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Red Steel 2 director would 'love' to see series on 360, PS3
During a Q&A session following the PAX demo of Red Steel 2, creative director Jason VandenBerghe told Joystiq that he would "love" to see Red Steel arrive on other platforms. When asked about the possibilities of the new motion control options headed to PS3 and Xbox 360, VandenBerghe said, "I personally would love to see any and all consoles have more sword fighting experiences." He then added that any decision to develop the series on other consoles would be up to Ubisoft. Here's hoping Ubisoft decides to throw us more than a deluge of Rabbids once the 360 and PS3 climb aboard the motion control bandwagon.
PS3 motion controller's launch titles will work single-wandedly
The PlayStation 3 motion controller's actual launch date is still shrouded in multiple layers of mystery, but when it finally does make it to market, Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida wants to assure you that you won't be needing to purchase two wands for any games -- at least at first. All launch titles will work with just one motion controller and camera, but there will be some options for those wanting to dual-wand -- "experiences will be enhanced if you purchase a second," he said. That does leave open the possibility of future titles mandating a dual-wand setup -- we wouldn't be surprised if some sword fighting simulators required it -- but at least you can dip your toes in first and see if that bucket of plastic game peripherals really has room for more. [Via Joystiq]
Natal to be 'a union' of Microsoft and Rare's philosophies
Despite having released a number of games on the platform, Rare's Xbox 360 franchises haven't had the fan following of your War Gears and your Halos -- the developer's design director, George Andreas, chalks this up to the fact that the "hardware is aimed at a different demographic, and so we've always battled against that." That is fairly true -- the hardcore Xbox 360 audience has little patience for anthropomorphic piñatas or bird-backpacked bears. However, Andreas has hope for the future -- a future which will see the introduction of Microsoft's full-body controller, Project Natal.Andreas has stated Rare's interest in the new technology before, but in a recent interview with VideoGamer.com, he further explained the studio's excitement -- "it's a union of the two philosophies of the different companies, I guess," he said. Sounds like Rare's sticking to its family-friendly roots -- we suppose that rules out the possibility of Rare's secret Natal project being Gun Murder 3: The Legend of the Lost Shoot-Blaster.
PS3 motion games: Dual wanding not required
Did Dirty Harry ever need a second Model 29 to mop up the streets? No sir. Likewise, you'll get by just fine with one PS3 motion controller on your person. "We are approaching the launch [of the PlayStation motion controller] by making sure that all games that we create can be played with one controller and the camera," Sony boss Shuhei Yoshida assured penny-pinching purchasers during a recent interview with Eurogamer.Of course, adding a second motion controller to your loadout could really make the magic happen: "It's like putting your arms into the TV, like a gaming space, and you have total control of the 3D space in front of you," Yoshida described of the experience of dual wanding.Woah. Did anyone else just feel that? For a second there we were totally transported into the fourth dimension.
KoTec 'very interested' in motion control for Ninja Gaiden
One of the highlights of the motion controller demo during Sony's E3 2009 press conference was a swordplay sequence that seemed to handle magnificently. Koei Tecmo must have been paying attention -- in a recent interview with Play Magazine, KoTec's Kenji Matsubara explained the developer is "very interested" in adapting the Ninja Gaiden franchise to work with the new motion sensitive peripheral.However, Matsubara explained that there are some barriers to clear before said adaptation takes place -- namely, he wants to "know how responsive it is," adding that "if you're swinging your arms around like you're using a sword you will soon be tired." Yeah, no kidding. Had the controller already been usable in one of the next-gen Gaiden titles, the games' infamously difficult Hard mode would cause the world's shoulder dislocation rate to skyrocket.[Via NowGamer]
Sony's earliest Motion Controller plans included Teletubbies, X-Men
The PlayStation Motion Controller was one of the big highlights at this year's E3. However, it shouldn't have come as a surprise -- considering Sony's been working on the controller since the beginning of the millennium. A look back to GDC 2001 reveals a presentation from Richard Marks about "using video input for games." Noting that "simpler interfaces are needed to reach a broader audience," Marks wanted to create an interface for casual non-gamers, one that would be "intuitive, simple, enabling and enjoyable." Sound familiar to you?Some of the prototypes developed by the EyeToy team include "Misho the Witch" (pictured above), a virtual pet simulation that has players using a ball-and-stick controller to play with the on-screen witch. Ideas from this demo have ended up in both EyePet and the upcoming Motion Controller itself. Other ideas thrown around included a magic duel, where players could write spells using gestures, and games inspired by Casper the Friendly Ghost and the Teletubbies.While gamers have been spared from a motion-sensing game based on the Teletubbies, another idea seems to have been left on the wayside: games based on various superhero properties. Marks' presentation revealed plans to recreate the powers of the Fantastic Four and the X-Men through the PlayStation camera. We're not sure how far those ideas went, but a superhero game that takes advantage of the Motion Controller would make perfect sense as a launch game for when the controller (finally) debuts next year.[Thanks, Bradley M.!]
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 thinks it's a generation or two ahead of the Wiimote with upcoming motion controls
Sony sat down with Eurogamer at the Develop conference last week, and had some interesting things to say about its new motion controller technology -- including a bit of polite smack to talk about the Wiimote. Unfortunately, we're not sure that Paul Holman, SCEE VP of R&D, was referencing MotionPlus when he said that Sony's tech is "another generation forward, or even a couple of generations" ahead of the Wiimote. Holman, along with Kish Hirani, head of developer services, sidestepped questions about MotionPlus specifically, but were more than happy to talk down Project Natal -- with a couple generations of EyeToy already under their belt. What's more interesting is what they revealed about their own product, including built-in microphone that can detect the direction of audio, and the availability of the glowing ball to developers to add immersion -- it can be lit with any color in the spectrum. They wouldn't confirm much about what buttons the controller would have, other than that it would have buttons, but it seems Sony's main objective is providing developers with a broad buffet of control options to pick and choose and implement. They're also sticking by that Spring 2010 date, though the launch could be somewhat contingent upon what games are ready by then. [Via Joystiq]
FIFA producer cautious on Natal, PS3 motion wand use
David Rutter, producer of FIFA for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, has put his foot down, literally. He's not moving it. At least, he's not moving it to play a 75-minute soccer match in his living room. When asked about the prospect of future FIFAs incorporating motion controls by utilizing Project Natal and Sony's motion wand, Rutter told VideoGamer.com, "There are a few things we can do, definitely, but we've not really started on it yet." Those few things do not include reinventing the franchise with unintuitive hand and body motions. "If it doesn't add to the overall thing, then it's pointless. I don't want it to be just this distraction, to be quite honest." While FIFA might be the exception in an otherwise motion-inspired EA Sports business, we're sure all the head-nodding, inbounds wrist-flicking minigames you could imagine will be considered -- or worse, ported to FIFA 11. The trick, it seems, would be to perfect the motion caption technology: "Kick from the couch in all-new Energy Saver Mode!"
Bill Gates: Natal for Windows coming to an office near you
The idea of bending over to pick up a virtual tennis racket in front of that 50-inch flat screen in our living room makes perfect sense to us. In fact, we can't wait to see Natal come to the Xbox platform. However, the idea of manipulating an excel spreadsheet on a 15-inch screen within a 5 x 5-foot cubicle sounds daunting, to say the least. Fortunately, Microsoft's plans to integrate Natal into corporate Windows environments appears rather sober, albeit, entirely lacking in specifics. In an interview with CNET news, Bill Gates says that Natal's depth-sensing camera won't be limited to gaming use, "but for media consumption as a whole, and even if they connect it up to Windows PCs for interacting in terms of meetings, and collaboration, and communication." Without going into detail, the Microsoft Chairman adds that use of the technology in the office, "is getting much more concrete, and is pretty exciting." In fact, Bill sees it delivering "incredible value" when used within cubicle farms. Perhaps. We certainly won't argue the value of Natal for gaming or even manipulating content in a home theater setup like we've seen with Toshiba's Spatial Motion Interface, but for the office, incredible value... really?
Johnny Lee: Natal will spawn new genres
If Johnny Chung Lee says something, we're inclined to believe him, and not just because we're almost certain he's a wizard. So when he says that Microsoft's body-tracking Project Natal will "almost certainly" spawn new genres, we're inclined to nod our heads in agreement."Natal provides a very different set of input capabilities than your typical game pad," he told 360 Magazine. "To really take advantage of those capabilities, new kinds of experiences will have to be explored."Wait, is "NAMBLA sim" a genre?[Via N4G]
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.
Sony placing PS3 slim manufacturing orders for delivery in July?
We haven't heard much about the PS3 slim since E3, but that doesn't mean it's been entirely quiet out there -- the hot rumor today is that Sony's signed manufacturing agreements with both Foxconn and Pegatron to build the revised model in time for July delivery. That much we believe, since it's been backed up by a couple different credible reports, but here's where it gets totally insane: there's a suggestion that the slim will be the last PS3 model of this generation, and that a next-gen console based on Sony's motion controller is due in spring 2010. We don't buy that at all, since the PS3 is just entering its prime and Sony was clear that the motion controller was for the existing console, so we think this rumor is getting garbled down the wire -- it's far more likely that the slim is being prepped for an August launch to coincide with those rumored price cuts, and that new PS3 bundles that include the motion controller are set to drop next year. That's just our take on the matter, though -- we'll see how things shake out.
Natal, PS3 motion wand inspire new wave of plastic props
Do you get the sense that Project Natal is ... missing something? Accessory peddler dreamGear does. The maker of such essentials as the 3-In-1 Player's Sports Kit for Wii, the 7-In-1 Player's Kit for Wii, the 10-In-1 Player's Kit for Wii, and the 15-In-1 Player's Kit for Wii is already hard at work trying to adapt its enhancements for Microsoft's upcoming motion technology release. "One of the biggest challenges for peripherals firms is keeping up with changing technology, particularly the trend toward interactive gaming started by Nintendo and now embraced by Microsoft's Project Natal," dreamGEAR COO Richard Weston explains to MCV. Molding a plastic steering wheel that fits in everyone's hands is a true challenge, you see."From all the recent revelations at E3 for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii, motion sensing devices and add-on accessories for these devices will be the main focus in the future," Logic3's sales manager Paul Croucher frighteningly foretells. So then, the snooker cue attachment for the PS3 wand confirmed? Please, make it STOP.
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!]
Sony: Motion Control in development since the days of EyeToy
The PlayStation Motion Controller may not be as much of a me-too product as some may think, despite being introduced the day after Microsoft's new camera-based motion control device, and several years after Nintendo's. Sony's Andrew House told GamesIndustry.biz that the device has been in development for years:"It's been a while. If you want to track it back the team has been working on that since the days of the original EyeToy." The EyeToy was released in 2003. That's more than enough time to come up with a name for the motion controller.House told GI that bundling Motion Controllers in with every PlayStation 3 was "possible, but spring is a long way away." He declined to discuss price, again due to distance from release date.
Iwata says Nintendo tried and rejected camera-based motion control
It wasn't all that hard to see a bit of a brouhaha erupting now that all three console makers are more or less firmly committed to motion-control technology, but it's still always notable when one of the big three throws a shot across the bow, and Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata did just that in a recent interview with the Financial Times. According to Iwata, Nintendo actually tried out camera-based motion control technology similar to what both MIcrosoft and Sony have now adopted, but found that it got better results with the accelerometer-based tech that ultimately wound up in the Wii remote. Iwata did also say, however, that "until they say when they're releasing it, how much it costs and what software it comes with, we won't know whether that is the route we should have taken," although he added that he thought "they couldn't choose to release exactly the same thing" that Nintendo did.[Via Joystiq]
