Motion sensing the future of games – Heavy Rain dev not happy
It seems clear which way the video games industry is heading, with the Wii being the bestselling console of this generation, and both Sony and Microsoft unveiling new motion sensing control methods at E3 2009. While some people will love the idea of a casual gaming, motion sensing future, many aren’t, including the founder of Heavy Rain developer Quantic Dream.
When the Wii was announced, complete with its motion sensing Wii Remote controller, many were kind of intrigued but also dubious about whether it would ever really catch on. Would people really want to stand in their living rooms waving their arms around like a loon? It turns out that yes, they would, which is why the Wii has raped and pillaged its way to the top of the hardware sales charts this generation.
Nintendo succeeded not by appealing to gamers necessarily, but appealing to the rest of the population, who may have had no interest in video games before the Wii persuaded them they could be fun. Sony and Microsoft, meanwhile, were spending a fortune marketing their consoles to us gamers and despite seeing their consoles sell well, had to look on while the Wii dominated.
It was only a matter of time before Sony and Microsoft decided to get in on the act and release their own motion sensing control methods. They both announced their entries at E3 2009, Sony unveiling its own version of the Wii Remote (just a little more accurate) and Microsoft unveiling Project Natal – motion sensing without any controllers whatsoever.
The stage is now set for a battle to the death between the Wii Remote MotionPlus, Project Natal, and that frankly phallic-shaped wand thing. Not everyone is pleased with the direction the industry seems to be heading in. In a recent interview with Kikizo, Quantic Dream founder David Cage took time out from overseeing development of PS3 exclusive Heavy Rain to give his opinion on the subject.
I’m not sure all people want to play jumping and running in front of the television, because I think some people just want to relax and just play, enjoy and experience. It shows Microsoft wants to go the Nintendo way, probably, go casual, compete with Wii Fit, and there’s nothing wrong about it – there is a market for casual gamers.
But this is definitely not the direction I would like this industry to go, because I think it should go in the direction of movies – more creativity, more new ideas, more authors – rather than going in the direction of toys. And from a technical point of view I must admit I’m still slightly skeptical about what they’ve shown.
Strangely, while I’m not a huge fan of motion sensing and really don’t want to see it dominate the industry from here on in, I equally disagree with Cage on which direction he wants the industry to head in. Interactive movies are an interesting genre, and Heavy Rain looks like being a particularly fine example, but that’s not what I want to see every game playing like either.
The industry is clearly going to go through a phase of overusing motion sensing but I personally hope it’ll settle down and just become another part of the industry rather than the overriding element it currently threatens to be.
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44 Responses to “Motion sensing the future of games – Heavy Rain dev not happy”
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July 15th, 2009
Stop calling it a phallic.
July 15th, 2009
Not against the motion controlls, just don’t make it standard. People want options, so with that said it should only be an option and not a standard!
July 15th, 2009
I don’t use sony six axis ….. never
July 15th, 2009
Sixaxis is a shambles, although give it credit, “sixaxis” is a cool word. I never realised it was a palindrome.
July 15th, 2009
I don’t want to do gaming and have it turn into an aerobics class. Having controller and Motion Sensor as equally standard options is fine. Every console maker aiming for the casual family market not a good sign. I was in Best Buy the other day and there was something like 80 accessories for the Wii including family pack sport drink cups, Wii towels, etc. What’s next, Gears of War Family Edition?
July 15th, 2009
This is how it all starts. First motion controls, pretty soon all games will be poorly made mini games, that look like they were developed 15 years ago.
The Wii’s impact on gaming is going to be pretty harsh. Primary colors, low res graphics, simple mini games, and broken controls for all games for now on.
Nintendo Wii’s success = death of modern gaming.
July 15th, 2009
Why is this always being presented as an ‘either/or’ thing?
Motion controll will have its uses and should/could be an interesting development but the idea that it is completely going to replace any sort of controller (or any controller that is not motion sensing) is just not true.
Why would it …… & more to the point how could it?
It’s just not appropriate for all applications.
Of course it’s going to grow (and probably massively) in the coming year or 4 but to imply that no-one is going to be making games that use the ‘traditional’ controller (or they will no longer offer the option to use that kind of kit) just doesn’t ring true to me at all.
July 15th, 2009
Barnabe
You can’t say low res graphics as if that is the future when we all know the next version of Wii will offer HD.
Similarly if, in the extremely unlikely event, games were to all head down the mini/Arcade games path that would wreck sales (and conflict with what is going on on XBL & PSN for starters).
The Wii isn’t the “death” of gaming……but it has opened gaming up to a much bigger market and that can only be a good (if different) thing.
I just don’t see what you are afraid of.
July 15th, 2009
Why is this always being presented as an ‘either/or’ thing?
Because Publishers and Devs will make games for what is selling (see endless amounts of shovelware for the Wii). It could potentially phase out controllers but I don’t see that happening. I don’t believe motion sensor is advanced enough or as accurate as controllers. The E3 video presentations didn’t blow me away. I rarely use the sixaxis and the eye toy games on PSN are just dumb.
July 15th, 2009
I’m actually not really opposed to motion controls, but I am avidly opposed to poor quality games that sell like hot cakes. It sets a very dangerous precedent.
We are already seeing the effects of third party developers devoting resources on the Wii. Third party developers are more concerned this gen with throwing together crappy Wii games, and as a result there are less third party games for PS3/360. Even if these poorly made shovelware titles only sell 1/4 mil units, there still considered profitable, because they are so cheaply made.
The trend is only going to get worse as time goes on. Perhaps when the Wii2 fails hard, things will even out a bit. As it stands right now, developers would rather create crappy Wii/DS games this gen.
July 15th, 2009
I think theres some evidence of what Barrnabe is saying. All the talk about the next gen consoles have them barely upgraded and concentrating on the casual audience. Hi rez gaming is apparentyl really expensive. What better way for developers so save money while at the same time dealing at what appears to be the more lucrative market.
I’m with BJ on this one. I think the wii will make gaming different than we are used to, and not for the better.
July 15th, 2009
Devs go wherever the console sales are. When the PS2 was bossing, devs all went there. Now the Wii is bossing, devs are now looking to go there, and MS and Sony want in on Wii type of games…just like Nintendo and MS wanted all the games that Sony were getting in the PS2 era.
But it hasn’t stopped Konami, Rockstar, Sony or Microsoft making big budget games for 360/PS3.
It’s the same with the PSP…Sony want more “lite” and graphically simpler games like there are on the DS…but it’s not stopped games like MGS, GTA, God Of War, Gran Turismo etc landing on the PSP.
And specifically a point I’ve made before is that for Sony and MS, their big franchises depend on powerful hardware.
No-one is going to buy theoretical PS4/720 launch titles of God Of War or Halo on underpowered hardware.
And Jack Tretton himself has said that he doesn’t see “hardcore” games being played by motion control. Personally, I can see God Of War being played with motion control, virtually hacking the shit out of minotuars…uber cool that would be…
July 15th, 2009
Barnabe Jones, I completely understand your argument about poorly made games with last gen graphics. And it would be a shame for games to be made like that for the PS3. The same thing has been mentioned about games that are made for both the 360/PS3. Instead of working on each consoles architecture they make games on one basic design and while they both might look good, the PS3 version doesn’t look as polished as it could be (9GB vs 60GB data). The motion control movement could have the same effect. I’m all for keeping the game industry huge but I’m uncertain if they can keep it in balance without heading backwards to the past. The Wii did set a bad precedent. It would have been better if Nintendo made a top notch machine instead of the NES style one.
July 15th, 2009
I don´t think the gloom scenario will take place.
Why?
Competition.
Yes. I too would fear the future of gaming if Nintendo or any other company whatsoever could stand alone with 100% of market share and control it absolutely. Nintendo is nowhere near that, his competitors are real, capable and hungry for costumers.
We have 3 companies offering us experience, value and novelty because they can´t afford to loose us.
Weren´t you guys talking about the great line up Sony is having for 2009 and 2010? Does that looks anywhere near as “death of gaming”?
“I don’t believe motion sensor is advanced enough or as accurate as controllers.”
Exactly, because it is at its early stages. But what if in 5 years they are? Wouldn´t it be because of MS, Nintendo and Sony efforts?
I agree with lock_down and HH, there is place for everything: Hardcore and Casual, Classical Control and motion sensing and any combination thereof.
July 15th, 2009
I think Wii, X360 and PS3 can all live side by side. They all cater for a specific type of gamer, just like their fanboys.
July 16th, 2009
I agree Rhino, but what about future games for the next gen.
July 16th, 2009
Motion is always going to be optional… even on the Wii most of the Best title have optional movion…(ex. Punch out)
but wat im afraid is that in the future dev might follow the trend of the Wii and we then we are going to have a Sony Console and a M$ console full of crappy games.
July 16th, 2009
Rhino:
If that was true then: Why is MS and Sony trying so hard to get into the motion sensing business.
July 17th, 2009
^
It’s called marketshare my friend! Something Nintendo is currently holding alot of.
July 17th, 2009
Yep, as SW would put it, Reggie is bathing in champagne and has only the best quality hookers.
July 17th, 2009
The future of gaming?
Wait until you see the latest NPD numbers.
The year on year numbers show a genuine horror story for PS3 and the Wii’s slump in sales looks really bad too.
Xbox is the only one to see year on year sales grow.
July 17th, 2009
Here you go –
“Games console sales in the US fell 38 per cent last month when compared to June 2008, market watcher NPD’s latest numbers show.
Microsoft alone can take some solace. It was the only console maker to shift more units in June 2009 than in June 2008.
Back then, it sold 219,000 Xbox 360s. In June 2009, some 240,600 were sold.
Xbox arch-rival the Sony PlayStation 3 accounted for 164,700 units in June – well down on the 405,500 PS3 sold in June 2008.
The Nintendo Wii was also a loser, with June sales falling from 666,700 in 2008 to 361,700 in 2009.”
.reghardware.co.uk/2009/07/17/us_games_sales_june_09_npd/
July 17th, 2009
So, still absolutely no sign of that promised big PS3 revival that’s supposed to see them over-take Xbox.
2015 can’t come fast enough eh?
July 17th, 2009
HH
Are those US numbers? If so then get the world sales and try again. No one cares about US sales.
July 17th, 2009
how many times are we going to say not to bring numbers up!!
the PS3rd is here to stay either way so the 360. the clear winner is the Stupid Wii.
HAPPY:
“Xbox arch-rival the Sony PlayStation 3 accounted for 164,700 units in June – well down on the 405,500 PS3 sold in June 2008.”
Yeah MSG4 and the MGS4 bundle came out in June last year. go figure.
July 17th, 2009
ncassie
Sadly we don’t often get numbers for the rest of the world.
But don’t worry, we had numbers recently that showed that in the UK PS3 is getting slaughtered there too.
Last time we had EU numbers PS3 was also trailing there by a big number (1 million, just around at the time of the last Xbox price cut).
The only plave where PS3 does, er, less badly is Japan (and even there its regularly only a couple of thousand units ahead of the Xbox).
Roca
However you want to try and spin it this is a disaster for the PS3.
You might not care to see the numbers but some of us are interested to see how sales are going, they do have an influence on where 3rd party devs will be putting their money & efforts.
July 17th, 2009
You might not care to see the numbers but some of us are interested to see how sales are going, they do have an influence on where 3rd party devs will be putting their money & efforts.
yeah thats why i see more 3rd parties games on the PS3, the only 3rd party game i see for the 360 this year is L4D and Mass Effect
Even Rockstar went back to PS3 only games. so that show you that the difference between PS3 and 360 is not huge but Dev still opt to do PS3 exclusive game (TECMO, Square-Enix, Rockstar, ATLUS, LEVEL-5, etc)
July 17th, 2009
Roca
Spin away as best you can, we all know PS3 is being kept on life-support largely with 1st party games.
One glance at the entire games catalogues for each console shows it only too well.
No wonder you can’t stand to see the numbers being brought up.
July 17th, 2009
one glance shows what only to well? Are you bragging about more games for a console out longer? pretty impressive stuff there. Maybe you can explain how the sky is blue also.
All in all. Every popular third party game on 360 that made any charts this month was available on the ps3 as well. The only difference is infamous which is out for two months is not available on the 360.
So when are developers going to stop supporting the ps3? It only sells more and more consoles each month. Therefore people are buying it and are going to buy games. Developers should definftely settle with selling less games by not supporting it. At least your logic is impeccable.
Lets see what the next 360 game will be to cross over.
July 17th, 2009
phranctoast
The PS3 sales are a train wreck, it gets clearer and clearer every month.
They aren’t just seeing falling year on year sales but their supposedly inferior and incredibly unreliable main HD competitor is adding sales year on year – whilst their supposedly stoneage SD competitor has seen year on year sales half, and yet they still sell double.
You know, every month they slip further behind it just convinces more and more people that they are never going to see the massive sales they kept promising.
Ultimately that is bound to have a big influence on the decisions that get made, whether you care to admit it or not.
July 17th, 2009
As of now, the ps3 has sold more units than both the gamelube and xbox had at the end of their repsective run. I know it hurts you to hear it, but the ps3 is not going anywhere.
It really is not surprise to me that a console that sells for $200 and $250 are outslelling one that is twice the price.
If you’re going to talk up the wii in your anti ps3 rant, why not explain why an underpowered console $50 more expensive is beating up on the great 360, that had a year head start on it.
July 17th, 2009
he wont get it….he is to worry about how he is going to get 50 when his XBL subscribtion is over
July 17th, 2009
phranctoast
I don’t expect the PS3 to be “going anywhere”, at least nowhere other than where it is right now, firmly stuck in 3rd place with years of deeply disappointing sales to come.
I’m not “talking up the Wii” either, merely reflecting that it is having it’s own sales disaster (halving your sales year on year has got to hurt) but yet it still sells double what PS3 manages.
Xbox has some reason to feel better than the other 2, they at least are adding sales year on year and the gap between Xbox and Wii sales is shrinking markedly every time NPD has released numbers in the last few months.
If it continues at this rate then you’ll not be able to make that jibe soon.
Who’d a thought, eh?
Roca
You’re projecting again.
I buy my XBL in 12mth+1 packs, I’m good for over 6mths right now but thanks for your concern.
So, $50 US is a lot of dosh to you, nevermind, maybe you can get a paper round or something?
July 17th, 2009
Quit now Phranco, for the rest of us.
July 17th, 2009
Happy:
“You might not care to see the numbers but some of us are interested to see how sales are going, they do have an influence on where 3rd party devs will be putting their money & efforts.”
-Lost Planet
-Dead Rising
-Eternal Sonata
-Bioshock
-Ninja Gaiden
-Tales of Visperia
-Oblivion
^^^ all these games were “Xbox only” and now they are all on the PS3 as well.
Dev staying with PS3 regardless of sales #:
Square Enix:
-Final Fantasy Versus XII
-Final Fantasy XIV
TECMO:
-Quantum
-Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2
Rockstar:
-Agent
-L.A. Noire
ATLUS:
-Demon’s Soul
Insonmiac:
-Resistance series
-Ratchet & Clank Series
Level-5
-White Knight Chronicles
and Then Multiplatform games are getting Exclusive content for the PS3 from 3rd parties Dev like:
-Activision
-Ubisoft
-EA
July 17th, 2009
Happy u worry about NPD numbers ill worry about the console that is bring out more games and that is getting more support right now from Developers which are PS3 and PSP believe it or not.
July 17th, 2009
Roca
Work away, you go ahead and kid yourself that PS3 has more games than Xbox if you like.
July 17th, 2009
Roca, Sony are moving away from depending on 3rd parties…that’s pretty clear from their E3 press conference.
It’s Sony’s own games in GT5 and God Of War 3 that are the most anticipated for PS3, and GT for the PSP. God Of War: COO is the highest rated PSP game, and one of the best selling games on PSP.
As Happy says (slightly exaggerated mind), that it has been Sony’s studios keeping the PS3 going, but it’s becoming harder for 3rd parties to ignore the PS3, just like it’s impossible for them to ignore the 360.
Yet it’s the same 3rd parties who are concerned for Sony, because they know how important Sony are and have been in the past. It’s why so many developers are clamouring for a price cut, because they are not getting luxury of the sales and the attatch rates that they had in the PS2 era.
Look at GTA:IV. Between the 360 and PS3 it’s sold 15 million; the PS2 version of GTA:San Andreas sold 17 million alone. It’s no wonder Take-Two lost money that year, multiplatform can’t even match the sales for one console.
But Sony’s attitude seems pretty clear. They’ve brushed off every single last complaint about its price, because while 3rd parties are still important of course, Sony are not depending so much on them any more.
Yet you get the feeling that some 3rd parties haven’t stopped depending on the good times that Sony brought with the PS2…and that’s probably the reason why a number of third parties are still losing money, and are begging/threatening/pleading with Sony to cut the price.
July 17th, 2009
Come on SW!!!!! I was so close to converting him to be a PS3rd boy.
July 17th, 2009
Happy
“Work away, you go ahead and kid yourself that PS3 has more games than Xbox if you like.”
im not kidding anybody, just look at the exclusive titles from each console from 2008 and on.
u guys are still relaying on Halo and Gears.
July 17th, 2009
Yeah SW, phranc almost had me convinced to rush out and buy the new UK Amazon Terminator pack
(that is about the best value I’ve seen yet for one if you pick the right discounted games & flog them off).
Wow, and I was *this* close too.
See what you did?
Ho ho ho ho!
July 17th, 2009
Cool. I knew it. My psn name is the same as this. Killzone2 action soon!!!! We’ll get Harry in on this too!
July 18th, 2009
Sweet, Ivan’s going back to lists again! Welcome back, brother. Now what did you do with dwh?
Ok, next time i am at my brother in law’s house i’ll add you (if he lets me).
July 20th, 2009
“Ok, next time i am at my brother in law’s house i’ll add you”
u really like going over there huh? ur a PS3 boy now