In2Games Director Harry Holmwood on the "Wii Killer" |
Well, there's nothing really revealing during the interview. We reported about the Fusion system before, and you guys had a lot to say about it. In this SPOnG interview, In2Games Director Harry Holmwood reveals a few more details regarding the system that SPOnG audaciously calls, "a potential Wii killer."
We, know, some of you Ninty fans are already going, "Wii killer?! How dare they!" Well, be patient, let's see what Holmwood had to say, and then let's see if SPOnG's claim is justified. And just so you know, they're talking the death threats against them lightly, and with a positive sense of humor. Holmwood says:
one kind soul emailed us to say (and I quote) "I really hope your company burns to the ground and you are all homeless one day" ...It's nice to know that 'platform passion' still lives on. I have fond memories of arguments along those lines when I was at school.
With that over, let's go to the details. Here we go.
Nintendo Copyists?!
His response to all the allegations that they're "Nintendo Copyists?" Well, he says that they were there first. Of course he notes that he would never accuse Nintendo of having copied them. He says that Wii Eliott and Steve were making tilt controllers way back in the mid-90s before discounting them for the experiences that they think gamers will really want in the long term.
Here's a technical comparison between the Wiimote and their Fusion technology in Holmwood's own words:
The Wii remote is a neat idea... there's basically an infrared "camera" in the handset which looks out for the infrared LEDs in the bar attached to your TV. When you're pointing at the screen, it's an elegant solution to giving the user an onscreen pointer, and can also determine the distance from the screen. Once you're not pointing at the screen, it obviously loses all that data. At that point, all it has is the 'accelerometer' which is a tilt sensor... accelerometers don't give you a 3D position, only information on the angle you're holding it at and, to a degree, acceleration. These are good for soft, slow controls (I remember playing WipeOut on PS1 with an "Airpad" which was an early tilt pad, and it worked pretty well) but, as soon as you move them quickly, you lose the data as it all gets scrambled.
We actually use a tilt chip in the Fusion to give us information about how you're holding the controller but it's the ultrasonics which is the really useful part: combining the two together gives something extremely powerful and intuitive.
Inspiration and Origins
When asked about the inspiration for the idea for Real World Golf, a game they have that uses the system, Holmwood says that it came from the feeling that he and his team can do so much better. He takes time to note that despite a miniscule budget, they were able to create a game that sold about two thirds of what EA's Tiger Woods Golf sold in the UK. They attribute their success to putting the golf club in someone's hands.
He adds that technology that went into Real World Golf first appeared late 2000/ early 2001, and was first launched commercial in a 2004 PS2 fighting game called "Dark Wind."
Cross-Platform really now?
Most of the Fusion System's critics were quick to ask, "What about the games that will run with Fusion?" Holmwood was quick to mention that they'll be launching 20 games over a four year period themselves. Seventy percent of which would be sports games, but they do intend to release adventure and action games in time. They say that all games will come with free accessories.
All that and they seem to have a few aces up their sleeve, Holmwood mentions that when it comes to developing Fusion based PS3 and Xbox 360 games, he had this to say: "I can't comment on individual discussions as they're confidential, however, we're talking to most of the major players."
Yes, he is aware that X360/Wii/PS3 cross-platform games may be a bit difficult since the graphical power, and development for the three isn't really the same, but he does say that cross-platform Wii/PS2 games are very possible, especially since there's around 100 million PS2 units already out.
Well? What do you guys think? Wii-killer or next eye-toy?
Via SPOnG
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Comments [refresh]
I think we're all past the point where we acknowledge that Nintendo didn't DEVELOP motion sensing technology. Only an idiot (uninformed or otherwise) would think that.
No, the reason why I disapprove of the whole "Fusion" system is because I recognize what he's doing as "riding on the coattails of potential success".
He has seen the response to the Wii. It has been, by and large, a positive reaction. He wants to jump on the bandwagon of the predicted success that Wii will enjoy.
And that's a big moral no-no, corporate personnel or not.
Eyetoy was a huge hit;)
that was an awesome article, very informative, great read. sounds to me like this technology was in development before they even knew details about the wii. you're also right kura, nintendo most certainly did not invent non-fixed-control gaming.
what i found particularly interesting, was the technology behind it. it sounds like they really have gone to a lot of effort. in the end, it SOUNDS like the technology really is superior to that used by nintendo.
to be fair though, nintendo have never been ones to push expensive/high tech hardware. they have always gone after the affordable but fun tag.
great article, and good luck to them.
The onley thing i agree with in this artical is there company burning to the ground. Lets all start the fire tommarow ^_^.
could you display any more stupidity?
they said they were working on this BEFORE nintendo. if the wii is going to "enhance gaming" then it sounds like this can too. why is that a bad thing? are you suggesting nintendo can't cope with competition? or is it the fact if nintendo uses something, no one else can?
there's not a damn thing funny about threatening to burn/kill someone. grow up, and have some decency ffs.
If they are game makers why didnt they bring this up earlier? Some jack asses. Anyways they probably wont work because they need a different kind of input ( wii mote sensor bar) and the console will also have to have another chip to make it work, most likely. And besides, everyone thats getting a ps3 probably hates even the thought of moving even the tinyest bit, so these will flop for sure. Oh and by the way, out of the people i know that have a ps2, (which is quiet alot now that i think of it) only 1 owns a eyetoy, and never uses it. Theres realy no use for it.
This is so funny. Not only is the Wii's hardware obsolete, but it's retarded controller is too. Now there is ZERO reason for even the biggest moron to buy a Wii.
So you lost your reason?
Come on man, wtf. I can't see any good out of this. Sounds like they're doing the un-gentlemanly thing which will end up by effing up the console wars to come.
It'll be like the wii controls on the ps3, that would, actually be awesome tho!
I doubt I will be wantting to buy this mess of motion sensing stuff. I mean when was the last time I really wantted to play a bowling or tennis game.
On top of that I think this technology is going to lack the games to make it become standard on 360. Sure I bet these guys will release those 20 games over the 4 years that will be mediocre. PS3 and Wii atleast have it on every single console they sell so developers won't think twice about using it.
Basically I think this project has failure written all over it.
They didn't essentially copy Nintendo by making the devices similar to theirs, but by RELEASING IT right after the Wii is given great credit. All this is going to do is give Xbox 360 and PS3 fans a retarded ace up their sleeve: "Ha ha! Fusion is making these 3rd party accessories, and they're better than the Wii!" Which will just make them look retarded. I pity those who have to put up with Fusion.
They said that they made it before nintendo and then droped it because no one wanted it at the time. From the way the article flowed it seemed that they made it during the snes pre ps1 era. And at that time what GOOD game actually needed motion sensing and like technology?
Duck Hunt dosent count
The problem with the third party idea is the games have to be good. If they plan on makeing the games themselves they are going to be going up agenst giants like EA. Sports games are a hard sell, they have to be nearly perfect to get any decent sales.
Sure it may work just as well as the Wiimote for games like Wii Sports but I don't see this working well for games like Zelda and Excite truck.
Plus then there is the issue of getting Microsoft and Sony to fork over their Bluetooth codes, and from the Guitar Hero II controller fiasco it is quite apparent that Microsoft won't let anyone build any third party controllers anytime soon
Doesn't PS3 already have motion sensing? Their eye-toy to PS3 combo is supposed to be even better now (e.g. cups demonstration) and the SIXAXIS itself has motion sensing to an extent. So now we're just banking on the 360 and even then I'm not sure if this thing will succeed. They would need like, third party dev. for a third party device...
It seems almost as though they solely want to incurr the wrath of Nintendo fans... O.o
We dont need those *****ing outsiders, we got the big trio - MS, Sony, and Nintendo - they know what theyre doing and those "FUSION" *****es don't know ***** bout the gaming stuff, they suck and they will fail IMMEDIATLY, *****ing *****s GTFO this planet u *****es. PSWii60 FTW, and ***** YOU
I really think this wont be a Wii-Killer since it wont work with all of the PS3 or X360 games. It will only work with the games the companys going to make.
Yeah the problem is how much will it cost for each different controller,
Will it be say £50 for the game and control or will be start having to pay £70 for em....
I can see what they mean but nintendo has the good idea having a single control pad that will control all games...
Maybe this should be the idea fusion should go instead of coming up with 100's of different control pads.
Gizmondo was another company that was meant to be a killer app for the hand held world...and that never really happened...
With Nintendo's support and money i dont think fusion will have a masive amount of success
man you just dont know what youtr talking about.......im 25 and wii is my dream console since nes with the power glove...