We love a bold quote, and the words of Sony's US marketing boss John Koller oozed confidence as he claims that the PS3 wand will win the motion-controller battle over Microsoft's Project Natal and new technology from the Wii.
In an interview with GamePro, he said "when we provide further details [of the Wand], people will see exactly where we're going, not only from a technological standpoint on the hardware, but also where the gameplay is transitioning. It's going to be a really exciting launch."
And then the biggie: "Quite honestly, I think Project Natal and the Wii are going have trouble matching [it]."
The 'wand', of course, is PlayStation's own motion controller, which uses the Playstation Eye webcam to track its position. It's currently geared for release in spring 2010.
Perhaps predictably, but of no less interest nonetheless, is the 'revelation' that Sony will certainly be looking at building "a real wide variety of genres around the technology", be they adult thrillers, sports games or party fun for all the family...
"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," added Koller.
Having already been impressed by Project Natal, these certainly appear to be exciting times in the change and development of control and gameplay. And it seemed like only yesterday that we were playing Rambo with a trusty Powerplay Cruiser joystick... *sniff*
I believe them. After all their prediction that the Emotion engine would change the way we played games and their prediction that the Cell would blow away the competition have been fully vindicated
The Wii has a distinct advantage in that the controller comes with the console and has done since launch. Therefore all developers know that all wii owners have the motion controller. Didn't sony claim that motion control was a fad a little while ago?
I believe them. After all their prediction that the Emotion engine would change the way we played games and their prediction that the Cell would blow away the competition have been fully vindicated
not exactly untrue.
being able to play GTA in 3D, on ps2 was a big leap. certainly changed the way we played that.
and to my mind, theres nothing that can beat uncharted 2 graphically, and in a number of other ways. truly an impressive game.
if the wii had a webcam, then there'd be nothing seperating the Wand and the Wii. It'll feel refreshing for about 5 minutes.
Natal is a whole different product. the things we've seen it do already hasnt been done or even attempted by anyone else. Just as long as everything we've seen it do so far will actually happen.
At least this is optional. i probably won't be buying this, I'll stick with my Dualshock 3. Theres a reason I didn't buy the Wii, that reason being, when I play games, i don't want to be waving my arms around like a c**t.
I had an idea that would maybe work with the motion controls, if we went back to the VR (Virtual Reality) days with the helmets, but maybe have a lightweight version that displays the vision from your tv inside them! think this will work better on natal! and then u could physically be in the game! so call of duty you could actually be in the game and when u look round the screen moves with u!
Nice headline, CVG! You've really gone down the 'Sun' route with this one. Especially considering that nobody at Sony never actually said "The PS3 Wand will be king!"....
As raredevice said its about Chilling and Relaxing, i dont want to play games where i have to wave my arms about all over the place, if i want a workout i get on my bike and go cycle 60 miles!! Natal sounds interesting but not something i will embrace for general games playing ie: Forza, MW2 etc.
I fit works as well as eye pet did then count me out. So far All Sony have proved is that if you live in a specially controlled environment constructed by sony to perfectly cater for the eye toy. then it'll work.
The only tech demo we've seen is that it is capable of doing stuff the wiimotes been doing since launch.
Of the 3 this ones got me the least excited, show me something actually new or innovative this thing can do. Then we'll talk.
@ Svd. GTA3 wasn't that impressive as it'd already been outclassed by both Shen Mue and Zelda.
I have a feeling Sony/MS won't get decent slice of the motion pie until they release their next console and it's more 'standard'.
But either way, shocking f**king headline CVG. It's one thing putting a spin on a story to get clicks, making up a quote in the headline is something else!
They couldn't even push the sixaxis and that comes with the PS3 so I doubt they're going to push the wand, he says that the Wiimote and Natal will struggle to match it but from that RE5 demonstration they did a few weeks backs just after TGS Nintendo and MS are probably laughing their asses off as it looked slightly clumsy with response issues.
I believe them. After all their prediction that the Emotion engine would change the way we played games and their prediction that the Cell would blow away the competition have been fully vindicated
not exactly untrue.
being able to play GTA in 3D, on ps2 was a big leap. certainly changed the way we played that.
and to my mind, theres nothing that can beat uncharted 2 graphically, and in a number of other ways. truly an impressive game.
However was it the emotion engine (you know the one that was supposed to inject emotion into games) that did that or just the general increase in chip power. Remember that the Dreamcast which arrived before the PS2 could easily have done GTA etc as it produced better graphics than the PS2 (Mainly due to the Emotion engines broken Full screen anti-aliasing).
Uncharted is an impressive game, however it is not the leap that Sony were bragging about at the release of the PS3. All in all the PS3 and 360 are effectively the same power as the Cell is not particularly efficient at running game code. (It is however fantastic for its designed purpose of media encoding).
If I wanted to stand infront of my telly and wave my arms round like some kind of spastic I'd have bought a Wii.
As it is the first thing I do is go through the options of any new game and turn off all sixaxis stuff.
The only vaugly interesting this its been used for is the aiming stuff in Killzone, and even that was pretty annoying when drunk.
I've played games for 18 hours straight before, if I did that with a Wii theres a terrifying chance I'd get fucking fit, and if I wanted to be fucking fit I'd go out side and get some fucking exercise.
And you know that if this MotioNataWand balls takes off then every game will have 'support' for it.
I LIKE SITTING ON MY bottom AND MOVING NOTHING BUT MY THUMBS, IF EVERY GAME MAKES ME STAND THERE FLAPPING MY ARMS I'LL JUST HAVE TO GO BACK TO WANKING
And it seemed like only yesterday that we were playing Rambo with a trusty Powerplay Cruiser joystick... *sniff*
The Cruiser joystick is my favourite controller of all time - just beating the Quickshot II because of durability. It was also perfect for arcade games.
go back to wanking sir. It sounds like the only reason you can't use the wiimote is becasue you've already knackered out your wrists endulging your other fancies.
If you want to know the joy of incredibly lazy gaming motion control is essential.
Sounds a bit like fan boy bait to me... I don't think anyone can actually form a solid basis for an opinion yet since both Natal and the 'Wand' have been impressive in their tech demos, i have been let down one too many times by the next fad to get my hopes up on these ones. Especially (as someone's earlier post already pointed out) since these two peripherals were only developed on after the success of the wii dominated over the other two consoles.
If I wanted to stand infront of my telly and wave my arms round like some kind of spastic I'd have bought a Wii.
As it is the first thing I do is go through the options of any new game and turn off all sixaxis stuff.
The only vaugly interesting this its been used for is the aiming stuff in Killzone, and even that was pretty annoying when drunk.
I've played games for 18 hours straight before, if I did that with a Wii theres a terrifying chance I'd get fucking fit, and if I wanted to be fucking fit I'd go out side and get some fucking exercise.
And you know that if this MotioNataWand balls takes off then every game will have 'support' for it.
I LIKE SITTING ON MY bottom AND MOVING NOTHING BUT MY THUMBS, IF EVERY GAME MAKES ME STAND THERE FLAPPING MY ARMS I'LL JUST HAVE TO GO BACK TO WANKING
Are you aware of the fact that the vast majority of motion controlled wii games do not require you to wave your arms around and exert yourself? Judging by your use of the word $Pas**c I presume you are not very bright and therefore have formed a very untrue picture in your head.
And it seemed like only yesterday that we were playing Rambo with a trusty Powerplay Cruiser joystick... *sniff*
The Cruiser joystick is my favourite controller of all time - just beating the Quickshot II because of durability. It was also perfect for arcade games.
Good times.
Quickshot II all the way, and Rambo was one of my favourite games for the C64. I can still fondly remember the music when you got to the end of level Helicopter boss. (Sniff),, takes me back.
As long as it's accurate and good games get made for it. It will do well. It is just an optional peripheral though.
Fact is though even if not a single game is made for it many games already out now could be improved by it.
Natal and unfortunately motion plus (not bacwards compat) rely on new innovation whilst the technology and appeal of "gem" is based on what already exists. It wraps all the current motion tech into one device.
Motion plus lacks the camera aspect and natal lacks the controller aspect.
To be fair natal is streets ahead of "gem" but that doesn't really mean it'll produce good games or even innovation, look at the Wii best sellers.
To be honest I think that the tech behind motion control is great however I it still has it’s limitations and as a gamer I am not going to buy any of them, a controller is fine in my opinion. But of course Sony are going to say their tech is better, in which I find has some true as it uses a "wand" which I think that they are needed; the same for the the Wii
ye thats is true that natal is an advanced version of the eye toy, but then again sony could be advancing the eye toy for the love wand, so the competition between the two should be good!
I believe them. After all their prediction that the Emotion engine would change the way we played games and their prediction that the Cell would blow away the competition have been fully vindicated
not exactly untrue.
being able to play GTA in 3D, on ps2 was a big leap. certainly changed the way we played that.
and to my mind, theres nothing that can beat uncharted 2 graphically, and in a number of other ways. truly an impressive game.
what does this prove? the ps2 and ps3 were not the most powerful gaming machines when released, the PC is streets ahead. the fact uncharted 2 looks good is down to the artists and clever techniques used by the devs, they always find new and better ways of implementing tech. it sure isnt down to the brute force of the ps3.
I believe them. After all their prediction that the Emotion engine would change the way we played games and their prediction that the Cell would blow away the competition have been fully vindicated
not exactly untrue.
being able to play GTA in 3D, on ps2 was a big leap. certainly changed the way we played that.
and to my mind, theres nothing that can beat uncharted 2 graphically, and in a number of other ways. truly an impressive game.
what does this prove? the ps2 and ps3 were not the most powerful gaming machines when released, the PC is streets ahead. the fact uncharted 2 looks good is down to the artists and clever techniques used by the devs, they always find new and better ways of implementing tech. it sure isnt down to the brute force of the ps3.
umm.. isnt brilliant graphics in all games down to developers using clever techniques?
yet if the brute force of the machine wasnt there, neither would the amazing graphics be... no matter what techniques employed.
naughty dog played to the ps3's strengths, and the result is the best looking game this gen on consoles - so your arguement is fucked.
And it seemed like only yesterday that we were playing Rambo with a trusty Powerplay Cruiser joystick... *sniff*
The Cruiser joystick is my favourite controller of all time - just beating the Quickshot II because of durability. It was also perfect for arcade games.
Good times.
Quickshot II all the way, and Rambo was one of my favourite games for the C64. I can still fondly remember the music when you got to the end of level Helicopter boss. (Sniff),, takes me back.
Good times indeed
'Q','A','O','P','M' for me. With the optional 'SPACE BAR' for alternate fire.
naughty dog played to the ps3's strengths, and the result is the best looking game this gen on consoles - so your arguement is fucked.
no it isnt, how come uncharted 2 looks better than uncharted 1 that runs on the same machine? were they not playing to the strengths of the ps3 back then?
new techniques for creating graphics come along all the time while the tech in the ps3 has remained constant.
gears 2 also looks a lot better than gears 1 on the 360. seemingly mass effect 2 looks better than mass effect yet it runs on the same hardware.
finally, the point is your first comment wasnt constricted to consoles, if thats what you meant then fine. i'd also like to point out that the cell isnt the graphics chip in the ps3, i know it can be used to do some of the work but the cell on its own would be pretty useless.
naughty dog played to the ps3's strengths, and the result is the best looking game this gen on consoles - so your arguement is fucked.
no it isnt, how come uncharted 2 looks better than uncharted 1 that runs on the same machine? were they not playing to the strengths of the ps3 back then?
new techniques for creating graphics come along all the time while the tech in the ps3 has remained constant.
gears 2 also looks a lot better than gears 1 on the 360. seemingly mass effect 2 looks better than mass effect yet it runs on the same hardware.
finally, the point is your first comment wasnt constricted to consoles, if thats what you meant then fine. i'd also like to point out that the cell isnt the graphics chip in the ps3, i know it can be used to do some of the work but the cell on its own would be pretty useless.
uncharted 1 wasnt developed to the ps3's particular strengths. they didnt split the jobs up between the SPUs like they did in uncharted 2.
therefore they didnt get optimum results, resulting in screen tear etc.
new techniques as such dont 'come along all the time', the devs just get more efficient at their coding.
naughty dog played to the ps3's strengths, and the result is the best looking game this gen on consoles - so your arguement is fucked.
no it isnt, how come uncharted 2 looks better than uncharted 1 that runs on the same machine? were they not playing to the strengths of the ps3 back then?
new techniques for creating graphics come along all the time while the tech in the ps3 has remained constant.
gears 2 also looks a lot better than gears 1 on the 360. seemingly mass effect 2 looks better than mass effect yet it runs on the same hardware.
finally, the point is your first comment wasnt constricted to consoles, if thats what you meant then fine. i'd also like to point out that the cell isnt the graphics chip in the ps3, i know it can be used to do some of the work but the cell on its own would be pretty useless.
The reason U2 looks better than drake is because the devs learned how to use the ps3 even better to its strengths than the first time round whilst also using better tried and tested techniques! you do realise we adapt and become better at things as we learn yes? or you just fanboying it up today?
If im correct, Drake was naughty dogs first effort on the ps3, so obvoiusly they'll take what they learned from drake and use it as template for U2 and then Improve on it and get better results, how intelligent are you pishers? you dont come off as very, your hold on simple logic is astonashingly poor!
Sorry PS3 executive but i didnt spend $500 dollars to play Wii type games on my PS3. (I bought a Wii just for that) the WAND will be OK but it will never surpass the Wii
Please don't put too much money and time into the WAND because Nintendo already has this genre of games on LOCK DOWN. If you don't believe me then go to your local BIG BOX store and you'll see the Wii's gadgets alone have there own isle.
So I'm begging you Sony.... stick to the hardcore games and The Gamers will reward you!
If I want to waive my arms while gaming I'll play it on a Wii like everybody else.
Don't transform the PS3 with it's Cell Broadband Engine from a Star Destroyer into a merry go round.
'Q','A','O','P','M' for me. With the optional 'SPACE BAR' for alternate fire.
Who needs a wand? A wizard.
I always prefered 'Q','A','O','P' and 'Enter' (which, on the Speccy, was right alongside 'P' and 'L'), with 'Space' as the secondary fire etc. Prehensile ring finger I guess *shrug*
I have a feeling Sony/MS won't get decent slice of the motion pie until they release their next console and it's more 'standard'.
I agree. I really can't see either of these making especially big waves. Too little, too late springs to mind. Why would anyone with any interest in playing motion controlled party games buy an Xbox or PS3 and added controller, when they can get a Wii with it's massive back catalogue of motion controlled party games.
I hope I'm wrong, but it's a rare event when an optional peripheral becomes a must have gadget. Very rare.
naughty dog played to the ps3's strengths, and the result is the best looking game this gen on consoles - so your arguement is fucked.
no it isnt, how come uncharted 2 looks better than uncharted 1 that runs on the same machine? were they not playing to the strengths of the ps3 back then?
new techniques for creating graphics come along all the time while the tech in the ps3 has remained constant.
gears 2 also looks a lot better than gears 1 on the 360. seemingly mass effect 2 looks better than mass effect yet it runs on the same hardware.
finally, the point is your first comment wasnt constricted to consoles, if thats what you meant then fine. i'd also like to point out that the cell isnt the graphics chip in the ps3, i know it can be used to do some of the work but the cell on its own would be pretty useless.
The reason U2 looks better than drake is because the devs learned how to use the ps3 even better to its strengths than the first time round whilst also using better tried and tested techniques! you do realise we adapt and become better at things as we learn yes? or you just fanboying it up today?
If im correct, Drake was naughty dogs first effort on the ps3, so obvoiusly they'll take what they learned from drake and use it as template for U2 and then Improve on it and get better results, how intelligent are you pishers? you dont come off as very, your hold on simple logic is astonashingly poor!
I agree with Bunneyo
The reason this generation of games for the PS3 looks better is because programmers are becoming more knowledgeable as to how to program for the PS3. They are playing to the strength of the hardware and architecture. Just remember how XBOX360 games looked better than PS3 games? That's because programmers didn't fully understand how to program for the Cell. Now they have experience and are getting better at it. That's why Killzone 2 took like 5 years to make cause they learned to utilize the Cell first then made a game.(and it paid off)
any way if it was a new technique for creating graphics... first we wouldn't be talking about it on a console this would be on a P.C. Second a totally new technique requires a new foundation like we now have Directx 11 because of the new way to code graphics. PS3 is Directx 9 they are just tweaking what they already know to produces graphics quicker on a system that outputs in a different way from traditional POWER PC Cpu's. and so far no PS3 game has filled up a Blu-ray disc and maxed out the potential of the Cell so more greatness is yet to come.
No thanks Sony. I really wish Sony and Ms would leave the unresponsive, clumsy and tiring motion control b**&%$ks alone and concentrate on what they do best - catering to the hardcore gamer who after a 40+ hour week dosn't fancy waving thier arms/hands around the living room to play games, and would much rather sit comfortably with a pad and relax(after all, arn't videogames supposed to be a relaxing hobby?). Casual gaming is not what the Ps3 or 360 are about and I really do hope they realise this and don't abandon thier core user base like Nintendo did.
Personally i havent seen the Gem or Natal in action on a game yet but i think if Sony gets it right it could really tip the balance into its favour. I mean are you gonna buy a Wii or 360, or a ps3 that can not only boast about being a blu ray player and media hub (iplayer etc) but can actually do motion control better than the Wii in HD. Of course its a big IF, and like i said i havent really seen Nadal sinces its tech demo.
Clearly strides are being made though to bring PS3 to the more casual audience. I have seen nongamers incaptulated with the EyePet. For me there really isnt much point in releasing the Gem until Sony develops a AAA game to sell it instead of pushing Wii like mini games down our throats though.
For those moaning about motion control. That's the way it is going. If Nintendo start and then Sony and MS follow, that's the way it is going. Like it or not, this is only the beginning. Don't fret please. In the next few years we will be in for one wild ride! Enjoy!
And it seemed like only yesterday that we were playing Rambo with a trusty Powerplay Cruiser joystick... *sniff*
The Cruiser joystick is my favourite controller of all time - just beating the Quickshot II because of durability. It was also perfect for arcade games.
Good times.
Quickshot II all the way, and Rambo was one of my favourite games for the C64. I can still fondly remember the music when you got to the end of level Helicopter boss. (Sniff),, takes me back.
Good times indeed
Preferred Commando... remember sitting the C64 on the floor so I could use my foot to hit space bar for the grenades.
i'd also like to point out that the cell isnt the graphics chip in the ps3, i know it can be used to do some of the work but the cell on its own would be pretty useless.
Not that you're entirely wrong, but just FYI, Sony was actually thinking about not bothering to put a VPU in the PS3 at one point. The idea was that the CELL would do literally everything. Plans change and all that...
Controller lag seems to be registering more and more on people's radars these days. I was discussing it just the other day with reference to all the abuse the GT Academy demo has been getting and how it's strange that with all the nitpicking, no-one mentions that the in-car steering wheel lags behind a real steering wheel (e.g. G25). Until peripherals transmit data faster... Until consoles & their games can render scenes and process controller input faster than 1/60th sec - say 100fps... Until TV sets can process console output console native speeds, then well, controller lag and visual display lag is just something we have to live with.
There's too much money to be made - even if it doesn't *really* work.
Ah, what a nice reunion with the good ol' "Nintendo abandoning the hardcore gamer" argument again.
Well, i hope you will realize that theese businesses develops what will give them most money.
The Wii getting critcised by hardcore gamers in the beggining: Sony/Microsoft calling it a fad. The Wii selling bucketloads of units: Microsoft/Sony develops their "own" motion tech.
From a business point of wiew: Normal ("Hardcore" gaming: Profit Motion ("Casual" gaming: Lots of profit
So yes, they will probably go for the term that gives them most profit, as businesses only(Mostly?) care about profit.
Nintendo on the other hand.... probably cares about profit only too
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