Underlying MotionPlus tech isn't a Nintendo exclusive

How very interesting. InvenSense, which is licensing its motion-sensing MEMS technology to Nintendo for that new MotionPlus add-on, has now stated that its Nintendo partnership is "not an exclusive relationship." InvenSense won't let slip exactly who else is courting them for the tech, but we have to think the usual suspects (Microsoft, Sony) are at least giving the gyroscopic technology a passing glance. Of course, InvenSense might be looking to folks outside the gaming space as well, and there's no guarantee Microsoft and Sony would even try for a Wiimote killer this generation, but if the Big Three don't all have robust motion-sensing controls of some sort ready by the time the next generation rolls around, it certainly won't be InvenSense's fault.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

[TomTom2007 @ Aug 8th 2008 10:46AM]

you forgot the Vii

[ShadowKain @ Aug 8th 2008 11:54AM]

You forgot that no one cares

[DeathroW @ Aug 8th 2008 10:48AM]

An addon for the ps3 controller to make it more sensitive could make sixaxis worth using.

[hiko36 @ Aug 8th 2008 10:58AM]

An implementation in games of sixaxis that didnt want to make me kill myself would make sixaxis worth using...

[Lars @ Aug 8th 2008 2:17PM]

Ratchet & Clank, Heavenly Sword, PixelJunk Eden, LocoRoco, GTA4 (heli), Lair...

Just to name a few where the motion sensor was well implemented and actually added to the game experience.

[From My Cube @ Aug 8th 2008 10:53AM]

Since engadget doesnt want to post my submission....here is a leaked new image of the Blackberry Thunder

http://img105.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stormqi5.jpg

[meist3r @ Aug 8th 2008 10:58AM]

@Cube: And they are damn right not to post that. This says absolutely nothing because there is no context, source, whatsoever. It's not even a "image of the new Blackberry" it's a photo taken from some spreadsheet or list that CONTAINS the NAME of the new blackberry. I could make a screenshot like that from every spreadsheet. At least most of the other "leaked" photos show the environment like an office or even the in-shop IT system that actually contains the new number. Maybe next time you maybe could even announce that it's just a freaking serial number. I'm sure however you acquired that photograph must make you very proud but it's absolutely useless. Thanks very much.

[From My Cube @ Aug 8th 2008 11:01AM]

ORRRRRRRRRRR.....if you look, top of the list, pink curve...just release TODAY....maybe just maybe I also submitted that Oct 13th should be your D- DAY for the Thunder....I only tagged the pic for added street cred

[Lars @ Aug 8th 2008 2:19PM]

@meist3r

If it was an Apple product, that reasoning wouldn't stop them.

[Pepsiman @ Aug 8th 2008 11:15AM]

Why would Sony care? The Sixaxis already contains a gyroscope.

[jrb @ Aug 8th 2008 11:23AM]

perhaps because the sixaxis is universally criticised for having crap motion sensing?

[chefgon_ign @ Aug 8th 2008 11:45AM]

So does the Wii Remote.

[Derbeste @ Aug 8th 2008 2:05PM]

So then where is the universal criticism?

Idiot.

[Plothole @ Aug 8th 2008 2:09PM]

The Sixaxis and Wiimote have 6DOF accelormeters. These can sorta function as gyros, but they're not as good as a dedicated one.

[Lars @ Aug 8th 2008 2:26PM]

Owning (and loving) both a Wii and a PS3, I gotta say they're pretty much on par with each other. How good a game implements the motion controls is the real issue. And actually more often than not it's better on the PS3 side, unfortunately. Most games on the Wii just make you waggle the Wiimote or 'chuck, and that just makes me wonder why I'm not just pressing a button instead.

But hey, tighter controls are always a good thing. I'm surprised this is news... I'd be more shocked if it was a Nintendo exclusive.

[Kevin @ Aug 8th 2008 11:34AM]

This was known from interviews around the time the Motion Plus was announced. I don't think the technology is particularly proprietary. It is more a matter of hitting the right price/size/quality ratio, and that is why Nintendo worked with them.

[Pingmeister @ Aug 8th 2008 11:38AM]

I'd be surprised if Nintendo didn't demand exclusivity for gaming controllers. That would allow the company to license to non-gaming devices while non giving the tech to Nintendo's competitors.

[Bob @ Aug 8th 2008 12:31PM]

Nintendo can demand anything they want, but not owning the tech puts them at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to that. Now they can pay for exclusivity, but they can't demand it.

[rlynd3 @ Aug 8th 2008 12:10PM]

More likely to show up in Nyko and Mad Catz devices for the Wii than in a 360 or PS3 controller.

[Lord Red Snake @ Aug 8th 2008 12:19PM]

God I can't wait until this motion control fad dies. If Sony and Microsoft want to add this as a feature, that's fine, but if they go trying to build their systems around it I'll go nuts. Many of us, if not most of us gamers (the ones who drive the attach rates), just don't care to be waving our arms around to play every game.

I personally like to sit back on my couch and move my thumbs around to play games. I don't play video games to work out, I go to the gym for that.

[JB87 @ Aug 8th 2008 2:05PM]

If you're "working out" to play games on the Wii, you're doing it wrong.
Hell, I play Wii Sports sitting down.

[Derbeste @ Aug 8th 2008 2:12PM]

If "most of us gamers" don't care about motion, then why is Nintendo making much damn money?

Clearly the gamers that drive attachment rates are, in fact, the ones Nintendo is targeting.

hardcore =\= real

Face.....we had our time. But it's not the Wii that is "last gen".....

We are.

[Squish @ Aug 8th 2008 2:34PM]

Touché.

[T.H. @ Aug 8th 2008 12:24PM]

InvenSense does not have a lock on motion sensing technology. It does Nintendo no good to have an exclusive contract with them unless InvenSense's particular implementation is so good in such a way that it warrants an exclusive contract. Things that would make this work would be greatly reduced size compared to the competition, higher degree of sensitivity in a similar price package than the competition, or somehow reducing the price by a great degree compared to the competition in a similar size package.

[Dead_Rebel @ Aug 8th 2008 12:59PM]

heh... package....

[Tim @ Aug 10th 2008 8:06AM]

The current Nintendo remote has a 3DOF accelerometer, as does the PS3. The PS3 also has a single gyroscope. IIRC, the accelerometer chip in the PS3 is marginally more sensitive than the one in the Nintendo remote.

In theory this should give the PS3 pad slightly better motion sensing, but to be honest the difference between the controllers has nothing to do with the tech and everything to do with the form factor. The Nintendo remote is well designed for waggling around with one hand, whereas the PS3 pad isn't. That's it. The PS3 could easily replicate a vast number of the Wii motion-sensing games, except for the fact that the pad is just not the right shape to play those games with.

In theory the addition of the three gyros to the Nintendo remote should allow it to do a reasonable job of dead reckoning the motion of the device; currently with only accelerometers it can detect orientation or acceleration, but once you get both there's no way of distinguishing them. The gyros should help with that (up to a point). It still won't be able to give you an exact fix on the absolute position or direction of the remote, but it'll be better than what they've got currently.