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The Fall and Rise of Motion Control For Games

Posted by Soulskill on from the wave-your-hands-in-the-air-like-you-just-don't-care dept.

Eurogamer has a story about how the design of motion-control input devices has evolved over the years, ranging from the Nintendo Power Glove and Sega Activator up to modern devices like the Wii Remote and the upcoming projects by Sony and Microsoft. Now that the technology has caught up with the ideas, EA CEO John Riccitello said he expects motion-control gaming to rapidly expand, eventually occupying half the total games market. He said, "We almost invested to create a platform extension like that for some of the games we're working on. We're very pleased, frankly, that it showed up at Microsoft, because I'd rather them pay for that. They can leverage it better, and we can build software. But I felt the market wanted that technology and I'm glad it's coming."

5 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Motion gaming on consoles already is 50% by rob1980 · · Score: 2, Informative

    Nexgenwars.com has the Wii at 50% of this generation of consoles - emphasis on this generation. The PS2 still has a pretty wide install base and is slated to continue receiving games through next year. The Wii doesn't have 50% market share.

  2. Re:Daw... by spire3661 · · Score: 2, Informative

    This is why i feel Sixaxis is so underrated. Its a great blend of regular controller with some light motion control when appropriate. The only game ive seen abuse the sixaxis is Lair.

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    Good-bye
  3. Agreed by StreetStealth · · Score: 2, Informative

    The Sixaxis, as utilized in the otherwise middling PS3 Super Smash Brothers clone Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic, does exactly what I'd hoped Nintendo would have done with SSB on the Wii.

    The controls are generally as you would expect, but there are some wonderful little motion-based touches: Want to try pulling off a particularly big whack? You jolt the controller in the direction you're punching. Ground-pound area-of-effect attack? Jolt the controller downward as you punch.

    Oh, and there's a "meditate" mode where you can float in the air, trading off becoming a sitting duck for some health regeneration -- you do this by flipping the controller upside down. Brilliant!

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    Your mind is clear / The things that you fear / Will fade with how much you / Believe what you hear
  4. Re:I remember the power glove by CecilPL · · Score: 2, Informative

    Except maybe the two games out right now that are bundled with it, Tiger 2010 and Grand Slam Tennis?

  5. Re:I want a kunfu game where I really fight stuff by Epistax · · Score: 2, Informative

    Learn to play the game? Oh noes.