Rumor: Motus Games' Darwin is Xbox 360's motion controller
by Ross Miller 
{ Jul 11th 2008 at 9:59AM }
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
- There are similarities in the name Darwin and the purported codename for Microsoft's motion controller, Newton
- E3 is days away and everyone is getting antsy
Gallery: Darwin (Motus Games)
Update: We've placed Motus' video demos after the break.
[Via X3F]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ThePerfectCompanion @ Jul 11th 2008 10:07AM
Newton!?
Surely they could have come up with something better/cooler...
Also I'm not too sure how comfortable it will feel using that controller...
mr mobius @ Jul 11th 2008 10:32AM
Newton makes sense.
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.
The Sound @ Jul 11th 2008 10:47AM
Darwin: The evolution of the controller....
That's how I sees it anyway.
Shagittarius @ Jul 11th 2008 5:23PM
I would say its an evolutionary mistake then...
colin @ Jul 11th 2008 6:13PM
that design isn't very intelligent.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Jul 12th 2008 10:46PM
Coming up next: The Guevara, the revolution of the controller.
*Wrist straps included.
LordChimp @ Jul 11th 2008 10:09AM
It certainly looks ugly, I will give it that.
natels @ Jul 11th 2008 10:10AM
Ugly and gigantic.. It's less a controller and more of a tree trunk of some nature. I for one have no interest in anything that looks like this pos.
mr mobius @ Jul 11th 2008 10:34AM
But Microsoft like big. They encompass the American dream into their gaming - big, powerful and pretty uncomfortable. Remember the original Xbox controller?
Xoviet chiK @ Jul 11th 2008 10:40AM
Yes, and I also remember how it was one of the most comfortable controllers to use ever... even for my tiny hands.
xGeneral DEATHx @ Jul 11th 2008 12:50PM
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.
shey @ Jul 11th 2008 3:42PM
They should call it the 360 shaft... no explanation needed
superaktieboy @ Jul 11th 2008 5:07PM
and they said the Wiimote looked like a dildo
samfish @ Jul 11th 2008 10:11AM
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.
xFenixKnightx @ Jul 11th 2008 10:20AM
"or a giant porno cock"
Umm, what? Sometimes I just dont know about you FapFap, lol! I also hope thats not it. I'm just not feeling it.
Snowblind @ Jul 11th 2008 10:23AM
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.
ThePerfectCompanion @ Jul 11th 2008 10:27AM
A huge white porno cock...thats it.
And awkward is the perfect word to describe this. I pray this is NOT the real thing.
Vidikron (FU) @ Jul 11th 2008 10:30AM
"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.
samfish @ Jul 11th 2008 10:36AM
Sometimes my butch lesbianism fails me and I can't help myself!
xFenixKnightx @ Jul 11th 2008 10:43AM
:O
Noshino @ Jul 11th 2008 10:49AM
Dutch lesbianism? O_O
Mr.ESC @ Jul 11th 2008 12:29PM
"Dutch lesbianism?"
Where? Gimme Link nao?
BigD145 @ Jul 11th 2008 1:32PM
It's like that giant purple dildo in GTA. So huge you could use it as a weapon.
Zoot Suit Jedi @ Jul 11th 2008 10:12AM
If this thing comes equipped with vibration expect a jump in the number of female gamers.
mr mobius @ Jul 11th 2008 10:38AM
The Wiimote is a more comfortable size I'd imagine. Unless she is just after pushing out triplets.
Xoviet chiK @ Jul 11th 2008 10:42AM
If the PS2 version of Rez couldn't reel us in, nothing will.
arrrgh @ Jul 11th 2008 10:13AM
what an ugly controller with an even uglier name
andyg8180 @ Jul 11th 2008 10:13AM
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???
But i must admit... the black one looks perty...
Shagittarius @ Jul 11th 2008 11:24AM
Careful, once you go black, you'll never go back.
tarken @ Jul 11th 2008 1:59PM
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.
Co @ Jul 11th 2008 1:59PM
must resist mom joke reply to shag!!!
sorensilk @ Jul 11th 2008 10:13AM
The only game that controller would be good for is Star Wars.
FOXHOUND @ Jul 11th 2008 10:22AM
Okay, I'm not the only person who thought that over anything phallic. I feel a bit better.
It seriously looks like a white painted Vader 'saber.
sorensilk @ Jul 11th 2008 10:24AM
Exactly. And look at the black one in the gallery. It looks even better/ http://www.joystiq.com/photos/darwin-motus-games/914137/
Youthinized @ Jul 11th 2008 4:22PM
First thought I had when I seen it.
Defferoo @ Jul 11th 2008 10:14AM
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.
Phillip @ Jul 11th 2008 10:34AM
Exactly what I was about to say.
"a Wii remote-like motion controller that doesn't need an infrared sensor bar to work. "
No IR sensor bar because there are no pointing capabilities! Dur!
DVD Defects @ Jul 11th 2008 2:20PM
"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.
Ken Shammy @ Jul 11th 2008 10:14AM
Lightsaber games ahoy!
I really don't care how it looks like. It certainly seems like it MIGHT be a bit more ergonomic than the Wiimote.
0ldb0y @ Jul 11th 2008 10:15AM
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.
Kizzle @ Jul 11th 2008 10:16AM
Don't give a damn what it looks like, but if it works better than the annoying Wii-mote, I'll at least give it a look.
Judging by the videos of this thing in action, I do not think I'll be giving it a shot.
JohnnyW @ Jul 11th 2008 10:18AM
Er... I'd like to point out theres also a PS3 themed controller there, what with the black colour scheme and hte nice Blue X replacing the A button.
Jim Halpert DM @ Jul 11th 2008 10:23AM
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.
xFenixKnightx @ Jul 11th 2008 10:46AM
Jim
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. ;)
juju187 @ Jul 11th 2008 10:23AM
it looks like it detaches from the middle but yes it does look like a X-cock. now put a jacket on it...
Shagittarius @ Jul 11th 2008 11:30AM
Jacket off.
Zoot Suit Jedi @ Jul 11th 2008 12:24PM
quagmire says: "Aallriiiight."
Iridium @ Jul 11th 2008 10:28AM
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.
Erwos @ Jul 11th 2008 10:40AM
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.
Erwos @ Jul 11th 2008 10:32AM
I wouldn't mind this thing, provided they put the IR pointing capabilities into it.