PS3 & Xbox 360 Wii-mimicking motion-sensing controllers on way
By Dave Parrack
I’ve never known a set of rumours to persist as much as the ones surrounding Sony and Microsoft’s plans to try and muscle their way in to the Nintendo Wii’s market of casual gaming. Today, further detailed have emerged about Wii-mimicking motion-sensing controllers reportedly on the way for both the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.
The Wii is still completely outshining its rivals in terms of monthly sales around the world, despite criticisms fairly levelled at the Nintendo console for being underpowered, and light on games. So it’s hardly a surprise that both Sony and Microsoft want a piece of the action, and are willing to risk upsetting their more hardcore fans to grab a slice of the obviously profitable casual gaming pie.
We here at Blorge have already revealed some of the rumours surrounding the proposed Wii Remote-style controllers coming to both rival consoles. In April, the first sighting of the Xbox 360 motion-sensing controller was reported. Then in June, there were two separate reports about a similar controller on the way for the PS3.
Now, here’s the latest…
Even though Europe has only just got its hands on the PS3 DualShock 3 controller, with its liited motion-sensing capabilities. But Electric Pig are reporting that the first sighting of the PS3mote has been spotted on Just Play, the website of a peripheral manufacturer and supplier. The listing shows a PS3 2.4 GHz Wireless Handgun, but the interesting part is what is being cradled in the handgun. Could this possibly be the rumoured PSThrii-mote?
As for the Xbox 360, although there’s no picture to use as evidence, the first official indication of a new controller has come from Microsoft executive, Ken Lobb. In a video interview with IGN, Lobb spoke about the forthcoming Rare game Banjo-Kazooie: Nut & Bolts, and had this (via MCV) to say about one of the interactive features of the game:
The primary function that Kazooie has in the game is she carries this wrench, and the wrench is used for many different things.
One of the things that the wrench is used for is to turn these devices. So you basically grab with the wrench and then you twist the controller around and it’ll move different things in the game.
Intriguing, but obviously not the smoking gun that we need to finally be able to change this speculation from mere rumour in to hard and fast fact. However, E3 is set to begin on Monday July 14th, and I’m pretty sure that if either the PS3 or Xbox 360 IS indeed getting a Wii-Remote style controller, we’ll be told then.
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Tips N4G
July 9th, 2008
That suspicious looking PSThrii-mote… looks slick.
See if Nintendo made the Wii black, they would of had me eating out their hand, alas, they did not.
Once you go black you never go back.
July 9th, 2008
And what’s great, is PS3 owners could get most of the Wii’s games all snug on 2 or 3 BR discs lol. 360 wouldn’t be too far off from there either.
Morne
July 9th, 2008
That new controller is GENIUS!!! Not only will it support normal games, but it will accompany shooting games, and motion sensing games *cough Lair cough*
Seriously, Lair needs to redeem itself! I was so hyped up for that game when i first came out……What a let down
July 9th, 2008
the most persistent rumor would have to be an MGS4 360 port, which i severely doubt.
July 10th, 2008
Not convinced about that PS3mote pic, looks far too much like a Wiimote to be genuine, also I don’t think Sony would make a Gun peripheral that looks that realistic (take a look at the bright orange Time Crisis gun).
As for the Kazooie statement, that sounds pretty conclusive to me. Although the application sounds more like the PS3 SIXAXIS than a Wii, the PS3 often makes you waggle your controller to open doors (e.g. KillZone 2 requires you to turn the controller to turn handles). It will be interesting to see if it’s a Kazooie themed wrench or something that looks like it will have other applications.
The PS3 already has the PSEye - EyeToy was woefully under used on the PS2 and the Eye is sharing the same fate. If Sony were concerned with the casual “stand up and jump about” market why is it taking them so long to make a PS3 EyeToy compilation game? Why blatantly copy the Wii instead? We’ve seen loads of tech demos where the Eye can dynamically track peripherals (like the E3 cups demo) - also where is EyeToy Kinetic 2 to compete with WiiFit???
I suppose all will be revealed at the press conferences next week…
July 11th, 2008
If the PS3 had it’s own motion sensing controller like the Wii-mote I might get one… I’m not sure if I’d do the same for 360 as I hold Microsoft to a higher standard by the name of Steel Battalion.
July 11th, 2008
Sony is not releasing any new controller so SHUT THE FUCK UP with this crap. Microsoft is the only damn COPYCAT.
September 10th, 2008
The rumors speak in terms of ideals, but they ignore reality. A motion sensing remote of the Wii style would not work on the ps3 and 360. Games are programmed and calibrated in a way that take into account the peripherals and hardware. For instance, autoaim is used on the Xbox halo, because the controller is not as accurate as a mouse and keyboard. The programming in Halo for the PC version and the Xbox version is radically different, because they are optimized for the peripherals they use. It would be the same thing if they added a remote. It would be just as awkward as using a mouse and keyboard to play xbox games. The compatibility in the older games would suck, and it would confuse the market. It would force the programmers to avoid taking full advantage of either type of peripheral if they tried to design it for both, or it would force people to buy both if it decided to make exclusives, which would anger the market.
This is just some people running their mouths for their entertainment. I do not know why they are taken seriously. It is never going to happen. Even if it did, it would be poorly implemented, and it would not challenge Nintendo or help Microsoft/Sony. I understand Microsoft has a reputation for copying its competition, but it’s not strategically possible for them to pull it off this round. Maybe next generation, but not this generation.