Microsoft Game Studios boss Shane Kim has played dumb when quizzed on the rumoured Xbox 360 motion controller, at the Xbox spring showcase today.
The Xbox 360 'Wii Remote' was said to be codenamed 'Newton', and speculated to be on the market by the end of the year, but Microsoft isn't saying anything (much)...
"The stock answer is that we don't comment on rumour and speculation," Kim told CVG this afternoon, and then commented anyway.
"I will say, look, we have a lot of research and development going on all over the place, in Live and in Hardware and we have a ton of success in the accessory business - and that's probably a story that doesn't get told enough.
"We're going to continue to look at new ways we can introduce different things - the third parties are doing this as well with the music controllers. So there's opportunities for us there too. We're an R and D company at heart."
Talking hypothetically, Kim said Microsoft would have to be careful with the 'me too' trend if it did decide to craft its own motion-sensing controller.
"What's interesting is that you have a lot of third parties that are trying to rush to the Wii phenomenon, but if you look at the data, the vast majority of software that has sold on Wii has come from Nintendo. So it's not turned out to be a great third party eco-system.
"But I've never heard of a motion sensing controller... I don't know what you are talking about..."
Please dont! For the love of God. Not all of us like this motion sensing malarky. Especialy if its as bad as the Sixaxis version.
This carries over to your next console too. The 360 controller is near perfect. Just get Sega to put a proper D-pad on it for you then it will be. Please!!
Considering EuroGamer have just posted a leaked update list which includes a bulletpoint about motion sensor calibration, either he's doing the jedi mind trick pretty well, or he doesn't know what his own company is up to...
Given the 360s ability to scratch disks if you move around in the room to much is a motion based controller a good idea?
. . . .
Okay, that's a new one on me.
But which sense, praytell, does the X360 use to detect your motion? Is the power-button actually a big eye, or does it use the headset microphone to listen in for clues?
Or maybe the X360 has a very keen sense of smell...
Please dont! For the love of God. Not all of us like this motion sensing malarky. Especialy if its as bad as the Sixaxis version.
This carries over to your next console too. The 360 controller is near perfect. Just get Sega to put a proper D-pad on it for you then it will be. Please!!
it probably wont be taped on like the s**taxias (whatever that f**king things called) it will be a seperate remote like the Wii stick...thing.... i think its a good idea as long as they get the games to support it.
If the controller is real then they will release it to get a bit more money then be done with it. Remember the vision camera for 360, they talked about it like it was revolutionary but they did naff all for it (Uno, totemball thats all i know of that use the camera)
Given the 360s ability to scratch disks if you move around in the room to much is a motion based controller a good idea?
. . . .
Okay, that's a new one on me.
But which sense, praytell, does the X360 use to detect your motion? Is the power-button actually a big eye, or does it use the headset microphone to listen in for clues?
Or maybe the X360 has a very keen sense of smell...
My comments relate to numerous stories on the net that the vibration of walking past your 360 CAN sometimes cause scratches. And the rumours that microsoft are considering a motion based/assisted controller.
I have had scratches on my one of my games on my gears disc I sit with my feet raised off the floor so im not sure how it happend....
I think it depends on what drive you have. Some have little rubber feet to stabalise the disc and prevent damage.
As is evident with the Wii, a motion sensing controller without Nintendo software will fail.
I think there are many improvements to console controls that we have yet to see.
Voice recognition is doing very well recently and could be put to great use in many games for simple voice commands.
There's also probably a lot of research going into more advanced and refined motion sensing controllers.
I think we still have a lot to see from standard controllers.
It is kind of sad though to see how little console and PC controls have come. Still controllers (the wii is a controller) and still mouse+keyboard. With all the technology available there's still nothing to replace them.
Gotta love the instant dismissal of motion controls here. I don't understand why people hold such negative sentiments other than a) they've played a game or games that didn't catch their attention on the Wii, b) they're super conservative, c) they're one minded over what constitutes 'next generation', or d) they don't like Nintendo- it's games, it's philosophy, whatever.
After watching a trailer for Gears of War II I can't help but think how the game would play with a setup like that of the Wii's. Being able to aim quickly with precision as if holding a gun is in my mind a more immersive experience than two analogue sticks will ever be. This is my opinion bear in mind, please don't think I'm asserting this as if everyone should believe it also.
What I don't understand is the knee jerk reaction almost everyone here has exhibited. Options are far better than none, why restrict the realm of video game control to a method that has sustained the industry in various evolutions since its inception? I can see no good reason for arguing against the development of new technologies that parallel existing ones.
For me I don't think Nintendo's implementation of motion control is the be all and end all. Rather it is only the beginning. So far I think it has provided a glimpse of what the technology could transform into, and certainly it requires game makers to match the paradigm shift.
I hope that Microsoft and Sony are in research and development of such technology, there is only one way to go from the Wii and that's forwards. Realistic or great graphics with peerless control is an exciting prospect. If you think two analogue sticks are the pinnacle of control I'd challenge you to think a little harder.
There will always be a place in my heart for the 'traditional' game pad, but there is plenty of space for new methods of control as well.
While they're busy denying that there are any Xbox360 based motion controllers planned, did anyone think to ask whether or not it is in development for the PC market? MS' marketting team isn't stupid, they technically lost the "casual" market on the console. (the Xbox is more of a hardcore gamer console than the Wii) So why not do like Nintendo and try and grab a big chunk of the casual gaming market on PC with low system requirement motion controlled PC games, that are relatively cheap to produce too.
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I sit with my feet raised off the floor so im not sure how it happend....
