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Joystiq and Sony VP Scott Rohde talk PlayStation Move
So, we brought you along for the big reveal and some playtesting, and even presented you with this handy guide just in case you had any more questions. You still haven't got enough of Sony's new motion controller? You're going to want to hop on over to Joystiq for an enjoyable interview with Sony Worldwide Studios VP Scott Rohde where he gets down to brass tacks and answers questions involving the ins and outs of Move game distro, whether the preponderance of "shovelware" mini-game collections will help or hurt the platform, and the fate of the DualShock controller. It's a wild ride, indeed. So why are you still here?
PlayStation Move: everything you ever wanted to know
Sony dropped a lot of knowledge on us yesterday, at long last replacing rampant speculation with some cold hard facts -- and even a name! -- for its new PlayStation motion controller. The PlayStation Move is being described as a "platform" and a "virtual console launch" by folks at Sony, and we think they mean it, so prepare for a motion-controlled ad war later this year, as Microsoft and Sony set themselves up for a real three-way fight with Nintendo for your physical living room activity of the gaming variety. While some of the high-level Wii-like functionalities might be obvious, follow us after the break as we walk through the nitty gritty of everything we know so far about Move. %Gallery-87956%
MotoGP dev keen on Natal head tracking, 3DTV
Speaking to CVG, MotoGP lead designer Greg Bryant discussed the future of the series on both the Xbox 360 and PS3. Bryant said the development team plans to incorporate Natal support into MotoGP 10/11 in order to implement head tracking. According to Bryant, "the future for [Natal] is through head tracking in racing games." As for future iterations on the PS3, he noted that the team plans to use stereoscopic 3D and "theoretically" enable head tracking with the Playstation Eye. Honestly, if it turns out anything like this, consider us stoked.
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.
EyePet won't see a holiday release in the US
"EyePet is now out of holiday," a SCEA representative told us rather succinctly, confirming an initial report from Gamervision. The PlayStation Eye-enabled virtual pet has been stealthily pushed out from its planned November release into the increasingly crowded waters of 2010. SCEA explains that its marketing team "will spend additional time to continue educating consumers and retail channels, setting the table for a successful product launch." Essentially, not enough people are excited about EyePet yet for it to warrant a holiday release.Initial plans had EyePet releasing in two varieties: alone; and bundled with the camera. However, considering another big Sony product -- also coming in early 2010 -- requires use of the Eye, Sony may pursue a completely different marketing plan altogether.
TGS 2009: Interview: Gran Turismo 5's Kazunori Yamauchi
During Tokyo Game Show last week we crashed Polyphony Digital's studio and chatted up Kazunori Yamauchi about ... Gran Turismo 6? Wait -- what? Just watch the interview.Selected excerpts below:Joystiq: Are there any plans to bring Gran Turismo PSP's "Party Mode" to GT5?Yamauchi: I'm glad you noticed that. What we really worked hard to make the PSP portable fun and interesting is in those types of details. Obviously, these are ideas we worked hard on and they will be carried over in some form into GT5.In Gran Turismo, with its ten years of history, the people that who good at playing the game are really, really good at playing the game. Of course, there are a lot of first-time players that want to get into the game, and it was a major theme for us to develop the game so it would be easier for them to get into it. With the party races and these game modes we've developed for the PSP, we've come to one solution for that aspect.
Sony shows off PS3 facial recognition tech
When people ask us why humanity is the best species hands down, we always like to point to stuff like the video below the break. It's because we can invent an amazing technology like Sony's Vision Library, which recognizes faces via the PlayStation Eye and then presents them with digital alterations in a sort of augmented reality. And what's one of the first things we do with this incredible technology? That's right: We put duck bills on people. Naturally. God, humanity rules.
EyePet making your coffee table more adorable Nov. 17
Finally, we can attach a date to the exact moment kids across the world can stop begging for real-life, responsibility-mandating pets, and can instead fall in love with their virtual, responsibility-free counterparts. That is to say, we know the release date for Sony's EyePet -- it's set to drop November 17 in the States. If you've got a PlayStation Eye already, you can pick up the core game for $39.99 -- though an Eye-equipped bundle is also coming for $59.99.For a quick breakdown of what EyePet is all about, check out the recent PlayStation.Blog video posted after the break. Here's a quick summary: It's like Seaman, only way less creepy, and with a Monkey-esque thing instead of a Man-Fish, and also the Monkey-thing will never learn to speak and question you about your sex life. We hope.
EyePet bundled with camera for 50 euros
Those looking to introduce a pet into the household without worrying about all the feeding, grooming, and post-pee castigation will be pleased to hear that Sony has announced a European bundle deal for its inescapably adorable EyePet game. While the company has confirmed that the camera-enabled carefest will arrive in North America this year, it has yet to establish a price for that region. EyePet will launch for €49.99 (roughly $70), camera included, in Europe this holiday. We'll let you know as soon as we hear more or if we somehow manage to use the phrase "post-pee castigation" ever again.Update: Retailers are currently accepting pre-orders for the standalone game (sans PlayStation Eye camera), with a UK price set at £19.99.
Creepy, laughter-tracking PS3 patent has us rethinking Sony's whole PlayStation Eye strategy
Don't they know people look at these things? A recently awarded PS3 patent includes this harrowing "FIG. 2," which portrays a fictional idiot laughing at some "Crazy Inventors" programming, while the PS3 tracks Mr. Laugh's every movement and sound through the PlayStation Eye. The brooding, spiteful console could theoretically pick up on different moods like sadness, excitement, joy and boredom -- before presumably changing up action onscreen to quell that pesky uprising of "emotion" in the subject. [Via Joystiq]
Doc Marks discusses evolution of the PlayStation motion controller
Doctor Richard Marks, known among gamers as the PhD behind the EyeToy, discussed the evolution of the Playstation motion controller technology -- revealed by Sony during E3 2009 -- with PC World. Marks said that experience with the EyeToy, along with other data, showed Sony that, while gamers did have fun experiences with the physical movement of the original peripheral, they still desired the precision and complete control in a fast, effective way. Upon this realization, Sony opted to leave the concept of control-free gaming behind and advanced to the dual-wand prototype showcased at E3 2009. "We designed our new control system to accomplish all of this. We believe the path we have chosen is an ideal combination of both spatial and action/button input," Marks told PC World.When prodded about comments made by Shigeru Miyamoto, who said he was "flattered" by Sony and Microsoft's motion-control direction, Marks respectfully agreed that -- while the EyeToy predates Nintendo's new console -- the Ninendo Wii was an important advancement that "broadened the gaming market and enabled new experiences." As for camera-only control, Marks says the tech can work but it's difficult to resonate with players who get more gratification out of using a tactile device. Attempts to uncover release details or the price-point of PlayStation's yet-to-be officially named motion controllers proved futile, but Marks promises the device to hit stores by Spring 2010.
Sony confirms EyePet US release this holiday
Sony has confirmed to us at a holiday showcase event in New York City tonight that the PlayStation Eye game, EyePet, will definitely be heading to the US in time for the holidays. Our roving reporter, Andrew Yoon, says that the game will be available standalone as well as bundled with the PlayStation Eye camera. Previously, the game was only announced for a European release after it was first revealed at Leipzig GC last year. We're happy to see the adorable simian-dog-thing will be making the jump across the Atlantic and won't be suffering from the chronic case of Q1-2010 flu that's making the rounds. If you're hungry for more, check out Engadget's video from today's event, or our impressions from E3.
Sony's EyePet beta hands-on: it's probably the most adorable thing ever
We just got a brief glimpse at the new PlayStation Eye-based augmented reality EyePet game from Sony, which is on track for a holiday release on the PS3. It's no Project Natal, but what the game lacks in gesture-based interaction (though we were able to pet and play with the little guy pretty intuitively) it makes up for in extensive adorability. You can naturally play, feed, groom and customize your pet -- even teach the thing to draw shapes and bring them to life in a sense -- but it's surprisingly fun to just watch the little dude scamper around in seemingly real space. The title will be available both as a standalone game and as a bundle with the PlayStation Eye. Check out a video of the game in an early beta state after the break, and you can find Joystiq's E3 impressions of the game here.
Sony's PlayStation Eye to gain facial recognition capabilities
It was almost two weeks ago that we first heard about the patent for Sony's PlayStation Eye-powered object motion detection, and now the company's announcing facial recognition for the console. According to Gamasutra, Kish Hirani, SCEE's Head of Developer Services, said that the facial recognition software would "detect gender and even the age of the face, separate facial features such as the nose, eyes and ears, and even detect whether you're smiling or not." This new gear will also work with the Sony Motion Controller, with the camera tracking X, Y and Z motion by using the glowing ball. Speaking at the Develop Conference in Brighton, Hirani stressed that companies won't need to develop their own tech to work with the new controllers. "If you are working with the PlayStation Eye and think there is some new tech you're going to have to develop for the motion controllers, just get in touch with us. We have a wealth of libraries available, and the chances are you won't have to develop any technology yourself." You hear that, guys? get to work![Via SlashGear]
Sony: PlayStation Eye can recognize faces -- right now
Interacting with games without using a controller is apparently a really big deal. Microsoft's got its "Project Natal" thing and Sony has its magic motion wand. Oh, wait. That's technically a controller. That you hold. Fear not, as, during the Develop Conference going on right now in the UK, Sony has revealed that the existing PlayStation Eye camera can recognize you -- well, specifically your face -- and track your skeletal movement without getting all touchy-feely.SCEE says that it already has libraries available for developers who want to integrate the technology into their games. Develop magazine's site quotes developer relations head, Kish Hirani, who divulged that the software was developed by SCEE R&D along with outside developers.While attending the conference, we also learned that it's capable of making out the movement of individual digits -- fancy-talk for fingers -- along with those of your facial bones. Sony has not commented on whether certain hand gestures will be edited out by the software. (Nothing can edit what you'll find after the break from your mind.)
Sony nabs patent for everyday object motion detection: the fragile glass of your TV won't know what hit it
All we've got to say is that they'd better be selling seats to the first living room demonstration of this tech when somebody gets cute and grabs a real baseball bat for a demo. Sony has filed a patent for technology using the PlayStation Eye which can detect regular objects in 3D space and file them away in a database for later use in gameplay. Naturally, the camera already does object motion detection of a sort with the blocky embedded codes on Eye of Judgement cards, but this seems to be taking that tech to a new level, and would imply that you won't necessarily need to be waggling that goofy ball-on-a-stick controller that Sony demoed at E3 for all upcoming motion control titles for the PS3. But for some reason we're sure we should be scared of whatever combination it does turn out to be. [Via Joystiq]
Sony patents more motion tech, uses everyday objects
We'd be lying if we didn't say we're a bit worried about the future of gaming controllers. Between the Nintendo's MotionPlus, Microsoft's Project Natal and Sony's ... erm ... motion thing, our precious game pads get more and more antique looking every day. And according to a recent patent filed by Sony that Siliconera found, our precious controllers have one more thing to fear: everyday objects. That's right, friends -- in the future, we could be using our real-life keys to open doors, our swords to slice up fools, and our guns (not outside of the US) to shoot up the screen "accidentally." The patent shows off a PlayStation Eye-based system that can recognize 3D objects and use them in-game based on various actions taken by the player -- something Microsoft claims it's Natal is also capable of doing. Various household items will be affected in different ways, the example given being a U-shaped object that, when turned upwards, becomes a sword, versus a U-shaped block when facing downwards (think Halo's Covenant Energy Sword). Apparently the system is able to scan a whole mess of objects and store them in a databank for future use. Like so much future tech we've seen recently, we're taking this one with a full truckload of salt until we get some face time.
PS3's motion controller: force feedback, up to four per console
Sony has taken a few of its developers aside and doled out a few new morsels of info about its upcoming PlayStation 3 motion controller. Leaving the Sixaxis as the black sheep of the family, the wand supports force feedback from the get-go, and up to four of the devices can be tracked at one time. The technology can work in conjunction with PlayStation Eye's face / head tracking and built-in mic, but naturally that's gonna tax the Cell processor more. The company's reportedly considering some joint use of the motion remote and standard controller, with the example given of holding the wand as sword and DualShock 3 as shield. We're not sure if that'll somehow count additionally toward the max wand limit -- probably not, at the expense of not using the more accurate color-changing ball tracker -- but it's definitely more cost efficient for the consumer than having to pick up another remote. Tentatively launch window is still Spring 2010, which as it turns out is infinitely more than what we know about Natal's release date at this point. [Via Joystiq]
Sony briefs devs on PlayStation Motion Controller
Sony sent out some details on the PlayStation Motion Controller to its developers, according to Kotaku, revealing some information about the device that we didn't know. We regret to inform you, however, that said information does not include a) the real name of the thing, or b) the real shape.The device will include rumble motors for force feedback, and four of the wands can be tracked simultaneously by the PlayStation Eye camera. Motion-controlled games will also be able to take advantage of face tracking and head tracking. Sony is also investigating the possibility of combining wand and PS3 controller use, with the example of the wand as a sword and the DualShock 3 as a shield.Wand-controlled games can also use the PlayStation Eye's microphone for voice recognition and voice control. However, all this wizardry comes at a cost: Sony told developers that the "motion-tracking library has some SPU overhead and has an impact on memory as well, although these will be minimized."
Then and now: Sony's motion-sensing, 'magic wand' controller tech
Sony's motion-controller technology for PS3 isn't new; in fact, it dates back to the dawn of the PS2's EyeToy. Well before PS3 was ever announced, Dr. Richard Marks, EyeToy / PlayStation Eye creator, was demoing gesture-based, motion-tracking gameplay on PS2 -- using a colored ball and a camera. Sound familiar?In the video after the break, you can watch Marks using a "wand" topped with a brightly-hued sphere to draw symbols in the air, which are translated into in-game spells -- the effects of which match the movement of the ball. It's very simple -- there's no tracking of depth and it's definitely not 1:1 by any stretch of the imagination -- but it's still interesting to see how far the idea has come since last-gen. Who knows what improvements can (or will) be made before the PlayStation Motion Controller is supposed to launch in 2010? We've placed this year's press conference demo video after the break for comparison's sake.[Thanks, dgonchild!]
