Rumor: 'PS3mote' controller spotted at focus test
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jun 2nd 2008 at 1:30PM }
According to unconfirmed (but "exclusive") information on PlayStation LifeStyle, you can toss another waggle wand prototype on the increasingly large pile of potentially non-existent peripherals. The information, supposedly obtained during a PlayStation 3 focus test held in exotic "****** ****, California," describes motion-sensitive PlayStation 3 controllers that operated via a "mini-tripod that stood about 12 inches high." Several mini-games, including fencing, paintball and the obligatory tennis are said to have been played with the "incredibly responsive and accurate" devices. PlayStation Lifestyle's "proof" comes in the form of a January e-mail inviting PS3 owners to participate in a focus group "discussing PlayStation 3 games." PlayStation forum chatter does seem to indicate that some Underground members were invited to focus tests in Chicago and Los Angeles during that month, but it lends no credence to the rest of the story.
Naturally, Sony told us, "We don't comment on rumors or speculation."
[Image: Not the real thing.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:33PM
Oh noes... the Wii is doomed!
Haggard @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:35PM
It would make more sense of them to release it for the PS2 - the motion controls seem to appear more to a casual audience, I'm almost certain this wouldn't be a massive sales booster for the PS3.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:37PM
A remote with IR Pointer would be the best that could happen to both PS3 and 360 FPS harcore games.
IR Pointer > Double analogs.
Moffka @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:44PM
You must really suck at FPS games Fernando. The wiimote is far too imprecise for shooting games.
Mouse > DS3/360 Controller(stupid thing doesn't have a name does it?) > Wiimote
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:46PM
Imprecise?
Have you played Metroid Prime 3? It's a lot more accurate, faster, and immersive.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:46PM
That's just his wii fanboy showing. Remember, everything is greater on the wii to him which is laughable but that's how they work
xFenixKnightx @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:51PM
I wouldn't go that far Fernando. I've played MP and it didn't make me want all FPS's to be like that.
Funny thing is, I thought Sony already tried to copy Nintendo. Now they are going full steam ahead. Of course this is all rumor and speculation. NOT!
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:52PM
Dude... fanboyism apart. IR Pointer is the closest to a keyboard and mouse on a console.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKHWYhV0yik
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:55PM
I only had to watch 20 seconds of that video to know that if you played COD 4 like that, you would get completely destroyed by the dual analog people. The turning, while not slow necessarily, is very slow compared to turning in COD 4.
xFenixKnightx @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:57PM
Tmac
Exaaaaactly. Rapage would ensue.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:58PM
You can adjust the turns sensibility. And Metroid Prime 3 was the first game in using FPS controls in a good way, but Medal of Honor improved the controls.
bm @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:00PM
"The wiimote is far too imprecise for shooting games."
FALSE. Period.
As for the slow turning, that's completely up to the developer (it's a simple number). Most of the time there's a speed setting for it.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:04PM
Speed settings can't factor in most people getting jumpy in tight situations in multiplayer.
It's a lot harder to get a jumpy thumb when your arms are locked in place and both your hands are locked onto the controller than it is to get a twitchy and jumpy arm when they are loose and moving around.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:05PM
jordan
With that thing that you just said, is clear now that you havent played Metroid Prime 3, and its clearly that you dont have experience with the Wii Remote.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:08PM
jordan
You don't need to move the arm dude... thats the first mistake that people with no Wii experiencie always say. And you dont have to have the arm in the air.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:15PM
And you just don't get it that you just can't beat the halo crowd at their game with an IR pointer, or the cod crowd or the gears crowd. It works for metroid sure but metroid is not those games.
Also, of course I don't have a wii did you just get that? After everything I've said about Nintendo and the wii you didn't know I didn't have one? I've stated before that I will never buy a Wii for any purpose other than to make profit off of it, and unless I'm given one for my birthday (cause I don't sell gifts...that's just disrespectful) I won't ever have one.
ill trooper @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:17PM
"I only had to watch 20 seconds of that video to know that if you played COD 4 like that, you would get completely destroyed by the dual analog people."
I guess we'll have wait a while to find out, there's no online FPS like that for the Wii yet.
Eh, I don't know, I love the Wii controller but even Nintendo can't commit fully to it, as many of the games they put out have like 4 different control options for various controllers. I like where they're taking things with that wiimote, I'd be totally behind it if it was truly 1:1 motion-sensing, but I know we're not gonna be getting that for $250 until they're selling jetpacks at 7Eleven. That means 'sometime in a distant future,' if you got confused.
Mr.ESC @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:21PM
“Imprecise?”
“Have you played Metroid Prime 3? It's a lot more accurate, faster, and immersive.”
Actually this is true I have played a lot of console games and Metroid prime controls are very accurate.I say those controls are as good as using a Mouse and a Keyboard.
iag25 @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:24PM
Sony and Microsoft should stop stealing ideas. Makes them look bad at not having any capabilities to make their own stuff up.
As for the motion controls for MP3 they were spot on, and the closest thing I've come to then a keyboard and mouse. If you look beyond Fernando's enthusiasm and fanboyism he has a point.
Shagittarius @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:27PM
Don't forget metroid would be almost unplayable without 'lock-on'.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:28PM
shagi
Lock on locks the camera, not the aim.
Mr Khan @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:35PM
As a non-competitive Adventure game, Metroid is a bad example
Look to MoH: Heroes 2, to see competitive online FPS done with the Wiimote's greatest strengths at heart
Personally, i never understood dual analogue. It confused the hell out of me
religiousjedi @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:51PM
jordan+fernando=two children who whine about another console (fernando=eternal hater of Sony, jordan=hater of intends), constantly trying to bash each others heads while at the same time trying to change other people's opinion.
Why can't you guys give it a rest?
Now...aside from that...I've used all three setups, used all 5 controls (mouse, Wiimote, GCN, 360, and PS2/3) for FPS, and can say...mouse>Wiimote>the dual stick controlers (of course, my opinion).
Fernando...everytime there is talk of FPS, you ALWAYS bring up MP3 and MoHH2...why? Sure, the games made a great point of the potential of FPS, but they are hindered by a slow pace (MoH) or slow turning (MP).
Jordan...I've played Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4...and there are many times that I wish I could ACTUALLY point at the bastard in front of me with my Wiimote and blow his head off with my own hand waving the little wand over manipulating two sticks (and before you try knocking me on just playing Wii FPS, I have played past FPS like Goldeneye, which didn't have two analogs). Just saying that sometimes, dual analog is a letdown.
Of course, mouse and keyboard has married both the greatest features of both setups long before they existed. ;)
Vcize @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:06PM
MP3 was a fun diversion and all, but there's no way in hell I'd want to play a game like Gears, CoD4, or H3 with that control setup.
BigD145 @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:22PM
Mouse and keyboard support... Something Sony and developers should have done ages ago. How much support will this 'mote get?
4MyFriends @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:24PM
Oh look, more people -'d Fernando's comments for no reason.
Haggard @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:27PM
I've been a keyboard and mouse FPS user all my life and I'm completely retarded when trying to aim with analogue sticks, to me an IR pointer would make more sense - but I know plenty of people who play on consoles who are (to me) insane with analogue sticks, so I guess it's just two different schools of playstyle.
Blue Ion @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:02PM
Oh, come on, give Fernando a break.
He may be a radical Wii fanboy, PS3 hater but the wii controller is far more precise than the dual analogues. Problem is, there are no good fast paced fps games to prove it. MP3 is slow, and its more of an exploration game, and I haven't tried MOH2 since I'm fed up with WWII shooters.
However, very recently (like, yesterday) Quake have received the wiimote treatment for the wii and it is a blast to play.
Sure, you can't beat the keyboard and mice combo but for a pretty recent homebrew it controls are damn well polished.
It is too imprecise? Possibly, since Quake has no autoaiming whatsoever, and still can aim with the nail gun pretty well.
It is too slow to turn? Increase mouse speed a bit and you're good to go.
I've tried both Geist and TimeSplitters for the GameCube and , while the controls where good for a dual analog setup, aiming was somewhat hard and movement was annoyingly jerky.
So, it all boils down to the developers implementation. Hopefully The Conduit from High Voltage will put things right (and hopefully it won't be the only proper fps meanwhile).
Seriously, If any of you has twilight princess for the wii, you should give it a try.
Anam @ Jun 2nd 2008 6:58PM
Don't forget single analog stick. Some of the best console shooters (Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Resident Evil 4) used a single analog stick. And the Wiimote version of Resident Evil 4 was a solid improvement over that. I'm sorry, but dual-analog sticks suck. The only advantage they have over single analog stick or Wiimote is that if you want to strafe + turn + look up, you can do it a bit faster, which primary matters in high-speed shooters.
The problem is that dual-analog, while still allowing faster strafing/turning than single analog or Wiimote, is still so fucking slow that I question why someone would want to play a high-speed shooter on a console in the first place. Halo couldn't be done with a Wiimote. But then again, what Halo *does* do is succeed in constantly reminding me of how much better that game would be with a mouse.
KeenCommander @ Jun 3rd 2008 2:34AM
Regardless of precision, I can't play an FPS with dual analog. I suck, hard. And I'm pretty well hardcore into gaming. Now think of how the casual gamer. Brining that type of accessibility to the hardcore game is the only thing that can save said style of game from obsolescence, regardless of the actually viability of those controls for people who spend way too much time playing online.
chez @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:57AM
I value speed and precision when playing games so that's why I like keyboard+mouse over everything else.
You're able to use more buttons at once, mouse=precision. Best setup.
Wii in 2nd. Metroid Prime 3 had perfect FPS-like controls.
Dual analogues way in last. When my last PC broke I had to get my Doom 3 fix from the Xbox. HAH. Oh what a terrible way to play games. Even these new consoles had low resolutions compared to PC's so they don't even have the graphics edge anymore.
Console FPS = casual FPS gaming.
Omar @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:36PM
Shouldn't Sony finish stealing Second Life's idea with Home before they start stealing Nintendo's WiiMote?
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:38PM
Naah... they are still finishing stealing entitlements-accomplishments. They can do multiple rip-offs at the same time.
xFenixKnightx @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:40PM
lol
Van Faulk @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:41PM
Behold the power of cell. It's able to process multiple ripoffs at once!Truly a marvel of shamelessly derviative tech!
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:44PM
Don't be surprised if Sony release FitStation too.
DarkTetsuya @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:51PM
but see the 'PS3mote' (patent pending) has been in development for MONTHS before nintendo's wiimote, it just *looks* like they're ripping it off because they didn't finish it on time. :P
Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:08PM
Fernando, Sony already had achievements. They were called Skill Points in Insomniac games. Except unlike achievement points, skill points actually unlocked cool bonuses rather than just graft another 1/4 an inch to your dick hat.
As for FitStation, EyeToy:Kinetic. I know, I know, it's not the same. But if you ask me, WiiFit looks a bit toooooo much like this product right here.
http://www.xavix.com/products/xlm.html
Of course the only game left for Nintendo to blatantly steal from Xavix is the EyeHand program and you got to cut Nintendo some slack, it only came out in January. Nintendo needs time to completely rape the XaviX.
JaKa (Because 666 gives a wrong impression!) @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:12PM
@ Omar
Sony already copied Wiimote when they announced SIXAXIS.Their current idea of making a specific motion sensitive controller seems more like a failed attempt to copy MS' "Newton".
343 Guilty Fart @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:21PM
Zing!
DangerMouse @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:28PM
BUT OH NOES NINTENDO COPIED SEGA AND SONEEEE'S USE OF THE OPTICAL DISC TECHNOLOGAAAAAAAAYYY!@$
Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:37PM
Jaka, except for this tidbit. Sony's patent for Sixaxis was rewarded in 1999. Filed in 1998. Likewise, Sony debuted the tilt sensing Mini-USB dongle for the PSP before we even heard the name Revolution.
The fantard fuckwit facts say Sixaxis was stolen. The evidence says it was technology Sony had but never moved on for various reasons. Besides, you Nintendophiles cannot be offended as much as the Micronauts since it all stems from Sidewinder controllers.
JaKa (Because 666 gives a wrong impression!) @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:55PM
@Sir Fidelus
I knew that, but it seems that just like little companies who are now suing Wii and SIXAXIS, big companies often get patents on everything to avoid any trouble in future.
Patent or not,the fact that Sony announced SIXAXIS barely after Wiimote still looks like pure PR to me.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:31PM
I think it stems from three things actually.
1. Lack of usable rumble. The Immersion lawsuit which everyone else just bought their way out of (Microsoft settled out of court, Nintendo licensed the tech from Rumble Pack on) crippled the PS3 controller and the prototype, despite no one actually having touched it, received a SERIOUS backlash. So they had to go back to one of their earlier patents or vaporware extensions.
2. The backlash from the boomerang controller basically forced Sony to jump back to what is still largely considered the best controller, the dual shock. But would wireless be enough if players lost rumble? Nope. But holy crap, PSP fanbase was still slightly annoyed Mercury for PSP didn't launch with the tilt dongle deved by Sony and we'd never see that again.
3. To get a working prototype done and working software in under six months to the extent which they had it with Warhawk would be a massive undertaking. I have a feeling as the boomerang hate appeared at E3, Sony made changes.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:34PM
sheppy
The DualShock desing is not even close to be the best controller. Segmented d-pad, bad left analog placement, and the DS3 has bad triggers.
Gamecube controller and 360 controller are far more better than the Dualshock.
DangerMouse @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:14PM
Bull. The Gamecube, by far, has the worse analog controlling and button layout. The L & R triggers are dodgy, and the Z-button is in the most awkward place, too small, and extremely stiff. The 360's analog pads are much better than DualShock, but the D-Pad on the 360 too sensitive on the main directional points.
j.howlett @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:03PM
i used a third party controller that looked exactly like the boomerang controller on the ps2 and it felt too awkward. i could have have found a way to get used to it but i like the playstation controllers cause they're basically snes pads evolved. the segmented d-pad works great imo because its still one piece and flows nice in circular moves, and its analog. nintendo shouldn't have left sony for what was it the 3DI?
Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:42PM
@Fernando
"Gamecube controller and 360 controller are far more better than the Dualshock."
Please, Fernando... I can go with the 360 controllers, but the GC controller is garbage. The tiny d-pad is nearly worthless. The right analog is a pointless nub. The face button placement hinders some genres and really doesn't help any others. It's different for the sake of being different. The triggers are loose and cheap feeling and have a pointless catch in the middle. The Z button is stiff and too close to the top side lip of the right trigger. The Z-button also lacks a mirror on the opposite side. My guess is they didn't want to appear to be copying the other guys with having 4 shoulder buttons/triggers, so they left one off. Again, being different for the sake of being different... no benefit. The analog triggers lack buttons under the sticks that the other controllers have (e.g. L3 and R3 on Sony controllers). The cord is ridiculously short. The GC controllers are a joke.
John McPoop (PSN:johnnynumber5) @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:58PM
Well Ole Omar -
I don't think Home is stealing second life anymore than second life ripped off the Sims ... Its really not going to be the same as Second Life because the entire dynamic around second life revolves strictly around community created content and really turned into more of a virtual swap meet than a vibrant social network ...
Nintendo did not invent an IR Pointer and motion controls anymore than they invented a touch screen and stylus with the DS ... They are the biggest success and best implementor of these technologies in home video game consoles and consumer electronics ...
I do not blame Sony or Microsoft for copying the Wii Mote (Microsoft is also reported to be developing a device) ... Great artist steal ... One of the big things that makes the Wii popular is the motion controls (waggle) and the IR pointer and if the other two can also offer that control mechanic with true High Definition gaming and better quality control on the titles its a win - win situation for everyone ...
Maybe some games would support both control methods but for the most part games control better when a specific control scheme is implemented from day one ... Sony has Keyboard and Mouse support & The Eye Toy (that actually has games mind you (*cough* Microsoft *cough*)so if they added an Wii Mote esque device and implement these different control schemes into specific titles it will give them the broadest range of input devices ... Not to mention the potential of 3-D head tracking with the PSEye that can give the illusion of 3-D and depth similar to what Johhny Lee did with 2 Wii Motes ...
Sony already has Six-Axis controllers which I love when implemented properly ... They now have this Six Axis controllers with Rumble in which no one else has (kind of) ... I do not think that the PS3 will appeal to as many casual gamers as the Wii because of the sophistication and more importantly the price ... The PS3 is really an entertainment hub and not just a games console like the Wii - for better or worse - I use all of the features and adore my PS3 ... I can see a lot of people who just want to play games ... I don't think that is very forward thinking and with that mindset you are asking companies to give you less for your money ...
I think the Wii Mote can be approved upon and I am sure everyone will agree that better quality titles can be made that actually make use of the controller technology ...
DOUBLE ANALOG CONTROLS
I prefer this control set up to keyboard and mouse & The Wii Mote ... However, as I said if this rumor is true it will not matter because Sony will have all three input periphials (4 w/eye toy) ... It is up to the developers to make these inputs compatible with the games ... I believe UT3 for PS3 supported Keyboard and mouse but I think that is the only game
Anything to spur the industry on! I am all for it!
If you ain't cheating you ain't trying
great artist steal
Hell Nintendo stole the Wii mote idea from that fat and hairy dude who worked for Midway ... How soon we forget
arrrgh @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:38PM
When are they going to figure out that if you want a drastically different controller to work, you have to build the console around that interface or the devs wont bite. You'll get 3 games that use it :(