Xbox 360 to get motion controls ala Wii

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:56

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/gdc09 ... -detailed/

Quote:

Performance Designed Products (PDP) has come to GDC prepared to showcase the latest model of it's new creation, the GameTrak Freedom -- a motion controller for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Planned to be released on Microsoft's console this fall, and the PS3 (potentially) next year, the Freedom acts like current motion controllers on the market but adds a special feature. Through the use of accelerometers, the Freedom establishes the pitch, roll, and yaw of the controller but, unlike other motion devices, it can calculate the precise distance, orientation, and speed of the controller with the use of two side-mounted sensor bars.

According to IGN, third-party companies are already developing titles for the Freedom but PDP has taken the reigns by developing it's own launch title: Squeeballs. Currently in development by PDP owned, In2Games, Squeeballs is a mini-game collection, which includes a total of 150 challenges across 11 different games.

Sounds like a shite novelty item like the Eyetoy to me.

DavPaz · **Joined:** 27th Jun, 2008 **Posts:** 38716

It seems to be inspired by... something. I just can't put my finger on it...

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16668

I can see it might find a place. I definitely wouldn't buy a Wii for it but I might pay £60 for something like Wii Sports.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:42

I can't imagine a 3rd party control device picking up developers of anything of the quality of Wii Sports. At least the Wii forces the developer to utilise the controller, whereas this will be like those buzzers for Scene It or something.

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16668

It wouldn't be that hard for someone to shamelessly rip off Wii Sports and better it slightly would it?

lasermink · **Joined:** 31st Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 1883

A patch for RE5 and I'm sold.

EDIT: Although, hang on, it wouldn't really work without the nunchuk, now would it?

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

Quote:

developing it's own launch title: Squeeballs.

What's with these supposed journalists writing for high profile sites? Honestly.

Developing it is own launch title?

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Dimrill wrote:

I can't imagine a 3rd party control device picking up developers of anything of the quality of Wii Sports. At least the Wii forces the developer to utilise the controller, whereas this will be like those buzzers for Scene It or something.

If this had come out when the 360 did, it might have established a foot hold. But now, three years on? I'd say this has no chance.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:21

I think it will be a huge success.

Looking forward to Totemball 2.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:22

lasermink wrote:

EDIT: Although, hang on, it wouldn't really work without the nunchuk, now would it?

Good point. So really without that it'll be even more neutered than the WiiMote.

Runcle · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:23

well I think a fair few games will be out for it, just it will al be shit ports of all them shit wii games.

devilman · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:25

I'm sure it'll be as successful as all the other Gametrak stuff on the PS2.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:25

Rayman Raving Rabbids Revenge Rooftiles Rebounding Rooty Roo 4.

DavPaz · **Joined:** 27th Jun, 2008 **Posts:** 38716

Dimrill wrote:

lasermink wrote:

EDIT: Although, hang on, it wouldn't really work without the nunchuk, now would it?

Good point. So really without that it'll be even more neutered than the WiiMote.

How much wood would a remote cost, if a nunchuck just cost wood?

Trousers · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 3073

Boom Blox over Live would be acebest. Worth it just for that.

Bobbyaro · **Joined:** 18th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 11916

I can't really see this working for anything other than "fun" games. any game with any depth will require character movement, which you can't do with that. Although it could make multiplayer where you have two people controlling the character, one person moving the other fighting. (Really can't see this happening, or beiing much fun)

romanista · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:46

Trousers wrote:

Boom Blox over Live would be acebest. Worth it just for that.

the sequel gets some online features
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/boom- ... iew?page=2

Sir Taxalot · **Joined:** 5th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 4878

I don't think this will be any more than a gimmick with poor uptake.

Quote:

side-mounted sensor bars.

As in, on the sides of the telly? Balls to that - they'd look pants and probably keep falling off leaving nasty sticky tape residue on the side of my nice telly.

Grim... · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 14:34

Sir Taxalot wrote:

I don't think this will be any more than a gimmick with poor uptake.

Quote:

side-mounted sensor bars.

As in, on the sides of the telly? Balls to that - they'd look pants and probably keep falling off leaving nasty sticky tape residue on the side of my nice telly.

Corner mounted's what you need - why has no-one figured that out yet?

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Grim... wrote:

Corner mounted's what you need - why has no-one figured that out yet?

Yeah.

In fact, didn't you just steal that idea from me?

Malabelm · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 14:37

I've been thoroughly underwhelmed by motion control.

I'd be all for it if developers could actually figure out fun ways to implement it, but they largely can't, and it's a damn shame.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 14:42

I've been thoroughly overwhelmed by motion control. I keep knocking my cup of coffee over.

ChocoboOfDoom · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 279

The GameTrak series on PS2 were simply the worst, cheapest thing ever imagined. I remember watching someone at OPM flail her way through them - think they scored 1/10, 2/10, 1/10, 1/10, 3/10. Forget them, I would.

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Xbox 360 to get motion controls ala Wii
..also Ps3, but no one cares

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Be Excellent To Each Other

Xbox 360 to get motion controls ala Wii ..also Ps3, but no one cares

Who is online

Xbox 360 to get motion controls ala Wii
..also Ps3, but no one cares