Sony unveils PS3 motion-sensing controller

PlayStation Move wands will hit the market in time for the year-end holiday shopping season and aim to tap into a zest for motion-sensing controls that made Nintendo Wii consoles marketplace superstars.

Sony Computer Entertainment America took the wraps off Move and a set of games geared for the controllers at a private event held near a Game Developers Conference taking place here this week.

“We like to think this is the next generation of motion gaming,” said PlayStation Network senior vice president of marketing Peter Dille.

Sony did not disclose exact pricing details, but said it would offer a Move controller bundled with a videogame and an Eye camera that synchs to PS3 consoles for less than US$100.

Move controllers were reminiscent of small black flashlights topped with brightly colored orbs.

The devices let PS3 play be controlled with swings, jabs and other natural movements instead of toggle-and-button commands that have been trademarks of play on PS3 and rival Xbox 360 consoles by Microsoft.

While Wii consoles have a relatively low price of US$200, they have been criticized as lacking the vivid graphics and complex play mechanics of Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles with more processing power.

Move melds Wii-style motion control with more muscular hardware, according to Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter.

Microsoft is getting into the motion-sensing controller game with a Project Natal release slated for later this year.

Natal will let Xbox 360 players control in-game action with pure body motion, eliminating the need for wands or other hand-held gadgets, according to early glimpses at the technology provided by Microsoft.

A cut last year in PS3 price to US$300 and releases of blockbuster titles such as “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” and “Killzone 2” for the console are credited with fueling new momentum in sales of the consoles.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email