Beyond Kinect: Is This Controller the Future of Gaming?

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By Chelsea Stark2013-09-24 21:53:43 UTC

If the Oculus Rift is the future virtual reality, then the STEM motion controller is the key to making it an immersive playground.

The STEM motion controller is a wireless, modular system able to detect movements in a more sophisticated way than previous controllers like the Wii Remote or the Kinect, Sixense CEO Amir Rubin told Mashable. The STEM base can communicate with five STEM units, which can be inserted into controllers or attached to the body to track its movements.

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A wired version of the STEM already exists, as Sixense licensed a wired version of it to Razer to create Razer Hydra, which has been out for about two years. This new wireless STEM controller is being created by Sixense, though they will still license the technology to third parties.

Developers have recognized STEM's potential for several different kinds of projects and donated by the hundreds to Sixense's Kickstarter, which has doubled its $250,000 goal with 17 days remaining. It's a great reception, but one Rubin wasn't expecting.

"We didn't want to jinx it, so we didn't have any stretch goal content ready," he said. "When we hit the goal in three hours we had to rush to make new stuff."

The STEM is designed to work as a motion controller for compatible PC and mobile gaming, though it works best with virtual reality, providing players with a more immersive experience than they could get with a regular controller or mouse and keyboard.

"We would not have pursued making our own controller if it wasn't for the success of the Oculus Rift. Instead we'd keep licensing to third parties like Razer, which we will still do," Rubin said. "Our goal is to have our wireless STEM controller release in tandem with the Oculus Rift."

Developers have incorporated the STEM SDK into projects already, and Sixense is working on different games in-house as well. One of those is MakeVR, which works with the controllers to give anyone the ability to model 3D objects suitable for printing.

The STEM controller will be shipped to Kickstarter backers in July, 2014. Rubin said it should be available to consumers around the 2014 holidays.

Image: Mashable, Kenny Suleimanagich

Topics: Entertainment, Gaming, Oculus Rift, stem controller, Tech