Is it a patent issue?

[Angrist]

I was wondering why Sony hasn't added touch screen functionality to their PSP.

I was also wondering why Sony and Microsoft haven't added a pointer system to their controllers.

Sure, most people will say "we don't want that", but look at how great it works for the DS and Wii. A touch screen is great. Pointer > motion control. Companies could port their Nintendo-exclusives to the other systems.

So I kind of thought it has to be a patent issue. Does Nintendo have the patent on a 'gaming controller which incorporates an IR-pointer technology' and a 'handheld gaming device which uses a touch screen for input'? (Of course there is the iPhone, not sure how that works.)

Your thoughts? And if not, what other reasons do they have not to include it?

[Dylflon]

I consider the pointer and motion control system for the Wii to be a novelty that's somewhat amusing at best.

It works for rail shooters but really I only play Wii games that let you use the gamecube controllers.

Before the Wii came out I was pretty sure that I wouldn't want to fling a remote around to do stuff. I was correct in this assumption.

[Jonbo298]

Part of the problem with consoles is that if the product doesn't come with the console, rarely does it do well. Its been tried all too often and failed. Mild success happened with the Expansion Pak on the N64, but when it came to being required for DK64 and Majora's Mask (granted, DK64 had the Pak with it), it cost sales in the end.

Nintendo tried requiring a GBA to play FF:CC on the Gamecube (and 4 swords I believe?) and it didn't turn out well either. The only "success" I consider on accessories is Guitar Hero/Rock Band so far. Those though are basically necessary to truly enjoy it and obviously cost hasn't affected people with those.

So MS/Sony know that. They will still put out a product, at a lesser success most likely. Now come the next round of consoles, I see hybrids (ala DualShock 3) of Motion/Control out of the box but at a more advanced rate. I think at E3 MS will unveil what has been rumored, but it will just be a precursor to the next gen.

They have the money to cover patent costs, just a matter of how they want people to buy it.

[Angrist]

Still doesn't really answer my question...

[uber_paddler]

Sony hasn't added a touch screen because they haven't released the PSP2 yet( and the PSP Go! will just be a redesign, if it even exists). They will most likely add one in the next gen PSP, but who knows.

Sony and Microsoft haven't released motion controllers yet because splitting the market halfway through a console generation is stupid as balls. Devs will be reluctant to make games for such peripherals on account of not having anywhere near the install base as a regular game for that system.

And as to the patent question, now this is pure speculation, but I'm fairly certain patents have to be pretty specific. For instance, "gaming controller which incorporates an IR-pointer technology" is a pretty broad category. That's like getting a patent on a gaming controller that uses shoulder buttons, for example. As such, if they really wanted to, Sony or MS could easily create a controller that was nearly identical, but just different enough so as not not infringe the patent.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by uber_paddler

Sony hasn't added a touch screen because they haven't released the PSP2 yet( and the PSP Go! will just be a redesign, if it even exists). They will most likely add one in the next gen PSP, but who knows.

Sony and Microsoft haven't released motion controllers yet because splitting the market halfway through a console generation is stupid as balls. Devs will be reluctant to make games for such peripherals on account of not having anywhere near the install base as a regular game for that system.

And as to the patent question, now this is pure speculation, but I'm fairly certain patents have to be pretty specific. For instance, "gaming controller which incorporates an IR-pointer technology" is a pretty broad category. That's like getting a patent on a gaming controller that uses shoulder buttons, for example. As such, if they really wanted to, Sony or MS could easily create a controller that was nearly identical, but just different enough so as not not infringe the patent.

Splitting the userbase isn't an issue for any company this gen.
MS has SKUs that come without HDD, granted you can add it later on, but not everyone does. Which limits some of the games they can play especially stuff like Halo which has like 2-3 gigs wort of DLC which is needed more and more to play online.

Nintendo has well pretty much split the market from the get go, but you add in Wii Speak or Balance Board and soon Wii Motion Plus and their userbase is all over the map.

Sony is pretty good with it this gen.

My assumption is that motion/pointer capability hasn't been added because of the Research time needed. Its not like they can just say put it in, and its there. Takes time, I say we see what this e3 brings.

And not to start this whole discussion with Dylflon again, while I can see the motion controls being a novelty especially in games that use it poorly, when used well I think it adds to the experience.

And I feel the pointer works the same way, aside from rail shooters, it also helps with shooters of any kind and can assist in creating interesting puzzle games and dynamics.

[Ric]

I cant really comment on patenting issues but I would not be surprised if Nintendo had something in place, they have always been very protective of their ideas and patents. Remember when EA made a cartridge that fit the S.N.E.S? Nintendo tried to sue them for it.

As for why do MS and Sony not use it now I would imagine they didnt origionally think it would take off so well. The 360 for example is, lets face it, over half way through its life cycle so to add to it now would probably not be a good idea, better to include it the Xbox 3 which I honestly believe is not as far away as some may think, inside the next 3 years.

The PS3 on the other hand is another matter, I believe there is life enough in this console to see some of these changes come to fruition, Sony have rarely been the ones to miss out on a good thing, heck thats the reason they started making consoles in the first place.

I am not sure about a touch screen for a possible PSP2, if there is one coming I would expect to see a camera incorporated into it, as with the DSI.

We should get that new E3 Forum opened and start an 'E3 Speculation' thread, write what we think we are gonna see, then see if we were right. There will be a whole bunch of news and rumours coming in from everywhere before hand. (Did someone already make one of those threads )

EDIT: Yes they did http://www.gametavern.net/forums/showthread.php?t=19736

[Angrist]

Sony should have stolen more. They should have stole the idea of a touch screen for the PSP. They should not only have stolen the tilt-sensor, but also the IR-pointer.
That's why I'm thinking, why has NOBODY copied those Nintendo things yet? There ware even 3rd party games with their own tilt-sensing controllers, but it didn't work. Why not steal the things that do work??
Which is why I think it's a patent issue.

Aso for E³ thoughts.... I'm really not following anything beside Nintendo. I expect Zelda, maybe Mario. Zelda will have WM+ support.
I'm not sure if Zelda will be totally different (like Miyamoto promised), or if they took the winning formula of the previous games again, with just some more freedom.