Microsoft’s ‘Darwin’ to revolutionize Nintendo’s revolution?
Media explores new dimension of the mysterious Xmote
New turn (uh, dull gibe) on the still unannounced while highly anticipated Microsoft’s response to Nintendo’s Wiimote. Gaming site Kotaku just posted an extensive article gathering the latest gossip about the infamous controller, first purportedly codenamed ‘Newton’, then changed to ‘Darwin’, but publicly known as ‘Xmote’ (wouldn’t that be any Xbox controller, anyway?).
While the ‘Newton’ story came from 8bitjoystick, a blog supposedly linked to Microsoft, the ‘Darwin’ episode was written by Kotaku itself right after they talked with a company called Motus. Apparently, these people have been working on a lightsaber-looking motion sensitive device meant to be “the evolution of the Wii.” Thus, the name ‘Darwin’. Let’s just expect something really that good so we don’t have to call it ‘Dolly’.
Earliest rumours toyed with the idea of Gyration, the same company responsible for Nintendo’s Wiimote technology, developing Microsoft’s experiment. However, Zac Rivera, a PR of Movea Inc., yet another company that purchased Gyration back in January, told Kotaku that “there’s absolutely no truth on the rumours.” He added that “Gyration is working on some game-related projects, but it won’t be announced until later this year, and it is not related to the Xbox 360.” Boston-based Motus was the best bet after that. “We have created motion technology that offers wonderful control,” said chairman Satayan Mahajan, not to be confused with any character from the Dragon Ball universe. “Darwin will work on console as well as PC, it offers the next generation of Wii.” Hearing that, it’s hard to avoid thinking on the obvious connection between PCs and the Xbox. “It looks like Microsoft is coming up with something,” added Mahanjan shiftily, “and we have something.” And just like previous sources pointed out, he assures that there are publishers in studios using the technology right now, but he won’t announce any relationship yet.
Motus has worked with Microsoft before. They developed the iCube technology encompassing motion analysis and capture, which was used in Microsoft’s Links golf game in 2005. However, Mahajan won’t tell how close they are to the Xbox this time. Still, he acknowledges that games focused on motion sensitive techniques don’t sell well outside the Wii. According to him, those titles “lose two thirds of their revenue” when released on Xbox 360 or PS3. Perhaps because most of them are just casual vehicles with poor graphics and a trifling approach that simply have nothing to offer other than the wagging fun of the Wii.
For Aaron Greenberg, director product management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, there isn’t much to worry about. He funnily remarks that “Nintendo’s success it’s been great for Microsoft.” Sure. “It’s helped broaden the industry, and we feel like we’re a part of that effort.” But of course. Kotaku summarizes his thoughts in a rather frightening sentence: “the all-inclusive motion-based Wii experience is a gateway drug for young consumers who eventually “graduate” to the Xbox 360.” So that was all about. Greenberg also makes a very right comment when he mentions that “by having motion, that doesn’t make the gaming experience any better. There are certain types you’ve seen where it’s definitely been unique and some where you don’t want a motion control, like when playing GTA, Madden or an RPG.” But beyond that, he won’t confirm if Microsoft is developing any kind of motion sensitive controller.
Trying to meet more people than Forrest Gump, Kotaku also contacted Rare itself to see what they have to say about the latest rumours concerning Conker: The Fast and the Furriest and their involvement on the Xmote. An unknown insider reminded them that “a new Conker game doesn’t really factor that high up on Rare’s agenda.” It appears that Chris Seavor is not that interested on bringing Conker back. Oh, come on, Chris. Wouldn’t it be nice to see the world’s naughtiest squirrel coming back along with kick-ass legends like Rambo, John McLane or Indiana Jones? We are talking about a real sequel, though. Plus according to Rare Witch Project’s own sources, The Fast and the Furriest has been cancelled for years and it never featured motion sensitive technology, but optical recognition via the Xbox camera.
Rare added that they “don’t want to run the risk of being pigeonholed as a casual games developer” and emphasizes that Microsoft owns them outright, but they still respect their “creative integrity.” For their point of view, “all this speculation couldn’t have come at a worse time.” Rare wants fans to stay focused on Banjo 3 and not on some hypothetical futuristic device that may have nothing to do with them after all. If you ask us, perhaps people would be more eager to learn about Banjo 3 if they had actually showed some details of the game.
So for now, it’s no surprise that gossip sagas like this one or the one about GoldenEye 007 get everyone’s attention. French Rarefan Nico2036 even was kind of enough to make us a trailer (available in 720p, here) so we can healthily hype you all. Stay tunned, you can bet that this won’t be the last time we hear about the battle of motion sensitive remote.
related news
post your comment
Get an avatar for your comments here. It'll also work on hundreds of blogs & websites.
