- Credits
- 49,285
Sony's much rumored motion sensing controller for the Playstation 3 is real and it will likely be unveiled at E3.
That's what I've been hearing from several sources, one of whom has seen the device and two of whom are familiar with Sony's plans to show it at E3 next month.
Rumors that Sony will come out with a motion sensing device have abounded for over two years, ever since a patent was first reported on in January of 2007.
A good source saw a working prototype several months ago that largely fit what was in the patent. Sony's controller apparently used LEDs (light emitting diodes, essentially little electric light sources) and a small webcam to track the device's movements. Because the camera can read different color lights and the shape and angle of each light, it's much more accurate than the Wii-mote. It can track precise movements, including along the Z axis (pushing toward and away from the TV; something the Wii is really bad at) as well as velocity.
As Kombo.com reported last month, Sony is apparently reaching out to select developers and publishers to get some early software coming.
I'm not sure when the device will be unveiled (later this year or mid-next year, I'd think given the E3 timing) or what software will initially be available. Or even what it will look like (the prototype apparently looks kinda funky with a bulb to house the LEDs on the end). But apparently we'll find out the answers soon.
It will be the second new product shown by Sony at E3, if 1UP's report about a new PSP that will only play downloadable content proves accurate.
A Sony rep declined to comment.
Update: As some astute readers have pointed out, the PS3 of course does have a motion sensing controller already. But this new one will be much more advanced than the Sixaxis and more in the shape of a stick, a la Nintendo's Wii-mote.
source
That's what I've been hearing from several sources, one of whom has seen the device and two of whom are familiar with Sony's plans to show it at E3 next month.
Rumors that Sony will come out with a motion sensing device have abounded for over two years, ever since a patent was first reported on in January of 2007.
A good source saw a working prototype several months ago that largely fit what was in the patent. Sony's controller apparently used LEDs (light emitting diodes, essentially little electric light sources) and a small webcam to track the device's movements. Because the camera can read different color lights and the shape and angle of each light, it's much more accurate than the Wii-mote. It can track precise movements, including along the Z axis (pushing toward and away from the TV; something the Wii is really bad at) as well as velocity.
As Kombo.com reported last month, Sony is apparently reaching out to select developers and publishers to get some early software coming.
I'm not sure when the device will be unveiled (later this year or mid-next year, I'd think given the E3 timing) or what software will initially be available. Or even what it will look like (the prototype apparently looks kinda funky with a bulb to house the LEDs on the end). But apparently we'll find out the answers soon.
It will be the second new product shown by Sony at E3, if 1UP's report about a new PSP that will only play downloadable content proves accurate.
A Sony rep declined to comment.
Update: As some astute readers have pointed out, the PS3 of course does have a motion sensing controller already. But this new one will be much more advanced than the Sixaxis and more in the shape of a stick, a la Nintendo's Wii-mote.
source