Tecmo Koei concerned by motion-sensing tech

  • By Matthew Peters, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 6, 2009 3:37 pm PT

Kenji Matsubara says Sony and Microsoft's motion-sensing controllers favor casual over core gamers, may lack "real-time response" for future fighter games.

In an interview with GameSpot last month, Microsoft Game Studios head Phil Spencer said the developer's new motion-sensing technology would target all gaming audiences, claiming Project Natal "is about everybody." However, the president of fighter game conglomerate Tecmo Koei recently said he's concerned the technology is geared only for casual gamers.

The Project Natal device will be compatible with the Xbox 360.

Speaking with UK-based Computer and Video Games, Tecmo Koei president Kenji Matsubara said he doubts that motion-sensing controllers recently unveiled by Sony and Microsoft can reach the hardcore gaming market, saying the new technology is currently too underdeveloped to support the kind of fighting games that attracts gamers to his company.

"We are very excited about the future with Project Natal and Sony's motion controllers. At the same time, we have some concerns over the fact that we specialize in making action games, so we have to explore whether we can achieve real-time response from a controller-free system," he said. "We understand that, for casual gamers playing dance games or some sort of fishing game, this controller-free system can be popular. But for hardcore gamers who like actions games, we have to research and develop games that satisfy our core gamers."

The core gamer demographic is the focus of Tecmo Koei, which was formed by the merger of Japanese publishers Tecmo and Koei on April 1. Combined, the company has published many violent fighting and action series, including Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden (Tecmo), and Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors (Koei).

Microsoft's Project Natal and Sony's motion-sensing device were both unveiled at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo. Both products enable users to communicate with a video game console through hand gestures. The Project Natal technology is also responsive to voice commands and facial expressions and is even able to sense emotions. Representatives at Sony and Microsoft could not be reached for an immediate response to Matsubara's comments.

Look below for a demo video of Project Natal.

107 Comments

  • YoJim8obaJoe

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 8:29 pm PT

    KOEI are just worried because if motion sensor takes off they'll have to actaully make a game and not just spam a new and unimproved warriors game

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 3:45 pm PT

    Natal and the PS3 wand are alternatives not the new format of controller. Tecmo Koei should be more worried about finding someone to replace the former lead programmer of team Ninja.

  • melty3219

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 3:38 pm PT

    PS3 sucks

  • shii666

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 12:01 pm PT

    Why would they be concerned? Now two people can actually fight, for scores in the leaderboard! And when one of them gets seriously injured, they would not need to pay a fine (Necessarily of course) (Terrible joke)

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 11:38 am PT

    Im really sure that MS & Sony are concerned about Tecmo Koei's concerns *sarcasm*

  • ralphikari

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 11:20 am PT

    Then don't use motion control in games that don't need it. The PS3 and 360 will always have standard controllers out of the box.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 11:10 am PT

    Am i the only one who would love to see a Natal version of Lionheads 'Black & White"?

  • sejustinian

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 10:43 am PT

    @ MrHoboX: violent fighting is actually a tautology, or a linguistic redundancy. Molyneux talent would be an oxymoron.

  • bennae66

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 10:32 am PT

    of natal can scan... that would mean it could scan a cucumber surely! milo would eat one

  • bennae66

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 10:28 am PT

    im disturbed that two people gave me thumbs up for illusion. so what do we want to see then, artificial girl 8.5? or sexy beach 4.97

  • Icehearted

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 10:22 am PT

    @bennae66
    Just you wait, it's all eventual... though I shudder to think what the used controller market will look like. Used rumblepants... ick

  • bennae66

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 10:13 am PT

    seriously, unless illusion gets thier hands on this tec its all wasted

  • Icehearted

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 10:09 am PT

    We should really stop the bickering, this is clearly either a love it or hate it concept.

    Edit: I changed this comment, yes, but only because I really think this is untapped territory I don't want to go into. (the whole issue with the interactive boy and all)

  • Rottenwood

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 10:09 am PT

    I think motion sensing would be great for Dynasty Warriors. It could capture the user as he bangs his head against the wall in absolute, brain-melting boredom from hacking the same stationary soldiers for three hours.

  • Heffe2020

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:46 am PT

    Some of you have no imagination, you can't seem to get past what the Wii did with it. This could be really cool when used the right way. I'm not a big fan of the Wii or Sonys Motion controller, but this one seems a lot different. I hope they can make it work.

  • MrHoboX

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:42 am PT

    "the company has published many violent fighting and action series"

    I'm sorry this just caught my eye... Violent fighting? Isn't that an oxymoron?

  • MasterTheHero

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:41 am PT

    Maybe now it will force Koei to do something new with Dynasty Warriors rather than rehash the same thing over and over again..........


    ....Naaaaah.

  • LightR

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:35 am PT

    I like Sony's motion controller more but Natal still looks sick. There will be some games though that it might be almost impossible to create an enjoyable experience using these appliances.

  • hannify

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:30 am PT

    Doing a game purely for motion sensing would be stupid. Unless microsoft simply gave it away you would either have a half tarted game made partly for natal at the last minute.

    Wii is in a different situation as everybody by default has to have a motion sensing controller.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:29 am PT

    Fighting games are the least likely candidate for proper use of motion sensing. I see motion being used only to trigger special attacks or maybe for breaking combos.

    I like games like Uncharted in which motion is a simple addition to the game and not core to the entire experience. I think there is some potential (more-so in the combination of the technologies in Natal and Sony's motion controller), but the Wii has made me skeptical as to how the technology will be used.
    _

  • Muteki_X

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:25 am PT

    Motion sensing is a cool concept, but the fact of the mater is, it's just not fun for me. If I have an option to buy a 360 game with standard controls versus the same game on Wii with motion sensing, I'll go with the 360. Motion sensing just seems to get in the way sometimes.

  • bl33kda58

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:24 am PT

    @nukku what does going outside have to do with motion sensing controls

  • zomglolcats

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:21 am PT

    I agree that motion sensing can't be used for all games. I don't really want to have to be Bruce Lee to be good at Tekken.

  • yousufalim

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:16 am PT

    imagine playing a game like ninja gaiden with natal.....!

  • Heffe2020

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:14 am PT

    Like it or not motion sensing will be a huge part of gaming. This tech has a lot of potential with its voice recognition, scanning capabilities, and motion sensing. It would be stupid to think that this tech wouldn't be marketed to all types of gamers. Everyone is caught up on what Nintendo has done with their motion sensing tech. Natal appears to be heading in a completely different direction. Embrace the future, it's coming with or without you.

  • Icehearted

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 9:12 am PT

    First my 360 gets Miis (let's be honest people, they ripped the idea off), and now we get to look forward to the same crippling shovelware that Wii owners have been "blessed" with? Anyone else here unsurprised at this move? Most companies look at short term success for quick profit rather than long term for sustainability, but a couple such as Tecmo and perhaps Epic might show smarts here and just say NAY!

    If this keeps up we could be looking at another crash, which would be ironic considering that the last time that happened Nintendo resurrected the medium.

  • XeonForce

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 8:49 am PT

    yixingtpot "Sony's had motion sensing since PS2, so why don't these A-holes say the same thing about the Wii? it's all a joke."

    I think if you'll notice all the horrible third party titles, and third party support in general, you'll have your answer.

  • NuKkU

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 8:44 am PT

    im also not the biggest fan of motion sensing stuff its dumb in my book if i want to do that stuff i would go outside(which i do just saying for other people)

  • Quezakolt

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 8:41 am PT

    motion-sensing should NOT become the norm.

    well i'll be out of "next-gen" gaming for sure if its all it is about. i dont give a sh** about flapping my arms all around.

    i want real video games.

  • BigBad95

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 8:38 am PT

    they won't be able to make any violent games for motion sensing contorllers because old folks will complain that is teaching thier kids to kill

  • flazzle

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 8:09 am PT

    The white elephant is that the real-time response on Natal is poor. There is a delay.
    If all things are equal, any Wii game with unresponsive controls gets immediately penalized. Natal games may experience the same criticism

  • Barighm

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 7:56 am PT

    Meh. Just because they haven't figured out a way to properly implement the technology yet doesn't mean its bad, it just means nobody has really tried to push the technology to its limits, at least nobody with any real development skill.

  • BigBad95

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 7:35 am PT

    does anybody know where koei lives so i can shake his hand for being great

  • cliff122316

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 7:29 am PT

    thank you. some dev staying loyal to its gamer fanbase

  • Dante2710

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 7:28 am PT

    standard controller > motion sensing

  • JackHoleFace00

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 6:56 am PT

    Good. I for one am happy that someone is trying to stay off the motion sensor bandwagon. And I agree that it works for games like Tiger Woods but isn't suited for split-second action games like Tekken or SF IV.

  • Sannerkind

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 6:37 am PT

    @another_drew
    Agreed.

  • another_drew

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 6:35 am PT

    @ wahyudil
    I beg of you please do not turn this into another fanboy argument. Both motion captures will be utilized in much the same way. One is no better than the other.

  • wahyudil

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 6:30 am PT

    "However, the president of fighter game conglomerate Tecmo Koei recently said he's concerned the technology is geared only for casual gamers. "

    Agreeeee!!!!

    well, PS3 Orb still has potential ... but for Natal ... hmmmmm ....

  • another_drew

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 6:28 am PT

    @ VirtualTofu I'm sorry but I play martial arts games because I can't do martial arts. If I could I would find some sparring buddies and duke it out. What I'm tryin to say here is what percentage of gamers actually can do martial arts. Also I don't think that the capture will be so intelligent as to read the actual moves you make as opposed to what the game is programmed to detect as moves that are already programmed in the game. Meaning a low kick could be misinterpretted as a high kick depending on player height. Also, how would it detect you switching your weapons in an FPS or perhaps pulling out a grenade. Once again preset actions with preset motion interpretation.

  • VirtualTofu posted Jul 7, 2009 6:14 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    VirtualTofu

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 6:14 am PT (hide)

    I disagree completely. Casual gamers are use to controllers. Only hardcore gamers will play martial arts games with real martial arts and want to feel like they are running 100 yards and such. Only hardcore gamers enjoy new gaming experiences. Unfortunately, I'm a lazy hardcore gamer, so I only want the new PS3 controller so I can shoot stuff with it.

  • another_drew

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 6:10 am PT

    I think motion sensing is just a way to get the older generations into gaming. In the famous words of my mother "There are too many buttons for me anymore." However, she loves most of the casual games on the wii. There are just some genres that would crash out with motion capture. Like FPS's. Most games that reguire good reflexes would bomb out really. P.S. imagine trying to Hadoken someone standing beside you. Epic Catastrophe.

  • somberfox

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 5:39 am PT

    Not only do they target casual gamers, motion sensing controllers attract developers to create a ridiculous amount of shovelware.

  • bigbobbyfrog

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 5:24 am PT

    In fighting games, if someone performs a special move (i.e. grabs the opponent, jumps holding them and then pummels them into the ground), how will the average gamer perform that move using Natal?

    I think that the motion sensing controller has a place in the industry but just not for all types of game. I'm a 360 owner and can see the appeal of Natal for certain games but fighting games will be the domain of the controller for quite some time yet.

  • SicklySunStorm

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 5:16 am PT

    I'm a big believer in what Natal is going to do when it comes, but I have to draw the line at this statement;
    "The Project Natal technology is also responsive to voice commands and facial expressions and is even able to sense emotions"

    Able to sense emotions? I'm calling bullcr*p on that one.... it uses your facial expression to "guess" which emotion your emitting, it doesn't have some crazy 6th sense that can guess what you're truly feeling deep down... and the sad thing is, many people aren't clever enough to work that out and will believe what ever they're told.

  • TwistedGer9

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 5:10 am PT

    The wii has problems releasing enough good games with their motion controller. So i'm thinking for both Sony & Microsoft these would just be branches of their core games

  • zero-G1080

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 4:06 am PT

    my main concern is that microsoft would make all games only work with natal, forcing people to buy the periphial, but i doubt that would happen. sony are trying to market to the crowd that bought the wii, but the pricing isn't nearly competitive enough. I honestly dont see why people would buy a PS3 for motion controls or even why a PS3 owner would buy motion controllers when they could have just got a wii instead

    and btw the wii is capable of good graphics, and I own a 360. super mario galaxy anyone?

  • Excedra

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 4:05 am PT

    I like the natal idea, im sorry if i offend anybody else, but i think natal will be more popular than sonys motion controls.

  • aots_twilight

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 3:34 am PT

    It's not the "response-time" I am worried about. It's how I would look like performing attacks and combos in fighting games.

    It would look and feel so awkward.

  • xtoperchris

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 2:08 am PT

    @yixingtpot
    because the wii can't even handle their games' visuals and physics.

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