u have to step on some toes. I hope MS isn't putting up a hissy fit, i think if they can implement it on the ps3 version, they should, and when they have time they could do it for 360 owners, but they'd have to make their own stand or MS might release one. MS better not be cock blocking this feature, that would be pathetic.
IncredibleBulk92 @ May 29th 2008 5:50PM
Nah that's such a BS excuse, it doesn't have a stand? What like an eye of judgment stand or what? My vision cam stands up just fine thank you. If they'd said something about the resolution of the camera or something like that then it would've sounded a little plausible, but this is just dumb
Wii60Warrior @ May 29th 2008 5:53PM
@ dvnt
EVEN if thats true does it really make that big a difference to you?
Personally this is a joke of an extra. I doubt it will responsive or add anything of true value to the game....
el serpiente @ May 29th 2008 5:53PM
This is hilarious. PS3 possibly getting feature xbox won't have on some mediocre game, SONY IS DA BRIBERY! Really, you dweebs have an answer for everything, eh?
Anyways, on topic, I really think there needs to be more done with the PSeye. From the finish line photo in Burnout P, to feeding the fish in Aquatopia, there's a lot of cool stuff that developers can do sans motion hardware and a sensor bar. Hopefully Microsoft won't bribe them to take it out. LULZ.
Nick the Hero of Canton @ May 29th 2008 5:58PM
Just like when Sony fanboys cry foul when MS takes another exclusive?
Honestly, if they said it had to do with resolution or the cameras reception, it would have been plausible.
They said there is no stand. All you have to do is put the cam on a fucking table. Their's your stand. That's why people are saying the no stand excuse is bull crap...because it is.
browntown @ May 29th 2008 6:40PM
What u guys don't understand is that ull need to get the camera to a higher level. u need a stand like this:
http://www.videogamesblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/eye-of-judgement-playstation-eye-set-with-stand-and-cards.jpg
See how the stand holds up the eyetoy at that height, it allows it to read the bar codes. If u want any type of accuracy u need to be directly above, the 360 has no similar stand.
Nick the Hero of Canton @ May 29th 2008 7:26PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_%28furniture%29
horngreen @ May 29th 2008 5:14PM
Maybe MS will make a plastic stand with a green LED in it and sell it for $39. It will of course only be used for the one game, like the camera. This could be a cool feature or a complete piece of crap, only time will tell.
Ally @ May 29th 2008 5:21PM
ill stick to my analoge stick.
Charlie_Six @ May 29th 2008 5:41PM
It would be sweet if an entire game used accurate motion gesture for game play. I love Minority Report btw ;)
Maverick Saturn @ May 29th 2008 5:46PM
Red rings of death around the lens! On noz :O
Scotto @ May 29th 2008 5:47PM
Given the sheer number of PS3 users that don't own an EyeToy camera, and the fact that the XBOX won't get this functionality at all, I really must question exactly how useful this feature will be, if it even gets put in.
Would Ubisoft waste development time putting in a feature that about 7% of their target demographic will actually use? Especially when it's based on predictive hand gesture-controls, which take a long time to program.
None the less, I look forward to this game. I'll have to see how this feature turns out before I decide whether to buy it for my PS3 or XBOX 360 though.
- Scott
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ May 30th 2008 1:30AM
you definitely have a point there. i dont think i knew anybody who had an EyeToy for their PS2 last gen, and just about everyone i knew had a PS2. now with fewer people owning PS3's this does seem kind of like a waste. i do think im going to buy an EyeToy this generation but not for stuff like this.
born2kill @ May 29th 2008 6:26PM
Score +1 for the PS3. Now whatsup with the newton thing?
Chase @ May 29th 2008 6:55PM
This sounds bad. Really, really bad. Worse than voice control.
Jhongerkong @ May 29th 2008 7:16PM
I heard you have to make a jerking motion in order to have your sea-men (if any) spread out.
kftgr @ May 29th 2008 7:37PM
So to use the gesture feature you'll have to limit your seating to near the camera?
Lekko @ May 29th 2008 7:59PM
WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE
Lavat @ May 29th 2008 8:47PM
I am sure this feature will go great with the Ps3 as they can find more ways to implement it such as troop movement. I have no doubt this will work well since the voice commands work finely. Very good.
Lord Raoh @ May 30th 2008 6:06PM
for those calling the stand BS.
Ubisoft would have to have confirmation from MS that a stand is on the way and Ubisoft would also have to have said stand available to test.
odd how BS and MS go well together...
:)
J7pr @ Jun 2nd 2008 12:46AM
Man, why does people whine so much? Hey, if 360 owners can have it and want it, go to a friend that has a PS3 with the PS EYE and End War and see it. If you don't have a PS EYE and want to try it, buy one. If it bothers you that 360 owners can't have it....FOR ANY REASON,....ok, whine all you want. But, hey, 360 owners have GTA4 exclusive downloads. Isn't that great? Why complain about something to do with a camera? All I know is, exclusive or not, I want to try it. I wasn't going to buy this game, but, now I think I will. :P