First snaps of PS3 motion controller

  • Posted September 16th, 2008 at 11:36 EDT by
  • 13,737 views
  • 56 Comments

No, we don't mean the Sixaxis. Gaming accessory creator In2Games has just released pics of a PlayStation 3 motion controller, the Gametrak Freedom.

The Gametrak Freedom uses "proprietary and cutting-edge patent-pending ultrasonic technology to provide a true motion capture gaming experience. Unlike other motion sensing gaming systems, Gametrak Freedom accurately tracks the true 3D position and precise movements of up to four players, anywhere within a given environment, giving total control and unrivalled game play opportunities." Presumably each player needs his or her own GF controller.

"Until now, gaming has been limited to the player interacting with the game although platforms such as the Wii have heightened this experience. Now, with the latest motion sensing technology created by In2Games, the game will interact with the player," boasted Chris Richards, President and CEO of parent company PDP.

In2Games Squeeballs - a minigame compilation - will be the first title to support the Gametrak Freedom. "We are extremely excited to bring this unparalleled technology to first-party console manufacturers," gushed Richards, "As well as third-party publishers and developers to further heighten the level of game interaction with the player."

The Gametrak Freedom is out sometime in 2009. It is compatible with both PS3 and Xbox 360, which automatically means it'll be rubbish. Right?

Advertisement

Comments

Comment

What are your thoughts?

  1. kingbass | Kadaj101

    • 11:40am BST - September 16th, 2008

    well, this to me doesnt seem like a bad idea but at the same time reminds me of the Wii

    in the end its better to judge a bit later on hehe

     

    Psn:Kadaj101

  2. Ghostm

    • 11:43am BST - September 16th, 2008

    That's pretty ugly.

  3. Ryuuchi10 | Ryuuchi10

    • 11:43am BST - September 16th, 2008

    Are you frickin kidding me?

  4. kingbass | Kadaj101

    • 11:44am BST - September 16th, 2008

    well.. its sorta ugly lol but like i said better to judge later in the future XD

    Psn:Kadaj101

  5. jasper1605 | jasper1605

    • 11:46am BST - September 16th, 2008

    so now we can call it a playstation thrii and an xbox thrii sixtii? that looks pretty much like the case of a wiimote though; i hope it works better than those P.O.S.'s.  Y'know like actually being able to relistically track motion instead of jumping 6 inches across the screen every time your wrist has a single neural impulse then not moving at all when you move your entire arm across the screen. 

  6. Perishing_Mind

    • 11:49am BST - September 16th, 2008

    lol PS3 surely is not at the point where they need Wii-like 3rd Party accessoires just to boost the sales. Dualshock 3 delivers totally...

  7. Doogal_UK | Doogal_UK

    • 12:02pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    "The Gametrak Freedom is out sometime in 2009. It is compatible with both PS3 and Xbox 360, which automatically means it'll be rubbish. Right?"

    yep it sure does

  8. ryesher | ryesher1

    • 12:02pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    Here is the link to see the official Sony motion control

     

    http://playstationlifestyle.net/2008/06/18/break-apart-ps3-controller-in-video/

  9. Versus

    • 12:09pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    so this isnt from Sony themselves right? i wonder if microsoft and sony will actually make their own motion controlers...

  10. DJDarkViper | DJDarkViper

    • 12:13pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    Ill support it if games come out for the thing. I do not want to fork over $50 for something i use once.

  11. gingo | gingo

    • 12:17pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    psn id: gingo... it is fugly and looks very cheaply built, very much doubt i will even consider this

  12. ephracis | ephracis

    • 12:30pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    Why is there a wire?

  13. MMDs | MMDs

    • 12:34pm BST - September 16th, 2008

     the only way this controller will survive is if Developers start making games that utilize it. don't see how thats possible at this moment.

  14. dwightkshrute | IAMTHECAVALRY

    • 12:39pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    it is compatible with both but isn't the 360's motion controls the "darwin controller"

  15. The Mask | JSack20

    • 12:58pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    looks like one of those cheap plug and play nes things but you can use motion sensing instead of a d-pad

  16. willisc89 | liquidsoap89

    • 1:47pm BST - September 16th, 2008

     Sony can do better than this. maybe not ms but c'mon sony, this isn't the wii here, and it better not become the pswii.

  17. Xdeth | Xdeth

    • 1:50pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    This could go one of two ways. They go 3rd party and develop for both crashbox3fixme and PS3. The end result is a ton of mini games that no one really cares for or people say the Wii does it better. The other option is M$ sees this as thier way to compete against the Wii and throws money (the only thing they are good at) at In2game for exclusive rights. Either way I don't see hight hopes for it.

  18. Dr_tee18 | Drtee18

    • 2:01pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    looks like some kids toy, wii knock off for 4 year olds. sony can do better, the break apart control they got is way sweeter and more intuitive.

  19. Intervention

    • 2:18pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    Third party controllers never go anywhere or get any support, you'll probably never hear about this thing again.

  20. Stef Nighthawk

    • 2:29pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    Did anyone notice In2Games' partners?

    Sony, Sony DADC and Microsoft.

    Oh and found this on their site : Gametrak Freedom products (launching worldwide on Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 in 2008)

  21. sn-plazaskater

    • 2:50pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    i don't buy third party controllers and wouldn't even buy this if it was first party because if i wanted something like this i would have gotten a wii.

  22. T-Dogg400 | T-Dogg400

    • 2:59pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    Its just like the Wii remote basically, prefer the SIXAXIAS and DS3 controller's.

  23. The_Sorrow_Gamer | The_Sorrow_Gamer

    • 3:51pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    lol looks funny

     

  24. pizzamonkio

    • 4:09pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    firstly its 3rd party so it poorly cunstucted because there not logitec. secondly its wired... thirdly it has a crappy mini game that comes with it but no games exist for it. and last but not least, do you really think other companies are going to waste millions making games that are designed specifically for some third party controller??? probably not. they should just market this as one of those cheap baseball type games for little kids that you plug into your tv.

  25. edward_moffet | edd

    • 4:23pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    im all for new technologies like this but it wont take off because its not proprietary, and i think the tilte should be changed, this really has nothing to do with JUST sony its a little misleading

  26. Arimax

    • 4:27pm BST - September 16th, 2008

     Number 19 you're kidding right? Really I have third party controllers for my Ps2 they might not be as great as the original, but they are cheap controllers. My thing is if it can play games buy it.

  27. SillyHatMafia | SillyHatMafia

    • 4:41pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    IF the thing works well, i'll try it.  I LOVE the idea of the Wii, the potential is huge... But its BEST games BARELY use the motion sensor, if at all ( exception to Metroid Prime 3. )  Galaxy is great, but it woulda been just as good with a gamecube controller, same as Mario Kart.  

    If i can use this thing on MGS4 and it works well, than that SOUNDS like its good ( It may suck though, i have a feeling it will lol  

  28. bighawke5

    • 4:44pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    Just watch them get another patent infringement lawsuit on their behinds...they couldve at least make it look diff..not that it would stop the stupid lawsuits

  29. MrAce | mrace

    • 4:53pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    Looks kinda tacky. i think I'll wait for the end product and some games that will support it.

  30. BlueRevolvuR | BlueRevolvuR

    • 4:54pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    lol, squeeballs

  31. NoMercy666 | Ask me...

    • 4:57pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    Since they out it on the 360, also. It'll suck.

  32. psycho_mantis | makaveli_71

    • 5:20pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    looks VERY UGLY!

  33. Organic_Shadow | OrganicShadow

    • 5:29pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    If that thing is wireless, then cool. If that wire is a cord and not a wrist strap though, we're gonna have problems.....unless it's some sort of attachment. It will fail if it's a wired wiimote knock off.

  34. Stoffinator | Stoffinator

    • 5:32pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    The thing looks horrible.

  35. KillaRizzay

    • 5:33pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    I agree its ugly. did anyone notice the Microphone mesh at the tip? it looks like it doubles as a Singstar mic

  36. Strudel | Strudel

    • 6:45pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    I'm happy with my DS3 thanks

  37. Blu-Ray | WrathOfAres

    • 7:05pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    That's ugly. Wow.

    But it'll be fun.

  38. Bingepurge_99

    • 7:43pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    how about screw that thing if it was PS3 only then fine but since $hitbox 360 gets it too forget it. how about those motion sensing gloves sony patened a year ago, how about PS5 or PS6 we actually get to be inside the game(virtual boy concept but with the new tech thats out) all 3D you wear a helmet and gloves and stand on a stationary rolling pad so you can run and walk, turn ur head the characters head turns and in state of the art graphics and speed. now that would be something worth reading about.

  39. knowbrainer23

    • 7:46pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    It doesn't look exactly ugly to me. But then, it does look like interactive controller for an adult game, and looks similar to an adult toy. With buttons.

    And given that the picture leads us to believe it will be wired and not wireless (with bluetooth)... Yeah, crap. If this were a first party creation, like the PS3 camera,  it'd probably be worth more of a damn.

  40. djrussell | djrussell89

    • 9:44pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    Well its certainly interesting... to be honest i just like the controller more than a motion remote or some crap. I have a Wii and unfortunately it does absolutely nothing for me. Give me a Sixaxis/DualShock or 360 controller anyday. But in saying that; it might be worth a look when it comes out. Who knows; it might be great.

  41. libelau | libelau

    • 10:25pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    rubbish

  42. PS3-The Ultimate Machine

    • 11:14pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    "It is compatible with both PS3 and Xbox 360, which automatically means it'll be rubbish. Right?"

    No it doesn't,jeez Edwin,stop being such a fanboy,c'mon no need to start a flame war.

  43. AbyssalDrake

    • 11:59pm BST - September 16th, 2008

    kinbass looks like wii just black im not getting it even ifs released beseids whos gonna use it only wii players whorever came with that idea i dont like use that controoler even ifs fun i like use just regular controoler dualshock 3

  44. Logit-Force

    • 1:11am BST - September 17th, 2008

    new firmware !!!!!! everything looks the same

  45. Walo

    • 1:16am BST - September 17th, 2008

    Umm I smell a lawsuit there for patent infringement

  46. Rechain | Rechain

    • 1:37am BST - September 17th, 2008

    Wired? Why not put Bluetooth in it when you are making one!

    /Rechain

  47. crywolf787 | crywolf_787

    • 1:57am BST - September 17th, 2008

    this controller sucks a LOL!!

  48. brownbear2212 | brownbear2212

    • 3:21am BST - September 17th, 2008

    poor, any original ideas?

  49. Zippie151 | Sanguineous

    • 9:26am BST - September 17th, 2008

    what is it with this obsession tht games must have motion controls now!? Does no one find simple buttons enough? Until FULL motion control is possible (and by thta i mean what ever u do the character on screen does) then surely this is just goin to destroy any immersion into a game, anyone who's tried playin red steel should know what im talking about.

  50. Infernoz0 | Oblivian_92

    • 10:06am BST - September 17th, 2008

    it looks meh

Related information

  • Related game: PlayStation 3

    Release date (US):
    November 17th, 2006
    Developer:
    SCE
    Genre:
    Misc - Hardware
    Rank:
    3 of 1,521 Games
    Up 0 places (in last 7 days)

Related videos

Related images

eXTReMe Tracker