Sat, Feb 27, 2010 | 17:02 GMT
Ken Levine says new motion controllers are a “reaction to the Wii”
Irrational’s Ken Levine has said that the new motion controls coming from Microsoft and Sony are a “reaction to the Wii” and in order for them to be successful, games created for them can’t just be mindless waggling and jumping up and down affairs.
Speaking during a panel at Vassar College last week, Levine said that when it comes to motion control, developers need to give players opportunities to do things everyone would like to do, an not make the do silly and awkward things – citing Wii Bowling as an example that got it right.
“I think the motion controllers are a bit of a reaction to the Wii,” said Levine (via GamerNode), “and I think the question is for the guys making those – and there’s some very talented people working on those and there’s some very impressive pieces of hardware – [is] it’s gonna be about the software and can people figure out the experience that people have to have.
“[Wii Bowling] wasn’t about going up and doing backflips in front of your TV. It was something that was very simple, not embarrassing, and people already have that sense of performance when they bowl.
“That’s not the future. But I think it’s all about figuring out that software, and is there going to be another zillion-dollar idea like Wii bowling or different idea than Wii bowling?”
Microsoft has said that when Natal is launched, it will be very careful with what is developed for it, while Sony has still remained mum on what to expect with it’s controller – other than some existing franchises on PS3 getting Arc support.
More through the links.
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Posted in: Development, Hot, Microsoft, Sony, Wii, hardware, peripherals
Tags: irrational games, ken levine
16 comments
#1
No_PUDding
27/02/10, 5:10 pm
Well done Ken. Clever.
#2
Razor
27/02/10, 5:26 pm
He’s on the ball isn’t he.
#3
Eregol
27/02/10, 5:41 pm
And the No Shit Sherlock award goes to………
#4
NiceFellow
27/02/10, 5:54 pm
D’oh!
Captain Obvious!
etc. etc.
#5
Tallon 4
27/02/10, 5:55 pm
Jeez….never thought of that.
#6
NiceFellow
27/02/10, 5:55 pm
D’oh! Captain Obvious! etc. etc.
#7
Dr.Ghettoblaster
27/02/10, 6:19 pm
And farts are a direct reaction to eating beans.
#8
DJ Deathstar
27/02/10, 6:19 pm
*Enter sarcastic well done comment here*
#9
Erthazus
27/02/10, 6:19 pm
I like how someone want to look like a smart ass.
No shit sherlock we never knew that… Really.
#10
Dannybuoy
28/02/10, 8:17 am
My god did he seriously send out a press realease saying that or did someone overhear him at a bar or something. Seriously. It’s not really news is it.
#11
Artheval_Pe
28/02/10, 10:04 am
“I think the motion controllers are a bit of a reaction to the Wii,” said Levine during a Q&A panel at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on February 20.”
There you have it, the guy probably only answered a question.
#12
mightyhokie
28/02/10, 6:00 pm
Just curious, you guys…
…Levine made the most interesting and intelligent game I’ve ever played (and I’m 40 and started with Pong so that is a hell of a list). It seems, however, that a lot of people on this site and other gaming sites really dislike him. Interviews I’ve read with him he seems like a perfectly alright guy.
So, why all the disdain? Have I missed something? Its a serious question. I’m not trying to flame or start a fight. I’m just curious as to why people hate this guy.
#13
Aimless
28/02/10, 6:14 pm
I think you’ll find that people on here — and pretty much all sites of its ilk — automatically gravitate towards disparaging comments, hokie. This tendency tends to override reading comprehension, too.
#14
DaMan
28/02/10, 6:30 pm
I hope that game isn’t Bioshock, mighty.
#15
Phoenixblight
28/02/10, 8:41 pm
@Daman it isn’t Levine has stated its a new IP.
#16
DaMan
28/02/10, 8:48 pm
I was talking about the 13th comment actually.