GDC 2010: Sony unveils PlayStation Move Controller
GDC 2010: Sony unveils PlayStation Move Controller
At the on-going Game Developers Conference 2010 in San Francisco, Sony Computer Entertainment revealed the much awaited Motion controller for PlayStation 3 console with the brand name – PlayStation Move. All new PlayStation Move will also operate with another ’subcontroller’ – both to be used with PlayStation Eye camera. Sony will sell the Move controller separately and also as a bundle including PlayStation eye camera, Move controller and a game would be made available.
New PlayStation Move controller is like wand that will remind you of Wii’s Nunchuk but with a colored sphere on the top. It’s this sphere that helps PlayStation Eye detect the whereabouts of Move controller. Sony will offer the Move controller with spheres in sky blue, yellow, light green, pink and while color options. Alongside that, Subcontroller with direction buttons, analog stick and home button will also be paired with the Move. This Subcontroller comes handy in shooting and action games like SOCOM 4.
Sony has dropped the word Arc for the Motion Controller that had been buzzing the web lately. Move controller is equipped with two high-precision motion sensors, three axis gyroscope (X plane, Y plane and Z plane), and three access accelerometer. These components allow the eye camera to detect the presence as well as the precise movement and change in position of the Move controller. It’s unlikely that the Subcontroller will come with any motion sensors.
Few Move controller friendly game demos were shown at the event. These demos include Sports Champions, Move Party, Dukes, TV Superstars, Slider and The Shoot. Of course, upcoming SOCOM 4 game was demonstrated using Move controller and Subcontroller. Sony had already announced a lineup of Move controller friendly games last year at the GDC 2009. About 36 game developing and publishing companies will support Move controller. As a result, 20 game titles, Move-centric or Move-supporting, would be announced in fiscal year of 2010-2011.
Microsoft’s Project Natal, a gesture control system for Xbox 360, is due for arrival in Holiday season but by that time, Sony’s Move controller would already be all over the place. It would be an interesting tug of war by the end of this year between – Nintendo Wii’s MotionPlus+Nunchuks, Sony PlayStation Move and Microsoft’s Project Natal.