GameTrak Freedom motion controller for Xbox 360 outed at GDC
By Laura June 
posted Mar 25th 2009 1:54PM
posted Mar 25th 2009 1:54PM
IGN's gotten a preview of the Gametrak Freedom motion-controller we first spied back in September. Designed by Performance Designed Products (PDP), the Xbox 360 (which will probably also be available for the PS3 at some point, too) stick's looks have changed quite a bit since then. Like most other motion controllers it uses accelerometers, but also adds ultrasonic 3D positioning using two sensor bars mounted to the display, which can triangulate the device's positioning to precisely calculate its distance, orientation and speed. Though the Gametrak Freedom is expected for Xbox 360 in the fourth quarter of this year, there are no specific details about pricing or availability yet.
[Via Joystiq]
[Via Joystiq]
gay... leave the wii stuff alone. If the next gen of videogame hardware is only motion controlled, I'm no longer going to be a gamer. Motion control is lame, unintuitive, and just not fun for serious games. The Wii does well with the little mini and kid games, but I would not want to play through CoD with that stupid numchuck. Give me 2 joysticks and some triggers.
Well said. My greatest fear is that the next 360 controller will have motion sensors so one can move up and down, motion sensor based games are completely horrid for gamers.
(Also I 100% believe the 360 controller design needs to never change, it is by far the most comfortable controller ever produced).
@xxburt0nxx
Not really, will be just a little step until a "Did you have to use your hands to play it?"
@Templarian
i agree i love the design of the 360 controller, best pad ever, by far
Agreed proof that the Wii controller is bad is when anyone plays Super Smash Brothers they find the nearest Gamecube controller.
It has it's niche but for serious games a normal jostiq wins hands down...
Serious gamers will only play COD or any other FPS on a PC (mouse & Keyboard). There is no other choice. Playing FPS's on the Xbox or PS3 feels clumsy and slow.
I agree with what you say, but calling it 'gay' is absolutely stupid, how old are you? twelve?
Yeah, the 360 controller is the best design I have ever tried. I hope they stick with it. As far as this thing, I don't think it will be welcomed by enough 360 users to be anything more than a novelty item.
I personally would love if the Xbox 1080 had motion controls within it, I'm saying 100% most accurate ones for sixaxis. It wouldn't be for the gamer, it would be for the developer.
Developers make motion games on the wii, because wii owners like them.
Developers make serious games on the 360/ps3, because 360/ps3 owners like them.
@forcevoltron, is it that hard for you to accept that some people prefer controllers over keyboards/mice? Seriously. I've seen 10,000 different trolls insist that controllers suck and it hasn't changed my mind a bit. In fact, I have several friends who melt faces with their mouse aim but prefer controllers because they feel better. Either way, on behalf of the entire gaming populous, STFU. we get it. you can stop now
Whats with calling wii games kids games when yo ucall the control scheme "GAY" . thats something a twelve year old would say.
Meh, Honestly I don't see the issue...Some games play better on controllers some games play better with a keyboard and mouse...matter of preference really. The controller is just a more compact and simpler control medium. If you don't like it...don't play it...fairly straightforward.
Why would it only be motion ? Why is there not room for both controllers. Some games are better with the motion controller and others with the traditional controller. Did you have a fit when the flight stick came out for the 360 ? What is wrong with giving choice ?
My parents enjoy playing some wii bowling but would never play a FPS. What is cool is that I can have one system with decent graphics and have fun playing simple games like wii sports and games like COD.
I think you need to be exposed to a little more than your parents basement.
@neomatrix724
I agree with you. Matter of preference.
Still keep this for the Xbox360 only. :)
i actually like the GameCube controller best for comfortably, though button placement and controls themselves could be better.
it would be awesome if MS made a controller that the right joystick in the same position as the left one and put the buttons below, like in the mod that guy did (there was also a 3rd party controller for the xbox like that, but it sucked).
forcevoltron: i am sick and tired of hearing that crap from pc gamer trolls. why does it even matter what you use? everyone you're playing is using the same controls whether it be mouse or controller. if you think controllers are so clumsy you probably just suck with them. the pros seem to do just fine with them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnF0aH3fDZg
Agreed with the motion controller...
I think the PS3 did it absolutly right. Its your typical controller, yet has motion sensing, but it certainly not a requirement, and the use it currently gets in games is perfect. Motion sensing in PS3 Games are not priority of the standard controller, which makes everything great.
I'm not against The 360/PS3 getting a samiliar motion controller like the Wii, We all know they are just trying to take away the gamers that flock to the Wii, which is fine in my books...everyone steps up their game makes it better for all of us
I have no interest in playing Wii type games. If I did, I would buy a Wii. Plus this thing looks cheap and ugly.
Meh.. if this is real I'm not sure I like it. I think it's false lead.
this might be perfect for those FPS/TPS games, plus as alternative to those lightgun shooting game controllers
I agree. Anyone who thinks that motion control for this purpose is unintuitive has something wrong with them or possibly actually points at things in real life by means of a joystick that directs their limbs.
You know who you are.
it is unintuitive... why do you think that the majority of games that come out on the Wii are your quick mini game type shit. Cooking mamma, brain challenge, wario wares, etc. Sure there are a few games that do some cool stuff with the controls, and there are a few big games like zelda that are actually games you can play through, but for my money a $200 xbox is going to offer a lot more in terms of content, gameplay, online abilitys, and overall fun!
You make no sense. You say that motion control is unintuitive and tout it as the reason for crappy mini games (nothing to do with being cheap to make for a quick buck on the back of the success of Wii Sports...) but then say some games make good use of it. This leads directly onto how they are deemed intuitive.
The intuition comes down to how they've been put to use in the game. Which is more intuitive, Wii Sports bowling or pressing buttons? Pointing at the screen and pressing a trigger to shoot or moving a stick and pressing a shoulder button? Mimicking real life well will always be more intuitive than pressing buttons.
Most of the Wii games that make the best use of the controls are the "serious" kind of game, e.g Metroid Prime 3 and Medal of Honour: Heroes 2 show how the Wii controls are far better than dual analogs for FPS games (which seemingly is what 80% of references to "serious"/hardcore games refer to).
Even without motion sensing, i'd rather use a split controller ("stupid numchuck") as it is simply far more comfortable. Always hated how your hands are practically joined together on typical pads.
@ilh
To be honest, the only thing that would be really intuitive for an FPS is if you could shoulder a rifle and squeeze a trigger, but that would cause a huge problem in the media. Not to mention the mfg would probably give the damn thing a 20lb trigger...
It really boils down to preference. I appreciate the different control schemes being offered here, I just prefer to use the stick on certain occasions. In some instances I do enjoy the movement controls in some Wii games, but my arm can get tired from some games, so it is nice to just relax and just work the sticks for a bit. Plus the 360 controller is so damn comfortable.
I think there's room for both the standard 360 & ps3 controllers + this motion one. Just don't regular games with motion controller setup slapped on it for motion control sake.
Well, boys, some of us, uh, "older" gamers wouldn't mind seeing this come to the Xbox. No, I wouldn't want to be forced to play CoD or GoW with a numchuck, but I would like to have the "wii type" games for the kiddos, without having to invest in another console.
If only the games could be downloaded TO the controller, so you can be able to play them when u "plug" it in.
what took them so long to have this on the ps3 and xbox360?
was it pride?
I'd imagine it was patent issues.
Obviously there's no pride in the industry if xbox is getting a wii controller...
I wouldn't mind an avatar-based Xbox Tennis/Bowling game with this for $60 (like Wii Play). Would be a fun alternative to forking out $300+ for a Wii.
No comment
oh..... my god...... paradoxical........ onslaught..... head..... about to...... explode... must...close...browser....
I could imagine dads would be happy with this. Then maybe they can get a 360 for the kids [read: themselves] instead of having to buy a wii.
My wife has been on me for 6 months for selling the wii because she liked the bowling game. Well if this has the bowling game im sold. Hell I didnt need to repay for games I already own like I was doing on the WII. I only like Galaxy for the WII. The would be great.
I hope its not maditory (I doubt it will be with MS buying that motion control video company) on all games but I love the option. I would love to have my house of the dead and other on rails shooters.
Microsoft, especially with the 360, has been extremely reluctant handing out wireless access to the 360 to 3rd party accessory makers. Even Guitar hero started out wired.
Don't be shocked to find a third party, wireless reciever hidden within the packaging, taking up yet another usb slot. Or...the remote it self will be wired...which is even worse.
Why they don't release it on PS3 via bluetooth first and wait for Microsoft to get jealous and cave, is beyond me. I guess they a) Don't believe in their product enough. b) Prefer Xbox Arcade and Microsoft's marketshare c) Hoping to capitalise on the uniformed [parent] gamers for a quick buck....d) all of the above.
I will not be purchasing this, I have no interest in these types of games.
Does anyone remember the Microsoft Sidewinder (Pro)?
Seems that they could add this motion technology to current wireless controllers, to add more depth--but going the Wii route is no bueno.
After playing Metroid Prime 3, I immediately was spoiled by IR FPS controls. It makes it hard to ever go back to a controller for this purpose, although a mouse and keyboard is still good. If the peripheral is supported, hopefully 360 owners will get the best of both worlds. I realize some are resistant to this and have an anti-Nintendo mindset, but we need to move on and have a wider array of control options for gaming.
in response to the wii?
Lol... what ? What game would you play with this ... stick with the normal controls for the xbox 360