Comments on: SIXAXIS vs. Wii-Remote http://thoughthead.com/16 Opinionated rants for the masses. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:39:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9 By: twistedsymphony http://thoughthead.com/16/comment-page-1#comment-20 Tue, 07 Nov 2006 11:51:50 +0000 http://thoughthead.com/?p=16#comment-20 Six Axis motion control typically works by using 2 three axis linear accelerometers. The remaining three rotational axis can then be calculated based on the difference between the outputs. This is how nearly every every motion control system I’ve ever used works, Based on internal photos of the Wii-Remote, and based on developer comments on the hurdles of programming the SIXAXIS it leads me to believe they both work this way as well. Sometimes the device will have on board calculations to calculate the remaining 3 axis as well as clean up routines so the developers can simply grab the data they need instead of having to interpret it, most of the VR gloves I’ve worked with had this kind of feature though the PS3 developers I’ve talked to have made comments the lead me to believe the SIXAXIS doesn’t, I have no idea whether or not the Wii-Remote does, there are benefits and pitfalls to having it either way.
As for the point interface, it has nothing to do with motion control, it’s completely different hardware altogether, Nintendo basically strapped a light-gun on to their controller. You’re correct in that is where the wiibar comes from. It works on infrared because more traditional style light guns only work with CRT based displays while IR based systems work with any display. The Zapper attachment doesn’t actually add any functionality in terms oft the sensors, it simply makes the Wii-Remote look and feel more like a gun instead of a remote but doesn’t actually change it’s functionality.
I have no idea how usable the USB2.0 port is on the SIXAXIS but AFAIK that’s the only expansion port on the controller, it might only be used for charging. Either way Sony would be better to simply make a whole new wand style controller if they wanted to compete in that fashion. If they did go this route I question it’s impact, most accessories that require purchase separate from the console don’t get widespread use. Only if they started including this new controller with the console do I see it ever catching on or getting decent support in games.

]]> By: poppe http://thoughthead.com/16/comment-page-1#comment-19 Tue, 07 Nov 2006 09:39:02 +0000 http://thoughthead.com/?p=16#comment-19 Nice read.

These new controllers undoubtedly make for some interesting game play shifts. I’m not sure how the 6axis works but I wonder if they could release a wand style controller and make it work as the point and shoot device the wiimote does, or if that is how the wiibar comes into play. Or if they could as Nintendo are doing (the gun accessory) just release a accessory to tack on the controller to to make it a point and shoot device.

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