PlayStation Motion Controller

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PlayStation Motion Controller (tentative name)
PS wand at TGS 09.jpg
Motion Controller shown September 2009 at the Tokyo Game Show
Manufacturer Sony Computer Entertainment
Type Video game controller
Generation Seventh generation era
Retail availability Fall 2010
Connectivity Motion sensing, Bluetooth

The PlayStation Motion Controller[1] (tentative name[2][fn 1]) is a motion-sensing game controller in development for the PlayStation 3 video game console by Sony Computer Entertainment. Consisting of a handheld wand, the controller uses the PlayStation Eye webcam to track the wand's position, and inertial sensors to detect its motion. It was revealed at Sony's E3 2009 press conference on June 2, 2009, with a live demonstration using an engineering prototype.[13] Originally announced to launch in Spring 2010,[14] as of January 20, 2010, the Motion Controller is slated for worldwide release in Fall 2010.[2]

Contents

[edit] Design

The Motion Controller features an orb at the end which can glow in any of a full range of colors according to the RGB color model[14] using light-emitting diodes (LEDs).[15][fn 1] The colored light serves as an active marker, the position of which can be tracked along the image plane by the PlayStation Eye.[16][17] The uniform spherical shape and known size of the light also allows the system to simply determine the controller's distance from the PlayStation Eye through the light's image size, thus enabling the controller's position to be tracked in three dimensions[17][18] with high precision and accuracy.[fn 2] The simplicity of the sphere-based distance calculation allows the controller to operate with minimal processing lag, as opposed to other camera-based control techniques on the PlayStation 3.[20] A pair of inertial sensors inside the controller, a three-axis linear accelerometer[19][21] and a three-axis angular rate sensor[19][21], are used to track rotation[16] as well as overall motion. The inertial sensors can be used for dead reckoning in cases which the camera tracking is insufficient, such as when the controller is obscured behind the player's back.[20]

As with the standard PlayStation 3 controllers, the Motion Controller will use Bluetooth 2.0 wireless radio communication, and a rechargeable internal lithium-ion battery.[21] It will feature buttons on the controller,[fn 3] an analog trigger, and vibration-based haptic technology.[22] In addition to providing a tracking reference, the controller's orb light can be used to simulate aesthetic effects, such as the muzzle flash of a gun, or the paint on a brush.[14]

Using different orb colors for each controller,[15] up to four controllers can be tracked at once with the PlayStation Eye.[14] Demonstrations for the controller have featured activities using a single controller, as well as those in which the user wields two controllers, with one controller in each hand.[1][16] To minimize the cost of entry, Sony has stated that all launch titles for the Motion Controller will be playable with one controller, with enhanced options available for multiple Motion Controllers.[23] Sony has indicated that it is exploring the possibility of using the Motion Controller in combination with a standard PlayStation Wireless Controller, such as having the player use "the motion controller as a sword and use DualShock 3 as a shield."[22][fn 4]

According to Sony, use of the motion-tracking library entails some Synergistic Processing Unit (SPU) overhead as well an impact on memory, though the company states that the effects will be minimized.[22]

[edit] History

The Motion Controller stems from early work on the EyeToy in which developers experimented with color-based 3D controller tracking,[25] including prototypes using spheres.[fn 5] In 2008 Sony began work on developing a commercial product, integrating inertial sensors into the controller, and refining the device from an engineering and a design perspective.[19] As of August 2009, the controller features and design had not been finalized.[23]

[edit] Support

[edit] New Games

According to a newspaper report published by Nikkei, around 10 games compatible with the PlayStation Motion Controller will be released in 2010.[27] Currently a number of games have been announced to include support for the Motion Controller, including:[21]

  • Ape Escape (working title)
  • Echochrome 2 (working title)
  • Eccentric Slider (working title)
  • Sing and Draw (working title)
  • Champions of Time (working title)
  • Motion Party (working title)
  • The Shoot (working title)
  • Tower (working title)
  • Under Siege[28]

[edit] Existing Games

In addition, support for the Motion Controller will be added through software updates to various other titles:

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Due to the glowing orb at the end, the controller has often been referred to by video game journalists as a "magic wand".[3][4][5][6][7][8] It has also been referred to by developers as "the Sphere"[9][10] and "Gem",[11] the latter which was confirmed to be "an early code name for the product."[12]
  2. ^ According to EyeToy designer Richard Marks, the sphere's position along the camera's image plane can be resolved at a "really sub-pixel level."[19]
  3. ^ In the version showcased at the 2009 Tokyo Game Show, the face of controller features a large ovoid primary button, small action buttons (‍Triangle‍, Circle‍, Cross‍, Square‍)‍, and a regular-sized PS button, arranged in a similar configuration as on the Blu-Ray Disc Remote Control.[21]
  4. ^ The PlayStation Wireless Controller has some inertial sensing capabilities through the standard Sixaxis feature. Sony has also submitted several patent applications describing techniques in which the port indicator lights of a Wireless Controller could be used as markers for tracking the controller's position and orientation with the PlayStation Eye.[24]
  5. ^ The colored-sphere based 3D wand tracking technology was publicly demonstrated as early as 2000[26] and 2001.[18]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Richard Marks, Anton Mikhailov, Jack Tretton. (2009-06-02) (Flash Video). Sony Press Conference. Event occurs at 78:09. http://e3.gamespot.com/press-conference/sony-e3/. Retrieved 2009-06-03. 
  2. ^ a b "Motion Controller for PlayStation 3 to become available worldwide in fall 2010". Sony Computer Entertainment. 20 January 2010. http://scei.co.jp/corporate/release/100120e.html. Retrieved 24 September 2009. "Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it will release its new Motion Controller (tentative name) for PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system in fall 2010 in Japan, Asian regions and countries, North America and Europe/PAL territories together with an extensive line-up of exciting software titles." 
  3. ^ "Sony shows off PS3 motion-control magic wand". The Register. 2009-06-02. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/02/sony_e3_2009_playstation_motion_control/. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
  4. ^ "E3 '09: Can Sony's Magic Wand Abort Natal?". News.spong.com. http://news.spong.com/article/18136/E3_09_Can_Sonys_Magic_Wand_Abort_Natal. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
  5. ^ "Top 5 Surprises of E3 2009". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3174655. Retrieved 2009-07-22. "Cue Sony's new magic wand demonstration." 
  6. ^ "Top 5 WTF Moments of E3". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3174687. Retrieved 2009-08-01. "It was a damn blinking wand! The thing looked like it was looted out of a discounted, knockoff "Harry The Wizard" Halloween costume from a dollar store." 
  7. ^ McWhertor, Michael (2009-06-17). "Sony's Magic EyeToy Wand, When It Was For The PS2 - Richard Marks". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5294375/. Retrieved 2009-07-22. "Sony's "magic wand" tech isn't exactly new." 
  8. ^ Nelson, Randy (2009-06-17). "Then and now: Sony's motion-sensing, 'magic wand' controller tech". Joystiq.com. http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/then-and-now-sonys-motion-sensing-magic-wand-controller-tec/. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
  9. ^ Yoon, Andrew (5 October 2009). "Rumor: PlayStation Motion Controller codenamed 'Sphere'". Joystiq. Weblogs, Inc.. http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/05/rumor-playstation-motion-controller-codenamed-sphere/. Retrieved 10 December 2009. 
  10. ^ Yoon, Andrew (2009-10-05). "Interview: Super Monkey Ball's Yasuhito Baba". Joystiq. Weblogs, Inc.. http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/05/interview-super-monkey-balls-yasuhito-baba/. Retrieved 2009-12-29. "We don't know what's going to happen with both the Sphere [PlayStation Motion Controller] and Natal, really." 
  11. ^ John Riccitiello. (2009-12-09) (Windows Media Audio 9.2). UBS 37th Annual Global Media and Communications Conference. [podcast]. Grand Hyatt New York: UBS AG. Event occurs at 10:31. http://wmsod.talkpoint.com/ubsx001/120709a_ke/27_MEEDIVX_audio.wma. Retrieved 2009-12-29. "In the coming year, both Sony and Microsoft have announced new controllers. Motion sensor controls, Natal and Gem—these are likely to bring new consumers into the marketplace, and add growth to the sector." 
  12. ^ Totilo, Stephen (10 December 2009). "Sony: "Gem" Was A Prototype Name For PS3 Motion Controller". Kotaku. Gawker Media. http://kotaku.com/5423269/sony-gem-was-a-prototype-name-for-ps3-motion-controller. Retrieved 10 December 2009. 
  13. ^ "Sony Computer Entertainment America announces an unparalleled software line up, launch of the PSP go system, and new services for PSP (PlayStation Portable) and PlayStation Network at E3 2009". Sony Computer Entertainment. 2009-06-02. http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/release/090603c_e.html. Retrieved 2009-06-03. 
  14. ^ a b c d Gibson, Ellie (21 July 2009). "Sony's new motion controller". Eurogamer. Eurogamer Network. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/sonys-new-motion-controller-interview. Retrieved 21 July 2009. "You can programmatically set the colour as well. It's RGB, so there's the full spectrum of colour." 
  15. ^ a b Ivan, Tom (16 July 2009). "Interview: PS3 Motion Control". Edge Online. Future Publishing. http://www.edge-online.com/features/interview-ps3-motion-control. Retrieved 17 July 2009. "It’s just having a really nice camera which works well with the PS3, which has the processing power to do some interesting things, and then combining that with the LEDs in the globes. The camera’s basically looking at where these globes are and what colour they are and doing things on that basis." 
  16. ^ a b c Anton Mikhailov. (2009-08-31) (Flash Video). PlayStation Motion Controller Interview Part 2. [podcast]. Foster City, California: Sony Computer Entertainment America. http://www.viddler.com/explore/sceablog/videos/546/. Retrieved 2009-09-09. 
  17. ^ a b Kumar, Mathew (16 July 2009). "Develop 2009: SCEE’s Hirani Reveals PS Eye Facial Recognition, Motion Controller Details". Gamasutra. Think Services. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24456. Retrieved 17 July 2009. "The sphere is what the camera is tracking, in full RGB — it tracks X and Y, and Z is deduced from the area of the sphere" 
  18. ^ a b Marks, Richard (August 2001). "Enhanced Reality: A new frontier in computer entertainment" (Portable Document Format). Sony Computer Entertainment. pp. 8–10. http://www.research.scea.com/research/pdfs/SIGGRAPHsketch2001RICK_pp.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-09. 
  19. ^ a b c d Richard Marks. (2009-08-27) (Flash Video). PS3 Motion Controller. [podcast]. Foster City, California: Sony Computer Entertainment America. http://www.viddler.com/explore/sceablog/videos/540/. Retrieved 2009-08-29. 
  20. ^ a b French, Michael (16 July 2009). "Sony motion controller is 'true interaction'". Develop. Intent Media. http://www.develop-online.net/news/32415/Sony-motion-controller-is-true-interaction. Retrieved 17 July 2009. "It tracks the controller based on acceleromoter [sic]" 
  21. ^ a b c d e f Kietzmann, Ludwig. "Joystiq live @ Sony's Tokyo Game Show keynote". Joystiq. http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/joystiq-live-sonys-tokyo-game-show-keynote/. Retrieved 24 September 2009. 
  22. ^ a b c McWhertor, Michael (2009-06-19). "Sony Spills More PS3 Motion Controller Details To Devs". Kotaku. Gawker Media. http://kotaku.com/5297265/sony-spills-more-ps3-motion-controller-details-to-devs. Retrieved 2009-06-20. 
  23. ^ a b Bramwell, Tom (25 August 2009). "Sony's Shuhei Yoshida". Eurogamer. Eurogamer Network. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/sonys-shuhei-yoshida-gamescom-interview. Retrieved 26 August 2009. 
  24. ^ US patent application 2006282873, Gary Zalewski, Richard Marks, Xiadong Mao, "Hand-held controlller having detectable elements for tracking purposes", published 2006-12-14 , assigned to Sony Computer Entertainment 
  25. ^ Ransom-Wiley, James (October 3, 2005). "Sony has its own magic wand in the works". Joystiq. http://www.joystiq.com/2005/10/03/sony-has-its-own-magic-wand-in-the-works/. Retrieved June 26, 2009. 
  26. ^ Richard Marks. (2004-01-21) (Windows Media v7). EyeToy: A New Interface for Interactive Entertainment. Stanford University. Event occurs at 23:36. http://lang.stanford.edu/courses/ee380/2003-2004/040121-ee380-100.wmv. Retrieved 2009-06-20. 
  27. ^ "Report: PlayStation Motion Controller to have about 10 games this year". 27 January 2010. http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/report-playstation-motion-controller-to-have-about-10-games-thi/. Retrieved 30 January 2010. 
  28. ^ Pina, Filipe (24 September 2009). "September update". Under Seige developer's diary. http://dev.undersiegegame.com/?p=143. Retrieved 25 September 2009. "Under Siege now officially suports [sic] the new Sony Motion Controller." 
  29. ^ Plunkett, Luke (23 September 2009). "Resident Evil 5, LittleBigPlanet To Support PS3 Motion Controller". Kotaku. Gawker Media. http://kotaku.com/5366518/. Retrieved 24 September 2009. 
  30. ^ "Kawata-san on stage at Capcom booth, showing off PS3 Motion Controller and talking about new content in RE5 Alternative Edition in Japan.". Capcom Unity @ Twitter. Capcom Entertainment. 24 September 2009. http://twitter.com/Capcom_Unity/status/4336554846. Retrieved 24 September 2009. 

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