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THQ announces 'PlayStation Arc' launch support

CEO Brian Farrell talks up Sony motion-control system using its rumored name; says peripheral will extend life cycle of PlayStation 3--but not if console prices remain static.

Five months after it announced its support for the Xbox 360's Project Natal, THQ has thrown its weight behind the PlayStation 3's motion controller. Today as part of its October-December earnings report, company president and CEO Brian Farrell announced his company is developing at least one game for the fall debut of the system. Unconfirmed rumors peg the number of the system's launch titles at around 10.

THQ is down with the PS3

THQ is down with the PS3 "Arc."

"Like most new platforms, we want to be there at launch," said Farrell. Interestingly, the executive repeatedly referred to the light wand controller- and camera-based system by its rumored name, the "PlayStation Arc." Although Sony has declined to comment on the moniker, it did recently register the Web domain playstationarc.com.

Unfortunately, Farrell didn't offer much information about the number or type of motion-controlled games THQ was working on. "We want to support the platforms with the right brands," was as specific as he got. However, the company's WWE and UFC fighting franchises are top suspects for the systems. Besides having subject matter that could easily translate to motion controls a la Wii Sports, the two franchises have a massive fan base. To date, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 and UFC 2009 Undisputed have sold over 3.5 million units each.

One thing Farrell was quite comfortable talking about was the potential of the new technology. He believes both Natal and "Arc" will expand the 360 and PS3's audiences much like the Wii did with its motion-sensing controls. "The expansion of the 360 and PS3 into mass markets is huge for THQ," the executive declared.

While dodging questions about hardware pricing, though, Farrell did caution both Sony and Microsoft that offering new peripherals without further dropping the PS3's and 360's cost may not have the intended audience-expanding effect. ''It's clearly a life cycle-extending strategy, but we don't see it as a way to continue the cycle at the current price point," he summarized.

75 Comments

  • Toysoldier34

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 2:18 am GMT

    @2point5RSman because people are idiot. They will see these as a type of HD Wii. It's sad that games as crappy as Mario and Sonic at the Olympics actually sells, but making a top seller is flat disappointing. This audience that doesn't know anything and has never played a good game doesn't know they buy rubbish, they only want the next Wii Sports :*(

  • Toysoldier34

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 2:14 am GMT

    I don't care what they call it as long as it's not too expensive. I don't want to have to choose between this new controller or a game.

  • zey2k

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 1:02 am GMT

    @true_hurdler To be honest im not a fan of motion controllers, i rather have a standard analog one. I'm not saying this is bad, ultimately, it will be good for the console cause it will reach another audience and please the one that it already has even more.

    My problem is, if a game that i enjoy alot, comes with motion controllers only, i would sell that console instantly cause i dont like ppl shovin down my throat stuff that i didnt pay, dont like, and wont buy.

  • true_hurdler

    Posted Feb 7, 2010 6:47 pm GMT

    Wow, just wow...I have an idea. How bout everyone that insists on bashing the gaming industry's efforts to revolutionize video games and attempts to better YOUR overall entertainment experience before it has even debuted just shut up. No seriously. Every time I read another article about the arc or natal 95 percent of the people who post are bad-mouthing it, almost sounding like they want nothing more than it to fail. Please, if you have no interest in these peripherals, don't buy them! Let the people who are interested benefit from these device's potential enhancements to their entertainment. I don't know if these things will be successful, but I sure as hell hope they are.

  • 2point5RSman

    Posted Feb 6, 2010 4:50 pm GMT

    How does making motion based controlls automaticaly qualify for "mass market audience"? How about makeing a good game.

  • KillerWabbit23

    Posted Feb 5, 2010 4:51 pm GMT

    Hopefully this will turn out to be a pleasant surprise, like Sonic 4.
    but probably not.

  • KamikazeCanuck

    Posted Feb 5, 2010 4:26 pm GMT

    My living room is too small to use Arc or natal: I'll break somthing!

  • denicola_a_god

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 5:36 pm GMT

    hopefully we will get a name by e3 2010

  • JanusStormsword

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 5:23 pm GMT

    jeeb, no one other than graphics whores cares that the Wii isn't as powerful as the 360 or PS3. What they care about is that Wii games get repetitive and boring as hell in no time flat, and there's no real reason to suspect that the Natal or Arc will be any different.

  • Cabal23

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 11:15 am GMT

    Virtual wanking off. Brilliant.

  • shkar

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 11:03 am GMT

    At this moment I don't give a s*** about NATAL or PS3 Motion controller,..........

  • coruscant

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 10:35 am GMT

    @PStringa I agree, I'm not bothered about motion control but if it doesn't have some form of controller it just seems a bit stupid.

  • jeeb1

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 10:05 am GMT

    i think you people hating on arc and natal are wrong heres why. think of the real reason we all hate the wii? its because the graphics are awful and doesnt have the power to produce anything other the crappy party games with exception of a few. now imagine what would be possible if wii had the power of ps3 and xbox, i just think with the power of ps3 and xbox motion controls can now reach their true potential i personally cant wait. true motion control gaming starts this fall!

  • TheBionicRock

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 9:19 am GMT

    Well we had it with music games. Now I guess motion controls are ready to take up the reign for most overused concept until we get sick of that and stop feeding into it. I would love it if companies didn't feel the need to screw things up by bandwagoning it until people get as sick of the flavor of the year as they did disco but that wouldn't make them quite so fat with cash I guess. I just hope the concepts victimized by the oversaturation don't get such a bad rap they abandoned since they often aren't bad they just get hate from people due to their past abuse by lazy developers who just want to ride the money train.

  • Vodoo

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 9:12 am GMT

    I think motion control, if done right, could be the sickest thing! I don't mean gimmicky crap like the Wii, but real-life type of stuff. You could be a detective trying to solve a murder... Pick up and examine evidence, write down notes from witnesses... and it's like you're the actual detective doing all this. That's just an example off the top of my head, but games in that direction could be awesome with motion control. It puts you into the actual role that much more.

  • badtaker

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 7:51 am GMT

    7th gen = introduced motion control.
    8th gen= only motion control games (lol that will suck ).
    8th gen will be worst gen ever digital downloads ,motion controls,Over priced DLC and Activision (cod with motion control $500 )

  • supezombiejesus

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 6:38 am GMT

    @ Sicklysunstorm
    Finally

  • SicklySunStorm

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 6:17 am GMT

    the Arc and Natal are going to suck.

    there I said it.

    Most of you thought it.

  • PStringa

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 6:15 am GMT

    I just hope they keep enough buttons! I'm all for motion controllers a bit more sceptical about Natal however I will still check it out. I just can't imagine playing a FPS with Natal on the other hand I can see how it will work with the Arc but only if the keep hold of the controller aspect.

  • Ravenlore_basic

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 5:51 am GMT

    Im glad that they waited till fall, no need to rush out with less games for it. Better to come out with more good games and show off what the Arc can do. I still wonder what they will do about the movement control (VR controler or nunchuck) I just hope that the First party has come up with good games that work well with the Arc, and not just casual games. . . . . . . . . .. . . .
    A lot of games come to mind that can use the games. The most important idea to remember is that spicific actions should be done with spicific MOVEMENTS, none of this waving arms around. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    I want first Samurai Shodown 2 in 3D (like streetfighter 4) with percise controles. Rachet and clank, I hope the shooters coming out since last year will have added the ability in their code so a firmware update would enable the game to use the controller.

  • maxsteel86

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 5:23 am GMT

    @Ayumi_Miyazaki

    What back up plan could do you speak of? If Nintendo is worried about a little competition then that's crazy. I'm no nintendo fan. In fact, I'm a pure Nintendo hater, I hate them. But even I can see that the casual crowd wont be flocking to the Playstation or Xbox to get their fill of motion gaming. Unless they undercut the Wii's price.

    Well either way, good luck to both MS and Sony in removing Nintendo from their slot. If everyone sees that the big, long term money is with the core gaming crowd, hopefully next generation wont be all 3 console makers building gimmicky casual friendly consoles

  • Asheileon

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 2:19 am GMT

    @Skargamer
    Sure I see your point, and I love Nintendo, but I'm sick of people calling Wii exercise.... how out of shape do you have to be if you get exercise out of Wii fit or sports.

  • Skargamer

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 1:57 am GMT

    @Asheileon obviously the gym is better than playing games which make you stand up. but the wii changes that by introducing wii fit, wii sports and what not. so gaming at home is basically like exercise....depending on whether you have the wii and the right games for exercise.

  • Asheileon

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 1:17 am GMT

    @Flint247
    Because that's not the essence of "real" gaming, but the younger gamers don't understand that... sadly.

    @Skargamer
    If you want to exercise then go to the gym, when a real gamer plays he/she doesn't want to have to play a midiocre game just because the developers put more money in to family games just for the wider audience(bigger profits)

  • Asheileon

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 1:11 am GMT

    Why do they even care.... hope they don't make a wiiish PS console, so real gamers can chose to play with just a normal controller.

  • Skargamer

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 12:48 am GMT

    @Flint247 cuz they dont want to get outta their chairs!!!

  • bolton23

    Posted Feb 4, 2010 12:31 am GMT

    THQ, way to step up to the plate.

  • s0l1dsnake

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 11:26 pm GMT

    The Arc nor Natal are innovative, Natal supercedes I assume the PS Eye while the Arc supercedes the Wiimote.

  • Glade_Gnarr

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 10:59 pm GMT

    I doubt people are going to buy a system just to buy a peripheral that does the same as another system.

  • Wolf3037

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 10:40 pm GMT

    I may not be into the whole motion technology such as the Wii, Arc, and even Natal. However I have to admit THQ has balls for taking the FIRST step into TWO NEW technologies that probably aren't compatible with each other.

  • ISuPrEmAcY32I

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 10:24 pm GMT

    As long as I don't have to pick up natal or arc to play my favorite IP's i'm totally cool with the tech and the ideas. who know's might be alot of fun. Reserving judgement on weather or not i'll buy it till it comes out. It seems motion senseing is becoming more and more the "gaming of the future". I'm excited to see what theyd o with it, but i'd better still be able to lounge around with a controller when i want. Games should support both controller and arc/natal maybe?

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 10:18 pm GMT

    Whats wrong with Sony? Arc has nothing to do with the purpose of the controller and it doesnt even sound catchy like the Wii-mote.

  • EddyG0RD0

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 10:18 pm GMT

    Project Anal LMAO MS LMAO

  • Office_Ninja

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 10:14 pm GMT

    I can only hope these motion control technologies can co-exist exist in harmony, rather than replacing the tried and trusted PS control standard.

  • mayankahuja

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 9:36 pm GMT

    wow

  • Kingslayer28

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 9:07 pm GMT

    I have the most faith in project natal...i have both and i do prefer xbox. I also know that both will SUCK when they come out, but i like the idea behind natal and i want it to grow and become badassss (Arc is kind of a wii copy so I'm unsure of it

  • Jaguar_Shade

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 9:03 pm GMT

    I'm sick of this current fad for motion technology. It's a gimmick, a novelty -a party thing. Can't we just spent more time making decent games and less time making over-priced cash cow novelty games?

  • Dark_Infinite

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 8:43 pm GMT

    no thanks.

  • monson21502

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 8:43 pm GMT

    please dont call it ARC

  • taylormadederek

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 8:37 pm GMT

    ARC...........oh.........motion gaming........go away.

  • LuongoRox1

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 8:20 pm GMT

    UFC with the Arc will = amazing.

  • ClintKeys

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 8:18 pm GMT

    @ayumi_miyazaki
    Konnichiwa Ayumi! Long time no see. lol I see what u mean about "Nintendo's trap". Sony and M$ are only wasting the their money.
    @1penance1- Console Wars: The brawl between Nintendo, Sony, Sega and M$.

  • PrimusTool

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 8:12 pm GMT

    @ Flint247 Because people don't like motion controls and they think it means that there is going to be huge shortage of games to play. Haven't you been having trouble finding games you like since the Wii came out? No? Me either.

  • aGiantSquirrel

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 7:58 pm GMT

    @downloadthefile

    We'll wait to see whether Natal will be better or not. Judging Microsofts other periphials, I suspect Natal to be extremely expensive. Plus, I dont believe there will be an overabundance of game for either Natal or arc to justify the price these companies will charge. I have a feeling motion sensing for the 360, PS3 will be about as sucessful as having a modem in your gamecube in the previous console generation. The support is there, just not nearly developed enough.

  • chronolzx

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 7:49 pm GMT

    @flint247

    I don't think that gamers consider motion controls to be evil to gaming. I think gamers consider "casual gaming" evil to gaming.

    Plus, its difficult not to acknowledge the fact that so far the support for motion controls has only been for casual games especially when it comes to Nintendo.

  • chibi-acer

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 7:38 pm GMT

    Oh, well if THQ says so it much be true... >_

  • 5Jedi5diah5

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 7:28 pm GMT

    because itz a wii thing lol...

  • Flint247

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 7:18 pm GMT

    Question: Why do people consider "motion controls" so evil to gaming? Just wondering.

  • 1penance1

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 7:07 pm GMT

    What if they had a game called Console Wars? It would be like a 3-D Staged Brawl but with characters from all 3 of the companies and maybe anime so there could be even mp. It'd be like Link vs Cole vs Master Chief vs Sasuke. Man, i'd buy that game TWICE.

  • downloadthefile

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 6:51 pm GMT

    @damnedapples

    actually, im not itching at a console war. in fact, i have been an xbox owner for 2 or so years, prbably more, and i am buying a ps3 this week when my credit card rewards finally arrive on thursday. heavy rain looks sick, want to play MGS4, LBP, Killzone 2, and PS3 has the only good baseball game.

    put plainly though, sony really did a "me too" tech upgrade with the playstation arc, its the same thing as the wiimote pretty much, not creative at all. its good that SCEA is such a big game maker that it will receive definite support in house.

    you cannot deny though that natal simply looks better.

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