The Playstation Move

[Robo_1]

A post GDC update to the thread seemed appropriate. Massive props to our resident rss feed (The Sarge ) for rounding up so much news on the announcement.

From what I can gather, the below list is everything that's currently known about the controller:

Set for a winter release

Compatible with current PS3 eye cam

Tracks full 1:1 movement

Can track up to 4 units at once.

Head and Face tracking are already in the PS3 SDK.

The controller will feature force feedback rumble.

Will work with the mic already built into eye toy for voice input and recognition

Will use some SPU power and memory

Sony are currently looking into combining the motion controls with the current Duelshock 3

Sub Controller Announced

Publishers who have announced support:

SCEA president Jack Tretton’s just confirmed in an interview with the PS Blog that over 20 first-party games are coming for PlayStation Move this fiscal year.He also announced 36 third-party firms are on board with the controller. Firms announced to be onboard include Ubisoft, Sega, Activision, EA, Capcom and a lot more.The full list of publishers involved with Move is below:

505 Games U.S.

Activision Publishing, Inc.

AQ INTERACTIVE Inc.

ARC SYSTEMS WORK CO.,LTD

ATLUS Co., LTD.

Bigben Interactive

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

CCP

Crave Entertainment

CYBERFRONT Corporation

Disney Interactive Studios

Electronic Arts Inc.

FromSoftware, Inc.

Game Republic, Inc.

GUST CO., LTD.

HUDSON SOFT CO., LTD.

IREM SOFTWARE ENGINEERING INC.

Koei Co., Ltd.

Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.

Majesco Entertainment

Marvelous Entertainment Inc.

NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.

ONGAKUKAN Co., Ltd.

Oxygen Games

PAON CORPORATION

Q Entertainment Inc.

Q-GAMES, LTD.

SEGA CORPORATION

Sony Online Entertainment

Spike Co., Ltd.

SQUARE ENIX GROUP

TECMO, LTD.

THQ Inc.

UBISOFT

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Zoo Entertainment, Inc.

The money shot.

Official name is 'Playstation Move'.

Will cost $100 when it's released later this year in the US, bundle includes the controllers, PSEYE and some demos.

New games announced & demoed.

Developers currently working in games for the new controller...

Video Demos

Sports Champion

SOCOM 4

LittleBigPlanet

Games Montage

GDC Presentation

Official Trailer

Pretty much everything about it seems to sit between current Wii controls and MS's forthcoming Natal camera, combining the 1:1 motion mapping offered by Wii motion plus, with a sort of Natallite.

A spring launch is a lot earlier than expected, considering the obvious prototype stage they were at for E3.

The use of PS3 resources to make the wand work could be a potential headache for developers looking to build it into multi platform games, but as Sony won't need to build extra processing and memory into the device itself, it should keep the price of the controller down.

There were rumours long ago of Sony developing a Duelshock controller which split in two, and I can see the final form of the controller being quite close to that, although I do wonder if the glowing ball stuck on the end of it will factor into the final design, or will they be able to add it to the controller in a more discrete way.

I also wonder how big a thing this is going to be for Sony. Is the much rumoured PS3 Slim going to be held back and bundled with the wand following a similar path to 360's "Natal is the next Xbox" plan, or is it being seen as little more than a follow up to their eye toy, with any future PS3 development being a completely separate thing.

Time will tell I suppose, but I'd be curious to hear peoples thoughts on Sony's take on motion control.

[JPickford]

Looks very good indeed. And very practical.

[SaintM]

All I got out of the video demonstration was "Big, glowing, lollipops".

[Uzi]

With the right type of game at launch (will obviously be something first party) it could really be great. I'd love for it to be put in a game where it adds immersion and control to the extent that it can take a familiar game and genre and make it feel totally different.

[ras el hanout]

Thing is, right, the thing is it could well turn out to be better than the Wiimote, but the horse has somewhat bolted in that by the time it's released everybody will own a Wii. It's going to take one fuck of a game to get your average Joe to upgrade, especially at a premium.

[SaintM]

What is it's selling point though? That it's like the wii?

The demo seemed to focus on things that you are not really likely to want to do in a game (unless you like watching yourself with a cartoon sword).

[ras el hanout]

They should of course bundle the wand with a redesigned PS2 and sell it for $150. Then it would stand a chance. That's what I would do.

[AK Bell]

I think this system seems the obvious mix of controller for subtle movements and camera for jumping about reacting to stuff.

but...

Much like Nintendo, I don't expect much of the understanding of the data to be wrapped up in a nice library for developers to use and make games for it right away. It's not the way that Sony do things.

But that is the way the MS do things since they are software people first. As good as this system may be, i think MS will have more games being developed and converted to the Natal in the early stages.

Also, Nintendo don't have to worry too much. How many games are going to extensively use the wand AND the camera?

[scottcr]

[Professor Puzzles]

If they make a new/fully revised Ghostbusters game for this then I'll be picking it up!

[Robo_1]

Thing is, right, the thing is it could well turn out to be better than the Wiimote, but the horse has somewhat bolted in that by the time it's released everybody will own a Wii. It's going to take one fuck of a game to get your average Joe to upgrade, especially at a premium.

I do agree, I don't think people are going to be flocking to this or Natal, having been there with the Wii. However, motion control is here to stay, and I think you either make your pitch or get left further behind.

I'm a fan of motion control full stop, so I'm just keen to play as many types of genres as possible with motion control.

[scottcr]

Tbh - I think it's a great addition to the console.

What we're going to see is more closely related motion games. Red Steel 2 for the PS3? THANK YOU MAN!

This kind of stuff... it also means that developers can avoid having to think of a Wii game as a Wii exclusive. They can develop first for the Wii and port up to the PS3 or first for the PS3 and port down to the Wii.

IT'S A WINARAMA

[ontwofronts]

Will this gee up Nintendo's plans (if they exist) for a WiiHD?

[ras el hanout]

Will this gee up Nintendo's plans (if they exist) for a WiiHD?

No. I don't think so. I still don't think people are that interested in HD. When most people are watching most of their TV HD, then they'll do it.

[Majora]

I don't see it making much of a splash. It'd be like Nintendo bringing out the wiimote 3 years into the gamecubes life. The brand is already tainted and it'll get minor support. There's also the issue that the tech may well be better than motionplus but the wii has pretty much taken the motion controls market and this is just gonna look a bit me-too. I'd say they should have held it back for PS4 so they won't end up with low uptake but that'll be years away so I dunno. I think it'll be very marginal, along with Natal fir this gen at least, and who knows what Nintendo will be coming out with in a few years time.

[delb2k]

But no third party develops for a control system thats not standard for that platform. So I think were going to see pretty much nothing bar what sony put out for this thing and it wont be a simple case of porting up from the Wii. The two are different beasts technology wise, is it really worth the R&D to port up or does it blow the budget for the project?

So I expect some first party motion control only titles, maybe some slight third party participation and then thats it.

Natal is going to be exactly the same except that due to it being a camera only it may have a few sneaky things in games like peoples heads following you about or alternative hand gesture controls for example, something that does not rely on hardware. This may also be possible with sonys camera minus the wand but I dont know that as of yet.

Basically I expect lots of aint that technology fantastic but then for it to be used for pretty much bugger all in the real world.

[Petrousgyre]

I'd be surprised if this or Natal takes off with this round of hardware. Nintendo are already there with a more elegant 1:1 solution and have their console way out in front. It's all up for grabs next gen though (whenever that happens) - a combination of 3D displays with motion control/camera support could be very interesting.

[Ferine]

How many games are going to extensively use the wand AND the camera?

The wands require the camera to work, at least for the 1-to-1 stuff. Think of it like the Wii's sensor bar, although technically it works the opposite way.

If they make a new/fully revised Ghostbusters game for this then I'll be picking it up!

[insert 540p joke here]

I imagine a lot of people have already seen this, but here's a video of the SoMoCo's¹ technological predecessor from the PS2 days:

I'm interested in seeing where Sony are headed with their controller but at the moment a lot of stuff still seems rather up in the air. It's clear the tech works so I'm not worried about that, but there's a lot of questions that won't be answered until we see the final design of the controller itself.

¹That isn't an official name, I just like the sound of it.

[rubberducker]

its like the ipod taking the MP3 market. the wii is now the established motion control brand. full colour screens and big hard drives didnt help zune or sony take on apple anymore than their "me too" motion controls will help them take on ninty.

personally im excited, as i prefer bigger more powerful consoles working with this tech. but joe public aint gonna give a fuck until the Wii 2 comes out.

[b00dles]

Unless they do make ALL PS3's of the future come bundled with this as standard (as MS are apparently doing with Natal) then I think it will die on it's arse in regards to game support.

I do reckon there will be some corkers though, I suppose in a similar way to the original eyetoy it will fade after not too long unless there's support or some sort of bundle - or (and this applies to Natal) some sort of reduced cost if you have the console already maybe...

Wii have done the 'launch' of Motion+ very well, just bundle it with new versions of big games that will use it and before you know it, everyone with a Wii will have one - I can fully expect this not to be the case with Natal and erm.... The Third Wand.

[mwaawm]

The wands require the camera to work, at least for the 1-to-1 stuff. Think of it like the Wii's sensor bar, although technically it works the opposite way.

[insert 540p joke here]

I imagine a lot of people have already seen this, but here's a video of the SoMoCo's¹ technological predecessor from the PS2 days:

I'm interested in seeing where Sony are headed with their controller but at the moment a lot of stuff still seems rather up in the air. It's clear the tech works so I'm not worried about that, but there's a lot of questions that won't be answered until we see the final design of the controller itself.

¹That isn't an official name, I just like the sound of it.

Im at work so cant see any pics, do any of the prototype controllers look boomerang shaped?

[DC Lemon]

The controller will feature force feedback rumble.

Microsoft and Natal consider that to be very last gen.

[RubberJohnny]

Tbh - I think it's a great addition to the console.

What we're going to see is more closely related motion games. Red Steel 2 for the PS3? THANK YOU MAN!

This kind of stuff... it also means that developers can avoid having to think of a Wii game as a Wii exclusive. They can develop first for the Wii and port up to the PS3 or first for the PS3 and port down to the Wii.

IT'S A WINARAMA

I think the costs of an up-port (or more likely native HD development and a down port) outweigh the benefits of getting sales on a fraction of the userbase for the smallest console platform.

EDIT: I'm saying that a mirror of the current situation (i.e HD console multiplatform, with wii getting a cut down or unique version) are more likely than PS3/Wii versions.

[Kelthink]

Microsoft and Natal consider that to be very last gen.

Sony already went through that phase...

[Robo_1]

Is force feedback rumble actually any different to the current rumble used in pads? Does the force feedback actually mean anything?

[b00dles]

Is force feedback rumble actually any different to the current rumble used in pads? Does the force feedback actually mean anything?

Isn't that what it's long name is anyway? Is force feedback not just rumble? It's giving you feedback from the game to make the rumble?

[Sprite Machine]

Force feedback is where the input actually moves, like in racing games where you have to fight to turn the wheel. I don't think that's possible on a free-floating wand thing, due to pesky physics and stuff.

[b00dles]

Force feedback is where the input actually moves, like in racing games where you have to fight to turn the wheel. I don't think that's possible on a free-floating wand thing, due to pesky physics and stuff.

Yeah, that sort of force feedback on a thing floating in space would be weird to say the least...

Would be good if they could make things move somehow though, I always thought the Wii lightgun games would be great if they had recoil of some sort.

[sucker4life]

I never understood that, I remember playing SEGA Touring Cars in the arcade once and when it got into the race the steering wheel came alive and started trying to turn in the opposite direction to where I was turning.

Mad stuff. Can't say I've ever noticed a real steering wheel do that myself.

[MK-1601]

I don't see it making much of a splash. It'd be like Nintendo bringing out the wiimote 3 years into the gamecubes life.

Or like bringing out the Dual Shock however many years into the PS1's life.

But no third party develops for a control system thats not standard for that platform.

Except Wii Fit.

...

This thing is going to have to be very cheap, have very good software and most importantly software that doesn't overlap with what Wii and Natal are doing. I can see that pointing to including it in big first party games like LBP, GT and God of War. Restricting it to the casual end of the market (like what seems to be planned for Natal) would be suicidal.

Unless they do make ALL PS3's of the future come bundled with this as standard (as MS are apparently doing with Natal)

They aren't. At least, they've made no announcement, and Wii Fit/Guitar Hero suggests people are willing to pay top dollar for peripherals if they extend the capabilities of the machine in a major way.