Here we go. Various outlets today began redirecting readers to Motus Games' page, who have been working on Darwin, a Wii remote-like motion controller that doesn't need an infrared sensor bar to work. The device is slated to come out at the end of the year for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Of course, we've known about Darwin ... since February, so why is this coming out now?
As far as we can tell at the moment, the Xbox 360 connection can be summed up like this:
Darwin shares a similar color pallette with the Xbox 360 pad
We're not denying the possibility that Darwin is, erm, Newton, but we're not sure what, if any, revelations have come out in the last four months. (Microsoft, if you recall, has a definite deal with Qmotion over active gaming controllers.) So for now, sit back, relax, print out your bingo card and wait for Monday's press conference.
Darwin? Where does Darwin come in to Physics? Unless this will be a new social fad where if you press two controllers together they will alter slightly until you eventually after thousands of mixes get a completely new controller that will be used for the next generation console.
But Microsoft like big. They encompass the American dream into their gaming - big, powerful and pretty uncomfortable. Remember the original Xbox controller?
The only thing that bothered me on the original Xbox controller was the placement of the black and white buttons, something that was remedied when the controller S model was introduced.
Ick. That looks horribly uncomfortable to hold like that. Like the horribly awkward Zapper or a giant porno cock.
I do like that both parts supposedly have IR sensors in them, though. The Wii's nunchuk desperately needs that.
Over all, I REALLY hope that's not it, though. Even though I intend to laugh at MS's pathetic Me Too strategy this E3, there are a LOT of ways to improve the Wiimote, especially in regards to making it more 'ahrdcore' game friendly...and looking at this, it really don't look like they are making any of those changes.
Both Sony and Nintendo have recently ripped off a lot of Microsoft's ideas, and people have mostly ignored those, so I see no reason to blame Microsoft for now copying some of the competitors ideas themselves, especially considering how big motion gaming seems to be.
Personally, I really hope this isn't it. It's all been said, but it looks ugly, gigantic and awkward to use. I certainly wouldn't bother with this, and I'd probably just avoid any games that required it. All MS need is some kind of pointing device, that will help with all the RTS games that seem to be coming to the system. It would have enough functionality for hardcore gamers, but also include the silly waving it about to rope in those casual fans.
But no, I don't see myself trying to play Halo Wars or Viva Pinata using THIS.
"Both Sony and Nintendo have recently ripped off a lot of Microsoft's ideas, and people have mostly ignored those, so I see no reason to blame Microsoft for now copying some of the competitors ideas themselves, especially considering how big motion gaming seems to be."
FWIW, this is actually a return to motion control for MS. They had a PC Sidewinder pad with motion controls years ago.
lol this is a PC controller... we talked about this over at sarcasticgamer.com... This design makes absolutely no sense for the 360... Or is it going to be like the Scene-it Controller and the live eye? Promises of all these games, and still only one per item???
Given that the Wiimote is already Bluetooth, why not just use the Wiimote with your PC? It is probably cheaper too and you can take advantage of all the accessories made for it.
ok... so the wiimote needs an IR bar because it has the pointing capabilities... this doesn't, it looks like a bar controller with an accelerometer inside it... not very innovative in my book.
"a Wii remote-like motion controller that doesn't need an infrared sensor bar to work. "
They say it like it's a negative. Personally, I think using it as a pointing device is one of the best parts of the Wii Remote. It made Metroid Prime 3's controls awesome.
Plus, not all games require the sensor bar to work.
I'd buy it if only for the golf swing analyzer (if it's accurate). That alone would make it worth it, though I don't know if Motus is planning on making that software available, which is probably the more valuable piece.
It's coming out for three platforms...they probably have a different color palette for each version. Don't think there's any connection to Microsoft here.
Get ur ass back to sales, you and Pam are about to git hitched and you need to save money!!! Also, tell Dwight I said the Bed & Breakfast at the Beatfarm last weekend was just grand. ;)
Remember the break apart controller in focus group testing? Well that sure looks like a break apart motion controller to me.
Sony and Microsoft are smart this time around. Rather than make the controller themselves and face and endless stream of Texas patent lawsuits, they just let some other company with a lot less money make the controller, thus reducing the target potential of the lawsuits.
Whoo hoo welcome to lawsuit nation where everyone becomes afraid to make anything because somehow someway they will be sued in texas, good times.
That's kind of a stupid theory. If the original company winds up infringing, the controller isn't going to get distributed, and Microsoft winds up screwed anyways. They could also get nailed for the violation if they wind up manufacturing or branding the controller, which they almost certainly will.
