Will Epic Mickey HD Come To The PS3 in 2011?

Do not know if to label this as horse shit or rumor, as of right now I will label it as a rumor because it makes some sense. It looks like Disney Interactive and Warren Spector's 2D masterpiece, Epic Mickey, will be heading to the PS3 very soon.

A Spanish website called PSNow! reported earlier the big news, but the article has mysteriously vanished. According to QJ.net, "we got some fresh details about Mickey's PS3 outing. According to reports, the game "will not be a conversion of the game released a few weeks ago for Wii, but an independent development in a parallel since 2008, with an engine optimized to the capabilities of PlayStation 3, which will allow 720p native resolution and a rate of 60 frames per second sustainable."

Epic Mickey is also to support the PlayStation Move and "will be available in physical format Blu-ray and through digital download from PlayStation Store." QJ.net, also suggest that "the game launch will occur after a period of exclusivity for at least six months given to Nintendo. As expected,our boy Mickey will have a Collector's Edition of the game that will contain the film Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 on Blu-ray with bonus content yet to reveal.

From a marketing stand point this seems like a pretty sensible rumor. Disney is in the movie business and to have a grand re-release of Fantasia on Blu-ray along side with Epic Mickey coming to the PS3 in HD Blu-ray and probably 3D? It's a win win for all involved.

[QJ.net]via [PSNow] [Gametrailers]

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Hillcrest Labs brings LG's Magic Motion remote to life

Hillcrest's cool as shit remote that was unveil at last year's CES, is some pretty cool tech.  Think Nintento's Wii-mote or Sony PS3 Move. LG Magic Motion remotes will be packed in with LG's new top of the line LCD, the 3D capable, LED backlit LE9500.  Magic Motion is a RF remote that users wave, Sony PS3-style, to operate the onscreen menus. There will also be a standard IR remote for universal remote compatibility to assist those who are just too lazy to lift their arms to change the channel compatibility.

Press Release

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Ubisoft Reveals Motion-Control Plans: 15 Games For PS3 And 360

During a recent conference call, Ubisoft's CEO Yves Guillemot revealed that his company is planning to release ten games for Microsoft's Project Natal motion control system and four to five games for Sony's mysterious motion control system.

"We have about ten games that will come for Natal during the first six months of the launch of Natal, and we expect between four to five games for the new controller from Sony," Guillemot sad. "That's the picture at the moment, it can change in the next twelve months."

Via:[Joystiq]

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Alan Wake gets a Release Window, no seriously

Microsoft;s Xbox 360 most wanted title get's a release window, finally

According to MCV, Alan Wake has been confirmed to be released in May 2010 simultaneously around the world. The 360 exclusive looks very promising and is one of the few 360 titles on my must have list. Previously given a Spring 2010 release, the action-thriller was shown off at E3, hopefully Microsoft will attach at a date in a future announcement.

Just to throw a little speculation into the mix, I believe Alan Wake will be part of the all new Xbox 360+ Natal launch. And to make the hype be larger than life why not implement Natal. We will have to wait until May 2010 to see more of Alan Wake and Natal.

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PS3 Motion Controller Dubbed 'Sphere'

Development community refer to Sony's new motion controller as Sphere.

There's been a lot of talk lately about motion controllers; Nintendo has its Wii MotionPlus and Microsoft is referring to its technology as Project Natal, but what of Sony? The Japanese electronics giant has yet to attach a name to its motion control tech so it’s been left to the developers who are currently referring to it as ‘Sphere’.

The term Sphere obviously refers to the orb on top of the strangely shaped device and, according to Joystiq, producers from Sega and Polyphony Digital have both referred to it in interviews as ‘Sphere’.

“The term Sphere obviously refers to the orb on top of the strangely shaped device”

Sony claims to know nothing of the ‘Sphere’ name so there is every possibility it could just be a development term but it is strange that two totally separate companies have used the term on different occasions.

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Will No More Heroes on land PS3?

With the industry buzzing about another motion control device being delivered to the masses via Sony PS3. No More Heroes, game designer Goichi Suda has stated:"I originally didn't want to make another No More Heroes," The game was supposed to be a one off dealio, but when the title did well, sequels do happen." Luckily for Nintendo Wii fans there will be another No More Heroes on the horizon.

"It's not just that," Suda explains. "I wanted to revisit Travis Touchdown. I wanted to write the continuation of his story." NMH lead hero Travis Touchdown is joined by more characters and boss battles this go round in No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle. The title has been in development for about a year and a half and is shooting for an early 2010 release.

"Right now, I don't think I'll make another one, though," says Suda. "This game does wrap up Travis' story nicely." But so many movies are in trilogies — a point that movie buff Suda is quick to concede.

With the introduction of Sony's new motion controls, it would not be too far stretch to see No More Heroes ported over to the PS3. "I'm not playing platform favorites," says Suda. "For me, No More Heroes is about two handed controls — the way you play. But I do very much think of the game as being a Wii title." There you go motion control fan boys, one of Nintendo's Wii most highly rated game may jump to the dark side.

It would be very interested to see how ports will be handled for the PS3 and 360. I do not see many developers having challenges with Xbox 360 Natal but I am slightly concern about the current challenges with ports in general for the PS3. Porting a Wii game in theory should be a fairly easy affair but I am no game developer I just play one online.

Via:[Kotaku]

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Where is Natal?

From the look of things Sony is marching head on with the release of the New Motion Controllers due to arrive Spring 2010. They have released a list of games that will be debuting along side plus we got a chance to see what the official product looks like.

With Sony currently driving and riding the motion control bandwagon, what is very surprising is the lack of any news from Microsoft in reference to Natal. Just to refresh you, in case you've happen live on the other side of the moon for the past 12 months. Natal is Microsoft's foray into motion control made possible buy the purchase of Israel-based 3DV, IDB Holding Corporation's Elron Electronic Industries and its subsidiary, Rafael Development Corporation.

Natal's claim to fame is the ability to do away with any type of controller and the player be the controller. Beside a spectacular staged demo at this year E3 we have not heard anything else from Microsoft about Natal. The last bit of news we heard about Natal was, EA will be holding off “Grand Slam Tennis” so it can benefit form the freedom of motion controls. So we know for sure there is one game confirm for Natal and that is "Grand Slam Tennis".

My biggest concern about Natal, is the lack of news, no R&D videos, no organized leaks, no nothing. Does this tech work? Is Microsoft positioning Natal as an all new game system all together? What games are in the works for Natal? Is Alan Wake a Natal Lunch title? And most importantly does the tech do what it says it does? Only time will tell--we will have to wait and see. What are your thoughts?

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PS3 Motion Controller Game List

The official pictures are out for Sony's new Motion Controller. We've had a chance to see the birth of the new motion controller through Sony's R&D labs releasing a series of videos. Now, thanks to an official press release we have the full Motion Controller details, along with a list of games which are being readied along side the new controller.

Check out the full press release below:
Motion Controller* for PlayStation(R)3 to Become Available in Spring 2010

Motion Controller (Unofficial Name) Equipped with High-Precision Motion Sensors, Combined With PlayStation(R)Eye Camera, Delivers Whole New Entertainment Experience on PlayStation(R)3

TOKYO, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it will release a new Motion Controller (unofficial name) for PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system in Spring 2010. The new controller, equipped with high-precision, highly accurate motion sensors, can deliver a whole new entertainment experience on PS3 when combined together with the PlayStation®Eye camera(*1). Capable of recognizing and tracking a user’s face and voice as well as body motion, PlayStation Eye can also output the player’s image onto the TV screen. SCE will vigorously promote the expansion of this new experience only possible on the PS3 platform.

The newly announced Motion Controller is equipped with two motion sensors, three axes gyroscope and three axes accelerometer that can detect the controller’s angle and movement held in the user’s hand. Together with the PlayStation Eye camera for PS3 which can accurately track the absolute position of the controller, the controller can detect the natural and intuitive movement of the hand and reflect the precise movement on to the game. The sphere placed on the top of the controller is not only used to track the absolute position but can also give visual feedback to users by changing the colors or the illuminating patterns of the sphere. Furthermore, the new controller is also equipped with a rumble feature, familiar to the PlayStation® DUALSHOCK® series controller, delivering an immersive gaming experience to users.

Further expanding the new experience on PS3, SCE Worldwide Studios will deliver many exciting software titles for the Motion Controller in 2010(*2). SCE, with strong support from software developers and publishers, will deploy various measures to enhance the software title line-up for the new Motion Controller and vigorously promote the PS3 platform.

* Motion Controller is a tentative name.

*1 Users will need to use the PlayStation Eye camera to enjoy Motion Controller on PS3.

*2 Please see below for software titles to be released in 2010.

Product Outline
Motion Controller (Tentative)

Product name Motion Controller (tentative)

Release date Spring 2010

Recommended Retail Price To be decided.

Key Features — Three axes gyroscope, three axes accelerometer
– Bluetooth(R) 2.0
– Lithium-Ion rechargeable internal battery

Software Titles for Motion Controller from SCE Worldwide Studios(*1)
(2010 release, includes both Motion Controller dedicated and compatible titles)

Title name
———-
Ape Escape (Working Title)
Echochrome 2 (Working Title)
Eccentric Slider (Working Title)
Sing and Draw (Working Title)
Champions of Time (Working Title)
Motion Party (Working Title)
The Shoot (Working Title)
Tower (Working Title)
PAIN(*2)
Flower(*2)
Hustle Kings(*2)
High Velocity Bowling(*2)
EyePet(*2)

Via:[Press Release]

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Final PS3 Motion Control Pic

You have seen the videos and you have heard the R&D blah blah. But we've never seen anything official, no final product shots, until now. Sony has officially shown us a picture of the New Motion Controller for the PS3. Looks very cool a remote control with a mini light bulb at the end. Can we think about the possibilities when Sony decides to give you the option to control other Sony device's besides the PS3. How cool?

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PS3 Motion Controller Update Part III: R&D Video

Sony has released a series of videos on their blog pertaining to the development of the new PS3 Motion Control wands coming this spring. With the Nintendo Wii sales coming back to reality and Microsoft sitting in the shadows with a dirty secret--Microsoft has yet to share anymore information on (Natal?). This video replicates everything from E3 with a few additions due to time and a real camera crew. The demo, including spray paint, pencils, FPS mode, RTS gameplay and the manipulation of several different objects is all there plus--a few things Sony never had the time to share. The video after the jump shows some great potential for the upcoming PS3 wands.

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PS3 Motion Control Game Revealed

EA has leaked one of the first PS3 motion control PS3 games that will take advantage of this new tech when it arrives in Spring 2010. EA Sports made it know to the world that “Grand Slam Tennis”, which originally debuted on the Wii, has been in development for the PS3 and Xbox 360 for some time but was mysteriously delayed back in August.

Grand Slam Tennis will arrive on the Sony PS3 in the Spring when Sony PS3 MoCo glowing wands arrives. Xbox owners will be seeing a similar version later on Natal in the fall 2010. With Sony being first to the HD MoCo wars it will be very interesting to see how the gaming public warm up to Sony attempted to capture the casual gamer.

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Advance Facial Recognition heading to the PS3

There has been toying with Facial Recognition ever since the Sony Cyber Shot cameras days. Currently there is a primitive form of facial recognition with the recently added photo gallery app. The photo gallery app currently can tell your age, if you are smiling or if you are sad. This gives you the ability the sort your photos by emotions and age. Also let's not forget head tracking coming to GT5.

Let's fast forward one year and Sony will be planning to take Facial Recognition to the next level with Vision Library. Once a face has been analyzed, your Sony PS3 can tell it apart from others, determine orientation, identify gender, tell what expression that face is expressing, and then superimpose some big-eyed anime head right on top of it real-time. This combine with Sony MoCo(Motion Controls) and 3D can really change the way games are played.

Video after the jump:

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Behind the Scenes with SCEA Research & Development (Part 1)

During E3, Sony showcased a prototype for a new controller launching next year. I have a lot of questions, so Richard Marks and Anton Mikhailov sat down to give a recap of Sony new MoCo Technology, two of the main brains behind the new controller, to get some insight on the E3 demo, the back-story behind development, and the future of this new technology.

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