Sony Ready “The Wand”

Looks like we're going to get our own motion control system tonight.

Published 02/06/2009 at 10:30.
By Alex C [nofi].

Related stories (more)
PS3 Exclusive Scoops Best Game Of E3 [43]
Tekken 6 Dated and Campaign Revealed [16]
PS3 Motion Controller News Update [32]
Motion Control For People Who Play Games [25]
My Top Ten: E3 2009 Improvements [23]

Rumours are heading our way from E3 this morning that Sony is about to unveil a brand new controller during its E3 Press Conference tonight. The controller, which is apparently wand-shaped and will allow full motion tracking, has been hinted at for some time but tonight might be the first time we see this thing for real.

Up against Microsoft’s 3D body tracking Project Natal, however, such a peripheral might well already look outdated. Let’s hope the team at SCEA have had enough time to digest last night’s shows and adjust as necessary: an emphasis on EyePet, which uses similar tech to Natal, might now be the sensible way forward.

We’ll be covering the show right here on TSA, details to follow soon.

Comments

Please note that all comments are the opinion and responsibility of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis. You must read and agree to our terms before reading and commenting on this site. User comments are not always moderated by TheSixthAxis.

1 2 Next »

cc_star | 02/06/2009 10:48
Team TSA: Writer
11320 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

That would help explain why MS put so much emphasis on ‘no controller’

Sony have a big head start on motion tracking tech, after the EyePet appeared usable last year… but still nothing has come from it, perhaps developers can’t make it work any better than the original PS2 EyeToy games. Perhaps full body motion tracking and gaming is just not meant to be.
- YOURMUMANDME | 02/06/2009 11:18
  Member
  2827 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
  
  Hasn’t Sony had a “no contoller” peripheral for like 7 years now ?
  I have the pseye and it’s decent enough but just not as hands-on as a controller will ever be . Thats probably why the wii has been so successful by combining both .
  I still think Sony should be concentrating on decent exclusives rather than whimsical peripherals .
  - kevatron400 | 02/06/2009 11:29
    Don't call him Kevatron400.
    2125 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
    
    I’m not so sure, google view dependent rendering, I’m sure this is the way of things, but it seems like barely anyone is picking it up. A guy made a version with Wiimote and modded glasses, but a company called FaceAPI have used the same technology, but face-tracking using a standard webcam, impressive stuff, just gotta see it being used!
  - cc_star | 02/06/2009 11:46
    Team TSA: Writer
    11320 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    But all this stuff is running on PCs with about 16gig of RAM and the like… to get it working on a £130 console is a different kettle of fish, which may explain why it wasn’t running unaided
Erroneus | 02/06/2009 10:49
Wanted "Trophy Hunter" but was too late.
3339 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009

It might not seem fancy as Project Natal, but lets face it, Project Natal is pretty limited for what games it can be used. I don’t see hardcore gamers finding it interesting, where a wand like controller is … well a controller :)
- BryOnRye | 02/06/2009 10:58
  Member
  977 TSA Points | Member since: Jan 2009
  
  Perfect for the Harry Potter games. And maybe a bit on fencing.
Michael | 02/06/2009 10:57
Team TSA: Development
2443 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

If it lets me play tennis properly then I’ll be happy. Obviously I could just go and play real tennis, but I don’t want to!
wedgehog | 02/06/2009 10:58
Friendly
788 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009

It’ll still beat Nintendo’s Wii even if it’s a step behind Microsoft’s camera.
- cc_star | 02/06/2009 11:12
  Team TSA: Writer
  11320 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
  
  That why Nin have Motion Plus, seemed to work quite well during Ubi’s Red Steel 2 play through, although I can see that pissing off the 50m people who have already forked out on something which gathers dust in most peoples house.
Carl | 02/06/2009 11:01
Member
888 TSA Points | Member since: Jan 2009

O god please no. We don’t want your crappy waggle.
seedaripper1973 | 02/06/2009 11:17
Member
2332 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

anybody see the bullshit peter molyneux demo ‘milo’?? with natel?? talk about scripted…and i’m sorry but it didnt look that responsive either…god knows what this ‘wand’ is,but it sounds shite…
sony, get your act together..whatever happened to minority report style games with eyetoy?? you bloody pioneered this motion sensing crap with the original eyetoy, then flatly did sod all about it!! (and if microsoft pull it off (with natel),then you have nobody to blame but yourselves)…roll on this evening eh?
- cc_star | 02/06/2009 11:47
  Team TSA: Writer
  11320 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
  
  Agree 100%
Kevling | 02/06/2009 11:18
Member
2612 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008

As I posted on Twitter earlier…
“Dear Sony and Microsoft. ‘Revolutionary’ new controllers should be packed in with the console at day one, not three years later”
presstheflesh | 02/06/2009 11:48
Member
1 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009

Natal aswell as ps eye is of no use to core gamers it is strictly casuals only, does anyone think the next halo will use Natal solely?
a physical controller solution is the only substitute for the the twin analogue stick setup. Hence why Metroid prime 3 makes sense on the wii but wont on the Natal.
there is nothing revolutionary about natal its just ps eye with a depth sensor (which isnt always needed).
RossRfc | 02/06/2009 11:57
Member
7 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009

When does the Ps3 Conference start ?? Thanks.
- nofi | 02/06/2009 11:57
  Wants a custom tag.
  5421 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
  
  http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2009/06/01/where-to-watch-e3-this-year/
Chimpanzee | 02/06/2009 11:57
Member
492 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

I think MS were aiming at the Wii as opposed to the as yet unrevealed Sony controller, judging by their “doesn’t rely on some predetermined waggle commands” dig.
- Kevling | 02/06/2009 12:10
  Member
  2612 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
  
  Surely, for example, their “driving game” demo relies on some “predetermined arm wiggle commands” (i.e. the invisible steering wheel gestures). Or are they implying that you just make whatever movements you want, it it will interpret them accordingly?