Sony's motion sensing controller for PS3 to be unveiled at E3
Sony's much rumored motion sensing controller for the Playstation 3 is real and it will likely be unveiled at E3.
That's what I've been hearing from several sources, one of whom has seen the device and two of whom are familiar with Sony's plans to show it at E3 next month.
Rumors that Sony will come out with a motion sensing device have abounded for over two years, ever since a patent was first reported on in January of 2007.
A good source saw a working prototype several months ago that largely fit what was in the patent. Sony's controller apparently used LEDs (light emitting diodes, essentially little electric light sources) and a small webcam to track the device's movements. Because the camera can read different color lights and the shape and angle of each light, it's much more accurate than the Wii-mote. It can track precise movements, including along the Z axis (pushing toward and away from the TV; something the Wii is really bad at) as well as velocity.
As Kombo.com reported last month, Sony is apparently reaching out to select developers and publishers to get some early software coming.
I'm not sure when the device will be unveiled (later this year or mid-next year, I'd think given the E3 timing) or what software will initially be available. Or even what it will look like (the prototype apparently looks kinda funky with a bulb to house the LEDs on the end). But apparently we'll find out the answers soon.
It will be the second new product shown by Sony at E3, if 1UP's report about a new PSP that will only play downloadable content proves accurate.
A Sony rep declined to comment.
Update: As some astute readers have pointed out, the PS3 of course does have a motion sensing controller already. But this new one will be much more advanced than the Sixaxis and more in the shape of a stick, a la Nintendo's Wii-mote.
Chris Morris reports on the business and culture of video games and offers analysis of recent events and industry trends.
Subscribe to this blog's feed
Especially considering it wont be packed in with the console and most developers probably wont support it for all games
Posted by: winx oyunları | November 11, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Great post. Looking forward for the controller to be launched.
Posted by: Water Purifier | November 11, 2009 at 05:06 AM
goooooooooood post and thanks
Posted by: free games | November 10, 2009 at 08:00 AM
I'm really very useful to follow a long-time see this as a blog here Thank you for your valuable information.
Posted by: peynir | November 04, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Sounds very interesting for all who is fond of playing video games, right?
Posted by: Male Impotence | November 01, 2009 at 03:30 PM
goooood one thanks
Posted by: free games | November 01, 2009 at 09:49 AM
you have a good job keep it up and more strong and thanks for sharing with us
Posted by: free games | November 01, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Thank you very much for this information. Good post thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Aliaga | October 29, 2009 at 03:58 AM
Thank you very much for this information. Good post thanks for sharing.
Posted by: plastik hammadde | October 29, 2009 at 03:57 AM
Thank you very much for this information. Good post thanks for sharing.
Posted by: oyun indir | October 29, 2009 at 03:56 AM
Thank you very much for this information. Good post thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Aliaga | October 29, 2009 at 03:55 AM
''I'm a big fan of motion controls, but this is a poor way of going about it. Webcams have a very limited viewing radius, meaning if your controller has to be in view of the camera the entire time, the window in which you can make your movements is pretty limited.''
thenkss...
Posted by: evden eve nakliyat | October 17, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Nice article. Thanks. i think the two techs combined togheter can give to players the state of art of immersion.
Posted by: oyun | October 17, 2009 at 04:50 AM
Also meant to ask if anybody has any experiences playing with it yet? Sorry for the double comment
Posted by: ps3 deals | October 08, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Anybody knows whether this has been realised yet?
Posted by: ps3deals | October 08, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Sony demoed games on PS3 development kits with a new controller. It a wired, silver joystick controller which is very similar to the PlayStation's DualShock controller.
Posted by: oyun | September 27, 2009 at 03:15 AM
Ps3 is number one game console :)
Posted by: ern | September 07, 2009 at 01:36 AM
Does anyone still find theirs unreliable?
Posted by: Natural Stone | August 19, 2009 at 07:35 PM
http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/drupal-5.7/node/152
http://www.ncaonline.org/index.php?q=node/829
http://www.ncaonline.org/index.php?q=node/799
http://www.ncaonline.org/index.php?q=node/863
http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/drupal-5.7/node/88
http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/drupal-5.7/node/144
http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/drupal-5.7/node/145
http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/drupal-5.7/node/97
http://www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/drupal-5.7/node/100
http://www.ncaonline.org/index.php?q=node/866
Posted by: wetqtqt | July 04, 2009 at 07:45 AM
It's all aboard the motion sensor, let's see if MS and Sony can ride the coat tail of Wii and if so for how long.
Posted by: Need Video Game Accessories? | June 29, 2009 at 09:31 AM
Sony needs to step it up big time!
Posted by: movie scary | June 17, 2009 at 02:43 PM
The new technology presented at E3 by microsoft for the xbox 360 is much more impressive... i think the two techs combined togheter can give to players the state of art of immersion.
Posted by: adre | June 07, 2009 at 07:01 PM
I'm fed up!!, ¿Is the controller real or false? somebody answer that!!
Posted by: JC | May 06, 2009 at 09:15 AM
this is just a scam morons
Posted by: brett | May 04, 2009 at 03:34 AM
its about time we got a motion sensor controler
Posted by: justin | May 03, 2009 at 01:26 PM
This has to be fake. That technology would not work at all for gaming. As Andre said, Webcams are extremely limited. EXTREMELY. Not to mention LEDs would make it essentially a 1-player only experience, when clearly the appeal of the Wii is not just motion controls, but that you can play it with a bunch of people at once.
If this is true, Sony has wasted both time and money.
And if anyone expects this to compete with the Wii Motion Plus, then you are not a very intelligent individual.
Also, to the writer of this "article", Wii bashing makes you feel cool, doesn't it? Typical.
Posted by: Kablamo | May 01, 2009 at 05:47 PM
I don't mind if they try to copy the wiimote, the PS3 will lead if they are able to make a killer app with this new motion-sensing controller.
Posted by: ps3latest | May 01, 2009 at 04:40 PM
I think you were talking to me jellybalboa :P
That idea would seriously work. Plus alongside that, while releasing games that work on both PS2 and PS3... they can release PS3 specific titles that take advantage of the console along with the motion as either DD or full BD releases.
Of course this won't be a standard with PS3 as it's not packed in with the console, but with enough software incentives, PS3 owners will definately pick it up. I don't have an EYE yet, but if Eyepet turns out well or if that Eyedentify game ever happens, I'd definately buy one, especially because I'd like a Camera for video chatting. Anyway with a strategy like this, Sony doesn't force motion controls on developers and gamers of both kinds are serviced. There is also the possibility of incorporating two control schemes into games as an option to play however you like. While I wouldn't expect all games to support it, a decent amount of them certianly will like FPS, RTS and select sporting titles, plus I'd love to see what unique content PSN would put out for it.
Casual Ps2 owners would definately pick it up in droves tough providing its advertized very well against the Wii. Anyway, this is all just speculation, we'll know what's going on when E3 gets here.
Posted by: Johnno | May 01, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Nice scoop Ben. The product sounds pretty meh to me though.
Posted by: DJ | May 01, 2009 at 06:53 AM
I would of imagine they would use something like this http://sixense.com/
but then again that device cost about 100. So am sure no one is going to want to pay and extra 100 for an already expensive console.
Posted by: RandomInsomniac | May 01, 2009 at 02:12 AM
grave harry you should work for sony they could use your help!
Posted by: jellybalboa | May 01, 2009 at 01:36 AM
" Sony's controller apparently used LEDs (light emitting diodes, essentially little electric light sources) and a small webcam to track the device's movements."
Ugh...this is not a good idea. I'm a big fan of motion controls, but this is a poor way of going about it. Webcams have a very limited viewing radius, meaning if your controller has to be in view of the camera the entire time, the window in which you can make your movements is pretty limited. Furthermore, it would only really work with one person at a time, since there'd be little room for two, let alone more. Plus what if you accidently obscure the LEDs?
This does not seem like a great way to go about it...
Posted by: Andre | April 30, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Eh, we'll see how this works out for Sony. I cant see it really succeeding the way Sony would like. Especially considering it wont be packed in with the console and most developers probably wont support it for all games.
Posted by: Yo | April 30, 2009 at 09:46 PM
Rumor rumor rumor.......
Posted by: Grave_Harry | April 30, 2009 at 08:45 PM
If Sony's smart they will unveil this device and make it compatabile with both the PS3 and PS2 with its own sporting software! That way all those PS2 owners, many of whom are casual and want a Wii will opt to spend less money and buy the peripheral for their PS2. It can retail for $50 as an EYE/wagglestick/motionsportssoftware, they'll probably have to make a special camera for the PS2 like the EYE if the original Eyetoy isn't good enough.
The PS2 will have the games on DVD, whereas PS3 will get them on blu ray or through PSN (depending on the scale of the game) with better HD graphics. Given that the PS2 is $99, they can bundle it together for $150 and market it against the Wii. It would practically force Nintendo to cut the price. Third parties might also port games from Wii to PS2 since many do that anyway and remove the waggle. Hopefully Sony will have a superior battery and charging dock for this thing if it ever does come to fruition.
Posted by: Johnno | April 30, 2009 at 07:57 PM