Sony files for 'PlayStation Arc' trademark in Japan -- all but a done deal?
By Donald Melanson 
posted March 2nd 2010 5:59PM
posted March 2nd 2010 5:59PM
Sony's PlayStation Motion Controller has gone through a few different names during its development, but "Arc" has cropped up far more than any other over the past few months, and it's now looking increasingly like a sure thing. While any official announcement will likely have to wait until GDC next week, the folks at Siliconera have discovered that Sony recently filed to trademark the name "PlayStation Arc" in Japan, which is just the latest form of confirmation of the name following a domain registration, and some noticeable name-dropping from gaming CEOs seemingly in-the-know. Of course, Sony could always pull a surprise out of its hat, and we'll be there live at GDC to report on whatever happens.
Ah, the Sony Vibrator. can't wait for this to show up in a porn movie.
@Showbiz
My only problem with this thing is that its too much like the Wii. How is Sony going to convince customers to buy this over the much fabled Wii? Since the PS3 is primarily a game console targeted towards "hardcore" gamers, they're obviously going to have a hard time winning over current customers and the price difference between the PS3 and the Wii is a no brainier?
If it sells then OK, but I think they're gonna have a tough time.
Does this make sense, or am I way off in left field somewhere?
@PBB
Easy. It all comes down to what's the most critical thing anyway: software. All Sony has to do is offer software that actually really takes advantage of this. They've already demonstrated some interesting concepts (unlike Nintendo), if they can turn them into actual games that are fun, they'll have the advantage on Nintendo a thousandfold.
@PBB you're way off the PS3 A.R.C is going to be more about augmented reality games this will put you in the game unlike the wii.
Augmented Reality Controller.
@Showbiz
Yes, because as we saw before with Nintendo, we were hoping for a Revolution, but all we got was just a Wii bit short of amazing.
@shadowj0 Ahh come on. Don't act like just because this new Sony thingy is coming out that the Wii was Revolutionary. Remember when Motion controls was a gimmick and would not go anywhere? What did the Wii do? It smacked the SH*T out the Xbox 360(which I also Own) and the PS3(which is FINALLY catching on). Luckily the Wii wasn't in direct competition against the 360 and PS3........ [face_roll eyes]
@Showbiz Lol, Sony-motion controller on its 'designing phase' was a bit more exhilarating than this one. Before, it was called the 'orb', 'gem' and now an arc.. perhaps, next it'll be called as a magic stick.. First-concept: http://bit.ly/sony-motion-controller-before
But I'm still crossing my fingers that they do change the design of the stick.
@Pookiewood
Well... I meant the name, not he actual device. Revolution was nicer than Wii
@shadowj0 AHHH! I'm sorry I took that way too Literally! Well played!
@Pookiewood
Ah, don't beat yourself up, you had a valid argument too.
After 8 months Sony finally seems to have come up with a name (it was announced way back in June).
That took a while!
How does a dildo look like an arc.
I wonder if this is going to create any issued in the states, because Microsoft uses the Arc name for a line of mice and keyboards
@Karate Tortoise
they're non-competing goods, so there won't be any problem.
...and Apple files in America.
Bazinga!
@Evan
The Big Bang Theory - The Best show I've seen in a very long, long time.
I clicked on this because the slidebar "MOST COMMENTED" said there were 728 comments. Turns out there are 8. :(
Psst:
A - Augmented
R - Reality
C - Controller
Duh.
The big 'killer app' will be one where you see the video from the camera, but a sword, gun, bat, racket, or whateverthehell is superimposed over the controller in the video. They are 'augmenting' your 'reality' using the 'controller'.
@shteevie http://www.psu.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235356
you should see some of the things that can be done with Augmented Reality in games
@onQ Yeah, but those are all really lame.
We already know what our living rooms look like. We live there. There's no game concept I have seen that would make me want to use my living room at the game world.
We know what the limitations of our bodies are. We watch sports to see people perform nearly superhuman feats. I'm not interested in watching myself flail and jump around my room, and I'm certainly not interested in watching you or any other player doing it.
As your link states, we don't have a 1st person perspective; no funny goggles in the ARC platform. what we will have are a lot of samey-looking experiences, either looking at ourselves in a very tightly confined environment, or over our own shoulders [with no camera look, either] in a locked-view shooting gallery with limited navigation.
Not like Natal will really be any better...
If this thing is going to be mainly a tool used with augmented reality, there needs to be an HD PlayStation Eye. Or at least some camera with better picture quality; the current camera is hideous when full screen. Also needs to work far better in darker light.
The Eye's low light performance shouldn't matter here. Since the orb part actually glows.
@Lord Vader
But is not imitation the sincerest form of flattery?
Good thing Apple doesn't own the Wiimote "intellectual property," otherwise Sony would be sued for this thing.
"A method for moving an object by making corresponding hand movements on a device."
If it were as simple as saying something violates a patent because serves a similar function, then Nintendo would have been sued along with Sony and Microsoft for having force feedback in their controllers. They weren't because their approach was distinctly different from the one outlined in the Immersion patent.
The key word is "method". While Sony is using accelerometers and gyros to detect orientation, the actual position of the controller is determined by 3D object recognition. This is not what Nintendo uses.
I guess the name, "Muppet Nose on a Stick," was taken.
@Plothole The emperor does not share your optimistic appraisal of the situation.
it's arc is worse than it's bytes... ;-) I can't wait for ARC, Gem or whatever. I'll still be buying it even if its called 'Donger'
@Phrank
Take Apple's approach ... and sue?
Copy of the wii with a camera.
I'm not sure I never connected this earlier, but Microsoft already has a line of input devices with the 'Arc' name (A mouse announced in 2008 and a keyboard announced in 2009), which makes me believe Sony will not call their motion controller 'Arc' in the US.