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"Shoryuken!"
Regular
on 08/06/2009 at 11:46:40AM
Total Posts: 10397 |
If there’s one thing that stood out at this year’s E3 is that the three console makers each had some sort of controller to show off.
Nintendo started first with their add on to the Wii Remote, Motion Plus. This is designed to make the Wii Remote more of a 1:1 motion sensing tool than a pre-determined controller. The hardware has been tested by reviewers or various gaming sites and has been proven to work. It’s also the only one of the three that is actually coming out this year, being bundled with Wii Sports Resort, Virtua Tennis 2009, Red Steel 2 and Tiger Woods 2010 on Wii among others.
While there is argument to say that Nintendo should really have added this the first time, it will make big improvements over what can be done with the remote in a game and bundling it with lots of titles will make it cheaper and more attractive to those with multiple Wii Remotes.
The biggest annoncenent, though, came from Microsoft as they announced Project Natal which, if the videos are to be believed, could replace a controller altogether. The box which sits under your TV can read depth, 3D space and even face and voice recognition. There is no controller of any kind and technically the unit could remain on so you are constantly able to control your entertainment without pressing buttons.
The tech demos for Natal were impressive if a little scripted. If this lives up to expectations then it might be the next big thing in gaming.
Finally Sony announced their own motion sensing controllers which include two controllers that allow 1:1 movement using the PS Eye and also allow for depth perception. The difference between this and the Wii Remote is that the PS Eye can sense where you are in the room and you have both video and controller mapping. It’s a sort of half way house between Natal and Motion Plus.
Each controller is impressive in its own way. The only one available in the near future is the Motion Plus though, so Nintendo will have a big head start. Will these take over from the Joypad? Probably not, I can’t see many FPS games really benefitting from any of these over today’s controllers but Red Steel 2 and The Conduit on Wii may well change our minds.
So, what do you think of these new controllers? How likely are you to use these instead of a joypad?
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pb
"Shoryuken!"
Regular
on 09/06/2009 at 8:58:58AM
Total Posts: 10397
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It 'could be' is the answer to that, there's a possiblity of companies patching their games to work but to be honest I don't think it's a good idea unless the Natal funcionality is built in from the start.
As for support, we know Nintendo already has the big third parties making Wii Motion Plus games (out in the next few months) and both the PS3 wands and Natal have been sent out to major developers (over 1000 units each, apparently) so we will see support.
I think the big question is if these devices can be used on proper games instead of just minigames. If so then I think people will pick them up, but a gaming device is only as good as the software built for it...
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hippyman
"Proud Gashead!"
Regular
on 09/06/2009 at 8:11:14AM
Edited: 9/6/09 8:11 Total Posts: 2721
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Isn't Natal supposed to be compatible with the 360 games already on the market...swear I read it somewhere.
I'd go for it, as long as it would work with me sat on my bed!
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Edgy
Regular
on 09/06/2009 at 7:53:13AM
Total Posts: 2114
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PS2 was the first games system to have a camera used for various games (Eye Toy series) although you could argue Nintendo got there first with the Game Boy Camera...
Otherwise I completely agree - if its out-prices itself, and games limit themselves like having to run on the spot to move, I wont bother.
I'll get it depending on if there's enough games I want that will support it...
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BlackholeAlfon...
Regular
on 08/06/2009 at 4:03:59PM
Total Posts: 6789
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Project Natal is the only interesting one....
And here are some reasons as to why it will be crap.
1. No-one is going to pay upwards of £100 for a glorified eye toy.
2. It won't really be great for anything except minigames.
Imagine trying to play a shooter it. I'm runnings on the spot!!111
Or a driving game, I'm playing with a plate!!!
3. I doubt most games will support it.
4. This will be ignored by most casuals who are scared to stray from wii. No-one will want to pay £200 for a console then another £100 for an add on.
5. Nintendo will move onto the next big thing by the time these poor attempts at fun hit the industry. Once, again Nintendo leads the way in terms of innovation. Joystick, cameras, miis anyone?
I'm done with all this new hardware add-on crap tbh. just give me my 360 pad so I can play fight night.
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pb
"Shoryuken!"
Regular
on 08/06/2009 at 11:46:40AM
Total Posts: 10397
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If there’s one thing that stood out at this year’s E3 is that the three console makers each had some sort of controller to show off.
Nintendo started first with their add on to the Wii Remote, Motion Plus. This is designed to make the Wii Remote more of a 1:1 motion sensing tool than a pre-determined controller. The hardware has been tested by reviewers or various gaming sites and has been proven to work. It’s also the only one of the three that is actually coming out this year, being bundled with Wii Sports Resort, Virtua Tennis 2009, Red Steel 2 and Tiger Woods 2010 on Wii among others.
While there is argument to say that Nintendo should really have added this the first time, it will make big improvements over what can be done with the remote in a game and bundling it with lots of titles will make it cheaper and more attractive to those with multiple Wii Remotes.
The biggest annoncenent, though, came from Microsoft as they announced Project Natal which, if the videos are to be believed, could replace a controller altogether. The box which sits under your TV can read depth, 3D space and even face and voice recognition. There is no controller of any kind and technically the unit could remain on so you are constantly able to control your entertainment without pressing buttons.
The tech demos for Natal were impressive if a little scripted. If this lives up to expectations then it might be the next big thing in gaming.
Finally Sony announced their own motion sensing controllers which include two controllers that allow 1:1 movement using the PS Eye and also allow for depth perception. The difference between this and the Wii Remote is that the PS Eye can sense where you are in the room and you have both video and controller mapping. It’s a sort of half way house between Natal and Motion Plus.
Each controller is impressive in its own way. The only one available in the near future is the Motion Plus though, so Nintendo will have a big head start. Will these take over from the Joypad? Probably not, I can’t see many FPS games really benefitting from any of these over today’s controllers but Red Steel 2 and The Conduit on Wii may well change our minds.
So, what do you think of these new controllers? How likely are you to use these instead of a joypad?
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