PDP unveils the motion sensing Gametrak Freedom controller for the Xbox 360

  • By SarjuS, GameSpot
  • Posted Mar 27, 2009 4:59 am PT

Motion-based control is coming to the Xbox 360. We initially thought Microsoft would be the first to the table but PDP beat them to the punch. The Gametrak Freedom from PDP will offer wireless motion-based controls using Microsoft's proprietary wireless protocol. The Gametrak uses a 3D ultrasonic...

PDP Gametrak Freedom

Motion-based control is coming to the Xbox 360. We initially thought Microsoft would be the first to the table but PDP beat them to the punch. The Gametrak Freedom from PDP will offer wireless motion-based controls using Microsoft's proprietary wireless protocol. The Gametrak uses a 3D ultrasonic transducer and a three axis accelerometer to detect motion. You'll also find a trigger on the under side, as well as the 360's familiar four button configuration and a D-pad.

Unlike Nintendo's solution, which uses one point of detection, the Gametrak uses two sensor bars that sit on opposite sides of the TV. Up to four wireless Gametrak's will work with the sensors. PDP claims that the added sensor in conjunction with the Gametrak's motion sensing technologies give the Gametrak accuracy to within 2mm of movement.

We got to briefly try out the Gametrak Freedom with Squeeballs, a game that PDP will bundle with the controller. Squeeballs is basically a variety/party game like Warioware, with elements of Cooking Mama thrown in for good measure. The controller certainly felt accurate, and we didn't find it overly sensitive. Moving laterally while rotating the controller to twist onscreen objects actually worked without a super jittery feel. PDP says we should expect the controller out in the fall bundled with Squeeballs for about $70 to $75.

PDP Smart Stylus 1
PDP will also release the Smart Stylus 1 for the Nintendo DS. The Smart Stylus 1 has the ability to vibrate to indicate explosions among other things. The stylus is wireless and currently uses the GBA port to communicate with the DS. A single AAA battery powers the Smart Stylus 1. PDP is currently in talks with Nintendo to get approval for a DS cartridge version to make the device compatible with the DSi. PDP will bundle the Smart Stylus with a DS version of Squeeballs for $35 this fall. PDP is also hard at work to make the Smart Stylus 2 - a stylus that incorporates vibration, lights, sound and motion sensing capabilities.

885 Comments

  • jimy1475

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 2:09 am PT

    Wii should call there remote-Wiimote original...

  • HipHopTrilogy

    Posted May 31, 2009 11:27 am PT

    people should stop ripping from nintendo, oh wait, they always have been since there would be nothing to copy if nintendo didn't exist. most of you guys dont realise how hard nintendo worked to get the nes to the states after atari died (gaming was officially dead after atari 2600) so you should all respect nintendo not diss it. fanboys.

  • postman3

    Posted May 27, 2009 8:55 am PT

    wii sucks

  • postman3

    Posted May 27, 2009 8:55 am PT

    not intrested -i was afraid this would happen -xbox with motion control that sucks -we dont want this there is alreadya amachine that kids and old people play its called the wii and i dont own that machine because i like the 360 and the way it is and so do alot of other people-stop trying to cash in on nintendos glorified gamecube (its a gamecube with a stupid controller)please dont release this were not intrested-as i said if i wanted a wii id buy one -i chose 360 because it was a gamer machine not a bunch of fancy stupid controllers-ezzyw69

  • guardianangel10

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 7:30 pm PT

    xbox is what started to revolutionize what we play as gamers and the quality of the games. And plus they have better exclusive games than ps3

  • guardianangel10

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 7:29 pm PT

    not gonna aregue but fanboys out there for the ps3 xbox started it all

  • happy_gal

    Posted Apr 22, 2009 3:20 am PT

    Wow, now why do companies always have to copy eachother?!?!?!?!

  • hilian_pika5

    Posted Apr 18, 2009 5:39 pm PT

    If it weren't for nintendo there would be nothing for other companies to copy. hardly anyone has any imagination these days... * cough* *nintendo* *cough*

  • RaptorGear

    Posted Apr 18, 2009 2:48 pm PT

    they MUST! come up with something of the own God Damit!@W@%

  • benboz

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 9:51 pm PT

    Every game console gaint like Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo all copy each other. It's not a big deal. It's just they want to be the best in the business. Sony copied Microsofts achievement system with their trophy system. This motion sensing controller looks awesome, I hope you can use it for shooter games like Call of Duty. That would be sweet!!

  • Frostmore33

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 2:35 am PT

    Come on people microsoft is copying everyone and if you cant see that your blind. First the whole avatar thing then the motion controller. Plus they copied playstation with lips being their version of singstar and scene it being the xbox version of buzz. And whats with the massive stylus when i play my ds i want to be able to see the screen.

  • tbagger45

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 1:22 pm PT

    OMG WII IS COPYING XBOX AND PS3 AND MAKING THEIR NEXT CONSOLE HD!!!! HOLY CRAP NINTENDO COME UP WITH YOUR OWN THING THIS IS AN OUTRAGE
    http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/wii-2-could-be-here-within-the-next-few-years-says-pachter

  • dRuGGeRnaUt

    Posted Apr 10, 2009 3:25 pm PT

    seriously though, people saying MS is copying wii.. would that mean having Analog control sticks or or buttons a rip off to? what about using Discs for your games, or using "RIPPED OFF" pc tech to build consoles?? or HAVING to use a TV to play on?? seriously, motion sensing is not OWNED by anyone, it is technology.. just let it go, and go play some MMAMMMAMAMAS COOKWARE or Family FUn Boxing

  • dRuGGeRnaUt

    Posted Apr 10, 2009 3:13 pm PT

    i think if game companies adopt this tech it COULD be fun, so yeah for new things.
    On the fanboi side of things... Xbox users shut up, this is modeled after the popularity of the wii... just look at the styling. This is however NOT a copy, just another option...
    and wii fanbois.. Maybe nintendo could at least have copied one of the other consoles HD support.. you know ACTUAL HD not 480p! HAHA i just got a wee 2 weeks ago, and you cannot tell me that it doesnt look like ****!!! Playing Mario Galaxy and No More Heroes on my 55inch HD look like CRAP. Even my wife (who doesnt know anything about technology OR games) cannot believe how bad the wiis graphics are.. not that graphics are important BUT SERIOUSLY! you could have up graded to a 720p max, and it would be better.
    So mabye nintendo will upgrade and join the current gen. You wouldn't see people switching to Blu-Ray if it only offered 480p.

  • ZiggyStardust66

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 8:57 pm PT

    I hope that they use this for Tiger Woods games, that would be sweet. I like the idea of motion sensing, but I don't like the crappy graphics and games aimed at 5 year olds that the WII has. All the consoles copy each other. WII did a good job of differentiating itself from Xbox and PS3 this time around with its motion sensing as the main selling point. Let's face it, apart from the motion sensing the wii sucks donkeys balls. Nintendo fans that are angry that the 360 "copied" wii, you should really be greatful that they have. This is called "competition" and will mean that Nintendo will really have to work hard and produce quality games to keep its market.

  • adrianfbuan

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 12:08 am PT

    i appreciate your comment Shiftfallout.=]. Although we should have done a forum about this argument and not in a comment section, right? Hahahaha

  • Shiftfallout

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 5:36 am PT

    Adrianfbuan, nintendo copied it from someone else. Nintendo really doesnt have that many great ideas really. You will even find that Sony's six axis controller was patented long before nintendo patented the Wiimote, which strangely was a copy of another companies patented motion sensing tv remote.Furthermore, the technology has long been in use. Microsoft used accelerometers way back with one of their PC controllers, other companies have used similar technology. Nintendo just made it the selling point of their not so next gen console, a means in which to remarket the gamecube. Smart business move, hardly honorable though, nor innovative.

  • adrianfbuan

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 7:46 pm PT

    hey nosskyline94, Nintendo is the father of great ideas, thats why they copied Wii technology and Nintendo is the Father of gaming, making Microsoft join the gaming industry. By the way, i like yur spelling. You dont have to ridicule Nintendo fan boys' opinion if you dont want us to ridicule yours.

  • amkalfus

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 5:19 pm PT

    @ EXxile

    completely realize what you mean. i meant to elaborate but had no time, and can't find my comment to see exactly what i said, but i understand that companies copy each other. personally, i hate it. the most original system this gen is the wii, and everyone else is copying that. the ps3 motion controls are a joke, and only 1 or 2 games uses it effectively (flower and flow, flow is iffy here) the ps3 is definately copying the most due to trophies and motion control, but at least it looks different. this is the wii mote with more buttons. they aren't even hiding it under a different look. the fact is nintendo created some amazing ideas, and i am hopeful of seeing what comes of it.

  • BLuFAlc0n

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 9:05 am PT

    @manhunt24

    Nope, that would be Microsoft.
    Sony did copy, but Microsoft copied both Nintendo and Sony, becoming the biggest copycat in the history of Video Games.

  • hilian_pika5

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 5:02 am PT

    power to ya, adrianfbuan! If it weren't for nintendo, there would be no motion control anything, touch screen anything, or anything like that TO COPY.

  • nosskyline94

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 9:31 pm PT

    this is awsomw screw u nintendo fan boys this ules wii dosent own mostion with halo 3 odst coming soon, pric cuts and mostion controller it will be the most popular console of this grnaration XBOX 360 IS THE BEST

  • adrianfbuan

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 7:16 pm PT

    They said the 360 is cool and the Wii is crap. this made me mad. How come 360 is copying Wii technology now? this made me more mad. That wireless controller wont be a success anyway.

  • Leefendus

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 6:33 pm PT

    uh.. a giant, rumbling stylus? not a good idea. why not upgrade the rumble pack that was sold with metroid pinball? it slides right in the GBA port, and guess what else? you will still be able TO SEE THE FRIGGIN' SCREEN!!!!!!

  • acidrain1976

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 4:59 pm PT

    Haha, now that's what I call some funny stuff! Now wii can have a motion-controlling 360, too! LOL.

    C'mon... that controller is never gonna catch on. Just buy a dang Wii if you want motion controls.

  • mathiasX

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 4:46 pm PT

    hate hate hate the Wii..this makes me angry to the point of boycotting 360

  • JoeBobKill25

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 9:30 pm PT

    Whatever we may think... lets not blame microsoft... PDP is the one who made this product. No other games have been made for this controller other than "squeeballs"... but hey, you can get an xbox 360 for 199.99 these days... now the Wii cannot claim to be the only one with motion controls or the most affordable console. Those are main two reasons the Wii has outsold the 360.

  • hivboy

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 9:38 am PT

    this has got to me an April Fools joke...that Smart Stylus? god wth are they thinkng? that must be a joke..it's so friggin huge!!!

  • CrimsonCore

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 1:01 am PT

    I don't care if the controller is a direct ripoff, but I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that the D-Pad is the worst part of the 360 controller, and should not be kept. As for the stylus, it shakes... Think about this one folks, let's say I'm playing Metroid Prime: Hunters and I shoot a missile. Now, the stylus will shake and completely ruin my aim, couple that with the size of the bloody thing and I'm pretty sure any action packed game will be reduced to unplayable drivel. I have a stylus, it's wireless and doesn't require batteries, best part? I can see the screen.

  • gamer2723

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 7:38 pm PT

    THIS IS ANNOYING! XBOX IS COPYING WII! IT MAKES ME MAD!GGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRR!

  • Aang007

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 4:03 pm PT

    wow i COULD care less i wanna sit when i play games and eat snacks not get up and exercise thats so lame wtf. I CANT GET FAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • taddia

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 1:51 pm PT

    this is sick.... i can't believe they copied nintendo wiiremote... so sad

  • xplayer_xbox360

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 1:40 pm PT

    I don't Care about copying and i don't know what!!! the important think is that we have a complete system for entertainment!!! I love my xbox360 more and more every day....

  • HavQ-san

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 10:54 am PT

    I hope this won't be used in.. actual games. This would ruin the whole experience.
    "Halo 4: wave the mote up and down to throw a grenade!" Oh wow.

  • Grubish360

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 4:51 am PT

    Microsoft isn't copying nintendo. They didn't even make this product.

  • DarkspineSonic0

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 4:19 am PT

    Microsoft is totally copying Nintendo. And what about the Sixaxis controller for the PS3. Was that before the Wii Remote or after? If after, then Sony is also copying Nintendo.

  • pilot_riaz

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 1:04 am PT

    @manhunt24 - why sony? It's microsoft who are copying the wii controller

  • manhunt24

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 8:27 pm PT

    i agree sony is the king of copying

  • Kwiksilva

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 8:05 pm PT

    I think he smart stylus is a good idea vibration in the stylus for playing dertain games would add to the experience but that one is kinda big and doesnt look like it would be handled well

  • 10679

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 7:45 pm PT

    The motion controller rules . The best looking motion controller so far . i don't think it can be worse than the ps3 six axis motion controller

  • manhunt24

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 4:16 pm PT

    i saw this on ign.com

  • manhunt24

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 4:15 pm PT

    they said this last year moiton controller will be comming to the xbox 360 but microsoft said it was false

  • pilot_riaz

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 6:16 am PT

    motion controller using your hand, next will probably be motion foot controller where you will use your foot to kick a ball on football games. So you will not only be flailing your arms about, you will be flailing your legs about

  • pilot_riaz

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 6:14 am PT

    @nikefreak - that's right - Ministry of Defence was even using this technology way before Nintendo got their hands on it.

  • pilot_riaz

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 6:11 am PT

    Could this controller get RROD when you first play it

  • pilot_riaz

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 6:10 am PT

    lol, i like to be flailing my arms when i play tennis games but not when playing FPS like Gears of War, COD etc.

  • hellhound1345

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 4:14 am PT

    everyones instant reaction is "RIP OFF!". Does it really even matter anymore, i mean, really all its doing is giving more variety for your console. As we all know, not everyone wants to fork out $400 (AUS) for a console entirely built on flailing your arms around to play a game. This on the other hand, gives you an option, so if you do want to play an arm flailing extravaganza, you pay a 5th of the price.

  • soulcold

    Posted Apr 1, 2009 9:50 pm PT

    Lol to all that posts thinking its Aprils Fool . All fools thought it was April Fools.

  • gamer4god88

    Posted Apr 1, 2009 6:09 pm PT

    That stylus is so big that it will get in the way of the screen more than the current stylus does already!

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