Posted Jun 06, 2006 at 02:28AM by Karen R. Listed in: Off Topic, Loco Roco Tags: GTALCPSP
Ó

LocoRocoI love Loco Roco as it is and I enjoy having the power to "save" those cute yellow goo-like creatures with just the push of the L and R buttons in the PlayStation Portable. Ethan a.k.a. GTALCPSP from our forums has given a proposal on how to make this game more exciting: playing the game in a motion sensor set-up.

He was actually suggesting that "it would be cool if Sony packaged a little USB plugin motion sensor for Loco Roco. since that is what the game is all about, it would make for a better control scheme than just pressing L & R."

Since his post has gotten pretty good responses, he thought of taking his suggestion to the next level: He wrote Sony. His letter goes:

TO SONY:

About your upcoming title for the PSP, Loco Roco First off, I have downloaded the game demo that was released about a week ago, and want to tell you that it is one of the simplest, most fun games that I have ever played. I hope to get the game when it is released (if released in the US) but have one thing to point out that would make it a whole lot better. MOTION SENSING.


I think that motion sensing is the way to go with this title. I think it would be a whole lot better if it had tilt motion sensing. Think of it, instead of pressing the L & R buttons to go forward and back, you could actually control your player by tilting the PSP one way or another. I think that a simple usb attachable tilt motion sensor could be easily produced before the launch of this game, and be sold seperately or actually come packaged with the game. I don't know if you have already considered this for the game or not, but I think that it would be a great accessory that would bring in a whole lot more sales and make this title even more fun to play. Please consider this idea, and, if possible, incorporate it with your upcoming title, Loco Roco.


Sony's response? A little more forthcoming than one might think. Aside from the general corporate roundabout, they had this to say:

"SCEA may have developed, or may in the future develop, materials similar or identical to those presented to SCEA by you ... In addition, we are sorry to tell you that you will not be compensated if a product that is similar or identical to your suggestion is produced. We hope you understand our position on this matter and we apologize for the inconvenience."


Hmm...I wonder if Sony's going to heed a Loco Roco fan's suggestion? If they do, don't you just think it will be sweet to see those cute thingies rolling away from the evil Moja Troops with just a simple tilt of the PSP to the left or right? Let us and Ethan know your thoughts on including motion sensor for Loco Roco in our forums.

Discussion Thread: [USB motion sensor for Loco Roco]


Permalink  |   Email this  |   Linking Blogs   |   Digg It!

Bookmark / Find this article on:


27 Comments


Sort by:
   by maG (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » easy

mmmh if only L and R are needed for moving it would be easy to build one.

USB is not needed, I think, only the 2 screws on the top for the new mechanic not electric "device".
Just two weights on the top and a good construction could made this possible.

   by Realist (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » Not going to happen

No offence to the guy who 'came up' with this idea, but there's no way Sony will change a game this far through development on such a fundamental level, just because someone writes them an email.

The game is about to be (already has?) been released in Japan, and the final testing will soon be started on the western version. All of the marketing and press coverage on the title has begun, with X million of yen and dollars have been assigned to advertise it. This will be structured around a very strict release of details to the press (started way before you even heard of it) and retail (who will also have had to see it and understand it).

Also, the cost involved per unit would be enough to disuade Sony from implementing a motion sensor, which is why they PROBABLY DECIDED NOT TO DO IT IN THE FIRST PLACE (it's a pretty obvious idea).

Not to mention dumping all the UMDs they've already printed and starting again.

Finally, if they were to do it now, they'd have to research and develop the technology, and therefore delay the game's release, completely messing up their launch schedule and marketing plan.

These are over-simplifications, of course, but the points stand.

Please stop posting stuff like this as 'news'. It creates an image of very poor video games journalism.

Edited by QJ. NET Staff, because:
Nice points Realist. I just hope you take you noticed that this one's listed under "off-topic", not under "news".

   by Realist (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » Didn't notice

No, I didn't notice that, and still don't see where it's shown...

Ah, I see, you just added it. OK :)

Edited by QJ. NET Staff, because:
Nope, it wasn't "just added"; it was there all the while.

   by Predator04 (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » For ppl that are lazy to go to the forums..

Hi Ethan,

Thank you for writing us.

Thank you for writing us with your kind words. Your feedback lets us
know that we are on target.
Again, we appreciate you taking the time to write us with your
comments, and really appreciate your
support.

We appreciate your enthusiasm and continued support for our
PlayStation(R) family line of products.
As you may have guessed, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA)
receives great suggestions from
our consumers, as well as from our own employees, and employees of our
affiliates, on a daily basis.


SCEA is continuously engaged in extensive research and development in
many areas, including without
limitation, consumer toys and games, computer and video entertainment
products, and other products
for consumer marketplace. SCEA may have developed, or may in the
future develop, materials similar
or identical to those presented to SCEA by you. Due to the
overwhelming submission of ideas,
concepts, and designs for products and our continual research and
development, SCEA is unable to
accept ideas and inventions, which have not been requested by SCEA. In
addition, we are sorry to
tell you that you will not be compensated if a product that is similar
or identical to your
suggestion is produced. We hope you understand our position on this
matter and we apologize for the
inconvenience.

   by Johny-D - 2006-06-06
 » before launch?!

I'm a software developer... and I can honestly tell you that unless their lead dev. had a notion of motion sensing during the development of this game there'd be no way you'd just whip up a usb motion sensing adaptor and just adapt it quick like that. It's a great idea but the additional development behind it would most likely cause this game great delays.

Good idea though.

   by Marizu (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » It's too late now, but...

It sounds like a fun idea. There was a tilt sensor for Mercury and Archer Mclain took it around all the mags. If they'd released that then, who knows...

   by me (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » not really

all you people saying that the game would need a complete remake, couldnt a newer firmware jus be compatible with the motion sensor
ie. when its tilted lefit its like pressing 'L' as far as the game is concerned, the game wouldnt need re-making...

   by Cogboy - 2006-06-06
 » I Hereby Predict...

That a Loco Roco game will be among the launch titles for the PS3, And that it will use the motion sensing capabilities of the controller.

I Guarantee it.

   by Advertising -
   by wtf (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » sage this *****

is there anyway to turn off these crappy off-topic posts that a dd nothing but bump off real news?

I'm tired of hearing about that guy Christopher's opinions and apparently someone else wants to inform us someone sent a pointless letter with an idea that obviously fails for several reasons (Realist called em all already)

   by hackra - 2006-06-06
 » Maybe, but doubtful

Unless this was written into the game during development it's exceedinly unlikely that they will ever do anything like your (admittedly cool) idea.

   by Vipre77 - 2006-06-06
 » Don't forget the limited applications

Would you really want to buy another accessory that only one game uses (or two if the Mercury sequel would use it, also)? Anyone remember R.O.B. for the NES? Google it for a little history lesson.

   by Weatherman - 2006-06-06
 » .

The motion sensor would be redundant. I already tilt and twist and flick the PSP while playing this game.

   by scott (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » problem!!

heres a quick observation that destroys the motion sensing control.. how would you jump? normally is done when pushing both l+r, so you still would need to press the buttons anyways.. :-(

not that i dont like the idea of motion sensing.

   by VgSlag - 2006-06-06
 » ...

Shouldn't it be "tilt sensing" as opposed to "motion sensing"?

   by Kagato - 2006-06-06
 » Gameplay would change

While I don't deny a tilt sensor would be a cool addition to LocoRoco, it wouldn't be as simple as "map tilt left to L and tilt right to R", it would be a non-trivial change to the game...

Think about it -- if you're tilting the whole PSP left and right, you wouldn't want the scenery on the screen to tilt as well. LocoRoco as currently designed has a fixed "down" direction, and the landscape rotates. With a tilt sensor, the landscape would stay fixed, and the direction of "down" would change (to match the orientation of the PSP).

There are other issues as well. For example, you could only really play LocoRoco if you were holding the PSP upright...

   by photoboy (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » Dear Sony,

Please rip off the Wii some more and put motion sensing in the PSP too. Thanks.

   by unknown_29_unknown - 2006-06-06
 » idea about psp2?

In addition, we are sorry to tell you that you will not be compensated if a product that is similar or identical to your suggestion is produced. We hope you understand our position on this matter and we apologize for the inconvenience.


thats the exact same words SCEA told me wen i had to write a business letter for my skool.... if we actually send it in we get 10 extra credit points.... (freshmen project and this was recently too).... so i send it in and after a month i got my reply... it talked about a lot of boring and nonsense stuff coz sony just wants to make money... they told me not to buy non-sony products lol... and i send in a photoshoped pic of a psp with 2 analogs... u kno wat they said???!!!

In addition, we are sorry to tell you that you will not be compensated if a product that is similar or identical to your suggestion is produced. We hope you understand our position on this matter and we apologize for the inconvenience.

and u kno wat i said???!!!

dasklfjal;sthihaskd90w3yu839a*(&0-35kehfak;etgaitha

i was mad -___-


   by Advertising -
   by wojto (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » nothing new

i had the same idea few months ago :P also good use for Mercury

   by acm2000 (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » you people forget

the psp was suppose to have a motion sensor inside, but it was removed before release, probably money saving, hence mercury was created with the motion sensor in mind, but adjusted later for the nub when it was removed.

   by terminall (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » bad idea?

I don't know guys. While a motion-sensor will certainly add a new angle to the game, I'm not sure if it's the best way to go. It could take a great game such as this into a gimmick.

I mean, look at the games in the past. Kirby's Tilt 'N Tumble was a terrific game, but the motion sensor ruined it for many, myself included. The regular mode of play would likely bring in a broader play-base. Motion sensors just aren't all they're cracked up to be, especially if you prefer a d-pad.

   by CarXCrashXHearts - 2006-06-06
 » Um..

Don't send e-mails to Sony. They're never specific and won't answer your question completely. I've tried asking them questions many times before and they've only given me automatic replies.

   by Kite - 2006-06-06
 » .

That response is generic. Tons of people have received it before, nothing to feel overly-hyped about..

   by Casablanca Gamer - 2006-06-06
 » email ?

What is sony's email address ? I want to tell them something.

   by Meme (Unregistered) - 2006-06-06
 » ?

I'm sorry to say, but that is a standard reply when you send a game idea to a game company. They are just covering their asses if someone tries to sue them for damages, because they came up with an idea.

   by Shizomou - 2006-06-06
 » gamer's demand

We should bombard sony's email inboxes with requests for this. That way, there is more demand.

   by RaiderX - 2006-06-06
 » pretty cool

would be good, and if they do, then they have to make it work for mercury 2 also

   by       (Unregistered) - 2006-06-09
 » Nah

This is an all-encompassing standard miscellaneous reply. They could give this reply for any idea anybody sent them for any product.

We may or may not have had or recieved this idea, if a product like this is developed it probably won't be because of your pointless email, if we do make this product there is no proof that it is based off of your idea and even if it is you still don't get money for it because of this disclaimer.

(Below continuation: Read between the lines :D)
And if you want us to take you seriously, proofread your letter, send it over a more conventional medium, write it more like a business proposal, and make sure it isn't being/hasn't been done before or hasn't been implemented in such a way.



Add QJ.NET
Add to My Yahoo!
Google Reader Subscribe with Bloglines
Add  to your Kinja digest Subscribe in NewsGator Online
Subscribe with Pluck RSS reader Add 'www.qj.net' to Newsburst from CNET News.com
Subscribe with SearchFox RSS del.icio.us www.qj.net
Add to Technorati Favorite! Add to My AOL
furl! it Stumble for Treehugger!

 Username: 
 Password:
Forgot password
New user registration



Categories
Emulators
Titles
Archives