Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]



We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to most areas of the board and there are many features you can't use. If you register an account, you'll be able to access more sections and features. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Keep in mind you'll need to provide an e-mail address to validate your account.

Click here to register an account!

The "Pre-member" position is the default position every account gets when it is registered after being validated by email. Those who have this position have registered an account with our forums, but are not official clan members yet. On our forums, "Pre-members" can only view, read, and reply to select message boards, and can only create new topics in the "Applications Archives" message board.

To become an official clan member, you must fill out the "Join Survey" in the "Applications Archives" message board. Once an admin accepts your request, they'll upgrade your account from "Pre-member" to the "Member" rank. As a "Member", you can view, read, and reply to every message board, including member-exclusive ones, and you can create a new topic in most message boards.

If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
E3 2006: Controller Wars?; Maybe they're different?
Topic Started: May 9 2006, 09:25 PM (385 Views)
Tails2258
Member Avatar
Lv.67 Peace Keeper
Elite Architect (Admin)
Earlier today, Sony made the announcement that its controllers would support tilt sensitivity and showed off the feature with a live demo of Warhawk. While this is a bit of a surprise, it also is to be expected in the grand scheme of gaming. Nintendo has been an innovator from the very beginning, and the best compliment is imitation. Of course, it's a little different when that imitation could put you out of business, right? Although PlayStation 3's and Wii's controllers may share some of the same technology, don't go counting Nintendo out just yet. There are some key differences between the controllers, and between what PS3 and Wii can do with the technology.

We've known for over a year now that the Wii's input device is what makes it special. The Wiimote has the ability to point at any television with pixel-perfect control. In addition, it also can move in three dimensional space, meaning that if a player wants to punch an enemy in the face, they can by simply moving the controller forward. To add to the control, the nunchuck unit can team along with the Wiimote, giving tilt functionality to any game, as well as an analog joystick.

Luckily, Sony's technology isn't quite the same. Here's why:

The technology inside Sony's controller is a basic tilting accelerometer device. In a sense, that's the same style of control as the left hand of the Wii combination. Think of the technology as true 3D movement vs. basic tilt. The Wiimote will sense all pointing, motion and a new dimension of control, while the PS3 controller will expand only on the specific tilt functions. The following FAQ is from IGN.COM...


Is this technology the same?
No. In fact, the best way to imagine it is to relate the Sony PS3 controller to the left-hand Wii controller; dubbed nunchuck. In short, you would not be able to play a game like Metroid Prime in the same way using the PS3 controller.

What is the difference for developers?
Simply put, it's tilt vs. motion sensing. Monkey Ball for Wii and PS3 would essentially be the same, since it's only using the tilt ability of the controller. On the other hand, a 3D tennis game or sword fighting game with swing control elements is impossible for the PS3 hardware, as it requires full motion sensing technology.

Why doesn't it need a sensor bar?
Since the technology is based solely off the tilt ability, it is self-contained. Keep in mind that the sensor bar is used for the point and click ability of the Wii functions. It doesn't need the bar, since it doesn't use that technology. The same applies to the Wii nunchuck. It can function without a sensor bar.

What type of gameplay styles will work on the PS3 controller?
Here are a few examples: Kirby's Tilt 'n Tumble (which featured tilt control on the Game Boy Color), Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, racing games (using the tilt to rotate), flight sims, Monkey Ball, fishing (flick the tilt controller).

What type of things won't work on the PS3 controller?
The following actions can't be done on the PS3 controller with the same precision: Throwing/Catching a ball at a specific spot shown on screen, swinging a sword in 3D space and performing stabbing motions, aiming a weapon light-gun-style, swinging a racket, punching, general 3D item interaction, 3D drum simulator, swatting an "on-screen" fly, performing two separate tilt/motion functions at the same time.


So there you have it... while it seems Sony stole Nintendo's idea, the two controllers are still quite different in what they are capable of. One focuses on tilt (PS3), and the other focuses on... tilt and movement.

EDIT FROM 5/22/06: In a recent interview, Nintendo's very own Shigeru Miyamoto commented that Sony's inclusion of motion sensing technology in its new controller proves the Wii is on the right track. As to whether or not he thinks Sony copied the idea from the Wii controller, Miyamoto replied: "It's kind of what always seems to happen. But the fact that they looked at what we were doing and decided it was a good path is kind of flattering; it kind of reinforces in our minds that we're doing the right thing." This sounds much like what one Nintendo executive said after Sony unvieled the new PS3 controller's technology: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

"What they've done is just take your standard controller and add in this motion-sensing device that's similar to what we did back on the Game Boy Color many years ago. Maybe if they were to completely copy and go with a remote and a nunchuk and two motion sensors, I might be a little more concerned. But I don't think they're anywhere close to that."

As for Sony and Microsoft's performances at E3, Miyamoto said: "They're talking about the next generation of the same old videogames - it's the same old experiences with new graphics. And while there are people who enjoy that, we're really talking about the next leap in interactive entertainment, and really bringing interactive entertainment not just to videogame fans but to everyone."

So that's what Nintendo thinks of Sony's direction and the new controller. What does Microsoft think, you ask? In a recent interview, Xbox's Peter Moore stated he's not worried about the PlayStation 3 controller's motion sensing capabilities.

"At Microsoft we did the same controller six years ago - most people remember that," Moore said. "The gamers' response was muted at best. We remember it being applicable to flying games in particular and some driving games but overall there was somewhat of a collective yawn from the gaming community about the motion sensing technology."

There has been much talk of Sony's controversial decision to remove the rumble feature from the PS3 pad. "The motion sensing, particularly at the sacrifice of force feedback - I'm not even sure that's a good trade off in itself," Moore said.

In another interview, Peter Moore asked, "Tell me why you would buy a $600 PS3?" He went on to explain, "People are going to buy two [machines]. They're going to buy an Xbox and they're going to buy a Wii ... for the price of one PS3."

As for Sony's take on that remark, they had similar... but different thoughts. Sony's Phil Harrison shot back by telling GamePro, "I think Peter Moore is exactly right. I think Nintendo will be the second system consumers purchase after PlayStation 3."


***

P.S. - Did anybody check out the tennis game during Nintendo's conference (it's posted online)? It looks awesome. I mean, damn... there's no physical gamer in the world that could honestly say they wouldn't want to try and play that game. Tennis with the Wii remote looks EXTREMELY fun. :)

E3 Navigation:
E3 2006: Halo 3 Trailer
E3 2006: SquareEnix Spotlight
E3 2006: 1st-Party Hardware and Software
E3 2006: Controller Wars
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Infest
Member Avatar
Lv.6 Cleric
to be honest...i dont really see a point in the "tilt" gameplay style the ps3 controller will be able to manipulate. to me, that's retarded that that's the only thing it will be able to do as far as motion sensing goes. Way i see it, if youre gonna make something dealing with motion sensing, don't only make tilt gameplay possible but also other things like nintendo's wiimote, otherwise you're wasting money on creating one single aspect that's already being done (and better, if i do say so myself). i guess by exploiting what seems to be a competitor as far as controllers goes theyre gonna be rolling in the dough for the suckers that fall for a nintendo wii with better graphics with only tilt control. yeah, can you say rip off? :P

not to mention that more third party developers will be coming to nintendo's aid for innovative video games and new franchises, not sonys since nintendo has so many different things that can be done with the wiimote. haha, can you imagine a sony game with tilt control (besides warhawk) for the sake of innovation and more money ripping the wiimote off? i can see it now

"extreme next gen racing, tilt the controller left to make the car go left, or tilt the controller right to make the car go right!" i mean really, with all the money and assets theyve gained from the millions of ps2s theyve sold, you'd of think they'd at least make it totally motion sensored, know what i mean?

and i guess thats my two cents on this.

:masterchief: 360 and wii all the way WHOOOO :mario:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ace_McLairen
Member Avatar
The cake is a Spy.
Elite Commander (Admin)
From the looks of that guy playing Warhawk, it seems like a very frustrating time. I have Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble and it's not exactly the most fun I've had playing a kirby game. Sure, I liked the novetly of it, but it just got more and more frustrating to play over time. I'm sure that this controller will have better sensitivity than the GBC cartridge did, but still, I wouldn't trade it in for force feedback either. Of course, force feedback was also a brainchild of Nintendo! :lol:

But I know exactly where this idea came from. Admit it, at least one time when you're playing a racing or flying game, you've moved the controller or your whole body to try and get the darn thing to turn sharper. Well... On Wii, it will! :D I'm looking forward to playing Excite Truck for sure.

I'm going to choose Wii + 360 over one PS3... Despite Motorstorm.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Sony Playstation · Next Topic »
Add Reply


Theme designed by Sith of Outline