We'd be lying if we didn't say we're a bit worried about the future of gaming controllers. Between the Nintendo's MotionPlus, Microsoft's Project Natal and Sony's ... erm ... motion thing, our precious game pads get more and more antique looking every day. And according to a recent patent filed by Sony that Siliconera found, our precious controllers have one more thing to fear: everyday objects.
That's right, friends -- in the future, we could be using our real-life keys to open doors, our swords to slice up fools, and our guns (not outside of the US) to shoot up the screen "accidentally." The patent shows off a PlayStation Eye-based system that can recognize 3D objects and use them in-game based on various actions taken by the player -- something Microsoft claims it's Natal is also capable of doing. Various household items will be affected in different ways, the example given being a U-shaped object that, when turned upwards, becomes a sword, versus a U-shaped block when facing downwards (think Halo's Covenant Energy Sword). Apparently the system is able to scan a whole mess of objects and store them in a databank for future use. Like so much future tech we've seen recently, we're taking this one with a full truckload of salt until we get some face time.
Reader Comments (61)
Posted: Jul 4th 2009 8:33AM (Unverified) said
@Lunastra78 I'm not sure it would recognise your err. . . as a household object.
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 5:36PM gamedude360 said
isnt this kinda late sony????? MS showed the project natal video where you could scan any object and use it in game
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 5:40PM (Unverified) said
Except with Sony, you don't have to scan shit (sorry MS - if true - Natal is DOA).. you can use whatever object is in your hands..
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 5:40PM (Unverified) said
so y is it late just cause MS showed one. the sony thingy will be out in stores long before natal.
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 6:43PM HumanNature said
This technology/tech demo was demonstrated back in 2001 on the PS2 Eye Toy. If anything Sony is late on is patenting this idea/technology earlier.
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Posted: Jul 6th 2009 8:34PM unboring said
first off, the video you saw from microsoft was completely contrived, it was all concepts and no proof of concept. Secondly the playstation eye has been "scanning" objects since the ps2, basically "taking a picture" and thirdly, this patent isnt describing the same "scanning" action shown in the natal E3 video, this is more advanced, it is showing 3d tracking of 3d household objects.
We should all think before articulating stupid thoughts.
Reply
We should all think before articulating stupid thoughts.
Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 5:47PM (Unverified) said
I don't have much room between my couch and TV so it would be hard to use any of the gimmicky crap, I'd much rather just play my games with my controller.
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 5:49PM MaliceMajorE15 said
i think that they could are spending more money and time on motion controllers and stuff. the very least they could do is give us keyboard and mouse support on some titles
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 5:51PM (Unverified) said
Yeah what a ridiculous idea, to use a regular controller instead of focusing on all this motion garbage. Call me when we get to the point in the future where I can play all my normal games with full motion controls, and it doesn't suck.
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 5:52PM MaliceMajorE15 said
sorry bout that comment not making sense im actually drunk
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 6:42PM HumanNature said
I don't mind if it's done right. It's not like I'm out of shape to play these games that requires OMG moving.
Controllers aren't going anywhere, and Sony has a lot of plans with the wand and controller which if done right can only benefit gamers.
Reply
Controllers aren't going anywhere, and Sony has a lot of plans with the wand and controller which if done right can only benefit gamers.
Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 7:10PM Spunky Monkey 190906 said
Oh, and what happens if my 5 year old sister walks in front of the cam, will she too be thrown into warfare and get shot at? I don't think I could handle her getting virtually shot.
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 5:58PM (Unverified) said
or you could just become a PC gamer now!
or a portable gamer like me! What are the odds that someones gonna make a PSP use motion controls?
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or a portable gamer like me! What are the odds that someones gonna make a PSP use motion controls?
Posted: Jul 7th 2009 7:59AM Pharoah4187 said
A little late to the party, but not even portable gaming is safe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNu4CluFOcw
Although it DOES look kind of neat...
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNu4CluFOcw
Although it DOES look kind of neat...
Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 6:03PM MaliceMajorE15 said
it comes and goes really. its more depedant on what moves sony makes cos im not guna lie im a sony fanboy but sometimes they do some stupid shit
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 6:08PM (Unverified) said
@ Malice
Which means that your rank has gone up to being a Sony fan and not a fanboy.
Reply
Which means that your rank has gone up to being a Sony fan and not a fanboy.
Posted: Jul 6th 2009 8:36PM unboring said
first off, the video you saw from microsoft was completely contrived, it was all concepts and no proof of concept. Secondly the playstation eye has been "scanning" objects since the ps2, basically "taking a picture" and thirdly, this patent isnt describing the same "scanning" action shown in the natal E3 video, this is more advanced, it is showing 3d tracking of 3d household objects.
We should all think before articulating stupid thoughts.
Reply
We should all think before articulating stupid thoughts.
Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 5:59PM mbarriault said
See, I really like the Wii Remote. You could stand in front of the TV, or you can sit on your couch and laze (in fact, the Remote+Nunchuk combination allows one to hold an even lazier pose). I don't like where Natal and PS Eyemotoy is going. Namely because they require, not merely allow, such active motion.
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 6:47PM ptcamn said
We'll have to wait and see how Natal works when and if it comes out. Remember that the Tetris-like demo required a lot of body motion (let's leave the concept video and menu navigation out since they don't apply).
The Sony one requires the PSEye so we know exactly how that will work. Based on past games I'd say a lot of body motion. However that's the beauty of it- Sony's is an alternative controller aimed to be an option and not the default controller, so you won't be required to get it. If you like moving your body to play you can choose to get it. On the other hand, based on the tech demo, games could implement it in more subtle ways. The FPS and RTS demos clearly show that you could play from a sitting position if you want, specially if the device is used just as a pointer.
I am looking forward to Sony's controller. I just hope we see some good variety of games coming out for it. I hope developers adapting the technology follow the example of Harmonix's Antigrav and try different genres as opposed to sticking to (mostly) party games. Since it wasn't officially canned maybe Eyedentify will finally see the light of day which now that I think about it was the same concept as Milo but 4 years earlier and with two characters instead of one.
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The Sony one requires the PSEye so we know exactly how that will work. Based on past games I'd say a lot of body motion. However that's the beauty of it- Sony's is an alternative controller aimed to be an option and not the default controller, so you won't be required to get it. If you like moving your body to play you can choose to get it. On the other hand, based on the tech demo, games could implement it in more subtle ways. The FPS and RTS demos clearly show that you could play from a sitting position if you want, specially if the device is used just as a pointer.
I am looking forward to Sony's controller. I just hope we see some good variety of games coming out for it. I hope developers adapting the technology follow the example of Harmonix's Antigrav and try different genres as opposed to sticking to (mostly) party games. Since it wasn't officially canned maybe Eyedentify will finally see the light of day which now that I think about it was the same concept as Milo but 4 years earlier and with two characters instead of one.
Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 6:53PM ptcamn said
Yup- I failed to make the connection right away that Sony had shown Milo 4 years earlier.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZkFL7livcA
There was no official word on the game getting canned and release listings keep pushing it back. Maybe the new controller and use of the PSEye has kept this game floating around? Time will tell...
Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZkFL7livcA
There was no official word on the game getting canned and release listings keep pushing it back. Maybe the new controller and use of the PSEye has kept this game floating around? Time will tell...
Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 6:00PM GordoJones88 said
Can we 'scan' in a Wii remote so it will be just like playing a crappy Wii game waving your arms around in the air?
/begin downvote
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/begin downvote
Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 6:08PM oOWallaceOo said
What if I need to use an item that I don't own in real-life, like a gun ?
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Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 6:10PM (Unverified) said
Earlier at N4G, people were speculating about this patent's ability to hinder Microsoft's 'Project Natal' tech.
Does anyone actually 'know' if this patent has any affect on MS's business strategy?
Reply
Does anyone actually 'know' if this patent has any affect on MS's business strategy?
Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 6:15PM Digital Viking said
How many horrible ways can this be abused by ... nudists?
Or even better, this technology being used in LBP! Cocks and dildos everywhere!
But though they may be onto something. Rather this than having to pay 80$ per controller just to swing a bat in the inevitable Wii Sports clone.
"Oh, forgot my controller at home!"
"Don't worry, I have a random object right here! Would you prefer a Coke bottle, or this bat?"
Reply
Or even better, this technology being used in LBP! Cocks and dildos everywhere!
But though they may be onto something. Rather this than having to pay 80$ per controller just to swing a bat in the inevitable Wii Sports clone.
"Oh, forgot my controller at home!"
"Don't worry, I have a random object right here! Would you prefer a Coke bottle, or this bat?"
Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 6:25PM Shadowbender said
Whatever happened to the good-old days where my friend and I could stay up all night, relaxing, having a good time, playin' a great game, without having to worry about waving my arms about in the air and waking up my family because I accidently threw my arm into my arm into a window? Don't get me wrong, I love motion controlls, but this is getting a little over-the-top.
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