Here's a wild one. We just got a tip from someone who purports to be in the know on Microsoft's efforts to beat the Wii at its own motion-sensing game, with some of the details lining up with
what we were hearing last year along these lines. The word is that Microsoft is building a "sensor bar" of sorts, but instead of detecting the waggles of Wiimote-like controllers, it detects full body movement and sound, sans controllers. There are two sensors on the bar, along with a mic and a camera, and while our tipster has "no idea" how it actually works, it sounds pretty impressive. Here's a quick rundown of capabilities mentioned:
- Full body and hand gesture control of games / characters.
- In fighting games you kick, punch, duck, dive, jump and so forth with your body.
- It also picks up small hand gestures like pinching, grabbing and scrolling.
- There will also be video conferencing and games with video.
- Trivia game over the internet with live images of each person playing. When a question pops up, they can clap to buzz in.
- You can "move objects on your screen" and the other party can see what you're doing in real time.
- Sensor detects only the person playing, not folks observing on the couch.
We're rather curious as to what those two mystery sensors on the bar are doing, since there's specific mention of a lack of controllers. Perhaps they add depth perception to whatever the camera is picking up on video, but we guess we'll have to wait and find out. Of course, this could all be an elaborate hoax, but for what it's worth the picture appears undoctored, and the story is plausible. Either way, it's only natural for Microsoft to be looking to duplicate -- and expand upon -- the wild success Nintendo has enjoyed with motion-controlled gaming. And if they don't,
Sony sure will.
posted May 1st 2009 at 1:16PM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Khalid Shahin @ May 1st 2009 1:20PM
First Nintendo. Then Sony. Now Microsoft. This will be the most interesting competition ever. Or the death of the gaming industry.
Thunda Chunky @ May 1st 2009 1:24PM
Or the death of stupid consumers. How many people will put a foot in their TV's or punch mom in the face pretending to be Ali in Fight Night Round 4??
Zeth Ethereal @ May 1st 2009 1:26PM
Did he just say First?? 0.0
Aaron @ May 1st 2009 1:29PM
Well played...
Tim @ May 1st 2009 1:32PM
Judging by all the hatred microsoft fanboys dump on the wii, I can't really see this appealing to the xbox demographic. Then again, if MS is moving ahead with it, They must have a significant enough base outside of those trolls for this to be marketable. If they can pull it off without it being gimmicky, kudos to them. Personally, I doubt the accuracy will live up to the demands any FPS designer would have for input accuracy; integration into those games would be pretty key for me to see it as a success.
MarkHawk @ May 1st 2009 1:33PM
With this version (if real) you wont need 120 dollars for 2 controllers/nunchucks. Just the 20-49 dollar sensor bar. That's slightly appealing to me over buying a Wii. Oh plus the game looks like Fight Night... that's not a bad selling point.
MarkHawk @ May 1st 2009 1:39PM
*Sorry 60.00 dollars. (forgot your not paying for one set. Comes with the Wii :p)
Duke @ May 1st 2009 2:32PM
Zeth deserves +1's from every person here today. That was damn funny!
bill cant fart is ANGRY! @ May 1st 2009 2:33PM
@Thunda
I think it'll be the death of stupid FAT consumers.
bubblechamber @ May 1st 2009 2:54PM
@ Tim – I agree. I’m tired of hearing “Copy-cat” and “Useless Toy” from fanboys. We all need to understand that these accusations, even if they’re true, are irrelevant. It doesn’t matter if the (alleged) system delivers and is loved by everyone or if it’s hated because it’s little more than a novelty. It is a strategy to MAKE MONEY. To a certain degree these companies can’t really care whether or not certain hardcore gamer’s delicate sensibilities are offended. A precedence has been set and they either have to move along with the industry or risk LOSING MONEY. Having said that, I personally think that a “controller-less” system sounds really interesting but is a little hard to swallow. All of the recent demos that I’ve seen for this kind of tech suggest to me that if MS can actually make an affordable and accurate control system, that they are light-years ahead of the independent developers. If it doesn’t deliver, then I have to wonder why they aren’t trying to adopt more proven high-latency motion systems like Sixense’s Truemotion controller. And how does this entire concept work with the already confirmed (very) Wiimote-like Gametrak Freedom controller for the 360? Sorry for the rant guys, I just think it’s an interesting subject.
Bluemanrule @ May 1st 2009 3:15PM
@ bubblechamber
"And how does this entire concept work with the already confirmed (very) Wiimote-like Gametrak Freedom controller for the 360? Sorry for the rant guys, I just think it’s an interesting subject."
Keep in mind that the Gametrak is a 3rd party peripheral while this could very well be a 1st part offering. I knew the acquisition of the 3DV would play a significant role in the gaming arena. I really want this to be true so. I want to see what UFC Undisputed 2009 could do with this kind of system.
Enough dreaming! I just want MS to introduce some form of motion-control. I think motion control, and 3D capabilities already operating on the 360, can push it ahead of the critics and grab a solid grip on second place.
rawd @ May 1st 2009 4:27PM
Xbot this morning reading about Sony's Wii-mote:
Sony sucks!
Xbot this afternoong reading about MS's Wii-mote:
COOL!
Nick @ May 1st 2009 5:46PM
Not long ago MS was in talk to acquire 3DV Systems makers of the Zcam. The technology looks pretty impressive and i think this would kick the wii straight where it hurts. The things you could do with it is incredible but be warned that this could also result in many injured gamers.
Here is a link of what the Zcam can do...
Gaming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOY9vlibxfg&feature=related
Flying Simulation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=233hzDgkwWM&feature=related
Xtra Bonus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AAT6T5uDwo&feature=related
Brendan H @ May 2nd 2009 3:01PM
@bubblechamber:
"I personally think that a “controller-less” system sounds really interesting but is a little hard to swallow."
I would think that controllers would still be used in addition to motion sensing. While it might be possible to do without them, controllers still offer the user a more tactile experience than motion sensing.
I have no problem with motion sensing gaming. Although I've never even played a Wii, I wouldn't mind having a system that offers both motion sensing and controller based gaming.
Jimmy Jones @ May 1st 2009 1:22PM
Nintendo will be making some more Franklin's quite soon. Assuming they wait till every other copycat starts selling the newer units w/their consoles... so they can really cough up the Benjamins...
skyzbig @ May 1st 2009 1:22PM
A "sensor bar"??
Sounds ridiculous.
CreepinJesus @ May 1st 2009 1:41PM
I'm happy with a Mars bar.
tommyny04 @ May 1st 2009 4:02PM
I'll be happy at a bar.
Game_playa @ May 1st 2009 8:21PM
lulz
Andre @ May 1st 2009 1:23PM
No buttons? It'd be pretty lame to have to hold a 360 controller while using "full body control."
Templarian @ May 1st 2009 1:23PM
I wouldn't call the Wii a wild success. Dust collector has been used more lately.
Also, good to see they are going into this market, but if I have to move while shooting nazi's it's going to get annoying.
Andre @ May 1st 2009 1:25PM
Yeah...the fastest selling game console of all time certainly can't be classified as a "wild success" based on your subjective and anecdotal evidence. *rolls eyes*
MarkHawk @ May 1st 2009 1:30PM
It's extremely success in pulling in an audience that before 2004 had no interest in a game console in their living room. There is even a Wii in the White house!
If your a Nintendo fan and your looking for the a system by Nintendo that release games that might appeal to you, I'd say your system by now is the Nintendo DS(i). Sure it doesn't project onto a 32 inch screen but if this was a huge issue I'm sure using a 360 or PS3.
Templarian @ May 1st 2009 2:03PM
I take the Nintendo DS as more of a success than the Wii tbh. At least my friends that have a DS/DSi play with theirs, all of their wii's just sit there most unplugged from even the TV.
Sure it pulled in a large audience, and was clearly a success on that front, but they appear from my view to not hold their audience like the other consoles. Engadget had a post about it a while back.
matthewsime @ May 3rd 2009 6:45AM
Well, if your friends don't like it then it's not a success.
mcnugget @ May 1st 2009 2:29PM
@ Andre, the wii has already been proven statistically to be the least played off the current generation of consoles, despite its higher sales numbers. if that's not dust-collecting, i don't know what is.
MarkHawk @ May 1st 2009 2:35PM
I agree with the DS being the better system from Nintendo. For me that is where my money is better spent. But there is this whole audience I am not a real part of. That Wii "Casual" audience is similar to the Madden audience to me. I don't see the appeal of the game let alone a yearly franchise. But every year it makes top of the charts because that casual audience out numbers my audience by a lot. You wouldn't buy something yearly unless you were liking something about it.
In retrospect it's Nintendo's way of selling lemonade and using the profit to go buy beers for everyone at the bar later. Actually scratch that. The Wii is just a party im invited to but nt interested in but my Mom wants me to go with her because she thinks it be fun. But my friends from school want me to hang out in this other room during the party and have a different experience I'd like at the same party.
:p
joe @ May 1st 2009 4:13PM
I agree. Everyone bought a Wii, and A lot of people bought Wii Fit. I haven't played with it in 4 months, and Neither has anyone I know. Unfortunately, as cool as the technology is, the novelty wears off. I play my 360 much more.
SteveJ @ May 4th 2009 11:09AM
Hey mcnugget - do me a favor and shoot those proven statistics my way.
cloud858rk @ May 4th 2009 7:35PM
@SteveJ
A simple Google reveals (!) that IGN had an article about it.
http://wii.ign.com/articles/970/970898p1.html
Andre @ May 5th 2009 6:00PM
@cloud858rk / McNugget
Actually, that article was retracted by Nielson as the figures were inaccurately assigned. They since corrected it, showing the Wii is the MOST played of the current-gen consoles, and 2nd overall, behind the PS2:
http://kotaku.com/5205249/nielsen-drops-the-ball-on-console-usage-numbers
So McNugget, looks like it's been "scientifically proven" that the Wii is the most played of the current gen consoles. Your response?
MaxPower @ May 1st 2009 1:26PM
I'm guessing if this is real (big if) it will be killed quickly.
All it takes is someone playing a game and diving headfirst into a coffee table or something. We've already seen how many lawsuits for people just flinging wii remotes around.
Templarian @ May 1st 2009 2:05PM
I can't wait to see the front screen before every game. "Don't jump toward screen".
MarkHawk @ May 1st 2009 1:26PM
If they intend to pull this off (and I'm skeptical but I see the reason why) then the games need to have their own unique packaging like platinum hits. The reason I say this is because they have to make it stand out against the other 360 games which unfortunately to my Mother are all to complex her.
The Cases need to be orange (like a DLC Live case) so it stands out to customers that these games are for the motion sensor on Xbox 360. It needs to brand itself as the "Easy to pick up and play" games on the 360. I think a big problem with Viva Pinyata, Castle Crashers, We're in the Movies" is they all seem like the same "I can't figure this out by myself game" to the casual audience that the Wii appeals to now.
MarkHawk @ May 1st 2009 1:38PM
If they Bundled it in with the arcade/pro unit and did not raise the price of the system would be a huge advantage. A easy example is the bundled in headsets.
I find it rather interesting but I wasn't sold on last years rumor of a motion controller. Hopefully E3 will show off more or Microoft will squash this rumor fast.
thecow5 @ May 1st 2009 1:31PM
I believe Microsoft has been working on this for some time. I recall it was being worked on at some university, and it was thaught to come out with any new game console from MS.
MaX PL @ May 1st 2009 1:30PM
-You can "move objects on your screen" and the other party can see what you're doing in real time.
this line sounds like the rumor of the minority report like interface we heard of last E3...
bob e @ May 1st 2009 1:30PM
The question I must ask:
When?
MarkHawk @ May 1st 2009 1:34PM
E3 is a little more then a month away. I'm sure we'll find out then.
nosgoroth @ May 1st 2009 1:36PM
If it's true, we'll know during E3, probably.
htd @ May 1st 2009 1:30PM
I dont like the sensor bar either, I think with gyro sensor, we dont need to have IR sensor any more.
SuperDre @ May 1st 2009 1:30PM
Sounds a lot (but only a bit more advanced) as the Sony eyetoy (and any other webcam based motion'controller')..
Jon Acheson @ May 1st 2009 1:38PM
Yeah. Wow, is this Microsoft today, or Sony five years ago?
nikescar @ May 2nd 2009 12:54PM
Or Logitech ten years ago
sepirioth @ May 1st 2009 1:33PM
sounds WAY too good to be true. but man it would shut a hell of alot of people up if this works as simple as it was just written up!
chris @ May 1st 2009 1:35PM
at Interactive Display Conference, someone mentioned that microsoft bought a company that makes 3d scanning cameras (used exactly for what this article suggests) Also, Steven Bathiche, R&D for MS, sorta leaned back in his chair and grinned. Hmmm............. :)
JoMama @ May 1st 2009 1:39PM
Seriously, if this isn't at least interesting to you please turn in all your pc, laptops, gaming consoles, cell phones, etc. You are no longer in the club!
The argument of someone hurting themselves came up with the Wii controller. It happened, they got sued, they came up with a wrist band (more of a legal buffer, than solution) and life went on. Same will happen here.
I have a couple of little rug rats that could benefit from flailing around a bit to expend some energy. Hopefully they'll get to sleep sooner that way. They seem to have little reactors at their core and just keep going. I digress.
So Xbox360, games, movies, internet, and now kay-rah-tay chopping motion sensing body control? Pretty chocolately goodness sounding to me.
MaxPower @ May 1st 2009 1:55PM
"In fighting games you kick, punch, duck, dive, jump and so forth with your body."
What are you going to attach a strap to for diving and jumping? (don't answer that please)
Don't get me wrong I would love this, but I just don't think it is going to happen with so many sue happy jerkoffs out there. At least I think it will be limited to basic gestures not the immersive full body movement most people would like to see.
Flit @ May 1st 2009 2:01PM
P.S. This isn't cool and it wasn't cool when it was called the Eye Toy on the PS2 either. The human body is a pretty piss poor input device for video game controls. I really enjoy the fact that when i press a button on my standard controller, the character jumps instantaneously (to the human eye). All the Wii has taught me is that accurate controls require button presses, and sloppy inconsequential actions (such as cranking a door handle or valve in Killzone2) are only ok to have motion control for...
JoMama @ May 1st 2009 2:05PM
My Wii controllers have surprisingly accurate. Anyway, I guess it's personal preference. C'est la vie!