Sony reveals PS3 motion controller

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 3rd June 2009
Comments (11) Stumble
Sony reveals PS3 motion controller

Sony's new motion controller is still an engineering model, but will apparently work via the PlayStation Eye.

Sony has revealed that it has a second motion controller planned for the PlayStation 3, one which is completely independent from the existing SixAxis controller and which should communicate with the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Eye.

While the controller that was unveiled at E3 2009 was still very much an engineering model according to Sony, it seems to offer full 1:1 motion - though it does look a bit silly.

The model that Sony had on show was modelled by Sony's Richard Marks and essentially looks like a big purple stick with a flashing light on the end of it. The light is apparently the most important bit (not the purple shaft) as the controller is intended to work with the PlayStation Eye and it is the light that Eye detects and tracks. The light will flash, change colour and dims to signal different applications to the eye.

Sony demonstrated the unnamed controller with a number of simple games, including sports simulations, sword slashing and shooters.

While the new system might look very silly, it's apparently a super efficient design and Sony is claiming that the new system should offer "sub-millimetre accuracy". Hmm. We're a bit sceptical of how accurate that claim might be personally, though demonstrations of the device at E3 2009 were apparently very impressive.

The only release date for the controller was a tentative and played-down mention of next spring, though Sony has hinted the system may already be with developers.

Tell us what you think of the new controller in the forums.
Quote ry@n 3rd June 2009, 10:48
They should leave the gimmicky waving-your-arms-around-infront-of-your-TV to the Wii.
Quote DriftCarl 3rd June 2009, 10:51
I have been looking at all these motion controllers at E9 and so far I am impressed with microsofts more than anything, where there is no need to hold anything or stick anything on you. Although their demo promotion video seems a bit "too good to be true". It does look like a new direction for console gaming. the PS3 controller does seem very responsive and accurate, I am sure it will be quite fun for fighting games.

Where does this leave PC gaming though? It has been keeping up with consoles for a while, but the thought of using a keyboard and mouse in the future compared to jumping around your living room with an invisible gun or sword sounds a bit more appealing, if they can do it right.
Quote g3n3tiX 3rd June 2009, 11:03
At least the PS3 demo was indeed a live demo, and not a promo video saying results are simulated (look at the bottom text at the beginning). Even if we saw the boy simulator video, it still wasn't in front of an audience.
Quote Er-El 3rd June 2009, 11:56
Quote:
Originally Posted by g3n3tiX
At least the PS3 demo was indeed a live demo, and not a promo video saying results are simulated (look at the bottom text at the beginning). Even if we saw the boy simulator video, it still wasn't in front of an audience.
The MS conference also had someone demonstrating it live on stage. They had this girl kicking balls.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DriftCarl
I have been looking at all these motion controllers at E9 and so far I am impressed with microsofts more than anything, where there is no need to hold anything or stick anything on you. Although their demo promotion video seems a bit "too good to be true". It does look like a new direction for console gaming. the PS3 controller does seem very responsive and accurate, I am sure it will be quite fun for fighting games.

Where does this leave PC gaming though? It has been keeping up with consoles for a while, but the thought of using a keyboard and mouse in the future compared to jumping around your living room with an invisible gun or sword sounds a bit more appealing, if they can do it right.
It begs the question doesn't it? But I'm not gonna go ahead and ask it on a forum like this as I value my life.











*cough*Is PC gaming dead?*cough*
Quote Veles 3rd June 2009, 12:34
While it sounds pretty cool, after thinking about it, surely it will be a little limited? It would just be a position marker, while the Wii/SixAxis has 6DF this is essentially just making the Eye Toy a bit more efficient, it still can only do 2D, it wouldn't have depth perception like Project Natal/Wiimote/SixAxis.

There's also nothing stopping MS doing this with Project Natal, hell they could do it with the current camera surely? So essentially, Sony is showing off a stick with a light at the end, nothing really amazing there.

EDIT: Ah it does have motion sensors, so it could be like a more awesome version of the Wiimote. The video made it look really cool.
Quote Skiddywinks 3rd June 2009, 13:53
Dear God it looks vile. Although it is good to see both companies trying their hand at this, as it can only mean better competition.
Quote themax 3rd June 2009, 17:30
The tech demo for this was really awesome. I like the arena display with the sword and shield and also the arrow and bow demo. Project Natal looks interesting too but Sony's wands and Wii's Motion Plus look much more practical in application. Everyone doesn't have a massive living room for all the movement Natal is suppose to provide while playing games. Both are similar and different. Don't forget voice recognition could easily be added to what Sony has shown (PS3 Eye has a Microphone I believe) and Natal could easily have some form of input buttons added.
Quote sandys 3rd June 2009, 18:39
Quote:
Originally Posted by DriftCarl
I have been looking at all these motion controllers at E9 and so far I am impressed with microsofts more than anything, where there is no need to hold anything or stick anything on you. Although their demo promotion video seems a bit "too good to be true". It does look like a new direction for console gaming. the PS3 controller does seem very responsive and accurate, I am sure it will be quite fun for fighting games.

Natal is just like eyetoy games for ps2/ps3, guess resolution of the camera is what is increasing accuracy over original concepts.

Good thing about this method is that unlike Wii is that multiple players could run off one camera.

I guess there must be a bit more to MS method than a camera if it tracks deoth.
Quote RedDethX 3rd June 2009, 23:14
If they ever implement this into a game such as GT5 or a MGS, better have the option to turn it off, and use the normal controller, I hate motion controls, they're so rawrgl.
Quote itazura 3rd June 2009, 23:24
urgh, i can't stand motion controls. i hope they turn to be nothing more than a gimmicky fad in the long run.
Quote Dracyr 4th June 2009, 06:43
Natal isnt just an EyeToy for xbox, it actually implements a 3d sensor. But the reason it worked so good is because MS software is top of the line for there kinds of things.
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