Motus Corporation is showing off their new Wii-mote look-alike, named Darwin. This sword hilt-looking device is supposed to bring better motion sensing gaming to non-Nintendo systems, including the PC.
Technology Review says that this device has its roots in golf hardware, and they've taken what they learned to try to one-up the Wii. The Darwin measures absolute position with respect to the earth, orienting itself to magnetic north to sense direction. They claim that through the use of improved technology with gyroscopes and accelerometers, they're able to relay positional information to the console in less than 30 milliseconds. Great. What about the games?
There's no finalized list of Darwin-supported games yet, but they say that they're working with console makers and game publishers to utilize the technology with current games as well as integrate it into ones currently in development. The Darwin is expected to be released in the Holiday season of 2008, and is expected to retail for $79-$99.
What do you think? Does the Darwin have a chance? How will it fare in the process of natural selection?
[Via Gizmodo]
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Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site
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Contest:
10:05 AM on 02.05.2008
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->Neonie: You are joking, right?
the wii has us all familiar with only one axis (traditionally y) being controlled by motion sensors while leaving control of the x axis to a more traditional analogue stick.
there's no mention on how the darwin plans to address this. are we destined to always have one plane controlled by a traditional joystick, are we ready for full motion controls across all planes? while the wii works, i've always wondered if there was a better/more immersive way to implement motion controls.
I predict complete failing.
Theory of evolution, no-fail.
Too high a price for what many consumers, I suspect, will see as only a blatant Wii ripoff. Speaking of which, shouldn't Ninty be starting to flex their litigious muscles based off aesthetics alone?
Jpitner wins!
Plus, its treading a path of fail not being attached to a specific console. It'll need a software house, too, that will be brave enough to bundle it with their game. And even then, said game would need to be fun as all get out. No pressure.
but w/e. So long as someone makes the great american bushido blade, I'll be happy.
Absolutely anyone with a substantial budget can use the latest tech to develop motion control. The problem is how to streamline that technology so that it still works for any idiot and is affordable for the masses. THAT is the challenge, and Nintendo are one of the few companies who understand this.
FAIL.
@crane - I'm an anti-Troll. What are you? A device for lifting heavy objects, or a long-legged water bird? Oh wait, I know! Fourteen.
@Stripe: Crane is just talking out of his ass.
Being on pc means it won't need spectacular sales, it's on a free platform so it can be implemented into indie games and mods.