Topic: Sony Tries to Ape Nintendo, Fails

[Rize]

Oh no they just didn't!

Sony just announced that the standard PS3 controller will include a 3 axis tilt sensor capable of detecting "360 degrees" of motion.  The announcement was followed by a quick video, which, to the trained eye, demonstrated the limitations of their thinly veiled attempt to copy Nintendo's innovative Wii controller.  They proudly asserted that the device was innovative (yes, but who's innovation?) and blithely pointed out that it requires no external sensors to function.    

At what cost does the loss of external sensors come though?  In short, the PS3 controller will only detect the tilt of the controller as it is moved.  The demonstration showed a guy attempting to fly a plane from the game Warhawk with it.  He made exaggerated motions, which turned the plane, but the plane returned to level before he moved the controller back.  This is a far cry from the sensitivity of the Wii controller.  The sensor bar allows the Wii to detect the precise location and orientation of the Wii controller even when it is not moving.  This will enable a much larger range of applications (such as first person shooting to name just one).  Of course, the Wii controller also has an accelerometer in the analog attachment as well.    

Apparently no other PS3 launch games (assuming Warhawk makes the launch) are currently designed to use the device, which was likely a last minute add on in response to the increasing popularity of Nintendo's new controller design.

[Caliban]

LAME!

No external sensor but it still needs one inside the PS3.

[slacker]

 I knew the controller was innovative, but I didn't think Sony would blatantly go out and quickly make a similar one to blunt Nintendo's momentum. I thought Nintendo wasn't competing with Sony and that it was a battle between XBox360 and the PS3. Looks like the developers love the controller and are willing to choose it over graphics.  Can't wait for E3 and PGC's hands on impression!

[Rize]

Caliban, no it doesn't.  It's just some gyros in the controller, that's why it only detects motion.

[Epitaph]

I have a funny feeling this is an attempt at destroying nintendos steam. If sony has a crappy tilt sensor, people who have played ps3 will be like wtf this sucks, then if they see the wii will think its just as bad. So if they ever wanted to buy a wii they will look at it and think well my ps3 has that and it sucks so I dont want it all the time.

[Rize]

consumers aren't that stupid.  and the PS3 costs 500 bucks anyway (with a 20 gig HDD or 600 with a 60; that was also just anounced at the conference)

[Smash_Brother]

I'd say, "I told you so." but when I said that the revmote would be ripped off, no one argued.

We were ALL right.

[MaryJane]

I wonder if its the same technology that the nunchuck uses?
I hope not cuz i noticed some lag from controller to plane.  

[Karl Castaneda #2]

At first I was pretty angry, but now, looking back at it, it's kind of funny. Sony really shot themselves in the foot with this thing. I mean, the whole gaming community is looking at this as a rip-off. Bad for public image, I'd say. But hey, guess we'll find out for sure soon.

Oh, and I can't wait for the interviews.

Industry Press: So... you're a douchebag, right?

Kaz Hirai: Huh? What?

IP: I'm not trying to insult you. It's a legitimate question. I'm wondering... well... are you, physically, a bag filled to the brim with hygenic products?

Kaz Hirai: Fourth Dimension?

IP: I have to go now...

[cubist]

Someone give me a shirt that says..."Sony rips off Nintendo's Ideas"...and I'll be at their booth talking sh*t....

Fanboy alert...hehehe...j/k

I'll be at their booth...but I'll be interested in how their controller feels vs. Nintendo's controller...

[Rize]

Quote
Originally posted by: MaryJane
I wonder if its the same technology that the nunchuck uses?
I hope not cuz i noticed some lag from controller to plane.

The PS3 tech would be useful if programmed right.  But it's no Wii-mote.  And yes, the nunchuk has an accelerometer in it which is approximately what the PS3 controller will have (I can't say from here which is of better quality if either though).

[ABlueflameA]

Here's to hoping for a lawsuit.  C'mon Nintendo, find some patent infringement and delay the PS3 launch by a couple of years while it sits in court.  I'm not normally a huge fan of lawsuits, but come on, Sony deserves this.  Such blatant disrespect and theft of innovation.  

-Blueflame

[Mario]

I can hear Reggie laughing from here

[Athrun Zala]

like, NO ONE was expecting this

[The Omen]

To me that's the most embarrassing piece of news I have ever heard.  Boy Sony is dumb, and I'm sure most reaction to this will be "How desperate are they?", not "look how cool that is!"

[Crimm]

Sony stole my bike.

[Griffin]

Wow, I just have to say... that is completely pathetic. I'd officially rather buy an Xbox 360 than a PS3. GG, Sony!

For the record, I emailed this to a bunch of guys I work with... they all laughed.

[Epitaph]

Stop with the lawsuit idea, nintendo cant sue. The reason they cant sue is that this has been in previous controllers. The only lawsuit that could come from this would be from someone holding an accelerometer petent, and to my knowlege there arnt any or they arnt valid in this scenario.

[ShyGuy]

This is just sad.

[Dasmos]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

But, seriously who didn't see this coming eventually? I know I did.

[Nick DiMola]

Wow, that's embarassing. I almost started to get angry when I realized how unbelievably embarassing that is. For some reason I think Sony may be taking a backseat to Nintendo this generation.

Get pumped people because tomorrow Nintendo is going to show Sony how motion sensing is really done.

[BigJim]

The guy demonstrating the controller looked like he was trying to dance like Napoleon Dynamite. Ridiculous movements.

It's like they stuck Wario Ware inside the controller. It's just tilt sensitive. It has nothing on the Wiimote.

[Rize]

Oh no they just didn't!

Sony just announced that the standard PS3 controller will include a 3 axis tilt sensor capable of detecting motion with "6 degrees of freedom".  The announcement was followed by a quick video, which, to the trained eye, demonstrated the limitations of their thinly veiled attempt to copy Nintendo's innovative Wii controller.  They proudly asserted that the device was innovative (yes, but who's innovation?) and blithely pointed out that it requires no external sensors to function.    

At what cost does the loss of external sensors come though?  In short, the PS3 controller will only detect the tilt of the controller as it is moved.  The demonstration showed a guy attempting to fly a plane from the game Warhawk with it.  He made exaggerated motions, which turned the plane, but the plane returned to level before he moved the controller back.  This is a far cry from the sensitivity of the Wii controller.  The sensor bar allows the Wii to detect the precise location and orientation of the Wii controller, including distance from the screen and very subtle movements.  This will enable a much larger range of applications (such as first person shooting to name just one).  Of course, the Wii controller also has an accelerometer in the analog attachment as well.    

Apparently no other PS3 launch games (assuming Warhawk makes the launch) are currently designed to use the device, which was likely a last minute add on in response to the increasing popularity of Nintendo's new controller design.

[Rize]

Sorry about the old talkback thread, DB error.

[wandering]

Ahaha. This had me scared for a second. I mean, normally it's bad to dismiss a competitor's efforts out of hand, but tilt only? No launch games using it? No rumble? This poor attempt to copy Nintendo will only legitimize what Nintendo is trying to do in gamer's eyes, without persuading anyone to get a ps3 instead of a Wii.