Then and now: Sony's motion-sensing, 'magic wand' controller tech

by Randy Nelson { Jun 17th 2009 at 4:25PM }

Sony's motion-controller technology for PS3 isn't new; in fact, it dates back to the dawn of the PS2's EyeToy. Well before PS3 was ever announced, Dr. Richard Marks, EyeToy / PlayStation Eye creator, was demoing gesture-based, motion-tracking gameplay on PS2 -- using a colored ball and a camera. Sound familiar?

In the video after the break, you can watch Marks using a "wand" topped with a brightly-hued sphere to draw symbols in the air, which are translated into in-game spells -- the effects of which match the movement of the ball. It's very simple -- there's no tracking of depth and it's definitely not 1:1 by any stretch of the imagination -- but it's still interesting to see how far the idea has come since last-gen.

Who knows what improvements can (or will) be made before the PlayStation Motion Controller is supposed to launch in 2010? We've placed this year's press conference demo video after the break for comparison's sake.

[Thanks, dgonchild!]

Then

Now

Tags: dr-richard-marks, eyetoy, motion-control, playstation-eye, playstation-motion-controller, r-and-d, richard-marks, scea, tech-demo, video

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Peter Moore @ Jun 17th 2009 4:28PM

Sony made their balls smaller.

...what?

NoughtSoClever @ Jun 17th 2009 5:31PM

You want news? Go to CNN.com douchebag.

NoughtSoClever @ Jun 17th 2009 5:32PM

Now I am the douchebag for hitting the wrong reply button. Thanks flynn for making the world a doucheyier place for us all.

Peter Moore @ Jun 17th 2009 5:50PM

CNN only reports on tweets and facebook status updates nowadays.

jason @ Jun 17th 2009 8:12PM

i smell a fake on here

Reader @ Jun 17th 2009 8:16PM

Haha... it's so true. They also like to spend time using their enormous touch screens and virtual 3D images for no goddamn reason.

sirpilf @ Jun 17th 2009 4:35PM

sony makes a lot of stuff before nintendo, like kinetica (or maybe that was 3rd party, but it was for PS2) then nintendo does the same thing and markets its 100 times better then sony's marketing department is capable of.

its a real shame sometimes.

NaeemTHM @ Jun 17th 2009 4:42PM

You...you do realize that technology doesn't exactly materialize for Nintendo right? Just because they don't announce shit 10 years in advance, doesn't mean their not working on something epic.

I mean look what happens when they do announce their hardware early. Sony took one look at the Wii-mote and threw that fucking boomerang controller out the window.

*it then came back and hit the dude that came up that that horrid design in the head*

sirpilf @ Jun 17th 2009 5:56PM

well no it doesnt just materialize in front of nintendo, they just take it from older game company ideas, like the atari balance board, kinetica, and every $20 motion controlled sports games in the toy section of walmart.

in all of gaming history, i think atari and sony have been the true hardware innovators. just neither of them were very good at getting it out there. eyetoy bieng an example of something that had lots of potential, but fell flat.

nintendo didnt do anything new, just marketed towards a new broader audience. oh and the boomerang wasn't gonna be released anyways, it wasnt because of the wiimote, it was because 95% of people thought it was fugly.

NaeemTHM @ Jun 17th 2009 4:53PM

"i think atari and sony have been the true hardware innovators."

I'll give you Atari, but until Sony comes up with ideas like the rumble pack, D-Pad, shoulder buttons, or the Analog stick; Nintendo will always be the company the gaming industry should look to.

And I'm not saying Nintendo doesn't get it's ideas from other places (of course they do), it's just that Microsoft and Sony seem to wait to see what Big N does before they make a move.

I mean what has Sony really brought to the table hardware wise? The Eye Toy was done years before by the Dreamcast.

Chad Vanderbilt (Moptimus in Disguise) @ Jun 17th 2009 4:53PM

same with the PSP Go and the original Xbox but those both got released/are scheduled to be released.

waves @ Jun 17th 2009 4:55PM

Marketing played some part, but that's not the whole of it. Nintendo made motion controls popular by jumping in feet first and basing a whole console around it. A lot of other companies had similar tech, but they weren't in a position to make them catch on as a platform.

Vidikron @ Jun 17th 2009 4:55PM

I don't see how you can really fault Nintendo for superb marketing and timing. They also took a pretty big gamble in making motion controls the foundation of the Wii. If it had fallen flat with the public they could have been left trying to stay afloat on the back of the DS. I may not be their biggest fan right now, but have to give credit where credit is due.

NaeemTHM @ Jun 17th 2009 4:59PM

I'm in the same boat Vidikron. Nintendo may no longer make games aimed at me, but I'm not blind to the fact that they've once again changed the video game industry.

Eh @ Jun 17th 2009 5:25PM

Nintendo may not think of things first but they take the most risks. Sony sat on this technology for years because Im sure they figured it wouldnt sell, thats what happens with most innovative things. Nintendo doesnt seem to care, they release crappy stuff all the time that fails miserably, but because of how much stuff they try they were able to finally hit the jackpot with the Wii.

atrimus @ Jun 17th 2009 8:41PM

well, Nintendo didn't have much a choice. i'm not saying they were the next Sega, but after lagging N64 sales, followed by lagging Gamecube sales, their sails were starting to lose a bit of wind. they were pretty much forced to chart new territory; the alternative would've been to compete on Sony's and Microsoft's playing field for a third consecutive time (second with Microsoft), and i don't think that would've panned out all that well for them.

as for Sony, well, during '03 they didn't really need to innovate. sure, they had ideas, probably just as revolutionary as Nintendo's, but why take a chance when you've dominated the market two generations? lack of quality ideas hasn't been Sony's biggest fault, it's lack of focus that became apparent this generation, as well as arrogance, which culminated in an outlandishly priced system.

Pat @ Jun 17th 2009 9:11PM

Dead on comment atrimus.

I am tired of hearing the comment that Sony copies everything Nintendo does. All companies look at waht the others do and adapt. Heck, so far Microsoft has been copying what everyone else has been doing.

But someone in this thread commented that "technology doesn't exactly materialize for Nintendo". It doesn't for Sony either. When people say Sony came up with the Sixaxis because of the success of the Wiimote they forget that both controllers were revealed at the same time at E3 2006. That was the first time we saw either controller and their motion capabilities. So far there had been only rumors that Nintendo was working on that as much as all other rumors concerning PS3's hardware to that point. Both consoles released almost simultaneously later that year. So, if technology doesn't materialize for Nintendo why should it materialize for Sony? No piece of technology can be implemented that easy much less with a working tech demo in just a few days.

The so called "batarang" controller was a non working prototype since Sony felt they had to change the shape of the device for the new console. But it was that- just a piece of plastic of a possible design.

And a correction to this article: the EyeToy was doing z- axis tracking back then. While not a perfect 1:1 you can check the rest of the images from the same tech demo in this Playstation Underground feature. Watch around the 1:03 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V6fPP9DiBw

Tired of your BS @ Jun 19th 2009 3:27AM

Full on Props to Pat for being one of the few other people to realize how retarded it is to claim sony ripped he wiimote with the sixaxis. They're two completely different technologies and neither one was going to spring up out of the ground over night, Ithink there was MAYBE a three day gap between when each controller was shown to the public. If sony was copying then they'd really have to have superior technology just to be able to copy it in under a week and actually mange a BETTER controller since the sixaxis didnt need a sensor bar and recognizes motion on 6 axies rather than just 2 or 3 in the wiimote before Motion plus! (which would suggest that the wiimote copied off the sixaxis since motion plus allows it to finally recognize the same axis).

CodeNameMLS @ Jun 20th 2009 2:55AM

Sony has created a lot for hardware, thus implementing Blu-ray into gaming, and yes They did CREATE it for those who don't know, and the fact that they also have the CD-ROM under they're belt (teamed up with phillips). While Sony made Major enhancements to Hardware, Nintendo made there original success off games, not even video games either. They Invented a card game, then created games. They are very innovative in there own ways, Thus it's very hard to come up with something new, Nintendo just knows how to sell things. Nothing they make is super new, it's been done before. All this one-to-one crap is going thru all the companies right now because thats the NEXT STEP. Sony was successful off hardware, and SUPPOSEDLY we still haven't seen the full power of the PS3, if thats actually true who knows, but still they aren't copying each other, they all just know what comes next in the game of business. it's ridiculous to say that the 3 majors are always copying each other. I'm also not saying that they aren't.

p.flynn2 @ Jun 17th 2009 4:34PM

this is older than old. I saw this up on that other gaming site run by gawker like the day after it was shown.

really great reporting AOL

Storm Eagle @ Jun 17th 2009 4:35PM

"Goodbye."

p.flynn2 @ Jun 17th 2009 4:45PM

let me be clear: I read this site all the time AND I love sony (i also like ms and nintendo - not a fanboy at all).

it just kinda disappoints me when things like this happen.

anyways, this tech looks freaking sweet. i cant wait to get an rpg like oblivion and just hack away at fools.

also, how about mini games where you play against a friend online with the nerf gun? could be good fun.

just sayin.....

E.J. @ Jun 17th 2009 4:56PM

you weren't voted down for being accused of being a "fanboy".

you were voted down because you made a "this isn't news" douchebag comment.

Bender Bending Rodriguez @ Jun 17th 2009 4:56PM

You're still an asshole.

Just saying...

p.flynn2 @ Jun 17th 2009 5:01PM

well theres no getting around the fact that this just isnt news....

just saying....

VaultICEE @ Jun 17th 2009 5:09PM

It does not say anywhere in the article that this is news. A story, maybe, but news, no.

waves @ Jun 17th 2009 5:29PM

So you figured out that a 9 year old video isn't new? Such powers of observation!

Levi @ Jun 17th 2009 7:18PM

it doesn't have to be news, it's a fucking blog about video games, go jump off a bridge. I get tired of hearing these people that totally think they are the boss of fucking everything.

Reader @ Jun 17th 2009 8:20PM

Blogs serve no specific purpose, only the purpose they are given. My take on Joystiq is information for gamers, so if someone hadn't heard of the Eye, then this would be entirely relevant. Now you could easily argue the other way since Joystiq says it's "a place where news is relayed from the video game industry," but does anyone really go to blogs entirely for news?

Slaziman @ Jun 17th 2009 8:26PM

Like it makes a fucking difference in your life knowing this sooner, it's just as relevant now as it was then so why don't you fuck off?

waves @ Jun 17th 2009 4:34PM

I was just reading shaunisadirty's comment calling BS on this earlier today, but I resisted feeding the troll. I wonder if he'll be around?

Also...

hurricane...

waves @ Jun 17th 2009 4:37PM

oops, hurricane was supposed to have whisper tags around it, but it got eated by the html...

Kill a mans jiro @ Jun 17th 2009 4:35PM

Thanks for posting this, alot of people actualy didnt believe me :)

Alex @ Jun 17th 2009 5:54PM

I apologise for my ignorance...

The Eye Toy showed so much potential...

j.howlett @ Jun 17th 2009 4:37PM

didn't we go through all this earlier

Hexen @ Jun 17th 2009 4:43PM

Guess those fools who were calling BS on Sony for saying this is six years old can Shut it and stuff it now=)

WREturns @ Jun 17th 2009 6:07PM

Yeah, Sony's been talking about this for 6 years and have basically nothing to show for it. Give yourself and Sony a big pat on the back.

MaliceMajorE15 @ Jun 17th 2009 4:45PM

well we knew about this ages ago. but it obviously was deemed too far-fetched to be productive so i guess it never really came to fruition- that is until the wii lay the foundations to a casual audience. Who knows if we would have seen this sonys new motion tech this generation if it hadnt been for the success of the wii. I still rekon that the ps3 motion controller is better than the wii motion plus mainly cos it has a camera as well as true one2one but anyone who has wii motion plus get tiger woods 10 its fucking amazing!!

sirpilf @ Jun 17th 2009 5:56PM

yea, i like to give credit to sony for this, but the reason why didnt see it until now was sony failed at making eyetoy a wide success, but when wii became a success they released they needed to give it another shot, and bring back their old stuff that never came to fruitation.

Shagittarius @ Jun 17th 2009 5:42PM

I found the tiger woods 10 experience with motion plus to not be different enough to recommend it over the non Wii motion + version.

I'm not too impressed that it ads twisting to your shot, I thought it was gonna make it more like swinging a real club.

I really don't think TW is the best application to show off the new Wiimotion+. I hope Wii sports resort does a better job...

MaliceMajorE15 @ Jun 17th 2009 6:00PM

i dont know much about playing golf but i do know sufficient ball physics when i see it. i just like the way it much easier to slice the ball and it reacts how you would expect it to and if you try frisbee golf it is shit without the motion plus

Mr Khan @ Jun 17th 2009 6:57PM

A full video camera, yes, but Nintendo's motion technology incorporates an infrared camera to a very similar effect (though applied very differently).

Though the camera could also simultaneously allow them to take on Natal...

ShadowXOR @ Jun 17th 2009 4:49PM

Wow, that was all really awkward.

waves @ Jun 17th 2009 4:58PM

Yeah. When I watched their E3 presentation, I thought he was just nervous to be up on stage (maybe Sony put them in at the last minute?). But I guess he's just an awkward guy who makes cool stuff.

B0E0S @ Jun 17th 2009 5:02PM

I am going to whisper spell names from now on.

thesoiden @ Jun 17th 2009 5:07PM

So, why 6 years? Why Sony had to wait 6 years to reveal this technology as something they will actually release?

Because of Nintendo.

I'm thinking this took 6 years because Sony started creating this device, but then dropped it. Maybe because it was very unprecise, or very expensive, I don't know.
But then, Nintendo shows the Wiimote with a similar idea, but more accurate and in a better fashion.
So, Sony, first release the Sixaxis as a desperate move, using part of the technology they developed years ago. And then, they start to work on it, to make it the most accurate possible.

My theory says they are working on this technology because the motion technology worked very well with Nintendo. If Nintendo didn't show up Wii, Sony wouldn't be showing this Motion Controller.

Because, 6 years to develop this, already having the base, is a little strange. I'm sure Sony dropped it at some moment, and took it again because of the Wiimote triumph.

SourceJR @ Jun 17th 2009 5:14PM

got proof... nope .... ok just checking.

Tez @ Jun 17th 2009 6:37PM

I'm guessing they dropped it because they deemed it too expensive or not worth it at the time, and picked it back up when Nintendo started to have a lot of success with the Wii. I don't think it's that big of a deal, did people flip out when every controller started having analog sticks?