GDC09: GameTrak Freedom motion controller detailed

by Xav de Matos { Mar 25th 2009 at 2:30AM }

Performance Designed Products (PDP) has come to GDC prepared to showcase the latest model of it's new creation, the GameTrak Freedom -- a motion controller for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Planned to be released on Microsoft's console this fall, and the PS3 (potentially) next year, the Freedom acts like current motion controllers on the market but adds a special feature. Through the use of accelerometers, the Freedom establishes the pitch, roll, and yaw of the controller but, unlike other motion devices, it can calculate the precise distance, orientation, and speed of the controller with the use of two side-mounted sensor bars.

According to IGN, third-party companies are already developing titles for the Freedom but PDP has taken the reigns by developing it's own launch title: Squeeballs. Currently in development by PDP owned, In2Games, Squeeballs is a mini-game collection, which includes a total of 150 challenges across 11 different games.

After ages of Xbox 360 motion controller rumors that have led to nothing official, we wonder if Microsoft's console is in need of such a device. Arguments could be made that the release of You're In the Movies attempted to test the waters for peripheral based games (not associated with Rock or Heroes), but mild interest in that family friendly venture could prove that Microsoft isn't fooling anyone into thinking the Xbox 360 is something it isn't.

Interestingly enough, due to the Freedom's precision, players will actually have to put effort into movements unlike the faked wrist-flicks done in current gesture-based games. In other words, buy a pane of bulletproof glass to put in front of your television this fall. The (cute, yet disturbing) trailer for Squeeballs is available after the break.

[Thanks, Niko O.!]

Tags: gametrak-freedom, gdc-2009, motion-control, squeeballs

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Clemenceau @ Mar 25th 2009 2:56AM

The death of the Wii eh?

So sad really. If the Wii had done it better in the first place and gotten M+ out a year ago this wouldn't be so sad.

I honestly can't think of a reason any person (casual or hardcore) would now purchase a Wii.

Feba @ Mar 25th 2009 3:13AM

Because the Wii actually exists, and has great games. Not to mention, it's the cheapest console on the market, which matters a heckuva lot more to many people than processing power.

The Wii also has great promise in its upcoming lineup. The idea that a peripheral coming out in a year kills it is hilarious. Especially when you compare it to the most similar one, EyeToy, which had first party support, and was still almost completely useless. Or hell, for that matter, PlayStation Eye has what, Eye of Judgement? It's become basically a webcam, not a gameplay tool.

A motion controller with a minigame collection and a console that has the motion controller out of the box, built into a great many quality and hardcore title are very different things. Especially, as you mention, M+ coming out in a few months along with Wii Sports 2 (which will likely be very big, with any marketing) and developers picking up support for it.

All this controller really has on its side is the potential for higher quality graphics, and overwhelmingly people who are so anal about them that they can't enjoy the Wii have shown themselves to hate motion control; it'd be a bad move for a developer to go there. It might also allow developers to more easily port games off of Wii and onto other consoles, but that controller looks like it would be poorly suited to many Wii games that would receive such a treatment. Heck, does it even support attachments, like the nunchuk?

That's another important thing; there's a big difference between a wand that detects motion and something which can functionally serve as a gaming controller. %99 of quality games on the Wii would be impossible to play without the Nunchuk, you simply need more control than motion for anything beyond minigames.

Feba @ Mar 25th 2009 3:17AM

I should qualify that statement; the Wii is the cheapest non-portable console this generation, in terms of total cost of ownership (what the average person will spend on the console in order to play the games they want to play on it)

Anticrawl @ Mar 25th 2009 3:20AM

@Feba

The arcade version of the 360 retails for $199.

mazza_man @ Mar 25th 2009 6:30AM

The Wii also has a reputation as being a family friendly console. People buy it because of that.

Neither the 360 not the PS3 has that. Casual gamers will never choose them over the Wii.

lasersanchez @ Mar 25th 2009 7:21AM

Saying 99% of quality games on the Wii use the nunchuk implies there are at least 100 quality games on the system. There are maybe 10-20 tops.

samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Mar 25th 2009 8:56AM

Yeah, I remember when You're In The Movies was going to kill the Wii and steal the casual audience, too.

Fact of the matter is, this is going to do NOTHING to hurt the Wii because:
A) It's a peripheral, which have probably a 90% failure rate when it comes to being widely used. Rumble pack is pretty much the only notable exception.
B) It's a THIRD PARTY peripheral. Microsoft aren't even supporting it in any sort of official capacity, by all accounts. By the time this generation is over, you'll be able to count on one hand the number of games that use this thing.
C) No one is going to think the 360 (or PS3) is something it isn't. Contrary to popular belief, consumers AREN'T as dumb as people like to make them out to be. This and You're in the Movies isn't going to persuade anyone to buy he 360 over the Wii.

Crazy, crazy fanboys.

Bluemanrule @ Mar 25th 2009 11:45AM

Samfish,

A) Tell that to Logitech. Their 3rd party peripherals are fantastic. Also RB & GH instruments fall into this category. These are even worse because they have isolated uses.
B) It all depends on if this device uses Microsofto's proprietary wireless frequency. If so, then I can see microsoft throwing support behind this. If that happens, Microsoft itself will promulgate software titles.
C) Consumers AREN'T as dumb as people like to make them out to be BUT they ARE more fickle than they themselves realize. The Wii is an experience that, until fall 09 can't be found anywhere else. Unless Ninty finds another way to differentiate it's product, it will find its marketshare slipping away.

Feba @ Mar 25th 2009 9:57PM

Anticrawl: Like I said, cheapest in terms of average amount people will spend on hardware and accessories before games. I'm not going to say there's some bare minimum of features a console should have, like HDD or Wifi, given that the Wii doesn't have a lot of what people consider 'basic features'; but simply ask a group of Wii owners how much they spent on the console and accessories for it (Controllers, cables, SD card, etc.) and a group of 360 owners. Especially when you take the 360's failure rate into account, and the cost of repairs or replacement-- it's gotten better recently, but it's still an issue. And given that most casual gamers are going to get their information from friends and marketing, and not from technical research, the Red Ring problem is going to come up.

Lasersanchez: I wasn't talking about the games so much as what you can do without the nunchuk. There are games that use the nunchuk most of the time, but have a part where you don't need the nunchuk, normally minigames. The table tilt minigame in Twilight Princess and Pure White Giant Glastonbury in N.M.H. come to mind.

Bluemanrule: A- There's also Steel Batallion. The point isn't that games based on peripherals don't work; of course they do. Most of them have at least cult-hit status to boot. However, peripherals designed to be sold AND REQUIRED for multiple games overwhelmingly do not work. Look at the Dualshock (speaking in terms of PS1 only), Expansion Pak (N64 RAM upgrade), EyeToy, etc. They enjoy a limited success, and sometimes make good optional content, but they overwhelmingly do not manage to carve out a significant portion of the market. The only game I can think of that required the Dualshock was Ape Escape; the other two were a bit more widespread, but EyeToy games were always just that. There was never a big EyeToy Hit.

C- Nintendo has already done tons to differentiate themselves. A game console for everyone, fun and easy to pick up games, and so on. It's the upstart that has to prove they're more than a poor attempt to try to copy the Wii's success. I wish them luck on that, but if simply having better technology was sufficient to displace the leader, the iPod would've been forgotten long ago.

sonicspike41 @ Mar 25th 2009 2:41AM

Wait... does this mean I get to complain about minigame fests on the X360 and PS3 now too? Oh joyous day when fanboys will unite against the shovelware, you are now closer than ever.

Saria the Cat @ Mar 25th 2009 2:52AM

I'm pretty sure everyone despises shovelware, regardless of console.

sonicspike41 @ Mar 25th 2009 3:34AM

True amongst gamers, but what about amongst fanboys/girls? I feel like more people insult the Wii for shovelware than they insult the X360 or PS3 for shovelware. If minigames like this get released on other consoles it'll bring that insult to it's knees and kill it with a swift MSRP blow to the stomach.

Basically, less people saying "Wii is shovelware" and more people saying "shovelware is bad".

DEEZNUTZ @ Mar 25th 2009 9:47AM

Can I play SF IV with it? Is that D-pad any better?

Lemmiwinks @ Mar 27th 2009 10:24AM

All I see here is "Rayman: Raving Balls"

Saria the Cat @ Mar 25th 2009 2:51AM

Okay, that Squeeballs trailer is very cute. But cuteness can't make up for everything, Squeeballs! I remain skeptical until further notice.

Anticrawl @ Mar 25th 2009 3:18AM

The trailer made me squeeballs.

mynk @ Mar 25th 2009 3:39PM

With a name like sqeezeballs and motion control availability, i expected a game that was very... different, if i may... form what the trailer portrayed.

Unit @ Mar 25th 2009 2:53AM

if you can't beat'em, join 'em....

Kamizar @ Mar 25th 2009 3:31AM

360 Sports anyone?

@Feba @ Mar 25th 2009 3:34AM

Now trust me. This isn't just typical fanboy bias. I bought a Wii on launch day and moderately enjoyed it. It's still in my possession but hasn't been played in over a month. The quality hardcore titles on the Wii are remakes/ports, light-gun shooters, or Nintendo 1st party games, which are too few and far between. For every unnecessary peripheral on the 360 or PS3 there is one (or 3 or 4) for the Wii (Wii Wheel cough cough.)

Don't get me wrong. This "GameTrak" is even worse than the Wii remote. But from a competitive standpoint, the Wii has just had a major hole blown into it's marketing campaign. It no longer does anything special, but rather, does the same and less. No DVD playback, limited music/DLC storage space, and a lack of quality support from 3rd party developers crippled the Wii before. How can they possibly compete against another company offering the same thing that defined the Wii, and then adding more?

TwEE @ Mar 25th 2009 4:44AM

So in your professional opinion how much longer do you think the Wii fad will last? Two, Three months?

mazza_man @ Mar 25th 2009 6:36AM

Because the Wii has a reputation. The 360/PS3 doesn't. Causal gamers arn't interested in those systems.

squeehunter @ Mar 25th 2009 5:44PM

Don't even START with the "The Wii can't play DVDs." bullshit. You know how many things in my house can already play DVD's? Nine. If someone GAVE me a free DVD player, I wouldn't even want it.

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Mar 25th 2009 3:53AM

PDP = Pelican

I just thought I'd put that out there.

Mr Khan @ Mar 25th 2009 8:37AM

Pelican's still around?

Wonders never cease

Puffles @ Mar 25th 2009 4:53AM

Oh... that poor blue Squeeball being ground alive into a Squeesausage... my mind has been shattered... T_T

syrik zero @ Mar 25th 2009 11:09AM

I also thought that was cruel. We should start a petition and call PETA!

EdgeOne @ Mar 25th 2009 5:09AM

Looks like WarioWare done badly. How original of them.

StGermain @ Mar 25th 2009 5:39AM

If I can use it with Tiger Woods Golf then I'm sold... I just don't want to buy a wii with ugly graphics for it.

DJcube @ Mar 25th 2009 5:39AM

Third party controllers (no matter how good they are) always fail.

I'm fairly sure that the Wii Remote would have failed (like all the previous motion controllers) if Nintendo had gone for their original plan of releasing it as a new GameCube controller.

It's all about the image (in the eyes of the "non-gamers"): The GameCube was a games console, the 360 and PS3 are games consoles. It's hard to shake something like that off. The Wii was something fresh.

lasersanchez @ Mar 25th 2009 7:17AM

My third party Logitech PS2 and Xbox controllers are the shit and the PS2 ones are still being sold today.

aristokrat @ Mar 25th 2009 1:43PM

Tell that to all the plastic guitars sitting in households around the world.

sparkster @ Mar 25th 2009 5:50AM

Does my 360 really *need* this? I mean, motion stuff is so popular on the Wii, because *every* game uses it by default. The Wiimote is the standard controller and not a gimmick that only few games use like it would be for the 360. And for the Wii I use the Gamecube controller whenever possible (Metal Slug Anthology, Mariokart etc).

I don't think they have quite a large target group if they suggest, that people buy minigames AND pay extra for a special controller. Then again, Guitar Hero/Rockband ist quite successful... It stays a risky plan though.

So yeah, I personally don't see myself spending money on this unless there's a way to implement it into extisting games which I don't think as it seems this is limited to third party stuff.

mazza_man @ Mar 25th 2009 6:38AM

Wait, you use a GC controller for Mario Kart?! The Wiimote and nunchuck layout is actually much better for that...flicking your wrist to do tricks is waayyy easier than pressing the D-pad. Use the 'mote.

Premo @ Mar 25th 2009 8:23AM

I can't see how they'd implement it on most 360 games anyway since most stuff utilizes camera and what nots.

I really don't like to see motion control stuff spread too far through consoles anyway. It's all good for the wii, but when I get on 360 i just want to use a controller to play.

Mr Khan @ Mar 25th 2009 8:39AM

I never understood not using the Whiil myself. Everything just feels so, artificial after that

Mr Khan @ Mar 25th 2009 8:41AM

Is some pretty nice tech, but after You're In The Movies faltered, i don't quite think there's a game-changing market for this.

How exactly did YITM do?

sonicspike41 @ Mar 25th 2009 9:07AM

In reference to the Wii Wheel:

I felt the exact opposite. I tried with the wheel and dear god do I wish I hadn't. Perhaps I just needed more time to get used to it, but for me I couldn't figure out whether to hold it parallel to the floor or parallel to the TV. This might be the reason why every time I turned I either turned too far or not far enough and went flying off the mountain. It was a bad experience either way, but that may be more my experience with controllers to blame.

Mr. Cantu @ Mar 25th 2009 9:56AM

You're in the movies sold poorly because it looked like crap. I love my 360 but that game looked horrible from the get go. I'm not even sure You're in the movies would have sold well had it been released by Nintendo for the Wii.

verymetal @ Mar 25th 2009 9:12AM

This quote from the article makes me laugh " the Freedom acts like current motion controllers on the market." It should just say " the Freedom copies the Wii and desperately tries to cash in on Nintendos ideas and creativity."

Cody @ Mar 25th 2009 9:30AM

So, so true.

Easo @ Mar 25th 2009 1:14PM

Yes, because there were no motion based controllers or gyroscopic mouse/pointers before the wii remote.

mynk @ Mar 25th 2009 3:48PM

@easo

right now you're getting mad about how people think ninty invended motion control... wait till you get to the apple fanboys. multi touch touchpads on laptops? NOBODY, not even asus, could even dream of that before mr. jobs had an idea of the same.