Razer Hydra motion sensing controllers help dig deeper into PC games
Whether it’s the Nintendo Wii or Microsoft’s more recent Kinect console, the popularity of motion control in the world of gaming only seems to be soaring. Take Razer’s very new Hydra motion sensing controllers for instance, they’re said to be the first gaming-quality controllers to be powered by Sixense. And yes they’re designed to enhance even the odd PC gaming experience with their motion sensing abilities.
Razer says these controllers can be availed of as standalone or coupled with Valve’s highly-anticipated Portal 2 game. With the Hydra, gaming enthusiasts can look forward to taking their natural body motion straight into their PC games. Specifically in Portal 2, this would translate to enhanced interplay with physics puzzles and shoot portals. Jumping across extensive cloves in 3D should be a breeze too.
“The Razer Hydra is a significant step forward for the PC gaming industry because it not only affords an almost-physical experience for gamers, but also presents developers an opportunity to innovate and significantly push the boundaries on new forms of gameplay and entertainment,” mentioned Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve.
Razer doesn’t tread away from its signature super-low latency along with accurate one-to-one tracking too. And this is right down to the precise millimeter and degree, making for an immersive portal testing experience. The fun doesn’t seem to stop with just the Portal 2. Razer’s Hydra motion sensing controller is attuned to work fine with more than 125 PC games right out of the box. This includes the likes of Left 4 Dead 2 and World of Goo.
“We are excited to finally bring full motion control to the PC,” added Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director, Razer. “Gamers will be blown away by the pinpoint tracking precision that mirrors every move in-game. They’ll also enjoy the exclusive new Portal 2 content created specifically for the Razer Hydra, giving them more bang for their buck.”
“By working with Razer and Valve, we have established the PC as the best platform for motion gaming,” shares Amir Rubin, CEO, Sixense. “We developed and optimized 6 Sixense TrueMotion levels for Portal 2 to allow gamers to fully experience the possibilities of motion gaming. Definitely an exciting time to be a PC gamer.”
Each Hydra set would include 2 controllers, featuring thumb-ergonomic analog stick for fluidity and a quartet of Hyperesponse action buttons. There’s also quick-fire trigger and bumper for immediate in-game response. The grip surface is revealed to be non-slip satin and it includes true six degree-of-freedom magnetic motion tracking. A lightweight, anti-tangle braided cable is also bundled. The base station has a low-power magnetic field and is said to go easy on power consumption.
Razer’s latest step in motion controlling should get gamers quite excited. They would after all no longer have to wait endlessly for just a handful of motion-compatible games. With nearly every game playable with the Hydra, there are also high chances of more downloadable game configurations. The added competence of self-configuring motion mapping as per user specifications should further excite gamers.
A special edition bundle comprising of the Razer Hydra will offer a full version of the Portal 2 game along with exclusive Portal 2 content. The Razer Hydra and Portal 2 bundle will cost $139.99 and will be available through Razerzone.com, North America, South America, Europe and most countries in Asia. While the motion sensing controller will only start shipping this June, pre-orders begin next month onwards.
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