Sony's Motion Controller Challenging Wiimote In Early 2010

There's little doubt that Nintendo changed the gaming world forever with its Wii remote (or Wiimote, if you please). Before the Wii, gamers were stuck using control pads, joysticks, keyboards and mice to interact with digital realms, but Nintendo made it possible for actual human movements to control gameplay. Now, Sony is under pressure to match Nintendo's efforts, and their answer is the Motion Controller. Or, at least that's the code name.

Originally announced at E3 this summer, Sony's response to the Wiimote now has a date on it courtesy of Sony: Spring 2010. It's somewhat unfortunate that it won't be available before the holiday rush, but we're sure hardcore Sony/PS3 fans will appreciate the fact that it'll be here as early as it will. Sony asserts that the Motion Controller will usher in a "whole new entertainment experience" on the console, with the new controller being equipped with an array of motion sensors. It can also recognize faces and voices when used in combination with the PlayStation Eye, enabling users to pretty much ditch the controller entirely.


If you were worried that this may be some novel extra that never sees much use, hear this: "Sony will vigorously promote the expansion of this new experience only possible on the PS3 platform." Solves that, huh? Below is a brief description of what exactly makes the Motion Controller tick, along with a proposed list of Motion Controller-compatible software titles.

The newly announced Motion Controller is equipped with two motion sensors, three axes gyroscope and three axes accelerometer that can detect the controller's angle and movement held in the user's hand. Together with the PlayStation Eye camera for PS3 which can accurately track the absolute position of the controller, the controller can detect the natural and intuitive movement of the hand and reflect the precise movement on to the game. The sphere placed on the top of the controller is not only used to track the absolute position but can also give visual feedback to users by changing the colors or the illuminating patterns of the sphere. Furthermore, the new controller is also equipped with a rumble feature, familiar to the PlayStation(R) DUALSHOCK(R) series controller, delivering an immersive gaming experience to users.

Software Titles for Motion Controller from SCE Worldwide Studios:
(2010 release, includes both Motion Controller dedicated and compatible titles)

Title name:
----------
Ape Escape (Working Title)
Echochrome 2 (Working Title)
Eccentric Slider (Working Title)
Sing and Draw (Working Title)
Champions of Time (Working Title)
Motion Party (Working Title)
The Shoot (Working Title)
Tower (Working Title)
PAIN(*2)
Flower(*2)
Hustle Kings(*2)
High Velocity Bowling(*2)
EyePet(*2)