The truth about the stolen PS3 controller

[sao123]

http://www.gamespot.com/e3/e3blog.html?topic_id=24600407

May 9, 2006
If You're Going to Say Sony Stole the Controller...
...then be sure you attribute the correct source. They didn't steal from Nintendo. They actually stole from Microsoft (and Logitech). The picture you're looking at here is a picture I took of gyroscopic, motion sensing controllers that Logitech and Microsoft manufactured for the PC in 1999. Yes, 1999 as in more than seven years ago.

Contary to the rapidly developing urban legend that's forming now, the idea of a motion sensing controller is not something Nintendo invented just last year. It's just as false as the Nintendo invented analog joysticks and Al Gore invented the internet fairy tales. Actual products that you could BUY were available more than seven years ago on your PC. I used these controllers to play games like Motocross Madness and Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. And they worked exactly as you saw that Sony representative playing Warhawk during the E3 press conference. So while hundreds of farked images of the Sony PS3 controller are being constructed and uploaded now accusing Sony of stealing from Nintendo, I just wanted to point out that this idea was soooo 20th century, and immediately flamed out on the PC because they were honestly more of a novelty than they were practical.

For whatever reason, motion sensing controllers are now all the rage, as two of the big three are offering this functionality in their new consoles. But unless developers really embrace the technology and use it as a basis for their game designs, it's not going to be any different in 2006 than it was for the Logitech Gamepad Extreme and Microsoft Sidewinder Freestyle controllers on the PC in 1999. Here's hoping things turn out better for this new-old idea used in both the Wii and the PS3.

 

[MazerRackham]

If you're going to use "your" you could at least get it right.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
If you're going to use "your" you could at least get it right.

There is no teacher but the enemy.

 

[UlricT]

It is a direct reaction to the Wii controller, stealing its limelight.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I actually bought one of those Microsoft Sidewinder Freestyles when they came out (they included a bundle of the awesome Motocross Madness). They really sucked IMO - very difficult to control.

 

[NorthRiver]

Originally posted by: UlricT
It is a direct reaction to the Wii controller, stealing its limelight.

Quoted for the people that don't get it!

 

[remagavon]

Originally posted by: DonVito
I actually bought one of those Microsoft Sidewinder Freestyles when they came out (they included a bundle of the awesome Motocross Madness). They really sucked IMO - very difficult to control.

The same thing was apparent (at least IMO) in the warhawk demo. It seemed very jumpy and too sensitive or something... also a bit akward. And that was one of the designers of the game running it!

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: NorthRiver

Originally posted by: UlricT
It is a direct reaction to the Wii controller, stealing its limelight.

Quoted for the people that don't get it!

 

[Eeezee]

Wait, I'm confused. Why isn't the PS3 allowed to use this technology? Why shouldn't the PS3 have this, and the Xbox 360 too?