The "EXCITING" new details of sony's magic wands, now called GEM!!

Innovation overload below. Be advised!

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Sony Computer Entertainment has filed a patent for an "Expandable Control Device Via Hardware Attachment" - the PS3's new motion-controlled magic wand, in other words

According to the patent application one model for the wand consists of a handle, a connector and a removable attachment.".

Examples given for use of the wand include flying virtual kites, karate fighting and sword fighting. The light-up ping pong ball is said to be able to provide feedback - "such as being when the player is "hit," to indicate the amount of life left, to flag when the controller is occluded from view of the camera, etc."

Looks like there will be an attachment which can store data files and transfer them between the controller and the PS3. "The files can be used to identify a specific user, to configure the controller or the base system, to load a game, to add features to existing games, etc.," reads the patent.

Other add-ons mentioned in the filing include a baseball bat attachment which "includes lights along its length that can be used for interactivity purpose, such as indicating the strength of the swing or the location where the imaginary baseball hits the baseball bat attachment during a swing".

Then there's an attachment containing beads which rattle when the controller is shaken, "thus making the controller operate as maracas or as a child's rattle".Another one features a microphone for "karaoke or voice-command entry". In one model the microphone is directional and "attenuates or completely eliminates sounds coming from preconfigured directions".

Perhaps most interesting is the biometic add-on. One model for the controller "includes a thumb reader used to validate the identity of the person holding the controller by analysing the biometric data provided by the attachment". This data can be used to disable the controller or PS3 if an unauthorised user tries to have a go.

All very exciting. Here's hoping the PS3 magic wand is still on track for that spring 2010 release." - EUROGAMER

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Gaming journalists are EXCITED!!!! You know, because this is new, i certainly never heard of anything like this before.

Oh and, seems like it will be called GEM...

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Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello might have spoiled Sony's surprise.

When talking about console pricing and innovation at the UBS 37th Annual Global Media Conference, Riccitiello briefly mentions the two upcoming motion controllers set for release in 2010.

"In the coming year, both Sony and Microsoft have announced new controllers. Motion sensor controls, Natal and Gem, these are likely to bring new consumers into the marketplace," he said. - IGN

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All very exciting!!!!

Finally someone thinks of the new, untapped, market out there.

Perhaps most interesting is the biometic add-on. One model for the controller "includes a thumb reader used to validate the identity of the person holding the controller by analysing the biometric data provided by the attachment". This data can be used to disable the controller or PS3 if an unauthorised user tries to have a go.Thunderdrone

sounds interesting on paper, but being how badly the EyeToy did, I'm not getting too excited for a new product that Sony is introducing. Hopefully it doesn't take 2-3 years for it to receive fun titles, either (lesson learned from PS3). All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.

Well, on the plus side, I guess with all three consoles doing this stuff, it means more Wii games will be made, as I assume Publishers will want to make games on all three at once.

I still am not sold on Natal of PSwand until I see some compelling software.

sounds interesting on paper, but being how badly the EyeToy did, I'm not getting too excited on a new product that Sony is introducing. Hopefully it doesn't take 2-3 years for it to receive fun titles, either. All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.stygiansanity

All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.stygiansanity

Thats because it is.

Two piece controller, ports for attachments like the nunchuck, peripheral add-ons/shells like baseball bats, a biometric reader like the vitality sensor...

Its the same thing with with a diferent shape and extra lights.

Nothing wrong with that. Just find it hilariously ironic that the press finds it "EXCITING".

sounds interesting on paper, but being how badly the EyeToy did, I'm not getting too excited for a new product that Sony is introducing. Hopefully it doesn't take 2-3 years for it to receive fun titles, either (lesson learned from PS3). All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.

stygiansanity

Eyetoy laucnh was good on the PS2 but it was bad on the PS3 because it barely had any software.

[QUOTE="stygiansanity"] All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.Thunderdrone

[QUOTE="stygiansanity"]

sounds interesting on paper, but being how badly the EyeToy did, I'm not getting too excited for a new product that Sony is introducing. Hopefully it doesn't take 2-3 years for it to receive fun titles, either (lesson learned from PS3). All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.

RadecSupreme

Eyetoy laucnh was good on the PS2 but it was bad on the PS3 because it barely had any software.

All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.stygiansanity

[QUOTE="RadecSupreme"]

[QUOTE="stygiansanity"]

sounds interesting on paper, but being how badly the EyeToy did, I'm not getting too excited for a new product that Sony is introducing. Hopefully it doesn't take 2-3 years for it to receive fun titles, either (lesson learned from PS3). All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.

stygiansanity

Eyetoy laucnh was good on the PS2 but it was bad on the PS3 because it barely had any software.

[QUOTE="stygiansanity"]All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.KHAndAnime

Sounds as bad as the Wii's

Whatever, i'll keep referring to them as sony's balls.

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"][QUOTE="stygiansanity"]All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.eveileb-ekam

Sony Wands camera tracking, sluggish alternativeeveileb-ekam

[QUOTE="stygiansanity"] All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.Thunderdrone

Nothing wrong with that. Just find it hilariously ironic that the press finds it "EXCITING".

I find it more ironic that 360/PS3 fanboys were bashing the Wii for its motion controls and now they're going MAJOR INNOVATION OF THIS GEN.

[QUOTE="eveileb-ekam"]Sony Wands camera tracking, sluggish alternativealskdjfhg1

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"][QUOTE="eveileb-ekam"] Except that, it does not, and the Sony Wand hasnt ripped off the most important part of the controller, means that I am not sold. Not yet, anyway. Same Wiimote motion capabilities + no pointer controls and a sluggish alternative + the need to have the Eye + the most powerful console = waste of sodding money.eveileb-ekam

EDIT: If you want me to elaborate, the Wii's IR pointer for me always felt a little inaccurate and glitchy. It was never entirely smooth and sometimes depending on how my room was set up, my pointer would fly all over the place. And how is Sony Wand sluggish?

The tech may be good, I dunno but holding & using wands in a fantasy RPG is all good but in real life I don't know if I want to invite friends over to play with our magic wands but hey, I hear it's a gem of a wand. :P

I'll be interested to see how all this works out next year.

sounds interesting on paper, but being how badly the EyeToy did, I'm not getting too excited for a new product that Sony is introducing. Hopefully it doesn't take 2-3 years for it to receive fun titles, either (lesson learned from PS3). All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.

stygiansanity

there is no point in sony putting this product out if they dont support it especially with success of the wii and natal saying they will have strong suppor

would not be surprised if sony does a crappy job with software for it but they know the competition will be tough so maybe the will support it

i think natal has the edge because its prob easy to make games in the future that will support both natal or controller were sony would prob have more problems having both options in games and that would mean natal will have a bigger library of games that support natal or controller

I own RE4 for the Wii and to be honest I enjoyed it much more on my PS2. The way the Wii implements their controls is more of a hassle and less of an innovation.KHAndAnime

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"]I own RE4 for the Wii and to be honest I enjoyed it much more on my PS2. The way the Wii implements their controls is more of a hassle and less of an innovation.Thunderdrone

[QUOTE="Thunderdrone"][QUOTE="stygiansanity"] All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.eveileb-ekam

The tech may be good, I dunno but holding & using wands in a fantasy RPG is all good but in real life I don't know if I want to invite friends over to play with our magic wands but hey, I hear it's a gem of a wand. :P

I'll be interested to see how all this works out next year.

SecretPolice

dude,

seriously, I think most people are gonna bash on this new wand idea, cuz it looks too much like a Wiimote, but thats just me...

I mean When sony made the eyetoy, that was very original and I loved it, but taking something completely used for another system and giving it a new name and more tech doesnt make it yours.

lol thats because it is. Ports for attachments like the nunchuck, peripheral add-ons/shells like baseball bats, a biometric reader like the vitality sensor. Its the same thing with with a diferent shape and extra lights. Nothing wrong with that. Just find it hilariously ironic that they find it "EXCITING".Thunderdrone

Sony Computer Entertainment has filed a patent for an "Expandable Control Device Via Hardware Attachment"Thunderdrone

Oh, ECDVHA!

[QUOTE="stygiansanity"] All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.Thunderdrone

Thats because it is.

Two piece controller, ports for attachments like the nunchuck, peripheral add-ons/shells like baseball bats, a biometric reader like the vitality sensor...

Its the same thing with with a diferent shape and extra lights.

Nothing wrong with that. Just find it hilariously ironic that the press finds it "EXCITING".

Good, you posted the picture for me lol - and yes, it is very ironic. Sad, very sad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpNdkm9s8AY

PS2 had motion tracking. It was well before Wii, Nintendo just decided that the attraction of eye toy with casual gamers worked well with the direction they were going. And also added somthing new to their games.

That decision to not increase hardware and compete with PS3 and Xbox 360 in terms of power like they did with Sega led them to the motion control. Eye toy opened Nintendo's eyes to want to do next.

I am a huge Nintendo fan but I see this clear as day.

Not to mention but the numchuck controler has been used withVR for MANY years now. it is not orginal, nor a copy but the same that has been used for Virtual Reality. Machines. I remember back in the day going to places and seeing VR machines and they used that same controler to move around in 3D. the other controler was a gun I believe. to shoot. I only played once in my life as it was 5.00 per play and only lasted a few minutes.

[QUOTE="stygiansanity"] All in all, I still see it has the WiiMote.Thunderdrone

Thats because it is.

Two piece controller, ports for attachments like the nunchuck, peripheral add-ons/shells like baseball bats, a biometric reader like the vitality sensor...

Its the same thing with with a diferent shape and extra lights.

Nothing wrong with that. Just find it hilariously ironic that the press finds it "EXCITING".

http://www.patentarcade.com/2006/12/news-nintendo-has-wii-patent-problem.html

Oh wait Wii ideas ARE Not NEW nore innovative. But they are in the aspect that its a console. Nothing Nintendo did in regards to the wii is new and inovativeas as if they came up with the idea out of thin air...

THEY just had the BALLS to implament it where Sony did not!!!. I give Nintendo major credit for that. BUT all this Sony is copying them, then you must recongnise that Nintendo copyed many otehrs before them including Sony with its tracking Eye toy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpNdkm9s8AY !!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpNdkm9s8AY

If it dosen't make games more funner ( I know that's not a word) than what they are now I don't want it. I don't like things being forced on me. But if it's just optional I'm ok, more power to them.

http://www.patentarcade.com/2006/12/news-nintendo-has-wii-patent-problem.html

Oh wait Wii ideas ARE Not NEW nore innovative. But they are in the aspect that its a console. Nothing Nintendo did in regards to the wii is new and inovativeas as if they came up with the idea out of thin air...

THEY just had the BALLS to implament it where Sony did not!!!. I give Nintendo major credit for that. BUT all this Sony is copying them, then you must recongnise that Nintendo copyed many otehrs before them including Sony with its tracking Eye toy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpNdkm9s8AY !!!!

Ravenlore_basic

That patent is for pressure sensitive trigger buttons, which were around way before the Wii, interlink is what we call a patent troll. Nobody claimed Nintendo was innovative because of the trigger button.

Well, on the plus side, I guess with all three consoles doing this stuff, it means more Wii games will be made, as I assume Publishers will want to make games on all three at once. I still am not sold on Natal of PSwand until I see some compelling software.SolidTy

Motion control always sounds great, but I find I still love my good old trusty game pad and gaming chair. I like to come home at night, turn out the lights and relax while I game. The last thing I want to do is stand in the middle of the room and wave my arms around like I am having a seizure. However, I am keeping an open mind and will remain optimistic, but I am not expecting to be converted by this at all. We shall see.

Whatever, i'll keep referring to them as sony's balls.

KungfuKitten

Motion control always sounds great, but I find I still love my good old trusty game pad and gaming chair. I like to come home at night, turn out the lights and relax while I game. The last thing I want to do is stand in the middle of the room and wave my arms around like I am having a seizure. However, I am keeping an open mind and will remain optimistic, but I am not expecting to be converted by this at all. We shall see.

ironcreed

[QUOTE="eveileb-ekam"]

[QUOTE="Thunderdrone"] lol thats because it is. Ports for attachments like the nunchuck, peripheral add-ons/shells like baseball bats, a biometric reader like the vitality sensor. Its the same thing with with a diferent shape and extra lights. Nothing wrong with that. Just find it hilariously ironic that they find it "EXCITING".Tjeremiah1988

[QUOTE="ironcreed"]

Motion control always sounds great, but I find I still love my good old trusty game pad and gaming chair. I like to come home at night, turn out the lights and relax while I game. The last thing I want to do is stand in the middle of the room and wave my arms around like I am having a seizure. However, I am keeping an open mind and will remain optimistic, but I am not expecting to be converted by this at all. We shall see.

Thunderdrone

Many who play with motion controls do, such as with, I don't know....The WIIMOTE. Anyway, even if I was sitting down with the wand, I dont' think I could sit back and relax while waving my arms around. Maybe that is just me, though I doubt it.:)