Better than the Wiimote?
Techtree News Staff, Feb 12, 2008 1534 hrs IST
This controller -- called the Darwin -- could be better than the Wii's famed remote, and it's not limited to the Wii
You know -- at least by having read about it -- how realistic those games are on the Wii, what with being able to move the Wiimote as though it were a tennis racquet or whatever else. The Wiimote has competition, though not for the first time (there's the Sixaxis controller for the PS3 as well). But Satayan Mahajan, chairman of Boston-based Motus Corporation, says the Darwin allows for even more realistic game play.
Think of the Darwin as something like a Wiimote -- it has accelerometers, for instance -- only, Mahajan is saying it's going to be better. It's conceptually based on the iClub (another of Motus' products), a piece of golfing hardware aimed at helping serious golfers improve their game by sensing and analyzing minute motion details. The iClub is specialized, and the Darwin is not; even so, Mahajan says gamers will indeed be able to use the Darwin as a golf club (using both hands, something that doesn't make sense with the Wiimote).
A few details for the technically-inclined: position is tracked in the case of the Wiimote using accelerometers and an infrared sensor plugged in to the user's TV set. In contrast, the Darwin measures position with respect to Earth, that is, it calculates absolute position, using gyroscopes in addition to accelerometers. This method was earlier not practical because both gyroscopes and accelerometers are error-prone. Mahajan says that Motus' work on the iClub has helped them design a combination of "hardware, software, and firmware" that can adequately correct the error.
You might want to look at this page for a little about the Darwin and how it compares with the Wii's remote. And it's not overly expensive, either -- it's expected to be priced in the vicinity of $90 (Rs 3,200).
The Darwin is not tied to a particular console, and could even be used in conjunction with a PC. Naturally, the question is about the controller's compatibility and integration with games.
Motus is currently talking to console makers and game publishers. They're working on integration with existing games, and close integration with to-be-released games. They expect to get the Darwin out to market by the end of 2008.
USER COMMENTS
Why did Nintendo bother making their Wiimote? The analog sticks and DPad were good before. Wouldn't you want to feel like your actually in your game? Take the most asked game to be merged with the Wiimote; Star Wars. Wouldn't it be cool to be able to play KOTOR and wield your lightsaber with the Wiimote? I agree that for Nintendo, they forced developers to use it because it is the only input for the Wii. But make a killer game on the PC and people will buy it, at that price, it's nothing. Who would've thought that you could get 10 millions people playing an MMO. Now think about those 10 millions people having the chance to use a Wiimote device to control their characters in the game. It's worth it just for one game.
by Twinsoul, Montreal, on Feb 13, 2008 08:04 AM, Report abuse
nintendo invented the D pad, everyone takes it. nintendo invented the controller joystick, everyone takes it. nintendo invents the wiimote, everyone gets there grotty mits on it. Stupid companies make your own idea. the darwin ihas the same wrist strap.same size D pad. If nintendo wanted to they could probably sue sony and microsoft for using there D pad inventing
by anonymous, anonymous, on Feb 13, 2008 02:58 AM, Report abuse Reply
Bleh, no matter how many copy it, they will pale in comparison to the original.
by Jared Sol, Wolverhampton, on Feb 13, 2008 02:14 AM, Report abuse Reply
the Novint Falcon Game Controller is any ways much much better than the Wii Remote. Feel the surface, feel the rumble , feel the vibration and feel the game. i have one and i have to admit that this is one nasty addon and unlike the wii u can never get bored of it
by Anonymous, jo, on Feb 12, 2008 06:55 PM, Report abuse Reply
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Why do they bother? I mean, games on the PC are designed for keyboard and mouse, there's no point making a peripheral like this because nobody is going to support it. Just accept the fact Nintendo has done well out it's implementation of motion control and leave it alone for god's sake.
by Lewis Dunn, Congleton, on Feb 13, 2008 03:38 AM, Report abuse Reply