It begins? Sony patents that break-apart controller - Page 4

raYne · (10-30-2008, 03:55 PM)

I read the thread title and thought someone bumped an old topic, swearing they did this already. Then I saw the pics.

Wow.

MisterHero · (10-30-2008, 04:03 PM)

looks complicated

TTP · (10-30-2008, 04:03 PM)

Originally Posted by Ploid 3.0:

But they waited for PS3 for it already. Actually they did make attempts at it on PS2 although that demo wasn't made into a product (were the swords and such put out on eyetoy?).

It was. Eventually...
http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=nGV7A6KKmRc

Rapping Granny · (10-30-2008, 04:04 PM)

lol this won't move consoles.

Count Dookkake · (10-30-2008, 04:06 PM)

Originally Posted by Rapping Granny:

lol this won't move consoles.

But it will move LOLs and that is what this generation needs the most.

raYne · (10-30-2008, 04:09 PM)

Originally Posted by Count Dookkake:

But it will move LOLs and that is what this generation needs the most.

This calls for an avatar edit.

+

= win.

Forsete · (10-30-2008, 04:12 PM)

I hope this shit is optional. Looks horrid.

PS3 might just be my last console if this is the future.

Threi · (10-30-2008, 04:14 PM)

Originally Posted by Forsete:

I hope this shit is optional. Looks horrid.

PS3 might just be my last console if this is the future.

Why not quit early then?

Get a headstart on your new hobby :)

herod · (10-30-2008, 04:15 PM)

Looks like I picked a good time to go PC.

Vanish · (10-30-2008, 04:16 PM)

at all the photoshops

Count Dookkake · (10-30-2008, 04:19 PM)

Originally Posted by raYne:

This calls for an avatar edit.

The gift of

.

Forsete · (10-30-2008, 04:20 PM)

Originally Posted by Threi:

Why not quit early then?

Get a headstart on your new hobby :)

No, PS3 is a splendid system. I will enjoy it to the fullest extent. If PS4 turns out to be some waggle shit I will just concentrate on my other interests (computers, movies etc). Not so bad actually, maybe then I can get that lens I want.

Zzoram · (10-30-2008, 04:21 PM)

I was hoping this would be that 3rd party controll that looks like a normal one, split in half.

Threi · (10-30-2008, 04:22 PM)

Well i guess thats win/win for everyone then. People who dislike it can do something else and those that do can explore creative new ideas without it being dismissed as "waggle shit" constantly until they are discouraged to do so and delve back into the "safe traditional" route of development. The industry can actually have a chance of regrowth

Acosta · (10-30-2008, 04:25 PM)

Originally Posted by Ploid 3.0:

But they waited for PS3 for it already. Actually they did make attempts at it on PS2 although that demo wasn't made into a product (were the swords and such put out on eyetoy?).

If they don't actually "force" it as the standard controller it will end being a gimmick with little or no support, so if they want to do something with it, it should be included with the console.

herod · (10-30-2008, 04:28 PM)

Originally Posted by Threi:

Well i guess thats win/win for everyone then. People who dislike it can do something else and those that do can explore creative new ideas without it being dismissed as "waggle shit" constantly until they are discouraged to do so and delve back into the "safe traditional" route of development. The industry can actually have a chance of regrowth

let's hope so, I've always wanted the PC to dominate again.

Threi · (10-30-2008, 04:32 PM)

Originally Posted by herod:

let's hope so, I've always wanted the PC to dominate again.

Me too actually.

This gen has bugged me in that the elitist gamers refuse to put down money on top-of-the-line gaming experiences, but still claim to be top-of-the-line enthusiasts.

If you are gunna act elitist have the $2000 rig to back it up.

Aegus · (10-30-2008, 04:36 PM)

I'm laughing at the people who think that a final product design would be in a patent like this.

Leon S. Kennedy · (10-30-2008, 04:38 PM)

I have used different ultrasound distance meters and they were all horribly inaccurate. They also don't work in noisy environments. I've since switched to laser distance meters and they work fantastically, but at about 10x the cost. I just don't see ultrasound working very well for gaming even if combined with other inputs.

Count Dookkake · (10-30-2008, 04:39 PM)

Originally Posted by Aegus:

I'm laughing at the people who think that a final product design would be in a patent like this.

That is pretty funny, but not as funny as the people who promised to quit gaming if waggle won.

Burai · (10-30-2008, 04:40 PM)

Originally Posted by herod:

Looks like I picked a good time to go PC.

Yeah, It's a good job that the PC is immune to stupid game control methods. What's next Sony? A game controller with 100+ buttons that was originally designed to word process with?

ghst · (10-30-2008, 04:40 PM)

HURRR I AM GAME

MWS Natural · (10-30-2008, 04:41 PM)

What the fuck? This shit looks turruble!

ghst · (10-30-2008, 04:42 PM)

Originally Posted by Burai:

Yeah, It's a good job that the PC is immune to stupid game control methods. What's next Sony? A game controller with 100+ buttons that was originally designed to word process with?

that..sounds...incredible.

WhiteAce · (10-30-2008, 04:42 PM)

Quote:

Potentially...if they released it as a peripheral, it could blunt the impact of a as-standard improved PS4 iteration.

yeah, this basically - if they release it and it doesn't do to expectation then they might not look at new control ideas/schemes. I don't want Three Wii's next gen, but i do want Sony to step up with some new ideas.

they had something like the two part controller at the Sony Expo in Odaiba, it was a bit more basic than this (and was linked to Ps2's) but there were some interesting (if badly executed) demos on show.

I'd prefer they just left it for now - it would also encourage better support to bundle it with a new machine. if EVERYONE has one packed in then -everyone- has access to one, no need to go out and buy one, etc. Your target audience is everyone with a machine rather than everyone who went out and bought another add on - that's a huge difference right there.

kaching · (10-30-2008, 04:43 PM)

Originally Posted by gofreak:

Potentially...if they released it as a peripheral, it could blunt the impact of a as-standard improved PS4 iteration.

Imagine if the Wii controller had been released initially as a Gamecube peripheral with limited support and such..would Wii have gone on to cause as much buzz? I'm guessing probably not, the impact of it would have been diluted by it's soft launch on GC.

The first-time impact of introducing motion-sensing to the home console market is gone. This is a post-Wii scenario and as such only becomes a refinement of what's already been introduced. And it certainly didn't do much for the impact of the Sixaxis motion-sensing capabilities to to launch with a new platform.

This is also a post-Guitar Hero/Rock Band world where gamers have shown they're quite willing to buy expensive peripherals that ultimately work with only a very limited set of games, midstream in a platform life cycle. The introduction of the original DualShock is almost a classic example by now of a successful mid-generation launch of a new peripheral. Would you say the buzz around the PS2 was blunted by the fact that it only had an improved version of the DS packed in? Even Eyetoy did rather well for itself when it was first introduced.

Mid-generation launch of a peripheral isn't really a source of concern by itself. It's always going to be about whether you've got a compelling use case that can be readily complemented with compelling content. That's what is going to dictate when you can launch, not whether you can pack it in with every console unit.

plagiarize · (10-30-2008, 04:43 PM)

Originally Posted by TAJ:

OK, only two before me.

what? this patent application is put after Nintendo's patent applications. for it to pass it cannot use the stuff Nintendo patented. there are other motion controller patents out there. this is the first one i've seen using sonar which seems an unusual way of doing things.

i'm not calling Sony copycats, i'm correctly pointing out that they have to work around other people's patents... and as i said, if this works well, GOOD. i like wii controls, i'd love to see them being used by the 360 or PS3 as an option.

n1n9tean · (10-30-2008, 04:45 PM)

OMG This is fanomenal!!!!!!!!!!

PS3 coming back for the crown! I knew they had some good surprizes!

Oh shit I can't wait! SONAR!

NOTHING can be better than this.

herod · (10-30-2008, 04:45 PM)

Originally Posted by Burai:

Yeah, It's a good job that the PC is immune to stupid game control methods. What's next Sony? A game controller with 100+ buttons that was originally designed to word process with?

yep, and waggle failed to topple that.

one day these console manufacturers will learn that perfection has already been achieved.

Coverly · (10-30-2008, 04:47 PM)

I don't see what the big deal is, it looks perfectly fine to me.

Nafai1123 · (10-30-2008, 05:02 PM)

Cool tech, horrible design. Make it connect together to work like a DS, package it AND the PSeye along with every PS4 released and give 3rd parties development kits WAY before release and it mightwork. If not, GTFO!

WhiteAce · (10-30-2008, 05:15 PM)

Quote:

Even Eyetoy did rather well for itself when it was first introduced.

and despite its success , how many titles supported it?

10? 20?

i'm not denying you can sell an add on mid launch, but for something that you'd hope would move your platform potentially in a different direction, i'd have thought you'd needed a much wider catchment. And that catchment would/could/should ensure more ideas and software that support the new peripheral.

I'm not sure the ps2 DS is a good example, it's fundamentally the same controller, it was supported by -every- game by default on the basic level.

herod · (10-30-2008, 05:17 PM)

the only possible upside I can see for Sony is if third parties up-port their Wii stuff, and cross-platform Wii/PS3 releases.

stuburns · (10-30-2008, 05:19 PM)

Originally Posted by herod:

the only possible upside I can see for Sony is if third parties up-port their Wii stuff, and cross-platform Wii/PS3 releases.

Maybe this'll hit a couple of months before WiiHD.

PistolGrip · (10-30-2008, 05:27 PM)

The generation of the peripheral contines.

Farnack · (10-30-2008, 05:29 PM)

Wow, they made this patent really clear, unlike 99% of all other patents.

Linkzg · (10-30-2008, 05:32 PM)

realistically, I wouldn't mind a game controller that can do proper motion controls instead of the imprecise Wii (let's wait and see how Motion+ helps it), but this looks like crap. I think they should try to do more face tracking stuff using the PS eye, or even break out that other patent a while back of a controller than goes in the palm of your hand and fits like the underpart of a glove.

TTP · (10-30-2008, 05:33 PM)

Really curious to see the actual design of this. I notice the sticks are placed simmetrically in the faceplate used to link the two parts together.

But I have no idea how a faceplate that thin can host all the required innards. Unless they plan to use the PSP stick. Which would suck tremendously.

gofreak · (10-30-2008, 05:35 PM)

Originally Posted by TTP:

Really curious to see the actual design of this. I notice the sticks are placed simmetrically in the faceplate used to link the two parts together.

SCEJ have a couple of patents from last year that have more...stylish..controller designs. Of course, they're not in any way related to this, but still interesting I guess. One looks like a ipod nano stick or something, the other is a circular controller to fit in the palm of your hand.

xbhaskarx · (10-30-2008, 05:38 PM)

Originally Posted by Count Dookkake:

That is pretty funny, but not as funny as the people who promised to quit gaming if waggle won.

If every console has waggle next generation...... goddamnit they probably will.

road2serfdom · (10-30-2008, 05:38 PM)

Looks a little like the Alien weapon in the Conduit.

MrHicks · (10-30-2008, 05:39 PM)

is this another salmon fighting the mighty bear scenario?

liquidspeed · (10-30-2008, 05:39 PM)

Originally Posted by stuburns:

Looks cool. I remember an NDA slip up from over a year ago where someone discussed this in great length.

Looks cool, but I hope that what ever it is designed for ( ps3 or ps4) Doesnt Take on a Wii LIke focus.

professor_t · (10-30-2008, 05:41 PM)

Originally Posted by herod:

Looks like I picked a good time to go PC.

If waggle is the only option in the next generation, I'm definitely going PC.

I don't say that in a bitter baby temper tantram kind of way; I simply want to have a traditional option. A lot of the time, I'd rather just hit a button to make a character jump than wiggle a controller from side-to-side.

Also, look at the size of the balls on that controller!!

kaching · (10-30-2008, 05:46 PM)

Originally Posted by DCharlie:

and despite its success , how many titles supported it?

10? 20?

Somewhere around there, at most. Which is still more games than support the plastic faux guitars that people are buying readily to play a glorified version of Frequency/Amplitude. So it's not a matter of quantity, it's a matter of the quality and the consistency of the support.

Quote:

i'm not denying you can sell an add on mid launch, but for something that you'd hope would move your platform potentially in a different direction, i'd have thought you'd needed a much wider catchment. And that catchment would/could/should ensure more ideas and software that support the new peripheral.

But it's not a different direction, it's a direction they've been exploring and expanding into for two generations now. First with the Eyetoy, now with the Sixaxis. Waiting for the PS4 to launch the DualCock would still just be a progression along the same path they've been following, not a new direction.

Quote:

I'm not sure the ps2 DS is a good example, it's fundamentally the same controller, it was supported by -every- game by default on the basic level.

Based on this patent this appears to be fundamentally the same controller as the DS3. All the existing control schemes are there, so it too would be supported by every game by default on the basic level.

spwolf · (10-30-2008, 05:47 PM)

this looks cool because controller can be configured in several different ways, for different games...

beef3483 · 06:04 PM

I'll buy it, if it works good and with enough games. Bring on more motion controls!

And the people making fun of this remind me of the people making fun of the Wiimote when it was first unveiled, "LOL. It looks like a remote control! That will never sell."

LAMBO · (10-30-2008, 05:58 PM)

Imagine how flimsy a controller that you have to assesble from multiple plastic parts would feel in your hand, all those little plastic clips ready to break, i can almost hear them snapping now.

Burai · (10-30-2008, 05:59 PM)

Originally Posted by herod:

yep, and waggle failed to topple that.

one day these console manufacturers will learn that perfection has already been achieved.

Yeah, I bet Nintendo are fucking kicking themselves.

gofreak · 06:05 PM

For reference, here are some pics from two japanese SCE patents from last year. They're NOT related to this patent, but they are an insight into some of the stuff they work on, I guess.

First one (no idea what it's application is exactly):

Second one:

This one's kind of interesting..looks like it has 4 buttons on one side, and thumb tracker for analog motion on the other, and two triggers on the side. It has other functionality, but I can't read the patent text. This kind of design could be interesting as a design for the one-handed controller in the OP - could incorporate the LED array so that the whole controller glows as a sphere etc. - although it would trade some functionality for simplicity (chiefly that you can't have two thumb trackers and a set of buttons available all at once..it's either two thumb trackers or two sets of buttons or one of each at any one time)