PS3 Wii-Like Motion Sensing Remote Gets Unveiled At E3?

Ever since the Nintendo Wii launched to immense success, the rumor that Sony would respond with a motion-sensing Nunchuk-like controller for the PlayStation 3 has endured. And now, according to Variety's The Cutscene blog, it may be unveiled at this year's E3.

Ben Fritz cites "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." Apparently, there is already a working prototype that uses LEDs (light emitting diodes) and a small webcam to recognize and track any movements made. Now, because it can read differently colored lights, plus analyze the exact shape and angle of each light, it should result in a controller that is far more accurate than the Wii-mote. Beyond this, there's only speculation: we don't know when it may arrive and although it has been rumored that Sony is already contacting developers for software ideas, we haven't heard about anything in this vein, either. Of course, we do have to remind the uninitiated that the Dual Shock 3 controller for the PS3 already has motion sensing - to some extent - but obviously, this will be something above and beyond the standard. Not surprisingly, a Sony representative refused to comment on the matter, although all you optimists will say "no news is good news." In other words, if they don't issue a flat-out denial, it's very possible...

For our part, we just don't think the PS3 needs such a device, nor would it help too much. By now, everyone identifies motion sensing with the Wii, a much cheaper device that already has a gigantic following. But hey, whatever. We'll have to wait and see...

5/1/2009 Ben Dutka

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Comments (92 posts)

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Qubex
Friday, May 01, 2009 @ 10:22:14 PM
Reply

I am dismayed Sony are going down this route. I would prefer to have more console-based features via firmware than waste time and money developing such motion sensing controllers.

Why! Why turn the PS3 into the freaking doorstop that is the Wii.

Q!

"i am home"

4 up, 2 down

crawdaddy
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 9:30:09 AM

Sony wants the ps3 to be something everyone wants, and not just the hardcore blind idiots.

4 up, 3 down

city96
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 10:51:09 AM

SONy really has this thing looking good.

SIXAXIS like the normal PS3 controller uses Blutooth so it's quicker to receive data about it's position in relativity to the PS3.

It won't have a receiver because SIXAXIS is already built in.

First Person shooters might get this thing.

Plus the graphics are a million times better that Wii.

In a League of it's own.

AND IT DOES exist. There's a prototype working here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-6Z-DAvCtw

4 up, 1 down

dveisalive
Friday, May 01, 2009 @ 10:24:44 PM
Reply

If this is true then I will never play My Wii ever again! Only when the new Zelda/Mario Wii games come out etc...

Last edited by dveisalive on 5/1/2009 10:24:51 PM

0 up, 0 down

Riku994
Friday, May 01, 2009 @ 10:29:11 PM
Reply

Now they just gotta reveal a LoD remake/prequel and we're set! Can you imagine the depth that would allow! Additions would be so much better!

0 up, 0 down

WolfCrimson
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 1:06:55 AM

Hmm... and maybe implement the motion sensor remote for attacking in LoD 2... instead of pressing X for chaining the attack, you slash around. What do you think?

0 up, 0 down

Riku994
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 7:49:44 AM

Thats exactly what I'm implying lol.

0 up, 0 down

godsman
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 11:17:13 AM

that's what everyone one expected from all the Wii games, when Wii was first created. Then you realize how limited sensitivity is. This will just be an added assessory like a gun in the PS2 era. It's not the standard controller like the Wii. Only a handful of people will play it, and eventually no developers will make games for it.

0 up, 0 down

Mamills
Friday, May 01, 2009 @ 10:40:35 PM
Reply

great, now i wonder if the mass amounts of shitty games will now come to PS3 as it did for wii (safe Cracker anyone?) just to use the motion sensing as a gimmick. i thought console hardware add ons never worked? sega 32X anyone? cmon SONY, u wanna win the sonsole race, get some more RPG's in the Mix. hell RPG's is the reason i bought a PS3, I thought it was gonna have em. if i wanted to frag 15 year old kids i'll go play an xbox. get SE to make an FF7 remake and this so called console war is over.

1 up, 5 down

Qubex
Friday, May 01, 2009 @ 10:47:53 PM

Yes, exactly, I hope this Wii emulation move doesn't "cheapen" the beautiful machine... damn, I knew E3 was going to throw up some interesting twists and turns...

Lets keep it hardcore people!

Q!

"i am home"

1 up, 3 down

NiteKrawler
Friday, May 01, 2009 @ 10:54:53 PM
Reply

God have mercy on our souls...

2 up, 0 down

Robochic
Friday, May 01, 2009 @ 11:01:59 PM
Reply

Not interested in this type of accessory i have a Wii if i want Motion sensing.

0 up, 1 down

Gregory Freeman
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 3:39:55 PM

yes but however this tech is suposively more accurate than the wii mote and consists of a tripod that is set up in the middle of the room and welcomes 360 degrees of motion, as opposed to the wii's bar that limits your range of motion.

look up "Sixence". Thats the supposed name that will be given to it.. I for one cant wait, from the demo's that I have seen, its an intense hardcore version of the wiimote... for example, if your playing a fps, if you go prone in real life, you go prone in game, if you roll, you roll in game... there are more than just the motes involved, but wrist bands and leg bands included... its virtual immersion technology; that nintendo cant compete with... i've seen this stuff (never was confirmed for playstation use, but the guy i was talking to said "We're Looking into it, and the possibility looks likely") and i can say that it is nothing like the wiimote.

http://news.cnet.com/i/bto/20090107/IMG_4800_270x202.JPG for example

Last edited by Gregory Freeman on 5/2/2009 3:48:37 PM

1 up, 0 down

NiteKrawler
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 4:37:49 PM

A tripod? In the middle of the room? Seriously God...Have mercy.

1 up, 2 down

Gregory Freeman
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 9:48:43 PM

niteKrawler, the tripod is maybe not even the size of a 2L of cola... and doesn't have to even be in the middle, it could be on a coffee table or dresser or something...

i no u might not like it... but until you try it (or at least witness it like I have) then you will truly never know...

0 up, 0 down

xxflykidd201xx
Friday, May 01, 2009 @ 11:02:31 PM
Reply

nahh...this is an excellent idea . Now with this new wii like thing you get to experience more on the playstation 3 =)
its simple, if you do not like it, then dont buy it.

9 up, 3 down

Reccaman18
Friday, May 01, 2009 @ 11:20:21 PM

It's only going to be good if they dont screw it up. But it is Sony, so Im not too worried. :)

Last edited by Reccaman18 on 5/1/2009 11:20:37 PM

6 up, 0 down

Alienange
Sunday, May 03, 2009 @ 1:03:08 AM

I will not buy it.

1 up, 1 down

HeXeN
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 12:01:06 AM
Reply

I don't see why not,People could finally get their chance to play resident evil 5 with motion controls.This move would kind of make it useless to own a wii if you got a ps3(unless you're into Nintendo first party games).As for myself I have no interest in this at all but I know people out there will want it.

1 up, 0 down

JasperLoons
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 12:29:39 AM
Reply

I have mixed feelings on this, but I will say the Boom Blox is just about the best party game ever. Seriously, I got sick of it, because the people I introduced it to became obsessed. It's only downfall was that the Wii tech was not good enough. I wouldn't mind similar games with better motion sensing.

3 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 12:52:31 AM
Reply

If it's anything close to this Sixense motion remote, then I could see it becoming a good thing......

(make sure you watch the 4th video down)
http://sixense.com/

2 up, 0 down

Suapsycho
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 9:11:22 AM

I agree. These guys are making magic.

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 12:55:31 AM
Reply

Wii.....wow
If this happens I feel sorry for Nintendo.

0 up, 0 down

K ASH
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 2:30:01 AM
Reply

The way things are going with ps3 & psp it seems sony has good plans to take over the game industry. Sony recently mentioned how they want to graduate wii players into ps3 players. I think sony should do it before microsoft do it.

4 up, 0 down

sunspider13
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 2:44:05 AM
Reply

Interesting...I really didn't see that coming...

0 up, 0 down

End of line
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 4:24:43 AM
Reply

You know this could be for the PS2 which would make waaay more sense and then eventual release for the PS3.

PS2 = casual
PS3 = hardcore

1 up, 1 down

Jed
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 4:38:14 AM
Reply

I don't think this is such a bad thing. A lot of the shovelware that is on the wii is not necessarily because the controller gimmick, but because the tons of people that bought a wii dont know what a quality game looks like. Maybe developers will start to make serious games that can really benefit from having that type of controller on the ps3. I really like the wii edition of resident evil 4.

3 up, 0 down

Banky A
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 6:38:53 AM
Reply

Mmmmm.

I heard rumours about motion stuff for both PS3 and Xbox 360 long ago.

Interesting.

0 up, 0 down

GHill4Life
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 7:48:17 AM
Reply

Sony does not need this and should not do it. The PS3 can never out Wii the Wii which is a good thing. Cut the price and keep the excellent games coming and the rest will fall into place.

1 up, 5 down

Deleted User
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 9:12:19 AM
Reply

As long as the device is limited to PSN releases or the PS2, I don't have a problem. I doubt those shovelware companies even have a PS3 development system on them anyway.

3 up, 4 down

crawdaddy
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 9:16:34 AM
Reply

This is a great addition to the ps3. It could open up a lot of great ways to play your favorite games, and these "stupid wii type games" as you call them coming to the ps3 is what will help the ps3 beat out the wii in the console wars. These type games are obviously what the general public wants, and what Sony wants is to make the ps3 something the general public wants, and not just hardcore gamers. If you don't want it don't buy it.

6 up, 2 down

godsman
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 9:36:57 AM
Reply

I predict the next gen consoles will all be motion-sensing, like the Wii. It is much more relavent for Xbox and PS3 to have such technology. No matter how much the dev, refine the pad controllers, it still cannot compare with keyboard & mouse. Motion-sensing, point and shoot is what will bring shooter games to the next level. That is what I thought the Wii would do, but completely lacking.

2 up, 0 down

Kiengo
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 9:46:13 AM
Reply

Maybe it's just a bad joke.

1 up, 2 down

SplendidBlended
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 10:43:44 AM
Reply

In the ULTIMATE battle between PS3, Xbox, and Wii, PS3 makes a powerful move and uses Wii's own weapon against it, thus all it's games now BELONG TO US.

5 up, 0 down

GamerKid123
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 12:43:46 PM

10 points to you.. it's basic really imo, they are opening doors for different software and capabilities, and it also drags their competion down as well.

4 up, 0 down

Gregory Freeman
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 9:59:34 PM

Does Your Wii Have Motion Sensing?
-Yeah!
Does Your Wii Have Games?
-.....Yes :S
Does Your Wii Have Good Graphics?
-Last Gen Good...
Does Your Wii Play HD Movies?
-Nope
well, how bout DVD's?
-no :'(

Mine (ps3) Has All That And More!!!! :P

1 up, 0 down

Deadman
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 10:46:33 AM
Reply

From a sales perspective it could be a good move for Sony, There are a large group of people that the PS3 alienates because it really isnt a family friendly machine.

5 up, 0 down

NoSmokingBandit
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 10:48:09 AM
Reply

I dont understand the people saying this will kill nintendo. They still have Mario, LoZ, Metroid, SSB, MarioKart...

0 up, 0 down

coldbore
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 11:11:44 AM
Reply

now all they need is a xbox 360 emulator and put all the roms online :P then no one can fight with the brutality that is playstation :P

0 up, 0 down

NiteKrawler
Sunday, May 03, 2009 @ 1:03:33 PM

Yeah, except the law.

0 up, 0 down

Ultimadream
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 12:24:19 PM
Reply

PLEASE GOD NO!!!!!

The wii's controls system is appalling! The sixaxis was bad enough. i dont like to fanny about waving my hands around when playing games, sure its good for sports games, but thats no excuse becuase it still doesnt beat the real sports. i much prefer the classic PS Dual Shock, lovely stuff.

2 up, 1 down

Godslim
Sunday, May 03, 2009 @ 7:08:02 PM

thanku sir!!
we dont want gimmiki controls....i personally never live the motion senceing on the ps3 controls

0 up, 0 down

Robertson99
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 12:35:19 PM
Reply

I don't understand. I would have thought Nintendo would have petented the design of their controllers? :S
Anyway, I'm not a major fan of the Wii and wouldn't buy one (I know more than enough people that have one if I want to play it), but I can see Sony's intentions. The gamers go for PS3, parents get their kids Xbox's, and everyone else gets a Wii.
As for me, I would only get this if they could implement it into a FPS. I love the old skool arcade games you see, like House of the Dead, where you gotta shoot at the screen. If they can bring this sort of thing to the PS3 I may look into it, but otherwise I'm leaving this alone.

0 up, 0 down

somethingrandom
Sunday, May 03, 2009 @ 11:44:18 PM

Since sony uses LED's it's a different technology than the Wii's. Nintendo probably did patent the nunchuk. What sucks about sony's design though is: What happens when someone walks in between the camera and the controller?

0 up, 0 down

Gregory Freeman
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 9:56:08 PM

@somethingrandom

if positioned correctly, the tripod should be above anyones range of motion, looking down 360 degrees around the room, the only interuptions is if someone covers the front of the controller (which shouldn't really happen unless your friends r dicks...) in most circumstances, you can be litterally anywhere in the room, and it would pick it up...

but with your question, what is the difference between the pswiimote and the current wiimote when it comes to blocking the path of the signal??

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 12:40:35 PM
Reply

Don't want it.

3 up, 2 down

SplendidBlended
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 1:26:16 PM
Reply

I think the best case scenario here would be if this makes Sony think outside the box when it comes to what kind of games are available for the PS3, and maybe they'll think up some fun new ideas.
Worst case scenario? Overall quality of their games drops, and we get to a point where you HAVE to own this... thing. This would make me a very unhappy camper, seeing as I'm not a fan of waving my arms around like an idiot.

2 up, 0 down

tlpn99
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 1:51:24 PM
Reply

I dont want this either. So I wont be buying it when it comes out.

0 up, 1 down

Neurotoxiny
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 6:32:51 PM
Reply

Reminds me of the FPS controller that looked like a computer mouse. Hmm...

0 up, 0 down

N a S a H
Saturday, May 02, 2009 @ 7:05:34 PM
Reply

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

3 up, 2 down

Alienange
Sunday, May 03, 2009 @ 1:09:20 AM
Reply

What's next, a ps3 balancing board? Gimme a break, some fads don't need to make it onto the ps3.

1 up, 2 down

Ogibillm
Sunday, May 03, 2009 @ 1:30:06 PM
Reply

i'd pick one up if it came with a voucher for some unique psn games was priced under $30. i don't have the blu ray remote so this could be nice for watching movies.

2 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:11:08 AM

i agree i wouldnt take one of those for free unless i come across a really awsome game then i would get one for maybe $10

0 up, 0 down

Dingodial
Sunday, May 03, 2009 @ 2:09:25 PM
Reply

This is a waste of time & money. Instead, Sony could just apply the sixasis technology to their games more (instead of continuing to do stupid stuff with sixasis, like using it to aim grenades & balance over logs in Uncharted). Maybe they could make the sixasis & the playstation eye work together to give us an experience more like what we get with wii. If Sony is doing this just to get more money, then they should just advertise their sixasis more (Sony is the worst company when is comes down to advertising).

2 up, 2 down

BIG_E
Sunday, May 03, 2009 @ 2:46:10 PM
Reply

This is a good move by sony its going to bring
the casual gamers back. Wii users now can play
those wii style games on the ps3.This will peak
the interest in ps3.Just look at how much its already started.

2 up, 0 down

Esco_san
Sunday, May 03, 2009 @ 3:19:22 PM
Reply

very intelligent move sony, you have watching. I just hope that fps games come out to coincide with this tech. Wii is waning across the board with ps3 looking to be the all around gaming unit this year why not, with this nintendo and xbox 360 will be stuck remaking their 1st party games sequel after sequel while sony grabs those new ip's

2 up, 0 down

somethingrandom
Sunday, May 03, 2009 @ 11:39:42 PM
Reply

Much cooler to be able to aim your weapon with arm movements instead of thumb twitches. This can only add fun to the PS3. If you don't want it, don't buy it. simple!

1 up, 0 down

Suapsycho
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 8:58:48 AM
Reply

Actually, I love playing golf with the Wii but it's not my console, it's my girlfriend's. I'm not gonna buy a Wii just for one or two games, so having this controller on PS3 would be perfect. As long as there are good sports games that support it that is. I would like to be able to play pool, or boxing, or golf or whatever on PS3.

1 up, 0 down

Powershifter
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 2:03:37 PM
Reply

Ben, I agree. A Wii-like remote is a waste of time for Sony.

0 up, 0 down

Doomsquirrel
Monday, May 04, 2009 @ 3:09:40 PM
Reply

You see that picture up there? Yeah, that's just a photo-shopped Wii-mote. And also, next to Paris Hilton's singing career, the PS3-mote is dumbest idea EVER.

0 up, 1 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:16:23 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:16:48 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:16:51 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:16:51 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:17:34 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:17:39 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:17:54 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:18:19 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:18:26 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:18:27 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:18:32 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:19:12 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:19:13 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:19:19 AM

ahhaahahahahahah lol it problay is a wii remote

ps:if paris reads this no effence

pss:ahahahahhaahahah

0 up, 0 down

genesis
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 @ 10:19:31 PM
Reply

this seems to have caused a lot of debate I just want to mention that sony had originally designed an wii style remote and decided on the controller it was nintendo that stole the idea in the first place so for sony to introduce one is not surprizing since it was their idea, there was an article about it here about 6 months ago.

0 up, 0 down

LowKii
Wednesday, May 06, 2009 @ 12:29:56 AM
Reply

What the effing eff? see people now this is getting rediculous!! If I wanted to play a game using a Wii nunchuck, guess what? I would have bought an EFFING WII!!! now this would be a stuipid move on sony's part. not only would I stat saying hey this is stupid!!, I would also say "hey a**hole get your own frikkin ideas." Don't spit on my cupcake and tell me it frosting, all they are doing is vomiting up old ideas with no "FRESHNESS" or care of what we as gamers think, or want.

0 up, 0 down

cheeseburger
Thursday, May 07, 2009 @ 1:12:44 AM
Reply