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WSJ Backs Xbox 360 Motion Sensing Rumours
Microsoft is developing a new Xbox 360 motion sensing camera that allows players to control games with full body and hand gestures, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The paper’s sources claim that the peripheral uses proprietary 3D technology that gives players more accurate control over games than previous cameras like EyeToy.
Additionally, unlike the Wii, it won’t require players to physically hold any hardware to control on-screen actions.
Microsoft is initially expected to sell the camera as an accessory, although it could later bundle the peripheral with Xbox 360.
The camera could be debuted at June's E3 event, although it’s not expected to launch until next year.
Microsoft said it wouldn’t comment “on rumour and speculation.”
According to another recent report, the device will feature two sensors, a microphone and a camera.
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I doubt that this is just another eye-toy as they already have the vision camera which is pretty much the same thing, and if they just wanted to copy the Wii they would probably have gone the Wiimote-alike route (as with the rumored controller from Sony). This has to be the product that prompted the purchase of 3D camera company 3DV earlier this year and if the technology lives up to the hype on their site http://www.3dvsystems.com/ then it could be something quite exciting.
Found a good description of the technology here:
http://news.cnet.com/New-game-controller-Your-hands/2100-1043_3-6222024....
Sigh...
God, this is blown out of proportion about a million times over.
It's simple. If MS wants to copy the Wii, they should have just made a 2-piece "nunchuck-style" controller. Analog & D-Pad, (+triggers) on one stick; buttons +triggers on the other stick. 2nd Analog controlled via accelerometer on right stick.
Done & done. Both schemes accomplished at the same time.
So the WSJ's bold prediction is that Microsoft will release yet another "me too" product, a practice which more than anything else has characterized their entire corporate history in every market? Wow, way to go out on a limb there, WSJ.
If they want to win the casual market why don't they try innovating rather than looking like a "me too!" company by ripping off Miis and Eye-toy.
"Additionally, unlike the Wii, it won’t require players to physically hold any hardware to control on-screen actions."
I think a camera can be best used for something like Wii Fit (or exercise games in general), where it can maybe analyze your posture :), or in some social games (???), or just like in the arcade Mario Kart, but as a controller - nooo. What the camera can do is to revolutionize the way the machine communicates with it's user, but I don't think steering imaginary wheels, shooting with imaginary guns, or just randomly waving your hands in the air will entice somebody.
Not sure what microshaft hope to achieve with this. I can't really see the casual wii gamer thinking they want to get an xbox because it does the same thing, but better. And I don't think the "hardcore gamer" crowd will have any real desire to use it. Hence, while it sounds cool, and I will be impressed if it works effectively, I can't really see it driving much in the way of sales?
I guess maybe the idea is to put out a version for the 360, so they can perfect the idea in time for the 720 (or whatever it's going to be called), and attempt to steal Wii-users in the next round?
Is not about stealing Wii users the way you think, "I can't really see the casual wii gamer thinking they want to get an xbox because it does the same thing, but better." Its more about attracting the casual non gamer crowd that thinks about maybe getting a Wii, there are still millions of them, now add the Xbox Live exclusive service of Netflix into the mix and its a very attractive proposal for the casual consumer.
While there are doubters to this technology(I'm one too) I hope it turns out to be something revolutionary. If it really did work like its being rumored......could be a hell of a lot of fun on some games. Not every game of course....I mean the Wii flat out isn't good on some things that is for sure
This is such a gimmick. Hasn't the motion sensing fad died out yet? This will be too inaccurate and imprecise for my gaming needs. I don't want to flail around like an idiot to play my Xbox, I want to sit on the couch. Great, now all the soccor moms and seniors will be coming to the 360 to play with the new motion sensing camera, bring on the casual shovelware.
lol! More people need to appreciate this post!
Touché Ozzy, touché.
"won’t require players to physically hold any hardware to control on-screen actions". Hah! Yeah right. It is a video camera, using video camera light gathering tech. If the light levels in the room are at the wrong levels or even the wrong colours, it will make mistakes. Big ones. Don't be too clever MS, give it a controller it can track, make it look like a light sabre and let us slice each other up over Live in Star Wars.
I think it's too soon to outright dismiss how well camera only motion sensing will work. Remember, MS purchased a company not too long ago which specialized in gesture recognition with cameras, I can't remember the specifics of what application the tech was being used for, but I believe the reports mentioned that the company was a leader in that technology, and it was being used for industrial applications.
Still, there's definitely the potential of the 360 camera not working well at all, I'm sure at least some corners will have to be cut to make the camera affordable enough.
I hope this is real.
What would the 360's equivalent to Nintendo's family friendliness be here?
* Rockstar's bitchslapping simulation?
* Activision's Fraternity Hero, a binge drinking simulation?
* An UFC franchise game translating two player real life carnage into virtual carnage?
* New covermechanic for Gears, where you actually have to take cover behind your couch?
* EA's Real Sports Series: "The Outside", where the camera is pointed at your yard and the game broadcast into the web?
* Need for Speed: Race to Arkham Asylum. A game in which you pretend to drive a car and have to make noises to accelerate?
* Virtua Twister, now with 100% less chance of rape and swineflu?
* 9to5, a gripping reenactment of steel-worker's shift in a Michigan plant and the final proof that only MS platform games can be art?
Last but not least, mom's favorite game: "Clean that up", which is turning your room into a virtual Tetris game in which you have to tidy up your mess for bonus points and parental satisfaction.
Ha ha ha!!! That was some funny shit, bro. Ha ha!! Well done.
How about 'Virtua Pirate Bay', where you can watch any of the Netflix vids for free, but only if strangers walk in front of the tv and randomly go to your bathroom. Play to the end and you get to play the directors cut - where you are made prisoner in your own home, have to make shanks from a toothbrush while some guy called 'Surly Joe' eyeballs you from your armchair.
LOL! Ok, that was da#mn funny.....
Call me a pessimist, but I just don't believe that's technology has come far enough to make proper and diverse motion sensing ecomonically feasible.
In other words, this will probably just be Eyetoy version two - a totally useless and gimmicky device to increase revenue. Heck, even the Wii's motion sensing (which is marketed as its biggest niche) is dull and pointless.
*insert crude dildo controlled game joke here*
OK,
Maybe we'll finally see a male version of REZ. It could work in reverse of the Trance Vibrator. The better you do in real life, the better you do in the game.
You'd only be able to use the Rez game on a microsoft brand E though! £45 at your local Game.