Gaming: PS3 Move is likely to start moving up in 2011

When Nintendo introduced Motion Controlled Gaming in Wii, it really surprises the gaming world. Wii made gaming more accessible to consumers and even people who are not comfortable with the concept of Video games, were able to pick up and play Wii easily. The learning curve on the system was very less and helped in having lot of family fun, accompanied with huge commercial success.


Until the end of 2010, Nintendo had been constantly exceeded both Microsoft and Sony in the hardware sales. While Microsoft and Sony had great graphics and platform that could cater to core gamers, the Wii attracted people from all age groups and the simplicity attracted non-gamers too. Microsoft and Sony had to react and finally released their products for Motion Control gaming for their platforms, but with a completely opposite approach.

PS3 gave credits to Nintendo and introduced PS3 Move. Sonytook their approach a step further, by integrating their PS3 Eye (Camera) system to a controller with light bulb. The gyroscopes and accelerometers like in Wii provide the inputs for X and Y co-ordinates, while the camera uses the light at the end of the controller to give the depth perspective (Z axis). The major differentiation between Wii and PS3 is the graphics and the Z axis control that is lacking in Wii. Just like Wii, PS3 also has the Navigation controller, that provides the user additional controls for some games that involves moving around the screen that is required for hardcore gaming.

While Sony extended the definition made by Nintendo, Microsoft went in a completely new direction by introducing Kinect which is controller free. The users themselves are the controllers and the camera embedded in the device identifies the user, their movement and involves that in gaming. Kinect has boosted the XBOX sales significantly in the last few months since its launch. More than the games and gaming around Kinect, the device has been popular for the numerous extensions people are able to make with a device. People have been able to make gesture based extensions, 3D video conferencing and also integrating with other classic games.

While Sony and Microsoft did some damage control to counter Nintendo (even though it came after few years), the games available in both platforms were underwhelming. While Sports Champions (PS3) and  Kinect Sports (XBOX) both give a direct comparison to Wii Sports. They don't go beyond and differentiate or prove the superlative performance that was claimed. The subsequent games that were releases for both platforms also did not get great reviews and did not meet the expectations.

I personally tried the game called Heavy Rain (PS3) with Move controller and I would strongly recommend that. It definitely gave the game a more realistic feel. The game was a great success and one of its kind and the Move controller added value to it. We needed more such games and more such integrations that justified the use of Move and not just added as an afterthought. The Heavy Rain game definitely needs a separate blog entry for itself and I need to play the game atleast few more times, to give the proper review and credit it deserves.


2011 is lined up with some major releases for PS3 and some of the titles are already being talked about and is likely to be great hits. I recently saw the demo of one of the major titles KillZone 3, likely to be released on Feb 22, 2011 and was impressed with the integration that has been made with Move. The initial preview feedback from a blog in Joystiq already has good feedback on the Move support. Killzone 3 with this integration and also with the support for traditional Dual-Shock controller support is likely to follow the success of KillZone 2. The videos below show the demo video of alpha code that shows the Move Integration

With more titles like SOCOM 4, Sorcery, Top Spin 4 2011 is already sounding to be a promising year for PS3 Move and a much needed productive year for Sony

Author: Vinod
Source: Joystiq