Quantic Dream has already talked up its interest in motion controls, having even at one point designed its own controller for Heavy Rain. Vague hints have even been dropped that a future update could bring PlayStation Move support to its latest hit, Heavy Rain, as well.
As for Microsoft's own motion control technology, Project Natal, Quantic Dream co-founder and co-CEO David Cage remains skeptical.
"I've seen Natal, and I'm really curious to see what they're going to do with it," he tells me, before adding, "I was a bit frustrated that they presented it with a sci-fi-type presentation."
Cage refers to the Microsoft promotional video that premiered at last year's E3. It's a montage of folks using Natal to play concept titles (like racing, soccer, and fighting games), and interacting with the Xbox 360 using only hand gestures and voice. But there was one demonstration that seemed to irk Cage the most.
"When the kid comes in with the skateboard and the laser ray, scanning the skateboard, and then it's in the game," he says, rolling his eyes. He explains that the ability to take pictures and than map images into a game is possible, but not to the extent that the Natal promo video would like us to believe. "We are in the industry; we know what's feasible and what's not."
"I thought it was a little bit lying to present it that way," he adds, "because it will let [consumers] think that they will [see] something that they are not really close to getting."
On Sunday, June 13, at E3 this year, Microsoft is set to reveal its final plans for Project Natal, and "the first look at the future of fun." Whether or not that will involve scanning skateboards with laser rays remains to be seen. But as far as Cage is considered, it's not likely.
Contest:
11:20 AM on 04.05.2010 | 
I mean, really, marketing has become more about showing you something so full of hyperbole in this day and age, that getting anything close to what was advertised is a victory.
Not a negative post by any stretch, but I seem to remember a casting audition for Heavy Rain that featured a scene and character I'm pretty sure didn't make it into the game. And this is despite how moving it was.
As for the Dragon Age promo materials being dishonest--I'm not sure. I never saw the CGI trailers until very recently, and all I had to go on were the in-game engine cutscene trailers. Those were pretty damn sweet and, well, convinced me to purchase.
It's not that big a deal as I'm sure it's not intentionally dishonest, and David Cage doesn't seem to making that big a deal out of it, but it is a bit misleading and he's right to bring it up.
Not once did I ever think the text would actually happen, but the toy sure as hell made that sound.
Also, why are all these commercials in designer living rooms with products right out of IKEA? Most gamers play in a room where there aren't much space left for full body waggle and a 3 meter distance between camera and such.
See, David Cage? I can do it too.
I mean, he wrote one hell of a bad game.
And bitch's on peripherals? Seriously?
Well I mean, I've personally never contributed anything of any value to mankind, and I'm bitching too. That's the beauty of the internet. You don't have to have earned the ability to complain. It's an inalienable right.
Well I await Playstation Move :)
lol
He could barely market his own movie/game/interactive fiction/whateverthefuck clearly. If he can't figure out his own product, he's not really in a position to form an opinion on anything else.
lol x3 + qft
I will say atleast I have to question whether that kids hand will show up as part of the skateboard design though. Like with everything (including Heavy Rain bahhh) it's usually never presented as well as it's final
Product will be.
I'm disappointed your parents decided to procreate. Seriously, of all the intelligent and constructive input you could have put forth, you put the one fanboyishly retarded remark. One that's not incredibly original, either.
"lolheavyrainisamovie" Why thank you, /v/-incarnate. It's not like anyone else hasn't said that before you.
Huge difference between a demo scene and showing off technology that isn't actually possible through marketing videos. Of course, Sony did the exact same thing years ago with the PS3 EyeToy (http://www.gametrailers.com/user-movie/-ps3-eye-toy-exclusive/20360).
And, also, the character in that demo didn't make it into the game, but the actress and her model did make it in as the prostitute who had previously lost a son to the Origami Killer.
@loki d20
I made that point because it fits with the theme of advertising something as something it isn't. Demo scene or not (and a fantastic one at that--it made me buy a PS3), the advertised scene was not included in the final game. The actress/model may have made it (haven't played Heavy Rain--oddly enough, a flood in my basement killed my PS3), but the moving and engaging scene did not.
With that demo, Heavy Rain did not feel like a murder thriller, it felt like a drama. A real, honest to god no bullshit vid'ya game cliches drama. That is what the game advertised as to me... and it wasn't (nothing wrong with that).
In that light, I have the same problem with his statement. We've already seen video proof that Natal can scan images on the spot, in the game. I'm not sure what kind of proof he's looking for.
I really wanted to play Heavy Rain, even as far back as '06.
David Rage.
ya its a game and its 87 in metacritic which almost 90% of wii games can never reach.
The guy talk about the PRESENTATION.
The skate part, it seem "unreal" because
1st, the kid hand are visible on the skate.
2nd, the kid just said like : Scan this Natal ! and then go play with his scanned skate board ?
He was surely talking about the racing thing too. You REALLLY believe, that 4 persons on a sofa will be analyse by the Natal thing ? and your friend can enter in the game "on the go" for doing some tire-changing?
I really dont believe that natal will be able to "See" more then 2 people in front of it.
And seriously, the Marketing of Natal is soooooooooooooooo unreal. Remember the monster game with the kid ??? Look fake as hell.
The girl webcam chatting and choosing our clothes ? Really ?
The only real game was the mario paints one.
Compare it to the PS Move ads on Youtube, all you see is "real" ( but not directly played, lol the So-Com guy seem not playing for truth lol )
I'm thinking I'll be fine sitting down with my "move" setup. I played Metroid curruption sitting on my love sack using the Wiimote.
You'd think over the past year they would be drip feeding us with info and demonstrations of the other features they claimed in the promo.