playstation-motion-controller posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Reggie ain't sweating Project Natal, 'Sphere'

by David Hinkle { Nov 13th 2009 at 6:00PM }

In the dilapidated, war-torn streets of the gaming industry, the Console Wars™ have taken their toll on not only the landscape, but also the inhabitants of this once peaceful land. With war mongerers Sony and Microsoft preparing their next wave of battle tech -- motion control devices like the "PlayStation Motion Controller" (rumored: 'Sphere') and Project Natal, respectively -- Nintendo's battle general, Reggie Fils-Aime, recently continued his criticism of rivals by commenting to wartime reporters at Gamasutra that Nintendo isn't really shaking on its Balance Board.

General Fils-Aime said that Nintendo will "applaud anything that will further expand the market of game players" and that the expansion of this kind of technology is really "in everyone's best interest," even though he admits Nintendo could lose some of its marketshare as a result. However, he does feel confident in Nintendo's "head-start of over 51 million controllers."

New Sony controller patent is rich with opportunities

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 21st 2009 at 3:15PM }

Sure, Sony's orb-tipped PlayStation Motion Controller has yet to land in our laps, but that doesn't mean the company's not allowed to test the waters of other peripheral designs. Siliconera recently uncovered a series of patent illustrations for a new Sony-developed remote. There's little info about the controller in the patent filing, but based on its shape and the manner in which the dotted hand is holding it, we've come up with a few titles which might implement the device.

Buzz: Extreme Buzzer Trivia Challenge
Champagne Shake N' Spray
Box Cutter: Deluxe Edition
Imagine: Pipe Bombz
Scene It?!: The Game Where You Pretend to Masturbate
Arthur Fonzarelli's Thumbs-Up Training Program
Stranglin' Ostriches

Pachter: Project Natal will cost $50, 'Sphere' no more than $100 [update]

by David Hinkle { Oct 15th 2009 at 11:00PM }

Over at IndustryGamers, everyone's favorite video game predicterer (we're still working on that one) Michael Pachter has taken the reigns of the site and offers his own extensive diatribe on the future of Sony and Microsoft's upcoming new tech: Project Natal and the PlayStation Motion Controller (rumored to be called Sphere). Pachter's assertion is that price will be Natal's biggest selling point and Microsoft will try to expand upon its market of established Xbox 360 owners by offering the device for $50. For Sony's doodad, Pachter says the company is "trying to create an answer to the success of the Wii."

Pachter even likens the future state of a Natal-enabled Xbox 360 to the current state of the iPhone -- with features like Twitter, Netflix, Last.fm and Facebook inside Microsoft's box and its intuitive interface, he says casual or non-playing members of Xbox 360 households will become interested. And then when it's bundled with all new Xbox 360s, he says that'll expand Microsoft's reach even more.

For the motion-controlled competition, Pachter says he'd be surprised if Sony's asking price was over $100, and stresses that both Microsoft and Sony need to keep "the consumer's cost relatively low in order to achieve broad penetration."

[Update: Corrected Pachter's belief that the motion controller would be no more than $100. We sincerely apologize for the misinterpretation and the consequent misinformation.]

Konami 'aggressively' looking into motion control for PES series

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 5th 2009 at 1:00PM }

Shingo Takatsuka, the progenitor of the long-running Pro Evolution Soccer series, recently had a few choice words to share with IGN on the subject of incorporating motion control into the franchise. Though the producer of that other soccer game has stated his indifference to motion control schemes, Takatsuka explained Konami is highly intrigued by Project Natal and the heretofore "officially" unnamed PlayStation Motion Controller -- intrigued to the extent that he's "looking at integrating those devices into our games very aggressively."

As we all know, soccer is the most fatiguing activity any human can participate in, so we expect that a Natal-ized version of PES would be appropriately taxing. However, given the sport's limited employment of hands, we'd be curious to see how Sony's motion-sensing peripheral would be utilized. There are few pieces of gaming hardware we'd outright refuse to give a fair shot, but shoe adapters might just be beyond our capacity for humiliation.

Rumor: PlayStation Motion Controller codenamed 'Sphere'

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 5th 2009 at 11:25AM }

Neither Microsoft nor Sony have "official" names for their respective motion projects. At the very least, Microsoft has donned a far more attractive (and marketable) codename for its tech: "Project Natal," versus the clunky-but-aptly titled "PlayStation Motion Controller."

One name Sony may be using with developers is "Sphere," a word that highlights the glowing, colored orb central to the motion controller's technology. Sega producer Yasuhito Baba and his translator both referred to the controller as "Sphere" during an interview at Tokyo Game Show last month. Polyphony Digital's Kazunori Yamauchi also talked about the PlayStation Motion Controller when we asked him if Gran Turismo would support the "Sphere" peripheral.

Sony representatives we chatted with admitted they were unfamiliar with the "Sphere" name, meaning it may be strictly a development codename for now.

TGS 2009: Interview: Gran Turismo 5's Kazunori Yamauchi

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 28th 2009 at 12:19PM }

During Tokyo Game Show last week we crashed Polyphony Digital's studio and chatted up Kazunori Yamauchi about ... Gran Turismo 6? Wait -- what? Just watch the interview.

Selected excerpts below:

Joystiq: Are there any plans to bring Gran Turismo PSP's "Party Mode" to GT5?

Yamauchi: I'm glad you noticed that. What we really worked hard to make the PSP portable fun and interesting is in those types of details. Obviously, these are ideas we worked hard on and they will be carried over in some form into GT5.

In Gran Turismo, with its ten years of history, the people that who good at playing the game are really, really good at playing the game. Of course, there are a lot of first-time players that want to get into the game, and it was a major theme for us to develop the game so it would be easier for them to get into it. With the party races and these game modes we've developed for the PSP, we've come to one solution for that aspect.

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TGS 2009: Motion-controlled LittleBigPlanet demo is grief-filled

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 27th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Anyone who's ever played LittleBigPlanet knows that the experience is enriched when played with friends -- but what if one of your "friends" was not a Sackboy in the context of the game, but rather, an invisible agent of divine intervention? Think of it: He or she could effortlessly lift objects through the air, discard obstacles, bridge gaps or, depending on their temperament, instantly murder you.

Sony and Media Molecule are teaming up to incorporate this unsettling omnipotence into the customizable platformer with the launch of the PlayStation Motion Controller. You can check out a video of the motion-controlled LBP multiplayer demo (culled from Sony's Tokyo Game Show keynote) after the jump. Fans of the title might see this new functionality as a bold evolution Media Molecule's lovable game -- we see it as an unprecedented advancement in hilarious griefing technology.

[Via Kotaku]

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TGS 2009: Motion-controlled Resident Evil 5 caught on video

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 25th 2009 at 3:23PM }

Remember when it was first announced that Resident Evil 5 wasn't coming to the Wii, and fans got really upset, because Resident Evil 4 on the Wii was totally awesome? It seems that decision wasn't made due to Capcom's oversight of said awesomeness -- rather, it looks like they chose to bring that experience to the PS3 with the ball-pointed PlayStation Motion Controller.

Seriously, check out this gameplay sample (video posted after the break) from Sony's TGS keynote and tell us that doesn't look exactly like RE4 on the Wii. Okay, the PS3 version is significantly prettier -- and due to the fact that Sony's controller has no nunchuck (which forces the player to hold a SIXAXIS in one hand and the wand in another) the controls look a bit more awkward this time around.

[Via VG247]

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Under Siege bumped to Spring 2010, adds motion controller support

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 24th 2009 at 1:51PM }

Apparently, Seed Studios was intrigued by the PlayStation Motion Controller demo that was shown off during E3 -- particularly the part that showed how the peripheral could be used in a real-time strategy game. The developer recently announced that the release of its upcoming PSN strategy title Under Siege had been bumped to Spring 2010 in order to incorporate the sphere-tipped device into the game's control scheme.

Seed will also be working to add a few more features to the game before its dealyed launch, including a replay editor, photo mode, and picture-in-picture video chat. That last part is unfortunate -- as with all methods of motion control, we don't really want to circulate footage of us flailing about with a colorful wand grasped in our oafish claws.

Gallery: Under Siege

PlayStation Motion Controller on track for Spring 2010 release, software detailed

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 24th 2009 at 2:30AM }

We just got our first brief taste of some of the retrofitted PS3 titles which would support Sony's new, tentatively-named PlayStation Motion Controller during Sony's TGS 2009 keynote. However, a piping hot press release gave us some of the most detailed info on the peripheral to date -- most notable of which is the re-confirmation that the hardware is still on track for a Spring 2010 release.

Equally as titillating is a comprehensive list of first-party "Motion Controller dedicated and compatible titles" which are set to drop (or in the case of the pre-existing titles, receive the new functionality via a patch) throughout 2010:

Software Titles for Motion Controller from SCE Worldwide Studios
Ape Escape (Working Title)
Echochrome 2 (Working Title)
Eccentric Slider (Working Title)
Sing and Draw (Working Title)
Champions of Time (Working Title)
Motion Party (Working Title)
The Shoot (Working Title)
Tower (Working Title)
PAIN*
Flower*
Hustle Kings*
High Velocity Bowling*
EyePet*
* Motion control function will be added by network update, etc.

TGS 2009: Sony adding motion to existing titles, new RE5 with motion coming Spring 2010 [update]

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 24th 2009 at 1:30AM }

During Sony's second press conference at the Tokyo Game Show, Capcom's Jun Takeuchi took the stage to demo the PlayStation 3's new motion controller with his game, Resident Evil 5. That's right, Sony will be bringing motion control to a handful of existing titles, including a re-released RE5 in Resident Evil 5: Director's Cut this coming Spring.

Sony also showed off LittleBigPlanet being controlled by two people, one wielding a motion wand while the other used a DualShock 3. Apparently a mess of other titles will be getting the motion treatment -- 13 in total (~~seen here, mostly in Japanese~~ see update below) -- with Flower and Pain standing out as notable examples.

Update: We've got the full list right here.

Gallery: Sony 2 gallery

Rumor: Leaked minutes from Sega/Sony meeting reveal PS2 and Dreamcast on PSN, much more

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 22nd 2009 at 11:20AM }

Okay, buckle up -- there's a whole lot to take in here. As discovered by French site Objectif-SEGA, Sega's public relations FTP site recently got a titillating addition: The alleged minutes from an August 5 meeting between the Hedgehog-centric publisher and Sony Computer Entertainment America. (The document is reproduced in its entirety after the break.)

The biggest, potential news from this document concerns SCEA's general plans for the future. One excerpt from the minutes lists a Spring 2010 launch window for the PlayStation Motion Controller -- specifically March for Japan. Another noteworthy section mentions a "PS2 emulator for PS3," claiming that "SCEA wants to sell all PS2 titles on PSN." Later in the document, the possibility of Dreamcast titles on PSN is also suggested, in addition to a "Japanese Import" section.

This leak has an air of credibility due to its appearance on Sega's public FTP media resource center -- however, it's entirely possible that it could have been uploaded to said FTP site by a hack-savvy Dreamcast enthusiast. Maintain your skepticism as you browse the full document.

Update: The document has been removed from Sega's FTP site, but we've got further analysis right here!

[Via NeoGAF]

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Square Enix head predicts new Wii in 2011, says motion 'impact' for Xbox, PlayStation will be 'small'

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 21st 2009 at 5:00AM }

The new motion controllers for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are likely to make big appearances at this year's Tokyo Game Show. While both Microsoft and Sony are attempting to take away some of Nintendo's mindshare with its new controllers, Square Enix head Yoichi Wada believes neither company will be truly successful. "Present game machines already have a lot of functions: they are a network terminal, a Blu-ray or DVD player, and a gaming machine. Compared to these three pillars, the [new motion] controllers are quite limited, so the impact may be small," Wada told the Financial Times.

Wada also believes that the three platforms will start looking more like each other by the year 2011, when he believes Nintendo will release the fabled successor of the Wii. The system will add features found on the PS3/360, and may also introduce a brand new controller. It'll certainly be interesting to see what moves consumers when an HD Nintendo system exists concurrently with motion-enabled Microsoft and Sony systems.

Video: PS3 Motion Controller demo -- now with more awesome, less shaky

by Richard Mitchell { Sep 18th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Playstation.Blog has posted a new video recreating Sony's E3 demo of the Playstation Motion Controller. Well, most of the E3 demo, anyway -- the video does not recreate the nifty sword and bow demonstrations. Still, the rest of the demo, including spray paint, pencils, FPS mode, RTS gameplay and the manipulation of several different objects is all there. Even better, now the footage is in focus and shaky-cam free. Also, since the demo is no longer limited to the time (and nerve) constraints of E3, the technology wizards behind Sony's want get to explain everything in more detail. There's also a few things revealed that Sony didn't have time to show at E3, like fire-breathing domino snakes. Seriously.

Find the full video after the break.

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Hearsay: Sony motion controller opens door for Wii-to-PS3 ports

by Randy Nelson { Sep 16th 2009 at 6:40PM }

Here's something we're betting Sony will want to wish away using its "magic wand." Speaking with 1UP, Capcom producer Jun Takeuchi (Resident Evil 5) noted, "Speaking to other developers in Japan, I've heard a few of them say they were delighted by the Sony motion controller because they can just port over their Wii titles to the PS3."

We're going to be optimistic here and presume these devs are at least considering a fresh coat of pixels for their ports. It's probably of more concern that, outside of Nintendo's first-party offerings, we've yet to see many studios even get Wii motion control right. Somehow, it's hard to picture Sony saying, "Yes, we welcome your waggle-infused minigame compilations with open arms!" Then again, PS3 "does everything" -- maybe even Wii games.