Social gaming is a weird topic. To me, playing games at the arcade was social gaming. Sitting down with a couple friends to play fighters, racing games etc is all social gaming. Somehow the idea that people want to sit down together to play games got lost in the last little while. All the Wii did was encourage people to sit in the same room and play games together like they used to. It was something Sony was great at, but lost sight of. Now we're seeing all kinds of co-op games and 2 player games coming back again.
GDC session - bigwigs talk
- Thread starter Shifty Geezer
- Start date
True, but what Wii has managed is to reach out that audience PlayStation didn't reach in it's last 'grand push', and show whole family units playing together en masse. Lots of couples and families played Champions of Norrath as one of those few four-player games from last gen, but it was never advertised as something to share, and that's the message Nintendo have driven home, also providing games that get everyone involved without sidelining some people. No matter how great the coop may be in Gears say, you're not likely to attract some demographics with kerb-stomping and chainsawing. It's market positioning as much as everything. That's why Harrison is sick at their smart choice of adverts. For Nintendo, its all about communicating the experience of the gamers are having on the social level, whereas traditionally the games would be advertised as the game content without explicitly showing a social enjoyment. Even if the coop experience on other platforms is equal to Wii, the awareness isn't.
It's just occurred to me that where there has been appeal for casuals on the non-Nintendo consoles in a lot of cases it's been with games like Buzz, Singstar, Guitar Hero and Rock Band. All of which eschew the standard controller for interaction. This really drives home how key it was for Nintendo to have not only the games to appeal to the casuals but the Wiimote as well and how if MS and Sony really hope to compete in this space they will probably have to come up with new casual-friendly controllers of their own.
I had nothing special in mind.
Well, if there's one controller that could make a return...
/coat
Are you refering to this article/session ?http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17577
Much could be covered with the camera, and proper use of Sony's motion controls. The problem is more software based at the moment, and in PS3's case devs aren't willing to cast casual motion controls on a platform that's populated by conventional gamers. It's a catch 22. You won't write the software without the market, but the market won't grow if it doesn't have the software. Nintendo started from day 1 with the software which caught the market. Sony have a few morsels but not enough to win over that same segment. MS seem to be completely ignoring it at the moment.
Shifty, I share the same view (though also open to new ideas).
Sony already has PS Eye that is under-used today (It's their fault).
I have been harping about integrating PS Eye into PS3's core experiences (e.g., XMB, web surfing, movie playback). But more importantly, they should be able to add more depth to the device. The "Fish Tank" demo in GDC 2008 is one software example. The Desktop VR youtube video is another one. I was wondering if we can tie Playstation "Ribbons" around household objects and use them as controllers (e.g., 2 ribbons to a ruler for sword, a frying pan for tennis, or a broom for Guitar; plus your own voice for effects since PS Eye has a powerful mic).
EDIT: Almost forgot about SIXAXIS. I still think that it is a great idea. The problem is the shape and control scheme. Sony should be able to make a 3D-mouse like SIXAXIS controller with one or two buttons to simplify some gameplay.
Sony already has PS Eye that is under-used today (It's their fault).
I have been harping about integrating PS Eye into PS3's core experiences (e.g., XMB, web surfing, movie playback). But more importantly, they should be able to add more depth to the device. The "Fish Tank" demo in GDC 2008 is one software example. The Desktop VR youtube video is another one. I was wondering if we can tie Playstation "Ribbons" around household objects and use them as controllers (e.g., 2 ribbons to a ruler for sword, a frying pan for tennis, or a broom for Guitar; plus your own voice for effects since PS Eye has a powerful mic).
EDIT: Almost forgot about SIXAXIS. I still think that it is a great idea. The problem is the shape and control scheme. Sony should be able to make a 3D-mouse like SIXAXIS controller with one or two buttons to simplify some gameplay.
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I don't know if just tacking on motion controls to a standard controller gets it done.
Aside from the fact that casuals may get turned off by the fact that it looks complicated, it is also more awkward to use the motion controls because of the way you have to hold the controller. The Wiimote is a motion controller with the ability to support traditional controls, not the other way around.
And I don't see waving your arms around in space without some tactile reference as being all that appealing to the masses, either. But I can't say for sure, the casuals have surprised me more than once this gen.
Depends what you're doing. For something like tennis it isn't suited, but the camera can cover some of those tasks. For things like balance, the old rolling marble analogy, it's fine. For reacting to conventional simple games it's excellent too. Wii owners are playing Mario using conventional controls. There's no reason they shouldn't like to play the same games on PS3 with added reaction to their natural motions. A lot of the WiiPlay like titles can be matched to the sixaxis without it being ridiculous, and you can scale the complexity to fit. LocoRoco isn't going to deter anyone!
I think had Sony gone for it, they could have come up with compelling offerings for the market that likes Wii. It wouldn't be identical and the Wii is still far better suited for for some types of game, and I think those games also have big draw. PS3 would also be at the huge disadvantage in terms of price. In some ways I guess starting with conventional gamers and extending to 'casuals' would probably have more financial returns than emphasis on casuals with a $400+ box.
Pretty much what I am thinking, too. Most of the hard work has already been done; the hardware and software support would be able to be directly adapted from the existing Sixaxis.
Now, imagine extending EA's "family play" concept to the controller where games would have simplified "casual" controls available to supplement the traditional ones. You could hand the controller to your little brother (or sister), child or Grandma and they could have fun playing a game with you without you having to engage in a simplified experience yourself (Not thinking competitive as much as cooperative experiences here, BTW). Then once engaged the casual sees you pull off a move that is unavailable to them and it makes them want to "try your controller". Thus the casual controls become a gateway to the hardcore experience.
Using bare hands is a little awkward for me. But if they can grip a suitable objects to swing, it should be fine. I think some role playing with their custom/personalized weapons may be even more immersive. For party games, large body movements (e.g. dodging a punch) and loud noise should mask the lack of tactile feedback. They will have audio and visual feedback anyway.
With voice control, they can even power up their moves by shouting specific commands or roars. Might be worth a try.
EDIT: Come to think of it, if someone can tie multi-colored ribbons around a fake steering wheel, they might even be able to drive a GT5 car (casual mode).
Anyway, the point is PS3 may already have the necessary foundation. They didn't (have time to) go far enough.
Yes ! DMC4 does that somewhat with the "automatic" mode. Just mash the button and let PS3 figure out what combo to use.
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