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Heavy Rain's David Cage done with his thriller 'trilogy'
Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain is hitting store shelves next week, and it may be the last game of its kind from director David Cage. Speaking with Eurogamer, Cage revealed "that Heavy Rain is the end of my personal trilogy trying to tell the same type of stories with serial killers and stuff, in the thriller genre." It does appear that Cage has had a certain fixation with the morbid, with his previous works -- Omikron: The Nomad Soul and Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy) -- all centering around serial killers. So what's next for Cage and crew beyond Heavy Rain? Multiplayer seems to be one consideration, with Cage calling it "the next challenge." "I have an idea of what it's going to take to make a multiplayer [game]," Cage admitted, adding it would be "very exciting." Whatever Quantic Dream decides to pursue, it's likely to involve motion controls in some way. Considering Heavy Rain had motion controls in mind initially, it comes as no surprise that Cage continues to express his interest in PlayStation's upcoming peripheral. "We have a lot of interest in this motion controller, we start to play with it, and yeah, we definitely want to do something with it."
OnLive, PlayStation Motion Controller and others getting GDC panels
The latest salvo of announcements for panels and presentations taking place at the Game Developers Conference was recently launched, revealing sessions focusing on a wide range of topics. Said topics include OnLive, Shadow Complex, the Smithsonian's admittance of video games, Blizzard's philosophy on game design, and a panel titled "Introducing the PlayStation Motion Controller." We're pretty sure we're already acquainted, thanks -- though we wouldn't mind if you'd finally tell us the damn thing's name. Check out the full list of scheduled speeches on GDC's interactive site. Just don't look too hard for that special session which allows you to dine on the finest of breakfast cereals. That one will be at the other March gaming convention.
Cage initially wanted PlayStation Motion Controller for Heavy Rain
Just to prove we're willing to go the extra mile for you here at Joystiq, we taught ourselves Norwegian just to bring you the latest from David Cage's interview with Norwegian publication Dagbladet. Sadly, Mr. Cage's answers were not in Norwegian, meaning we wasted $8,000 and what our instructor Jokkum Frantzberg called "a very good ear for Norwegian." The entire project was not in vain, though, as we managed to find this quote from Cage regarding his upcoming Heavy Rain. "If you are talking about Motion Control, this is something we initially considered for Heavy Rain. The very first version of the game design was based on motion control, but it was not feasible at the time," he said. Dagbladet later helped us confirm via one of Cage's reps that he had hoped to design the game for the PlayStation Motion Controller originally, but felt the tech simply wasn't far enough along. Cage went on to add, "I have a lot of interest in Sony's motion device and there is a good chance that we announce something about it in the coming weeks." We don't know what he'll announce, but we certainly hope that it'll be in Norwegian.
Former EyeToy exec warns of the difficulties facing Natal, 'Arc'
In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Jamie MacDonald, former Vice President of Sony Worldwide Studios (the company responsible for EyeToy), gave out a few pointers to Sony and Microsoft regarding their respective motion controllers. MacDonald warned that gamers are expecting more from the 360 and PS3's motion gaming than they do from the Wii, due to both consoles' beefier hardware. However, he also warned about implementing "traditional long-form gameplay," lengthy sessions of which would leave players "completely knackered." MacDonald's wisest words came when speaking about pricing the two pieces of hardware. He suggested they follow Sony's strategy with EyeToy, where the peripheral and a piece of software came bundled for the price of a normal game, which kept consumers from "paying a premium for the hardware." That's a sweet thought, but it's a little presumptive -- after all, we've yet to hear a price for the two devices. (Hell, we haven't even heard a name for one of them.)
Two EA Sports Active games due Holiday 2010
Just before today's sure to be thrilling investor's call, EA released a fact sheet to the folks gearing up for the hour-plus finance-a-thon -- a fact sheet that revealed two "TBA" EA Sports Active games set for release on consoles in the third quarter of the company's fiscal 2011 (October 1 through December 31, 2010, in human being time). We've yet to hear anything on a new EA Sports Active title for the Wii, though we did hear some rumblings at E3 last year that the franchise would be headed to Sony and Microsoft's respective motion-based outings. And considering the unannounced titles are set for release in line with the announced release of Microsoft's Project Natal, and perhaps just after the PlayStation Motion Controller, there's a good chance that these pending EA Sports Active releases are for those platforms -- maybe one for Natal and one PlayStation; or one for Natal and Playstation and one for Wii.
THQ boss Brian Farrell calls Sony motion controller 'PlayStation Arc' ... a lot [update]
Now there's a name we've heard before: "PlayStation Arc." Only now instead of being bandied around as rumor, it's been uttered by someone who should know something about it -- THQ chief executive officer Brian Farrell -- multiple times during the same investor call. "We are focused on our continued leadership in [casual games], taking advantage of the lower hardware price points that we expect will attract new mass market gamers, and new family-friendly platforms such as Microsoft's Natal and the PlayStation Arc motion controller," he announced. The motion controller -- which was recently bumped back for release this fall and has yet to receive an official name -- was referred to as "Arc" by Farrell several more times, during both his prepared statement and subsequent Q&A session. Responding to a question on the company's plans for Natal and "Arc," Farrell replied that THQ "would like to be there at launch" for both motion control devices. We've contacted Sony for comment on Farrell's ... comments, but don't expect its reps to be as loose-lipped as the THQ boss. Update: SCEA's senior director of corporate communications, Patrick Seybold, responded to our request for comment saying, "We haven't announced the final name of the product and the 'Arc' is a rumored code name."
Report: PlayStation Motion Controller to have about 10 games this year
Here's some encouraging news for those hoping that the PlayStation Motion Controller (pleaseannouncethenamealready!) will give a reason to knock the dust off your old PlayStation Eye. According to a Nikkei report spotted by Andriasang, the device, which pairs with the Eye, will have "around 10 or so games" by year's end, including sports and pet raising titles. We've been disappointed by the game support for the Eye so far, outside of the ability to construct extensive scrotum-centric LBP sticker libraries. Here's hoping that these promised releases can take all the Eyes sitting on our shelves from novelty to necessity.
Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition 'unaffected' by PS3 Motion Controller delay, Capcom says
With a rapidly approaching "Spring" release date and only one game with confirmed support for the device, Sony has made the presumably wise decision to delay the release of the as-yet-unnamed PlayStation Motion Controller until "Fall 2010" in order to "offer an exciting and varied line-up of software titles that will deliver the new entertainment experience to PS3 users." The single game with confirmed support: Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition, shown off at last year's Tokyo Game Show with Motion Controller support on PS3 (here it is on video). RE5: Alternative Edition is coming to North America as "Gold Edition" in both retail and DLC formats, beginning in February. We asked Capcom US how the delay of the Motion Controller would affect the release of Alternative/Gold Edition and here's what the publisher told us: Capcom has not announced any compatibility between Sony's motion controller and Resident Evil 5 in North America. The release of this product will be unaffected by the delay in our territory and is still on track for a March 9 release with the individual pieces of downloadable content released prior. Of course, that doesn't answer if the already demoed Motion Controller support will still be a component of the Japanese "Alternative Edition" release, whether that support will be patched into any or all of the retail and DLC releases upon the arrival of the Motion Controller in the Fall, or whether Capcom's just giving up on the idea entirely. We're following up and will let you know if Capcom's sharing anything beyond the above statement. %Gallery-78541%
PlayStation Motion Controller's release date moves to fall 2010
Sony has just announced that the still-unnamed PlayStation Motion Controller won't hit its targeted spring 2010 release date -- it's now slated for a worldwide release this fall. In a press release, SCEI president Kaz Hirai cited a desire to "offer an exciting and varied line-up of software titles that will deliver the new entertainment experience to PS3 users" as the reason for the delay, and indicated that Sony will be revealing the launch software lineup soon, including first-party games and games from other companies, "whom we have been working closely with." The good news is that Sony now has more time not only to line up third party support for the peripheral, but come up with a name as well. The bad news is that Sony is dropping whatever advantage an earlier release would have given the device over the much more publicized Xbox 360 motion controller, Project Natal. [Update: The motion controller has been officially named "PlayStation Move." Yes, really.]
Rumor: PlayStation Motion Controller to be renamed 'Arc'
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?
Traveler's Tales director assesses Sony and Microsoft motion control
Speaking to Develop, Traveller's Tales director Jon Burton voiced concerns about Microsoft's motion control solution, Project Natal. Specifically, Burton stated that Natal's lack of controller input as well as input lag could limit the kinds of games made for it, though he did admit that the device is "exceedingly clever." Burton prefers Sony's motion controller, noting that it will be "cheap, accurate and will put buttons at your fingertips," which should make it suitable for a wide range of games. Still, Burton admits he was "stunned" by the technical wizardry of Natal. With the experience of having his own motion capture studio at TT, Burton states that getting "anything resembling mo-cap" in real-time from a single camera is "nothing short of amazing." For what it's worth, Burton has not used a final version of the device. We noted Natal's input lag when we tried it at TGS earlier this year, where Microsoft's Kudo Tsunoda assured us the final product would iron out, or at least ameliorate, the issue.
Sony's Koller calls 'motion control, 3D gaming, PSN' focal points of 2010
After a strong 2009, Sony plans to focus its efforts in the coming year on some new initiatives -- notably the still unnamed and, with a "Spring 2010 release," curiously under-promoted PlayStation Motion Controller, 3D games, and the PlayStation Network. In a recent GamePro interview, Sony marketing head John Koller said the company will be focusing on these "three big pillars" going forward, and detailed its plans to expand on each. "I think the areas that are going to be really critical to our success will be family games, as well as shooters and sports games ... they're areas that quite honestly, I think Project Natal and the Wii are going to have trouble matching," he said of the company's motion controller plans. Without getting too specific, the PlayStation Network will apparently be seeing the addition of "a number of very critically demanded features" in the coming year, while the company strives to reach day-and-date release parity between UMD-based PSP games and their digital counterparts from third-party devs on PSN. He even teased the concept of "placing you as a consumer into the game physically" -- an idea he called "the Holy Grail of gaming." We get the feeling 2010 is going to be kind of a weird year, folks.
Sony's PlayStation motion controller patents venture into abstract realms
We've seen plenty of PlayStation motion control patents from Sony, some of them surprisingly similar to what we've actually observed of the as-yet-unnamed controller. This new one, however, gets a little odd. The basic structure seems familiar, but Sony's recently-filed patent application deals with add-ons in wild ways that not even the peripheral-happy folks at Nintendo have envisioned. Our favorite is probably the double-ender (Fig. 6B for those of you following along at home), which is probably the most assured recipe for a little brother's bloody nose to be run by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office since the longstaff was invented. So, does this mean more cash to shell out for a "full" PS3 motion control experience? We can't imagine Sony being gung-ho about that strategy in the face of the (as yet) add-on free Project Natal, but we suppose we'll just have to wait and find out.
Sony Motion Controller patent features swappable buttons, connectors
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]
Ubisoft planning 10 games for Natal, '4 to 5' for PlayStation Motion Controller
During the question and answer portion of an investor conference call this afternoon, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot clarified his company's commitment to developing games for both the Xbox 360's still-codenamed Project Natal and the PlayStation 3's hopefully-still-codenamed PlayStation Motion Controller. "We have about ten games that will come for Natal during the first six months of the launch of Natal, and we expect between four to five games for the new controller from Sony," Guillemot explained. "That's the picture at the moment, it can change in the next twelve months." (That "twelve months" reference doesn't bode well for Sony's purported "Spring 2010" third-party launch lineup for the motion controller.) When asked if those games were all new properties, or motion-enhanced updates of existing franchises (like Prince of Persia), Guillemot responded, "I didn't count the games that in fact are supporting the new functions that those accessories will bring. I was more speaking about casual games that we are doing on those two machines; we can consider that on those games it's 70 percent new property." Or – if you consider Guillemot's suggestion of ten games for Natal and "four to five" for PlayStation Motion Controller – that's roughly ten new casual properties coming from Ubisoft.
Reggie ain't sweating Project Natal, 'Sphere'
In the dilapidated, war-torn streets of the gaming industry, the Console Wars™ 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."
New Sony controller patent is rich with opportunities
Sure, Sony's orb-tipped PlayStation Motion Controller has yet to land in our laps, but that doesn't mean the company's not allowed to test the waters of other peripheral designs. Siliconera recently uncovered a series of patent illustrations for a new Sony-developed remote. There's little info about the controller in the patent filing, but based on its shape and the manner in which the dotted hand is holding it, we've come up with a few titles which might implement the device. Buzz: Extreme Buzzer Trivia Challenge Champagne Shake N' Spray Box Cutter: Deluxe Edition Imagine: Pipe Bombz Scene It?!: The Game Where You Pretend to Masturbate Arthur Fonzarelli's Thumbs-Up Training Program Stranglin' Ostriches
Pachter: Project Natal will cost $50, 'Sphere' no more than $100 [update]
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.]
Sony's PlayStation Motion Controller now codenamed Sphere?
Sony may still have officially been using the less-than-imaginative "Motion Controller" name for its, um, motion controller at the Tokyo Game Show last month, but it looks like some developers working with the technology weren't sticking as close to the script, and may have revealed the project's proper codename. As Joystiq notes, Sega producer Yasuhito Baba referred to the device as "Sphere" during an interview at the show, and Polyphony Digital's Kazunori Yamauchi also seemed to respond to the "Sphere" name without missing a beat when asked if Gran Turismo would support the peripheral. So, certainly less of a mouthful, and not exactly the worst of names if true -- in fact, it's such a good codename that none other than Microsoft has already adopted it for one of its projects.
Konami 'aggressively' looking into motion control for PES series
Shingo Takatsuka, the progenitor of the long-running Pro Evolution Soccer series, recently had a few choice words to share with IGN on the subject of incorporating motion control into the franchise. Though the producer of that other soccer game has stated his indifference to motion control schemes, Takatsuka explained Konami is highly intrigued by Project Natal and the heretofore "officially" unnamed PlayStation Motion Controller -- intrigued to the extent that he's "looking at integrating those devices into our games very aggressively." As we all know, soccer is the most fatiguing activity any human can participate in, so we expect that a Natal-ized version of PES would be appropriately taxing. However, given the sport's limited employment of hands, we'd be curious to see how Sony's motion-sensing peripheral would be utilized. There are few pieces of gaming hardware we'd outright refuse to give a fair shot, but shoe adapters might just be beyond our capacity for humiliation.
