Motion-sensor bowling ball controller could be incredibly dangerous...and fun!
Taking a cue from the gaming success of the Nintendo Wii, and the popularity of new varieties of controllers such as Guitar Hero style guitars, In2Games is set to introduce motion-sensing controllers for the PS2 and PC. The new USB peripheral line is called 'Freedom' (previous codename: Gametrak Fusion), and the unveiling is supposedly forthcoming at the massive Leipzig Gaming Convention, in Germany, between August 22nd and the 26th.
In2Games new lineup – Realplay Tennis, Realplay Pool, Realplay Golf, Realplay Racing, Realplay Bowling, and Realplay Puzzlesphere – will all have uniquely themed, wireless controllers, such as golf clubs, tennis racquets, etcetera. The games will all use the same wireless sensing device called the GameTrak Version 2 (purchased separately for about $40 USD) , but each controller for each will be different. The games are going to be about £30 pounds (about $60 USD). Realplay Golf is coming August 26th, and some of the others titles may be out by Christmas.
In2Games is a fairly new company, but they recently received a hefty investment of around the 16 million clam mark (USD), from a media investment group. It seems the bulk of this money is going towards developing these sorts of wireless controllers. The Wii-factor is a strong influence on In2Games' design direction, if the recent quote from their CEO is any indication: “The Realplay range of games is aimed squarely at those PS2 owners who want to play wireless motion-sensing games without needing to splash out on a new console... Each peripheral is accurate as any video gaming technology out there at the moment, but on an entirely new format.”
The 'Freedom' system has also been designed for PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles, but these products are not forthcoming in the immediate future.