Report: Sony Prepping Wii-like 'Break Apart' Pad
According to unspecified sources, working units have been delivered to development partners, although it's not clear when the pad will be officially unveiled. As expected, Sony Computer Entertainment declined to comment.
A differing report at Kotaku, however, suggests that the control system consists of a small device that attaches in the body. Multiple devices can be worn, such as two on the hands to move a character's hands in-game or four on the hands and feet. Kotaku's source disputed the notion that the pieces would merge into a single controller.
At present, the PlayStation 3's Sixaxis controller allows for basic motion-sensing functionality, though not quite as articulated as what's offered by Nintendo's Wii Remote and nunchuck controller combo.
The runaway success of Nintendo's Wii console has led many to speculate as to its competitors plans to break into the motion-sensing sphere of gaming. Last April, rumors circulated of a Wii Remote-like peripheral for Microsoft's Xbox 360, codenamed Newton, reportedly aimed for debut the following month. No official announcements for Newton materialized at Microsoft's product showcases.
Should Microsoft or Sony indeed be working on controllers or peripherals to counter the Wii, those products—such as the above-mentioned PS3 "break apart" pad—will likely be unveiled at this year's E3 Media and Business Summit.
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zooolander
replyWhen will sony thing of something new instead of shamelessly ripping off everyone else?
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they have thought of plenty of new things. But might as well rip off things that work too.
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Vibration! Everyone knows Sony had it first, right? .....right?....oh wait they didn't.
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I believe...credit for new things goes to:
Nintendo: first to try all kinds of weird controllers (robots, gamepads, wiimote, touchpad, etc), first to try weird displays (dual screen, virtual reality helmet), device collaboration (gameboy playing with gamecube, etc), invented modern rumble feedback
Sega: CD format, 3d glasses, console extensions (32x, sega-cd, etc) network play (chu chu rocket on dreamcast was the first 'live' console game, I think)
Microsoft: marketplace, matchmaking, storage
Sony: formats? (blueray) - although this is questionable because technically every console invents a new format, but what was new here is that the format transcends and is viable outside of the game machine so I have to count it as an innovation (a business innovation)
I left crap tons of stuff out of that list and I'm not taking a position on what I think is good from the list, but in general it seems like Nintendo has the balls to really try new things for better or for worse. Sony seems to take the least risky position.-
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nope, ps1
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Because apparently motion control means shovelware? Look, success means shovelware...why do you think there was so much crap on the PS1 and later on the PS2...and the NES...and any other successful console.
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PS2 has so much shovelware too.
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The entire video game industry is built on the concept of taking someone else's idea and tweaking it. Thats just part of the way it goes same for software and hardware, Microsoft are doing the same thing as Sony and trying to cash in on the markets Nintendo has opened up but I have my doubts either company will find success against the marketing juggernaut of the Wii.
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