Motion control coming for the 360 and the PS3

[Samsdad]

http://gear.ign.com/articles/965/965841p1.html

A third party controller. Haven't heard too much on any games that will be supported.

[Sir Croft]

That's when Wii becomes a fail.

[irjudd]

Gimmicky control schemes for the lose.

[amiro1989]

Ewwww. :(

[Samsdad]

Gimmicky control schemes for the lose.

Not up for HD-Bowling?

[Legend of Lara]

I never really liked motion control. It feels too gimmicky and unresponsive. If you ask me I'll just... stick it. :p

[da tomb raider!]

My web browser refuses to load to article so I can't read it, but assuming the controller is similar to PS3's Sixaxis, I don't really mind. What puts me off the motion control of the Wii is that for the best results you have to stand up and wave your arms around, which is rather tiresome, especially if you've just come home from work or if it's night time. With the Sixaxis though you just have to tilt the controller around, and I'm more than happy to do that. So, if this new controller's like that, then I'll probably pick one up (when it's got some supported games). Of course, if it's like the Wii motion control, I don't think I'll bother...

[Samsdad]

Here is the article.The controll looks very similar to a Wii

March 24, 2009 - In September of last year we got an early look at the Gametrak Freedom, a brand-new motion controller being developed for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 by Performance Designed Products (PDP). In the six months that have passed, however, there have been very few updates on the product, but now at Game Developers Conference 2009, PDP is ready to talk Gametrak Freedom.

The GameTrak Freedom, or simply Freedom, will be on display for then next four days at GDC, but the developers at PDP were kind enough to give us a sneak peak at what the have in store for attendees.




Beginning with aesthetics, the Freedom is a prime example of how six months in the development cycle can change a product drastically, and the Freedom we see today is a complete departure from the sleek, black nunchuck-like design we saw in September, instead the product now sports the white-on-gray aesthetic of the Xbox 360. As it turns out, instead of releasing simultaneously on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, the Freedom will launch initially on the Xbox 360 this fall with a PS3 variation potentially following next year. Along with the new color scheme, PDP simplified the Freedom's design to incorporate more of a straighter, slightly more elongated shape with a flat control interface. At first glance, the Freedom could be confused for a standard television remote, although the trigger on the bottom is a dead giveaway. The button configuration includes the Xbox 360's X, Y, B, and A buttons, along with a d-pad, dashboard button, and start and back buttons.

In addition to unveiling the Freedom's new design, PDP also further detailed the controller's advanced motion technology. Like other motion controller solutions, the Freedom uses a series of accelerometers to determine the pitch, roll, and yaw of the device in relation to in-game physics. What sets the Freedom apart from other motion controllers, however, is its use of ultrasonic 3D positioning. The Freedom system includes two sensor bars placed or mounted to the sides of a display, which communicate with an ultrasonic emitter built into the Freedom controller. The ultrasonic pulses emitted by the controller and identified by the sensors, along with the data fed by the accelerometers enable the system to calculate the distance, orientation, and speed of the device with extreme precision. Each Freedom remote (up to four can be used simultaneously on one system) emits three pulses to accurately triangulate distance, and a fourth pulse is emitted for accuracy.

Click here to see the Squeeballs trailer.
PDP is taking an interesting approach with the Freedom in terms of software integration. Rather than waiting on developers to adapt titles for the product (although PDP says that third-party software is already in the works) they've produced their own launch title, Squeeballs through their acquisition of UK-based developers In2Games. Now when you think in-house software development you probably think unpolished microgames, but Squeeballs is actually surprisingly detailed and diverse, with a 11 different mini-game types, with a total of 150 challenges. Each of the mini-games showcases a different aspect of the Freedom's advanced motion sensing technology. One mini-game in particular, Shock, highlights the Freedom's precise motion detection. In it, you must guide a ring along a highly-electrified wire without allowing the ring to make contact. The wire becomes more and more complex as you progress through stages, requiring extensive physical movement on the behalf of the user, which is ultimately what makes the Freedom unique. Unlike a Wiimote, where you can trick the infrared sensor into detecting full movement by flicking your wrists, the Freedom's ultrasonic detection system requires full physical movement from the user, and we mean that in a good way. In order to really apply force to an in-game object, users must take full swings with a proportional level of force.

As it stands specific details regarding pricing and availability for the GameTrak Freedom have not been announced, but the product is expected to be hitting retailers in Q4 of this year.

[Spong]

Gimmicky control schemes for the lose.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Let's leave all the gimmicks for the kiddie console that is the Wii.

[Zelda master]

I dont consider it eally a gimmick, its more how a developer uses it... When its done like WarioWare i deffinantly wouldn't consider it a gimmick, as the game was really great to play with the Wiimore, better then actual buttons...
But games like... well most other shovelware games yes there its just a gimmick and a horrible also:cen:

[da tomb raider!]

Here is the article.The controll looks very similar to a Wii

Thanks for posting the article. :tmb: Yeah, it does seem awfully similar to the control system of the Wii. Shame.

[silver_wolf]

boy, that's ugly. a while ago there was an article about some company developing motion-controllers for the 360 and PS3 that used super-sensitive technology that has been used by NASA or something. Supposedly it would deliver 1:1 gameplay. Sounds much better than this junk.

[*laralover*]

Whats the point in this? :rolleyes: The PS3 sixaxis is OK but the Wii just annoys me having to wave your arms all over the place then i get tired :p If you want this get a Wii? :o

[TR FAN 18]

Great, does that mean 360 & PS3 are gonna get minigame crap like on the Wii?
I don't mind if they only do a few minigame collections but any more than that is just EXCESSIVE! The Wii has already had like over 20 of these. :hea:

[AmericanAssassin]

This is horrible news! :mad: Now there's going to be 1,000,000 party games for the PS3 and 360, too. Ugh. :(

[john_york]

Not up for HD-Bowling?

I can already do that with my sixaxis...

[interstellardave]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p187/universaldave/picard-facepalm.jpg

[demonslayer]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p187/universaldave/picard-facepalm.jpg

lol :p

[Ryu-Gi]

I figured motion controls would become the standard sooner or later.

Motion controls are getting better nowadays. With upgrades like the Wii Motion+ we'll be getting 1:1 responsiveness, exactly the way it should have been all along.

Of course, the moment this gets put into other consoles, all the fanboys going "BAWWW MOTION CONTROLS SUCK" Are going to totally go back on it and go all "MAH MOTION CONTROLS ARE BETTER THEN YOURS BAAAAWWWWW"

(sigh)

[interstellardave]

Of course, the moment this gets put into other consoles, all the fanboys going "BAWWW MOTION CONTROLS SUCK" Are going to totally go back on it and go all "MAH MOTION CONTROLS ARE BETTER THEN YOURS BAAAAWWWWW"

(sigh)

No... when it's done right, then it might be something worthwhile, regardless of who does it, and when. Although it clearly doesn't properly replace many standard gaming controls, it is good for some things (again, if done properly). The problem with the Wii has been poor responsiveness and the forced imposition of motion controls on games and game genres where they really aren't needed and are, frankly, inferior to existing control schemes.

Doing this on the PS3 and 360 at this point in time may not be so bad purely for the reason that it won't become the standard and, thus, will not ruin many games where it simply isn't needed.

[Samsdad]

Being a third party add on to someone else's console could be good or bad. It could be good because that is all you do and can devote the energy and resources to do it right. It could be bad because it might be a quick copy cat effort to cash in on the popularity of the Wii.