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Rumor: Motus Games' Darwin is Xbox 360's motion controller

Ross Miller — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:59:00 EST

Here we go. Various outlets today began redirecting readers to Motus Games' page, who have been working on Darwin, a Wii remote-like motion controller that doesn't need an infrared sensor bar to work. The device is slated to come out at the end of the year for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Of course, we've known about Darwin ... since February, so why is this coming out now?

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

We're not denying the possibility that Darwin is, erm, Newton, but we're not sure what, if any, revelations have come out in the last four months. (Microsoft, if you recall, has a definite deal with Qmotion over active gaming controllers.) So for now, sit back, relax, print out your bingo card and wait for Monday's press conference.

Gallery: Darwin (Motus Games)

Update: We've placed Motus' video demos after the break.
[Via X3F]

Continue reading Rumor: Motus Games' Darwin is Xbox 360's motion controller

Rumor: Motus Games' Darwin is Xbox 360's motion controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sigh More Newton motion control rumors ...

Terrence Stasse — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Rumors

Sure Microsoft may have gone back on their "we do not comment on rumors and speculation" policy to debunk the Banjo -> Newton connection, but they didn't go so far as to declare that there isn't a motion controller at all. Over at xbox360oz, they claim that the latest copy of Xbox360World magazine has an inside source that then claims that not only is the project real, but that it also uses tech from a company that already makes motion controllers.

This is all quite tenuous and feels like grasping at straws, but it's some interesting food for thought. The Motus "Darwin" controller does make sense as a starting point for a company looking to match the Wii. In fact, the company website mentions the Wii in comparison to its product quite often, and has several news stories running along its bottom that deal with the ol' 360 Newton rumors. Evidence? Of course not. Curious? Definitely.

Get here already E3! We need all these speculations and rumors to end, interesting as they all may be.

[Via N4G, xbox360oz]

*Sigh* More Newton motion control rumors ... originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shane Kim talks motion control rumors and more

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

At Microsoft's Spring Showcase, Eurogamer got some face time with Microsoft Game Studios VP (and PR jedi) Shane Kim. As one might expect, they took the opportunity to ask Kim about Microsoft's upcoming lineup, Sony's claimed victory in Europe, and, of course, Grand Theft Auto IV. Regarding the lineup, Kim said that 2008 will be "another landmark year" for Microsoft thanks to a range of exclusive titles like Gears of War 2, Fable 2, Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, and others.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the interview, Kim spoke to the rumors about Microsoft's secret motion controller development. When asked directly about the rumors, Kim gave the typical no comment response, but also noted, "I do think that would be a mistake, if we just tried to come out and copy what Nintendo has done. What Nintendo has done has worked well for them, but we have to think about what our innovation aspect is going to be." Let's focus on the word "just" and the phrase "is going to be" for a moment. "Just" implies that Microsoft plans to do more than Nintendo has done with control methods, while "is going to be" implies that Microsoft is definitely up to something. Just what that is remains a mystery. Is it Lips, Newton, or something else?

Check out Eurogamer for the full interview.

Shane Kim talks motion control rumors and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 May 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Microsoft motion controller code-named 'Newton'

Justin McElroy — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Peripherals

After one of us who shall remain nameless had to sing Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" on a certain podcast as the result of a lost bet, we've learned not to doubt Jacob Metcalf. You may remember him as the first to report the Bungie/Microsoft split. He says he's once again tapped his inside sources to get more information about a motion controller reportedly under development at Microsoft, which he claims is codenamed "Newton."

Metcalf reports that the controller is fundamentally like the Wiimote in design, with a USB-powered sensor bar and "rumble motors, wireless two way data communication with the 360, a built in Microphone for Xbox Live and voice-activated games." It's sounds great, but, as Metcalf says, we hope it comes with a free USB hub. We're filling slots faster than our grandmother in Atlantic City.

Rumor: Microsoft motion controller code-named 'Newton' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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