Motion control for the Xbox 360: Gametrak Freedom

(Credit: IGN)

Whether or not you think the Xbox 360 could use a motion controller, Performance Designed Products (or PDP) will be releasing such a device for the console this fall called the Gametrak Freedom. While the Freedom will use several accelerometers for mapping pitch, roll, and yaw, the controller differs from the Wii remote because of something called ultrasonic 3D positioning.

Unlike the Wii remote, which uses an infrared (IR) lamp for operation, the Freedom will come with two sensors that will be placed on both sides of your display. This setup will enable a more accurate dimensional detection along with more precise measurements of speed and orientation. Supposedly this technology will require more specific movements from the user, different from the Wii remote that is occasionally easy to fool.

While this might sound like a significant leap from the Wii remote's capabilities, we're most concerned about the availability of games that will take advantage of this kind of control system. Instead of relying solely on third-party developers, PDP has produced a title in-house called Squeeballs. The game will offer 11 different minigames with 150 challenges in total. Squeeballs will be available for Xbox 360 along with the launch of the Gametrak Freedom later this year. PDP claims there are in fact other developers programming Freedom-compatible games, all of which have yet to be announced.

PDP hopes to release the Gametrak Freedom in the fall, with a PlayStation 3 version coming out sometime in 2010.

(Source: IGN)

[WA166]

It does copy the shape of Wii controller. I just wonder if there is a numchuck to go with it. Because I am not sure if I can use it with one hand only. My thumb is not that long to control the direction pad and push the buttons. Unless the game deigner only use the buttns.

Then again, if the is a Microsoft supported project. I don't think other game designer will support it at all. Just like the light gun design.

[WA166]

Was meant to say
"Then again, if the is NOT a Microsoft supported project. I don't think other game designer will support it at all. Just like the light gun design. "

[MrMhz]

Oh I don't know... I would think the devs are chomping at the bit to be able to capitalize on the wii's success without having to sacrifice the visual splendor of their games by catering to Nintendo's inferior hardware.

[Inconnux]

once again Microsoft copies the competition.

[Notoapplefanbois]

Microsoft didn't make it, a 3rd party company did.

@WA166, If you want to use both hands then wait till the XBox 3rd gen comes out with 3dTouch.

[thelemurking]

Impressive! It takes an incredible high level of skill to openly show this much idiocy online. Your lack of reading comprehension is astounding. Is there no limits to Apple trolling?

Now if you will take a bit of advice from me... TRY READING THE FIRST FRACKING SENTENCE MORON!

"Whether or not you think the Xbox 360 could use a motion controller, Performance Designed Products (or PDP) will be releasing such a device for the console this fall called the Gametrak Freedom."

There's more to an article than looking at the picture. THINK DIFFERENTLY never meant for you to stop THINKING!

[MrMhz]

I don't consider the wii to be a competitor of either the PS3 or the 360. It isn't even an HD capable console, and the wii-mote really isn't practical for most games. It's a gimmicky toy, the new Tickle Me Elmo if you will. Everyone wants one but they can't tell you why. In fact, future archeologists will probably call this the "Wii Period" because there will be a wii layer in the earths surface once they all finally make it to the land fill.

[roachbrain]

Third party or not it was developed for MS and Sony to compensate for the lack of vision they had when developing there systems. This idea is built off the success of the WII and will very well be a "if you can't beat them join them" deal.

[MrMhz]

You people kill me. So McDonald's should be the only one allowed to sell hamburgers? Or Ford the only car company? Or Levi's the only blue jeans? That's just ignorant, and I might add, a little communist. Your one-way line of logic is sure to spur innovation. NOT! Morons... Competition is good for all. Everyone benefits from it, except maybe Nintendo, who should probably have built a machine that is more capable in the first place. I Guess putting all your eggs in one basket is a tad limiting huh? I for one am happy to see someone taking the initiative to bring a fair idea with previously poor implementation to the superior platforms. If third party developers embrace this device, Nintendo will have printed it's last dollars, and their "vision" will have finally fully manifested on "real" gaming platforms. We may even see fun, playable FPS and sword wielding titles that work the way they should. Or... just more bowling.

[captain_numerica]

@MrMhz - Thank you! Nice to see some common sense here.

[roachbrain]

Wow MrMhz you?re just itching for an argument. Sadly you wont find that here because I was just stating a simple fact that although this is good news for a PS3 fanboy like me (that enjoys some of the fun innovations the wii has brought me) it shows that there finally taking a page from Nintendo and putting fun factor before graphics. Let's face it wii catered to a higher rage of people that I?m sure MS or Sony would have loved to bring under there own numbers.

BTW your point really makes no sense and your analogies are simplistic to a flaw. Every one knows McDonalds is the better value. Yes I?m a Mcfanboy too. Hitler has nothing on me.

[roachbrain]

By the way captain_numerica, its common sense that this is a wii bite off. It?s also common sense that wii did way better in sales then both Sony and MS. So common sense tells them if it worked for the wii it should work for them. Nothing wrong with that logic however for people that dismissed wii as a competitor it?s funny to see how they obviously take a good idea that should have been implemented from the beginning and now make it there own.

Don?t see how stating the obvious makes me a communist, but if common sense dictates I am; then common sense also tells me both of you are skinheads. I?m kidding, not really, just playing or not.

[MrMhz]

Oh, looks like you're using a mac. So you have a history of using over-priced, second rate hardware... I get it. All your comments have just been rendered totally invalid. When your "garage designed" computer can correctly display an apostrophe let us know. Good day.

[roachbrain]

Nah i'm on PC i just have to pretent i'm writing an email at work so i don't get caught messing around in here. when i copy and paist it turns my ( ' ) to ( ? ). But thanks i will have a good day.

[heulenwolf]

Hmm, I've seen 2D ultrasonic positioning products before and they have a pretty serious weakness. Ultrasonic digitizers for blueprints and larger paper plots used similar technology years ago. The problem was, every time you snapped your fingers, shook your keys, or did any number of seemingly innocuous things, that generated ultrasonic noise which completely swamped the unit. Have they implemented some nifty signal processing to mitigate that effect?

[KieferSkunk]

One thing I'm curious about: How will people's dogs react to this new controller design? Unlike the Wiimote, which uses infrared lamps, the Freedom will use ultrasonic emitters. That's likely to tick off a lot of household pets if it's not done properly.

[wiredchicken]

They cannot come out with this, they are violating the Wiis remote design!

[roachbrain]

Bring back the power glove with this tech, then you may have something. lol

[JJohnson1701]

I would find something like this incredibly useful in first person shooter games, much more than the standard X-Box 360 controller. Point and shoot is easy to understand in those games. Just make a rifle accessory, and put a thumbstick to control movement, and we're golden.

[erharri]

Actually, without IR aiming I don't think this would work very well for precision shooting.

[erharri]

Actually this tech is very old. The Power Glove indeed used ultrasonic positioning on the original NES. It didn't work that great then (which is why Ninty chose IR positioning) so why would it work now. As for the Wiimote being poorly implemented, even without Motion Plus which will pretty much eliminate its major weakness, it is a very precise instrument which has gained a very loyal following among gearheads. No my friends this is not going to make the Xbox or PS3 a Wii killer. The Wii does a number of things extremely well, but its major draw is always going to be the creativity of Nintendo's programmers. I love my 360, but there are just somethings best left to the Wii. This is one of them.

[XBOXWiis]

Can any of you guys spell? It is amazing how many spelling and grammar errors each of you posted. Especially WA166 !!! I am most schocked at the corrections you made to your post the 2nd time, however, you failed to catch your simple language error. All of you would have much more credibility if you were able to spell and speak properly. And I SUCK at spelling and grammar!!