GDC09: Takahashi says Noby Noby Boy was developed on 360

by Richard Mitchell { Mar 26th 2009 at 6:25PM }

Speaking at GDC, Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi revealed that the PSN title Noby Noby Boy was developed on the Xbox 360. As to why it was then released exclusively on the PSN, Takahashi said that he dislikes seeing so many people staring down at handheld games on the subway. He joked, "Maybe it's not such a good thing if a game sells a lot of copies. So we put it on the PS3 as a download only title so it wouldn't sell as many." On a more serious note, Takahashi said that he likes that the analogue sticks on the PS3 controller are aligned horizontally, as opposed to the asymmetrical setup on the Xbox 360 controller. Feel free to consult his diagram above if you're confused.

Don't get your hopes up just yet, 360 owners, Takahashi didn't drop any hints that Noby Noby Boy would be twisting its way to 360. In fact, he pretty much crushed any hopes it might, saying, "Well, this game is not being sold well, so I can't support Xbox at all."

Tags: gdc-2009, namco, noby-noby-boy, psn

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Mar 26th 2009 6:28PM

OH SHI-

Markez @ Mar 26th 2009 6:46PM

Nah, it looks like it says ole' up there, not OH SHI-

Markez @ Mar 26th 2009 7:00PM

Now that I think about it, it's probably a reference to potato ole's, or maybe "OLE' B!TCH, IM ON PSN, NOT YOU, YOU SILLY 360! GIT OUT THE WAY!"

grudgeoms @ Mar 26th 2009 6:29PM

LOL! thatta boy Xbox don't need this anyways.

Quinion @ Mar 26th 2009 6:33PM

y is the right thumbstick so low on the 360 controller.....has he even touched a 360 controller?

Lars @ Mar 26th 2009 7:21PM

I'm pretty sure Joystiq or someone else drew those on the image... Especially since that's just an open folder window.

I'm glad someone besides me feels that way about the Xbox controller's analog sticks. Drives me nuts that it's not symmetrical. I don't care whether they're both low or both high... but why the heck is one higher than the other? Bah! Once I'm actually into a game I completely forget about it though.

Richard Mitchell @ Mar 26th 2009 7:40PM

@Lars

Nope, that's from the presentation. The controllers weren't added to the image by Joystiq.

ElStefio @ Mar 26th 2009 8:51PM

@ Lars

Yeah i'm with you on that one. Never understood why they did it when human hands are generally symmetrical...

007craft @ Mar 26th 2009 9:15PM

wow you guys kidding me? The ps3s symetrical sticks are the only things thats holding me back from the playstation brand for 10 years. Much more comfortable to have the left stick higher up like that. its a more natural position, which is why the buttons are there on the right, cause you use the right stick much less then the buttons.

samfish @ Mar 26th 2009 10:10PM

Don't worry, Quinion. Next time I see Mr. Takahashi, I'll be sure to cut off his balls and bring them to you.
THAT'LL TEACH HIM FOR QUICKLY DRAWING CRUDE LOOKING VIDEO GAME CONTROLLERS!

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Mar 27th 2009 5:09AM

@ 007Craft

"Much more comfortable to have the left stick higher up like that. its a more natural position, which is why the buttons are there on the right, cause you use the right stick much less then the buttons."

well that's not true of most FPS's. one usually uses the left stick the aim, right stick to move the camera, and front buttons/triggers to shoot. face buttons are normally reserved for grenades and jumps and stuff, which i know i personally use a lot less.

since buying a 360, i have learned to tolerate the analog stick placement, but i still much prefer the way the PS3 is set up. and that's a shame too because the 360's sticks are MUCH more comfortable/ergonomic with the concave style as opposed to Sony's convex design.

Access Granted @ Mar 27th 2009 10:48AM

@007craft : Agreed. When I play shooters on the sony controller it doesn't feel right at all. Its just plain akward. But on the 360 controller it feels natural because the 360 controller was designed to play shooters because it was created by Westerners after all. Whilst the Ps3 was designed by the Japanese which are more into Role playing games and bullet hell (thats why the Ps3 has a better d-pad). I don't about most people but in my honest opinion I would rather use a 360 controller for fps rather than ps3 since it is more comfortable in my hands and it gives more space between the analog sticks.

I don't know what this dev was thinking but I believe multi platform would have increased the sales . Oh well. There's always new awesome games every other week on xbla anyways so why bother with a title like "Noby Noby Boy"?

aristokrat @ Mar 27th 2009 1:49PM

In shooters I'd say you use both the right stick and the face buttons almost equally. Halo: jump, melee, switch weapons, equipment (you need to use all buttons or you're doing it wrong). GOW: A for cover/run/mantle (the most used button) RE5: A and X are used constantly.

I'd say right stick use if mostly quick flicks, and then back to a button (especially if you're jumping around, etc), as opposed to your left thumb which is almost constantly on the left stick (and you rarely use the d-pad, giving further credence to the idea that up is where MS thinks the anatomical position is).

And for most other types of games, it's definitely mostly left stick and face buttons.

Lars @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:29PM

@Richard Mitchell
Wow, I had no idea. How retarded.

aristokrat is right. When playing shooters, usually you're using both sticks with occasional pressing of the face-buttons/d-pad.

Lame that I got downvoted though. People aren't allowed to have differing opinions here eh? We don't live under Nazi rule, you can have your own opinion you know.

sony boy @ Mar 26th 2009 6:33PM

well that's what you get when critics give it a 6.

sony boy @ Mar 26th 2009 6:34PM

oops, i meant to say 75...swwy

CH3BURASHKA @ Mar 26th 2009 7:12PM

Aren't you a Sony boy?

Also, I think if Noby Noby Boy came out on XBL, the TTP will even surpass Spore (then again, he already is just a huge wang).

Marmot @ Mar 26th 2009 6:34PM

Just wondering: has anyone outside of the virtualboy people tried having the two directional thingymajigs up high? Probably wouldn't work but seems like an interesting idea to me.

sony boy @ Mar 26th 2009 6:36PM

that's shtupid (shit=stupid)...why would u want to do that??? I thought face buttons basically are the second D-pad.

BIGGEN (LIVE-PSN: BIGGEN1103) @ Mar 26th 2009 6:43PM

@sony boy
sony boy? seriously? i couldn't even see what you wrote because your name blinded me to the rest. enjoy the vote downs ;)

Levi (God Hand Defense Force) @ Mar 26th 2009 6:56PM

I'd be down with that. I have big meatpaws, so my thumbs feel more comfortable about where the Start and Back buttons are on the 360 controller.

Brett from Atlanta @ Mar 26th 2009 8:38PM

The dreamcast's one analog stick was kinda high up, but other than that, I don't know of any other.

aacman007 @ Mar 26th 2009 6:36PM

I was a PS fanboy for forever... Until the PS3 didn't come out. Then I was a neutral medium amongst all consoles. As such, of all the console's, I like the 360's controller the best. It's a lot more ergonomic and even though the thumbsticks are asymmetrical, I think they work better than the PS3's steecks. 360's steecks are concave, and the sticks are nice and far from each other and still in good thumb positions. PS3's steecks are convex and they're too close to each other in my opinion, so grip on them is lacking. And the Wii just sucks... just... period.

Mind you, this be my opinion, ja ja.

Sly (PSN slycooper_rocker) @ Mar 26th 2009 6:41PM

i like the 360's triggers. they support your fingers. during intense gaming moments, my fingers slip off my ps3 controller's triggers.

Mein Bratwurst @ Mar 26th 2009 6:44PM

I also prefer 360's concave sticks over DS3 (when will you learn, Sony?!), but everything else annoys me - namely, the D-pad and "bumpers".

Maybe I just prefer the DualShock cause I've been using it for about 11 years now. /shrug

Vidikron @ Mar 26th 2009 6:44PM

Yeah, I like the 360's triggers the best. I also prefer the 360's tighter sticks. But I'm indifferent to the stick position difference between the PS3 and 360 controllers.

aacman007 @ Mar 26th 2009 6:46PM

The irony is priceless. I get reinforcing comments and negative feedback. =P

Vidikron @ Mar 26th 2009 6:48PM

Who knows? I didn't vote you down. I'll vote you up to help you out.

Markez @ Mar 26th 2009 6:48PM

The only time I've preferred another controller over the 360 one, was with Beautiful Katamari. Really wish I woulda had a PS2/PS3ish controller for that. Felt goofy on a 360 pad.

deanb @ Mar 26th 2009 6:55PM

I like the dimples of the analog sticks of the 360, but not the layout.
Also as someone who plays more GT5, Motorstorm n Dirt than KZ2 and the rest, i prefer the PS3's triggers as their more like pedal's. the 360's limited to been useful in pretty much only FPS's.
oh n out the two i prefer the 360 wired version, the wireless battery pack cramps my fingers(and makes it way just a gram or two too much to slip out of my mind)

CrashSpyro123 @ Mar 26th 2009 7:11PM

steecks?

343 Guilty Fart @ Mar 26th 2009 7:29PM

I prefer the 360 controller for everything except the D-pad. And the batteries. I have to plug the thing in to recharge all the time, the DS3 not so much. I love the placement of the analog sticks on the 360 too, they're placed where my thumbs go.

Lars @ Mar 26th 2009 7:31PM

Interesting, aacman007.

It's actually completely opposite for me. I never liked Sony's consoles. The PS1 was a steaming turd IMO. The PS2 was better, and I wound up having to buy it for a couple certain games, but I still wasn't too impressed. But as far as controllers go, both the 360 and PS3 controllers have problems, but overall I prefer the DS3.

I know a lot of people love the triggers on the 360 controller because they're shaped like gun triggers. But god damn, I hate using an analog trigger to shoot in games! If they were triggers on a real gun they'd be considered the worst POS's ever made. Mushy, unresponsive, no tactile click, etc. = fail. The PS3 triggers are no better in that regard, but at least most PS3 games do it right and map shoot to R1.

Great Golem+ @ Mar 26th 2009 7:33PM

PS3 users need to get these:

http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation3/4-/5675248/Gioteck-Real-Triggers-For-PS3/Product.html

And no i don't work for Gioteck, if anyone was wondering... :)

NoughtSoClever @ Mar 26th 2009 7:57PM

I think everyone will agree

360 controller + Nintendo d-pad + PS3 charge over usb standard and maybe built in battery (some like being able to use AAs)

Mr Khan @ Mar 26th 2009 8:04PM

Take a Classic Controller, swap the left stick and d-pad, and add handles. Slight modification of the new pro model.

Lars @ Apr 3rd 2009 6:44PM

I don't agree, NaughtSoClever. The reality is that everyone has their own personal preferences, and until they make a modular controller that can morph into whatever you like, there will be no "best controller".

However, The ultimate controller for ME would have the 360's sticks but symmetrically laid out, it'd be wider than the dualshock but not as clunky as the 360, convex triggers (like the 360) but wider (like the ps3), nice bumpers (large like the ps3 but better clickyness), and a good d-pad with diagonal buttons.

And again... why did I get downvoted? Are opinions not allowed? Fuck, it's not like I'm trolling, I'm just having a discourse with fellow gamers.

ANTCEP @ Mar 26th 2009 6:36PM

i don't get it

BIGGEN (LIVE-PSN: BIGGEN1103) @ Mar 26th 2009 6:40PM

i have this on PSN (cause it was cheap), but this title is much better suited for the ps3. it's biggest problem is the fact that most obstacles on the maps collapse and make it frustrating to get boy to a respectable length before you're just done.

David @ Mar 26th 2009 8:25PM

@Spartacus: You mentioned that the ps3 can't bitstream HD audio...check this out:

HD Audio – PCM vs. Bitstream

Q: Just want to make sure myself and others understand how PCM vs. Bitstream audio streams work for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. I have a Denon AVR-3808 and the "Dolby TrueHD" and "DTS-HD MA" indicator lights do not light up when utilizing my PS3 or BDP-S350 for Blu-ray playback. This is because neither player supports the high-end audio codes in bitstream format, correct? They support PCM which is basically a file unzipped by my receiver which is equivalent to TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. It pains me not to see the indicator lights light up on a $1,700 receiver. Will there be possible upgrades which allow the PS3 to output the high-end audio codecs via bitstream, or would I need to purchase another Blu-ray player to make this happen?

A: There are two ways to get high-resolution audio out of your Blu-ray player to your receiver in full quality. The first is to transmit the native audio bitstream over HDMI and let your receiver do the decoding. In that instance, your receiver's front panel should light up with an indication of which codec it has received.

In order to do this, you'll need a Blu-ray player capable of transmitting the native bitstream. Unfortunately, the Playstation 3 won't do that. From what I understand, this is a hardware limitation in the HDMI transmitter used in the console, and cannot be changed with a software update. However, according to the specs I looked up, the Sony BDP-S350 will "bitstream" the high-res audio formats. Go into the player's Setup menu and make sure all audio options are set to Bitstream. (I've been informed that Sony calls this setting "Direct.") You may also need to turn off Secondary Audio if that's an option.

The other method to get full high-res sound quality is to let the player decode the audio internally. For this, you'll need a player with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders built in (some models will only decode standard Dolby Digital or DTS on their own). The PS3 is fully loaded with all the decoders you'll need. After decoding, the player will transmit the audio as multi-channel PCM. Although you won't see a "TrueHD" or "DTS-HD" indicator light up on your receiver, there should be no loss in quality from decoding the audio in the disc player rather than in the receiver.

David @ Mar 26th 2009 8:27PM

sorry pressed wrong reply button...couldn't see the other one since he was thumbed down...I won't post it again, it's too long

Spartacus @ Mar 26th 2009 9:12PM

David,

I'm fully aware the PS3 can decode HD audio. The problem is the H/K AVR's have an issue with LPCM input. The AVR tends to crank the LFE levels when in this mode, which means every time I'd turn on the PS3, I'd have to manually adjust the subwoofer levels. This is more an issue with my particular AVR than with the PS3, however some would argue that the sound quality is better when the AVR does the decoding.

Sam @ Mar 26th 2009 10:41PM

The issue with your receiver is unfortunate, but you should be relieved to know that since pcm is a digital signal, your receiver is doing the digital/analogue conversion in either case and there will be absolutely zero difference in what you hear, despite what some idiots argue. If your receiver has some sort of 'listening profile' mode then you could use that to save your lfe settings and such for your ps3.

Spartacus @ Mar 26th 2009 6:41PM

"Well, this game is not being sold well, so I can't support Xbox at all."

In the problem lies the solution...

While this is certainly a matter of preference, one of the biggest reasons why I haven't bought a PS3 is because of the controller. Sony hasn't changed their basic controller design since they came into the video game console market for crying out loud. Where would gaming be if every console manufacturer employed this strategy?

Seriously, if Sony or a 3rd party manufacturer made an alternative controller that was laid out like the 360 pad and was better designed ergonomically, I might have pulled the trigger on a PS3. Instead I'm opting for a standalone BD player in the same price range... Ok, obviously the SIXAXIS/DualShock 3 isn't the ONLY reason I'm not buying a PS3, but it weighed heavily in my decision, lol.