It would appear that the rumors regarding a motion controller for the Xbox 360 and/or PlayStation 3 console have not only been confirmed, but possibly confirmed as In2Games technology. A new teaser has appeared on their official website which gives it all away.
“Unlike existing products and technologies, In2Games’ Freedom (formerly codenamed ‘Fusion’) system does not rely upon the gamer pointing a controller at the screen or restrict the gamer to limited movements. Instead, it combines patent-pending ultrasonic and RF technologies with 3-axis accelerometers to track the precise absolute position and orientation in 3D space of almost any wireless accessory such as golf clubs, baseball bats, tennis racquets, and bowling balls.”
It claims to deliver on what Nintendo failed to deliver on, in that you can track the exact position and orientation in 3D space of their Freedom controller. “Gametrak is a patented 3D controller system for videogames systems, which tracks exact position in 3D space, to an accuracy of 1 millimetre anywhere within a 3m cube around the unit, with no processor overhead or time delay.”
It goes on to say that “Freedom will launch in 2008, with a wide range of games for next-generation platforms.” E3 is coming up next month, and should prove to be quite exiting!
In2Games is not yet able to confirm if it will be developed for Xbox 360 and/or Sony’s PlayStation 3, but has confirmed that it is launching for next gen consoles. “All we can say is that it is coming out for next generation consoles,” an In2Games rep told TechRadar today, when they contacted them about the teaser site.
Check out a teaser trailer of their Squeeballs game which has over 100 mini games including bowling. Why does that video look so familiar?
Source: In2Games
UPDATE: It’s also very likely that this tech is being used for the Playstation 3 since In2Games is also making RealPlay for the Playstation 2. Check out all the gadgets in their video at www.myrealplay.com
UPDATE 2: The smoking gun: “Gametrak Fusion has been designed for the PlayStation ®3 and Xbox 360 consoles and provides a true motion capture gaming experience. Fusion can accurately track the position and precise movements of up to four players, anywhere within a living room environment, giving total control and unrivalled gameplay opportunities. ”
More proof: “Following the creation of its RealPlay™ (launching Christmas 2007 in Europe on PS2) and Gametrak Freedom products (launching worldwide on Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 in 2008), In2Games is no longer creating new games for the original Gametrak system.”
Also get this: “One exciting function is the system’s ability to emulate any other motion-based controller. This allows games designed specifically for the Nintendo Wii motion controller to be brought to any other format.”
UPDATE 3: In2Games site updated: “The system comprises a base unit, which attaches to the console via USB and a hand unit. The base unit comprises of two sensor bars, which can either be attached to the TV or mounted on included stands. Freedom will launch with a wide range of games for next-generation platforms.”
UPDATE: E3 2008 Set To Bring Wii-like Gaming To Next-Gen Consoles
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