Newton motion controller finally confirmed?
Shhhh . . . In a recent IGN video clip Ken Lobb (Creative director of Microsoft game studios) showed the world game play footage of the latest Banjo- Kazooie installment. With all this talk about a motion controller coming to the Xbox 360, could it actually be happening? Apparently so!
In the IGN video clip it clearly shows Kevin Lobb playing through the hub world of Nuts and Bolts. Whilst playing the game he moves Banjo up close to a crane. He then states that Kazooie has a special wrench that is used on certain items. He continued saying “you basically grab with the wrench, and then you twist the controller around and it will move different things in the game”. So he basically confirmed a motion censored controller right?
I hope that if this statement is correct and that the “Newton” controller is finally confirmed at E3 that Microsoft use it wisely. We’ve seen in several Wii and PS3 games that the standard of motion controls in some games are not up to scratch. i.e. Lair and Motor Storm. If Microsoft decide to utilize this new controller lets hope it doesn’t turn into a laughable gimmick by making games awkward to control and that it actually makes game more enjoyable to play.
the picture above is from an article done by Xbox360World (issue #66 pg 16) magazine covering the Newton recently, showing the prototype beingheld in a users hand. Propably one of two items ? The source confirmed to Xbox360World that the project is well underway with motion controller company Motus regarding their new “Darwin Project“, which you see pictured above.
This is far more accurate than the photoshopped design seen around the net of late and in one of our earlier articles on the Newton, and you can definitely see the distinctive MS 360 items included in the controller. While the Newton (aka Darwin) is not aimed at hardcore users, it is aimed at several new games headed for the 360, including the much anticipated Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts-N-Bolts which will be shown at the upcoming E3 on July 14th - 17th.
Expect MS to come out swinging, no pun intended, on their opening volley come opening hour on the 14th, as they head the show, and no doubt have some dark horses under wraps for stirring up the hornets rest which is, “The Net”.