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Is the PlayStation motion controller called Sphere? photo

We already know that there's a PlayStation motion controller in development (and damn you Nintendo for making this crap a fad, I want to sit in a lazy pile on my sofa with a controller in my hand and not move like the good old days). Seems like maybe it might have a mysterious codename too though: Sphere. At least, this Joystiq interview at TGS sure makes it look that way.

Both Sega producer Yasuhito Baba and his translator referred to the controller under this name, and while it may be a working name, it sure beats "Sony PlayStation Motion Controller". However, Sony reps say they are unfamiliar with the name. It got me thinking, though -- what would it be like to play games holding a controller shaped like a ball?


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34 comments | showing # 1 to 34

Diverse's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 01:02
Diverse
It'd be like controlling a Katamari.
garison's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 01:06
garison
I think sphere would be a not too bad name. It fits since the controller does have a big ass lit up sphere on the end of it ...
matrixdude171's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 01:11
matrixdude171
it would be like using a scroll ball, except that this would require some serious skills and precision.
Tarvu's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 01:11
Tarvu
Sphere is better than PlayWang.

Wait, no it isn't.
gamadaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 01:18
gamadaya
Just call it the PS3mote. Or even the PS3 Wiimote. Nobody would care ('cept maybe Nintendo).
Qraze's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 01:27
Qraze
they should just call it the emcee. mc. ps mc. ps3 mc. the one ball cock in hand. that thing with a ball. the glowstick. the glowworm.

if they call it the sphere they can have a nice cup of fuck off.
englebert's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 01:31
englebert
It's the OoGhiJ MiQtxxXA.
mr spooky's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 02:06
mr spooky
PS9
HerosPlayDumb's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 02:38
HerosPlayDumb
@mr spooky If I remember correctly wasn't the ps9 a hallucinagen just stored inside a sphere, an not the actual sphere itself?
Vimto's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 02:44
Vimto
Like holding an old mans testicles. after losing one to an illness.
whatisdelicious's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 02:45
whatisdelicious
Sphere is a dumb name because it makes you think you'll be holding a sphere, not that it's a wand with a sphere on it. They should just stick with PlayStation Wand and just leave it at that. It's simple. It makes sense. It evokes the right imagery. Tah dah.
Sarana Na Sopanpanichkul's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 03:21
Sarana Na Sopanpanichkul
Call it Playschtick
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 03:25
brainderailment
No, Sph3re
HerosPlayDumb's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 03:57
HerosPlayDumb
@brainderailment Please don't give Sony ideas because since you mention that I wouldn't be surprised at all if Sony did that or at least used a "3" as an "E"
Demonolith's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 04:18
Demonolith
'The Ball that does it all'?
loquax's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 05:50
loquax
Sony Playstation Holographic Energy Roundness Emulator
Discarded Couch Sandwich's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 06:26
Discarded Couch Sandwich
I hope not,"ph" sounds are among the most annoying to make in the English language!

Then again, this is coming from the company who came up with "sixaxis." Gah, too many X's!
Mushman's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 07:23
Mushman
Controlling a game with a sphere would certainly be a unquie, dare I say, revelatory experience, I for one would love that opportunity.

It's certainly better than the waggle we have today that just feels straight up idiotic in some games.

The name's a good 'un, I would despair if they did call it the 'wand'.
Xzyliac's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 07:53
Xzyliac
@mr spooky
Thought the same thing.
Nogarda's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 07:55
Nogarda
could of been worse, I'm neither excited or unexcited about it. just so long as they stay away from pun based marketing the better for the product.
Everyday Legend's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 08:09
Everyday Legend
Nobody made the obvious Odama Gamesphere joke?
I thought there were South Park fans here.
Nicojay2's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 08:53
Nicojay2
PSstake.
Sonvar's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 09:21
Sonvar
PSWand or maybe magic wand.
Palidi's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 09:44
Palidi
As long as a game based on recursive spheres can be made easier using such a spherical controller, I am all for it.

Also, the name makes me think that the ball on the wand is the most important part, and the final product wont be a complete wand, but rather the ball with a mini-USB connetion...or something. If anything though, it might just be a tenative codename that Sega people are using to refer to it with.
Nicojay2's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 10:12
Nicojay2
NO this whole thing is a [b]PisS take.
Nicojay2's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 10:14
Nicojay2
bb fail

PisS take
bobyoko's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 10:22
bobyoko
um, motion control isn't a fad. it IS the next movement in the videogame industry. aren't you tired of playing the same games remade over and over? it may not be perfect, but at least it's a turn in the right direction. shit, sony's had the same control scheme for over a decade now. how much variance can you really get from that sort of "innovation"?
Shadowiii's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 10:27
Shadowiii
Um...it's a fad. We've been gaming on controllers since gaming started. Don't think they aren't going anywhere just because somebody invents a waggle stick.
Sure, maybe in time it'll become it's own part of the industry (though I doubt it), but anybody who thinks motion controls are going to push traditional controls out the door has another thing coming.
That being said, PSph3re works, ha ha. Though I'm honestly wondering who is going to buy it.
FistfulOAwesome's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 10:45
FistfulOAwesome
@Shadowiii
A fad that's gone on for three years and has had massive business success? That sounds like the opposite of a fad. That sounds like straight-up change.

By the way, why is it that when anybody mentions controllers (hmm?), they neglect to mention we haven't been using the Xbox 360 controller for the past 30 years. Pong and a couple older consoles used a dial, Atari had the Joystick, and Nintendo brought in the NES pad. Since the NES, we haven't bothered changing the controller, only "improving" the last one (pad). Nintendo has found the next steps (touch screen, Motion Control), and has started their company (and all of gaming) on that path.

Motion controls are the future. If you can't accept them, you'll be left in the past with the old farts who still moan the death of the Atari Joystick (they exist). Someday they'll be good enough for you (that day is probably now with Motion Plus, and you just won't be enticed until some good games are made with it (and I won't fault you for that)). Otherwise... (Games just to be good back in my day!)
MkShiranui's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 10:50
MkShiranui
I'm hoping for a compromise: fully operational motion controls built into some sort of button controller. If you think about it, there are a lot of Wii games that use buttons as much as or more than the Remote's sensors. If this ... controller ... is similar to the Wii Remote, I'll support it.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 12:37
Holyetheline
Did you ever see that nickelodeon show about those 2 kids and one of them tried to stop junk food and the other was holding off on playing his gamesphere? I can't remember the show... probably had the name "Cody" in it or something... I just remember that episode is all.
SoraX911's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/06/2009 13:47
SoraX911
I would call it a Stiick...
Sexualchocolate's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/07/2009 05:41
Sexualchocolate
Called Sphere or not, this whole MoCo thing has shown where these corporations priorities are!

Sony - develop a motion control system, similar, but more advanced than what's currently selling well, aim it at your core market, aim to enhance your current market's experience, spend a long time developing it, probably delay it, don't worry about naming it yet, such things are less important than the actual tech, use unfinished, funny looking development hardware to show it off, allow silly names like Sphere to just drop onto it as development progresses.

Microshaft - Develop a simple camera based motion control system that'll grab some of those casual dollars, develop some pretty looking demo, give it a funky name, get some hype going, get some marketing ready, launch, wait for cash to roll in.

It kind of highlights why i refuse to give MS my money and why i'm always happy with my Sony purchases. It's all about SUBSTANCE whereas Microshaft are all about MARKETING.

All show, no go.
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