Nintendo: we tried camera-based motion controls, but rejected it

Talking to the Financial Times, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said that they had tried camera-based controls, but decided against it for Wii.

READ: PS3 Motion Controller outshines the Wiimote
READ: Milo, Burnout, and Balls: Body-on with Project Natal

Nintendo: we tried camera-based motion controls, but rejected it


It looks like Microsoft and Sony weren't the first to try out camera motion-control, as Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has stepped forward to declare that they originally tried out camera-based controls, but weren't pleased with the results compared to the Wii's final accelerometer controls. Iwata told the Financial Times:

Until they say when they're releasing it, how much it costs and what software it comes with, we won't know whether that is the route we should have taken. However... I think they couldn't choose to release exactly the same thing.

Though it's yet to be seen how Microsoft and Sony's own brand of motion-sensing controls will turn out in the long run, it's obvious Nintendo will have some competition come the release of the two new products.

[Via Joystiq]

Comments [27]

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Smeagol123

DarthKratos_ wrote:

EXCUSES!!!! Nintendo never fiddled with a camera motion controller. Their just trying to downplay this and make it seem like it was not worthy technology... Poor nintendy's.

ahhh, and you know this because...

I thought that the wiimote does involve a camera of sorts--but the camera is in the wiimote and it recognizes the infrared signature of the sensor bar; so the system is a reversed version of what MS and Sony are doing now...

I like the "downplay" in your comment; what else would you have him say "oh yeah, our company is in trouble, because just like every other idiot going gaga over the latest gadget news, we're shitting in our kimonos before we even find out what this tech is going to be used for. I think it's pretty safe to say Nintendo will have motion control to itself for another year, and are probably already working on the next thing fanboys will insist is a fad; well, a fad until their company of choice tries to cash in. Then that fad's gonna be done right.

338062
GetsugaSSJ

DarthKratos_ wrote:

EXCUSES!!!! Nintendo never fiddled with a camera motion controller. Their just trying to downplay this and make it seem like it was not worthy technology... Poor nintendy's.

You should prove that

mpeg3s

I think big N did try Camera tech, but the MS tech wasn't developed then. Additionally it came down to each Wiimote cost $50.

Wiimote x 3 is $150

How much is Natal?

TripleO

DarthKratos_ wrote:

EXCUSES!!!! Nintendo never fiddled with a camera motion controller. Their just trying to downplay this and make it seem like it was not worthy technology... Poor nintendy's.
You're right, they're lying. What are you, 8?

Btw, you hang in there and wait for Natal 2 or 3 years from now while I'm playing Frolf on TigerWoods 10 with M+, yesterday.

Toneman

TripleO wrote:

DarthKratos_ wrote:

EXCUSES!!!! Nintendo never fiddled with a camera motion controller. Their just trying to downplay this and make it seem like it was not worthy technology... Poor nintendy's.
You're right, they're lying. What are you, 8?
Btw, you hang in there and wait for Natal 2 or 3 years from now while I'm playing Frolf on TigerWoods 10 with M+, yesterday.
Yeah man... I had Tiger 07, and I find the Wii Motion + is a really great addition. It's still not 1-to-1, but thank god it's not 'cause I would SUCK really bad... I mean, if you try to swing the wiimote like a sword for example, Tiger won't do it... he's still staying in his pre-determined swing path. This is not a realistic simulator, it's still a videogame... it just makes the controls much tighter... DEFINITELY worth the extra 20$. And I think I actually prefer Frolf to the actual golf game, it's really awesome. Do you have an online account yet? We should try to play a round of frolf together.

TripleO

Toneman wrote:

TripleO wrote:

DarthKratos_ wrote:


EXCUSES!!!! Nintendo never fiddled with a camera motion controller. Their just trying to downplay this and make it seem like it was not worthy technology... Poor nintendy's.
You're right, they're lying. What are you, 8?
Btw, you hang in there and wait for Natal 2 or 3 years from now while I'm playing Frolf on TigerWoods 10 with M+, yesterday.
Yeah man... I had Tiger 07, and I find the Wii Motion + is a really great addition. It's still not 1-to-1, but thank god it's not 'cause I would SUCK really bad... I mean, if you try to swing the wiimote like a sword for example, Tiger won't do it... he's still staying in his pre-determined swing path. This is not a realistic simulator, it's still a videogame... it just makes the controls much tighter... DEFINITELY worth the extra 20$. And I think I actually prefer Frolf to the actual golf game, it's really awesome. Do you have an online account yet? We should try to play a round of frolf together.

Well yeah, Tiger won't wield the club like a sword, but the swing mechanics are 1:1. When you pull back, Tiger pulls back. When you swing, he's swinging. It really is something else. I am down with some online Frolf. We'll plan it for next week. I'm going up north to my inlaws on Friday, won't be back until Sunday. I'll get my online account ready for then. Pick a date and time for next week.

den4sir

BULLSHIT!!!!!!! Developers were too scared to even go that route cause the wireless controller had not been perfect until recently! If Nintendo really did think of everything then they would've thought to incorporate HD like Sony and MS have. It's funny cause in the end that will be the Wii's downfall. I think it's remarkable with what Nintendo has done but they need to expand their library to the hardcore gamers cause in the end that's who buys games. Their 1st party games have been second to none for over 2 decades. Don't be stupid Nintendo, that's a huge advantage for third party developers and your company!

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