E3: Sony motion controller revealed News

Was one of the more fun and surprising parts of E3 so far, was about to shut the Sony video off before this.

Wonder how much they knew about Project Natal before they did this demo..

Hur hur, whips out the purple headed rod, hur.

Best caption so far, you cheeky scamps! "Purple-headed wand", indeed". :P

Amazing possibilities.

After market add-ons never work.

If it's not in the boxes of the 20-million units they've already shipped, don't expect anyone with any kind of business brain to support it.

I thought Japan banned rape games. How will this effect Sony's market for this?

They did make it clear that the current design is just for test purposes and is in no way the final build.

Wasn't the tank he controlled the turret of actually driven around at one point? So there is a way of moving around?

>After market add-ons never work.

*cough* wii fit *cough*

erm... Wii Fit wasn't in the box...

You just need good software....oh

argggh beaten to it!

Looks much further along than Natal, not as ambitious but seemd to work very well.

This was a surprise.

On the one hand Natal is interesting because there's no controller at all, but on the other hand sometimes it's good to actually hold something.

Exciting times are coming, regardless of which camp one belongs to :-D

What's to stop you from just holding something with Natal?

This looked so accurate that it seems far more usable than Natal.

The best would be a combination of the two.

They and Microsoft will get an abysmal share of the Wii audience with these tools.

They should focus on making hardcore games utilizing their motion control, and perfecting them. Something Nintendo has yet to do.

You´ve got one year Nintendo... One Year.

NATAL>Purple Wand>WMP>SEGA Activator>Wii Remote

The bat and ball demo was atrocious (to be fair, imagine trying to hit a ball only by looking at it in the mirror), but everything else was full of win. The archery looked like a hell of a lot of fun, the painting/writing looked perfect and the general accuracy and potential application of motion/positional control is the best seen so far on a console.

Domovoi - nothing. In fact Natal desperately needs a controller of some sort if it's to be effectively applied to standard games. Natal is more ambitious but also more niched.

I didn't expect this anymore, so it was a surprise. (I was playing Pokémon while watching... not much of a Sony player.)

The hardware seemed to work really well. Their software was a bit simple though. I'd like to see how it all turns out.

Of course it will never take off this generation, just like 360's Natal. Just too late.
Even if they start bundling it with almost every piece of software (like Nintendo's doing with WM+), they can never attract the casual audience.

But like Natal, it's a fun technology. The next generation of consoles will be very interesting...

"What's to stop you from just holding something with Natal? "

Indeed. Natal offers colour and shape recognition so they could easily bundle a cheap plastic wheel for racing games or even release a stick the same as Sonys and have it track the glowing end.

It would look to me as if this device might be a bit more practical than Microsoft's, but Microsoft's was hooked up to 3 playable games - how come Sony only have very primitive tech demos?

It reminds me of the sixaxis motion sensors, crammed in with little though to what they could be used for, so they're almost completely redundant as a result.

Serious motion control from both of the hardcore players should be used for hardcore games I think - you simply can't compete with the Wii for the casual market now. It's success is ridiculous - don't even try to emulate it.

But I would at least like to see a decent FPS or RPG attempted using Project "Minority Report" Natal and Project "Can I show you my" Big Purple Head - both have their ups and downs and seem to be pretty damn reliable. If a dark, dank E3 booth can be an effective arena for both of these platforms, then there is a market in it for average joe gamer.

I'm a bit confused....

Is this any better/different than WMP?

The main problem I see with this is that you need the playstation Eye as well as 2 controllers to make it look good. How much is that gonna set you back.

Of course it will never take off this generation, just like 360's Natal. Just too late.

I wouldn't say so. There's been talk for some time of an 'HD Wii'. Perhaps the 'HD Wii' will actually come from Sony or Microsoft? Both companies, and the analysts have been saying this hardware generation will last longer than the previous couple, so there's probably enough time for a standard motion controller to take hold for PS3 or Xbox 360 like the Dualshock pad did on the original Playstation.

Domovoi - nothing. In fact Natal desperately needs a controller of some sort if it's to be effectively applied to standard games. Natal is more ambitious but also more niched.

Why? If you need a bat, just hold a bat. If you need a steering wheel, just hold a wheel. You wouldn't even need to buy a special Microsoft branded bat or wheel that fits your Microsoft wiimote. Why does it need a controller if you can just use any other object?

I've heard somebody suggest that this motion controller was a last-minute addition to the show. As if they had it as backup, in case MS and Ninty had impressive shows/techs.

It would explain why the tech demos were so primitive. And why the guy was so nervous he couldn't talk properly.


And ok, I guess if the generation lasts long enough, these technologies could really pick up. But I see it more as a nice way to practice for the next gen.
How long before Natal and Sony's wand are ready for mass production? And at what price? 2010, maybe 2011. Natal is said to cost $200, although Sony's tech might be a lot cheaper.
I don't see Nintendo releasing a Wii HD either. And even if they do, upgrading the graphics doesn't affect gameplay. Implementing motion control does.

'It would look to me as if this device might be a bit more practical than Microsoft's, but Microsoft's was hooked up to 3 playable games - how come Sony only have very primitive tech demos?'

Sorry playable games?? sorry mate that was a concept video, nothing more..at least sony had the balls to actually show tech demos...sure Lionhead have a nice tech demo for natal, but that's not a game..Natal shows promise...The sony dildo shows promise, but Sony's will be here next year...when's natal due??

What has gaming come to,glowing dildos...lol

I am impressed but only a little. Sony has created their Wiimote + motion which is a good thing because from the demos it looks really solid but the problem is that you NEED the eyetoy and two controllers to work. The reason I see Natal as the better solution is that you can pare it with anything. You can use your gamepad and use Natal at the same time while with the Sony/Big N solution, you have to use their wands and thats it.

Natal gives developers a lot more freedom to do whatever they want. They con bundle their own controller like RockBand and have Natal pick up each person body and have the motions translated to the characters in game. Since you have the facial mapping, you could also map the emotions and movement of the person face within the game, include following their lips for the singer. The best you could do with the Sony/Big solutions is have a slot for the wand in the guitar(already done) but this is very limited.

The applications are pretty much unlimited with Natal and is truly the future. I like the fact that I can have a traditional controller but also leverage Natal features and I can see where this can easily be incorporated. Also the way Natal works, devs could easily provide Natal features to existing games like they have done with Burnout but instead trying to replace the stearing breaking etc, instead you get head tracking, body lean for little extra traction or something else. This cannot be done with Sony/Big N solution because you either do it all or nothing.

Definitely has some potential, but Natal was much more impressive.

Still, I would take this over the Wiimote any day.

Why? If you need a bat, just hold a bat. If you need a steering wheel, just hold a wheel. You wouldn't even need to buy a special Microsoft branded bat or wheel that fits your Microsoft wiimote. Why does it need a controller if you can just use any other object?

Are you asking why not swing a bat around in your living room?

What about actually moving around? How do you run around in a first or third person game? Is there any indication this game can understand anything as sophisticated as pointing an object at the screen (this is a genuine question, I've only seen the car driving/godzilla/fighting trailer - which is all completely faked - and the much more believable paint throwing, ball stopping trailers).

To those whinging about having to buy these controllers and the PSEye seperately.. about as valid as saying you have to buy a Wiimote and infrared sensor bar separately.

Great stuff! This looked to me to be the most accurate and least laggy of all the motion controllers demoed so far. The 'Natal' appeared to be quite laggy, the Wii Motion Plus seems to have a very slight lag, but this seemed to be bang on.

What is weird, though, is why it was demoed in such a primitive looking form. It's almost as if they've had their hand forced by Microsoft and had to introduce tech they were planning to roll out with the PS4. Very similar to how they had to rush out some form of motion control in the PS3 controller after Nintendo showed their hand. Only difference this time is that the Sony solution looks to be the best of the lot.

This quality of motion control + an inventive HD first-person game = big win. Bring it on!

I think this has a lot of potential, and I'm glad that unlike with Microsoft, the camera I already have is being utilised as part of the motion control plan, rather than abandoned. Remember, all PSEyes do have built in microphones, so similar voice recognition application to that of Natal could easily be implemented. It may not have quite such accurate body part tracking or stereoscopic sensing, but with the right software, the camera could be more than capable of basic level facial recogniton. We all know the current camera isn't perfect, but this interim motion control device combo seems to easily match Wii's Motion Plus capabilities (remember the Wii also combines gyroscopic sensors with a camera of sorts - it's just that said camera is built into the tip of the Wiimote, is far lower-specced than the PSEye, and is simply used to detect the two IR 'flashes' emitted from the sensor bar, so this PS tech seems to work in a very similar way). I am extremely excited for the Natal, but do, like many, feel that the tech is very possibly a long way off, and that there are a lot of technical issues I have doubts about it overcoming, including, for many applications, the lack of a tangeable object with force feedback in your hands. This tech however is something that could potentially hit the market much sooner, bringing with it Wii-style games in HD (cue all the anti-casual grumbling!). Given it's technical similarities to Nintendo's equivalent, it could spell multi-format motion-control games, possibly with PS3 versions being the lead for some. Given the Wii's install base I would expect most multi-platform games we end up seeing (and I really do believe we will see many), actually being pretty low-cost higher resolution ports of Wii originals, but there are some great games amongst the mire of dross that is the Wii catalogue (Zack and Wicki, No More Heroes, DeBlob, Bloom Blox, Wii's version of Okami, House of the Dead Overkill) and I for one am excited by the prospect of these games not only reaching a potential wider audience, but perhaps gaining richer online elements, trophy support and sharper visuals.

Let's not pretend the PS3 stands much chance of reaching critical mass at its current price point - it simply won't happen - but this product seems very likely to work well (or as well as the Wiimote at any rate!) and will help increase the console's wider appeal in ways the EyeToy alone was simply never able to. The fact that it resembles the Wii's tech far more closely than Natal does, also means ports and multi-platform motion control development will be fairly straightforward... and that is a good thing.

Are you asking why not swing a bat around in your living room?
No, and you're changing the subject for some reason.


Is there any indication this game can understand anything as sophisticated as pointing an object at the screen (this is a genuine question, I've only seen the car driving/godzilla/fighting trailer - which is all completely faked - and the much more believable paint throwing, ball stopping trailers).


Since the ball stopping thing, the paint thing, and the avatar control thing all seemed to have the whole skeletal animation thing down, I'd say yeah, but it's early days, obviously.

I see your point about moving around, though.

You can use your gamepad and use Natal at the same time while with the Sony/Big N solution, you have to use their wands and thats it.

Considering that the waddles have buttons for triggers, they also serve the purpose of controllers.

Have to say that the motion control part definitely was forced by Microsoft's Natal demos. The engineers jokes actually were funny though. Let those guys present next year's E3, please.

I believe people are wrapped up in the whole motion thing, that you have to move your entire body to use Natal but you forget that it can map to any part of the body not just the complete anatomy. It can be set to only map to your hand and fingers. With the full skeletal mapping, Natal can be just as percise as the demoed PS MC or Wiimote +. I have seen a demo where the device was mapped to just a single finger. I am sure the full body takes a lot of processing but limit it to just the head and hands and things get a lot better.

Haven't seen the video but Microsofts version seemed much more impressive based on that description (assuming, of course, it actually works as well as they say it does).

Guys - Project Natal is just that - a project. Can't you remeber the PS3 announcements that stole E3 a few years ago... As always don't believe the hype till you see it for real.

Still great tech and has great potential but it is different to wmp and sony's knob and hopefully will be used to it's strengths and not just to make 360 sports, 360 fit etc...

The Sony wand just seems a me too answer. Sony plays catch up again. MS great tech but when and what. WMP here and now

Considering that the waddles have buttons for triggers, they also serve the purpose of controllers.
This is true but you are still limited to only using their motion controller. If the controller doesn't fit a particular situation then it because a hindrance. I only have to point out Mario Kart and Smash Brothers.

Also, you are limited to the type of interactions you can perform with the wands. Lets take Metroid for example where you had to reach out and grab a device turn it to open certain doors etc. With the wand, you just pushed it forward and the game did the grabbing while you did the motion to turn. With Natal, you do everything which for some would be more immersing for others a pain the the butt (only using this as a example).

Domovoi - I misinterpreted you. You mean an imaginary bat of course.

That is all very well, but I can't see anything like the accuracy of the PSmotes in the Natal. There is a bit of a lag from the looks of things and I really doubt the precision of holding an imaginary object compared to a distinct shape and reference point. This is why I assumed you meant holding a real object; something tangble is far easier for a computer to recognise with 1 to 1 precision than by looking at the posture of someone holding thin air.
It looks good for less specific movements and looks great for general interactivity, but if pointing with your finger how would you fire a gun? Shout bang??

@STKD - fair point! Rather neglected that. What I meant was that it's ludicrous describing the PSPenises as something you have to buy as well as the PSEye as a real hassle, as if getting them in a bundle (much like getting Guitar Hero and software, or a full Rock Band set, or even a new Wiimote and WMP) is a complete impossibility.

You can use your gamepad and use Natal at the same time while with the Sony/Big N solution, you have to use their wands and thats it.
Fair enough for voice recognition, but motion controls?? Are you going to pretend you're handcuffed all the time?

Whatever happened to the plans, exactly like Natal, that Sony put out there for PSEye? Motion tracking etc?

Seems the sony ps eye 2 is quite a technical bit of kit...

http://gadgets.softpedia.com/gadgets/Tec...

@STKD

"Having to buy a PS3, a PSEye and a motion control dildo is "practical". "

Yes. Just as "practical" as having to buy a 360 and the Natal equipment.

STKD - Why is the PSEye and PSPenis cost separate though? If you were going straight into it, you'd buy both as a package, typically with free software a la Wii Sports. If you don't have a PS3 but want the full setup, you'll definitely be able to buy the whole thing as a package. Price is obviously a factor, but I don't think ease of purchase would be.

I don't think anyone really expects this or Natal to boot the Wii into touch by a long shot. Typically any rivalry mentioned is between the PS3 and X360, which is what most of this thread's debate has been about.

The point is that there is now an alternative to the Wii for those who want an HD equivalent as well as the more conventional games. People mention that hardware is only as good as it's software. This is definitely true. But there's a lot of scope for PSN games to play with this idea, and a number of third parties have now released at least one Wii game and have experience with the controls. The larger companies have tried all sorts of genres with the Wiimote; now they can at least consider mapping those controls over to some of their higher-tech versions.

I found it interesting that the guys demoing it were very keen on it being seen as a device hardcore gamers would get some use from. It actually shows that they are thinking about making it fit for purpose, rather than just a technical exercise.

Seems to me a far better prospect than Natal, even if the tech seems superficially less impressive.

"Seems to me a far better prospect than Natal, even if the tech seems superficially less impressive. "

How so? You mean because of the bow / sword thing? That could be just as easily be achieve with ms's system as this. It begs the question whether you want to or not. I'm perfectly happy with my controller. I've not seen a single thing with motion controls that couldn't be done better by just the press of a button and a joystick.

They showed a driving game in the Natal demo, but how exactly are you supposed to accelerate with no buttons? Or brake? How does the camera know which one out of 5 people in the room is driving, what happens if people want to move? If someone starts waving their arms while talking expressively is that going to interfere? What happens if you're playing in poor light?

What PROPER games can be played PROPERLY with this? Milo is a typical Molyneux over promise (which anyone who has been following him since the early Black and White days will be familiar with), and is clearly nowhere near as dynamic as he would have us believe.

As for the Sony alternative, I have to admit I'm genuinely looking forward to playing a sword and shield game with that setup...

@Emth
Go check out the Ellie interview where she did the burnout demo.
What if someone move, Whats the difference between someone with the Wiimote and you move. Just as easy to say off with your voice and the tracking stops or say on and its back own or say pause and you move where you want to go.

Since the device can do full body motion, I would think it keeps in memory who is where and since it constantly upates the information it probably would not lose who is where.

No light needed for the motion tracking since it use IR so you could play in complete darkness.

Another problem with the PS3 wand is that for multiplayer, you have to to purchase more equipment. Four players include and the price start to get steap.

Natal (promises) multiplayer with the one device. No extra cost besides the camera.

Another thing about the PS3 presentation which many have stated is that the demos were very simplistic. How does this work with a real game. Will it be that fast or will it exhibit the same latency that the other motion controllers have.

The way I see it, if both technologies live up to their potential, then Natal wins hands down by a mile.

The PSPenis lacks rumble?
Epicfail yet again Sony. Kudos. Undoubtedly some people will now look forward to you offering that "outdated" feature in the PSPenis v2 model.

You forgot about the mic. It also lacks the Wiimote microphone. Oh. Damn, the Eye has one.

BTW, the Natal lacks rumble too. Unless Molyneux finds a way to electrify your whole body, right after Milo tells you that your shirt was his favorite colour. :P

Oh for crying out loud.

Both sets of tech prove that there's potential for BOTH platforms. I would say it's far too early to tell yet which is best or which one is going to be better. All this has done is provide the fanboys with fresh ammo!

Let's see how the tech pans out and which, most importantly, software developers make the most out of the capabilities and produce some inspiring games based on it.