Joystiq

Sony's Dyer predicts more games for PlayStation Motion Controller than Natal

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:03:00 EST

SCEA's Senior VP of Publisher Relations, ~~Kevin Butler~~ Rob Dyer, has some pretty lofty expectations for the still-unnamed PlayStation Motion Controller. Set for release this Fall, it must not only compete against the Wii, but Microsoft's controller-free foray into motion gaming, Project Natal. Dyer obviously believes that Sony's offering has an edge, and expects more games to take advantage of the controller: "My feeling is that we're going to have a lot more games, a lot more innovation," he told IndustryGamers.

"It's easier to develop for," Dyer explained. "You can use the same code base that you currently use for PS3 or 360 or even the Wii in order to get a motion controller game out. You can't do that with Natal." While Microsoft treads new territory with its Project Natal offering, Sony's motion controller does seem to play it safe, offering an experience not unlike the one offered by Nintendo. Last year, Resident Evil 5's Jun Takeuchi commented about the theoretical ease of porting Wii games to the PS3, a trait that should expedite the number of games available on Sony's platform.

Even the announced offerings have played it safe for now, with familiar titles like LittleBigPlanet and the aforementioned Resident Evil 5 representing a large majority of the Motion Controller's upcoming library. However, while Dyer may tout a larger library of titles, gamers are likely to be disappointed if Sony's line-up is little more than "Wii games in HD" and "old games with tacked-on motion controls." Perhaps Sony's upcoming GDC presentation will assuage some of our concerns.

Sony's Dyer predicts more games for PlayStation Motion Controller than Natal originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: PlayStation Motion Controller to be renamed 'Arc'

Justin McElroy — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST

According to an anonymous source speaking to VG247, the PlayStation Motion Controller will officially be called "Arc" by the time it launches. It was previously codenamed "Gem," with rumors also dubbing it "Sphere" at one stage. As expected, Sony declined to comment on the story.

You know what, Sony? Stop it. You may think you're building suspense here, but all you're doing is creating a lot of work for bloggers who'll have to go back and re-tag all these posts when you reveal the real name. Oh, don't you skulk away, Microsoft, we're including you on this too. If it's Natal, fine, if not, just pick something already. Both of you. Now. Choose.

Go ahead.

We'll wait.

Hello?

Rumor: PlayStation Motion Controller to be renamed 'Arc' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Motion Controller patent features swappable buttons, connectors

JC Fletcher — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:30:00 EST

If you're excited about finally having a waggle wand for your PS3, but wondering how weird plastic add-ons might fit into the activities, these patent images reveal that Sony is thinking about all that and more. And by "more" we mean: things that might actually be kind of useful.

While the designs detailed in this patent application aren't necessarily being considered for the retail release, they're at least an indication of what ideas have been thrown around for the Playstation Motion Controller. Considering that the patent was filed in April, well before the prototypes we've seen were produced, we do have our doubts about many of these illustrations being worked into the final model.

Several methods are shown for turning the Motion Controller into a Dual Shock-esque device, from an inconspicuous bar through the middle of two wands, to a weird handle with buttons on it that snakes around and connects to the top of the wand. Another image shows two Motion Controllers connected at the bottoms, forming what kind of looks like handlebars. Perhaps most enticing (especially if it's used): removable faceplates, allowing players to choose from buttons, a d-pad or a dial for the front of the controller.

[Via Kotaku]

Sony Motion Controller patent features swappable buttons, connectors originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reggie ain't sweating Project Natal, 'Sphere'

David Hinkle — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

In the dilapidated, war-torn streets of the gaming industry, the Console Wars[TM] 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."

Reggie ain't sweating Project Natal, 'Sphere' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

David Hinkle — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EST

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.]

Pachter: Project Natal will cost $50, 'Sphere' no more than $100 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: PlayStation Motion Controller codenamed 'Sphere'

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:25:00 EST

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.

Rumor: PlayStation Motion Controller codenamed 'Sphere' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wiimote inspired motion controls hit PCs in August

Candace Savino — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Peripherals

Microsoft and Sony might -- might being the keyword -- have Wiimote-esque plans in the works, but there's another platform that we failed to consider tapping into the motion control scheme: PCs. GoLive2 has created a controller that looks eerily similar to Nintendo's, called Stix. Although these bad boys (the 200 model is for 2D games while the 400 model is for 3D) were announced last week, they won't hit retail until August.

We're not sure if PCs need motion controls, but it's an intersting concept. After trying out the controllers, though, MTV Multiplayer's Patrick Klepek described the experience as "touchy," which sounds ... not good. They also don't come cheap, as the 200 retails for $39.99 and the 400 for $49.99.

Are any of you Wiimote lovers excited to try this out on your computers, or do you think it's just a silly idea?

[Via MTV Multiplayer]

Wiimote inspired motion controls hit PCs in August originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Your own private planetarium

Eric Caoili — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Controller, Homebrew

Who knew that having a dome could be so cool? Paul Bourke outfitted one to create an immersive environment that he could steer through with a Wii remote. Using a data projector and specialized software on his MacBook Pro, he was able to display navigable movies on the hollow half-sphere.

Considering its accelerometers and bluetooth functionality, the remote seems perfect as a low-cost interface device for this kind of setup, but Paul found that though the controller is usable, it isn't as accurate as he'd like. We hope that doesn't stop someone from creating a fully-developed astronomy simulation out of this! Check past the post break for video of the experiment in action.

[Via Metafilter]

Continue reading Your own private planetarium

Your own private planetarium originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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