I Like To Move It Move It
PlayStation Move Controller
By Jorge Figueiredo - March 12th, 2010
Last year, Sony revealed that a motion-based controller for the PS3 was in the works. Since that unveiling, the interwebs has been abuzz with the usual speculation, nay-saying, and fanboyishness that is to be expected. All sorts of questions have been on everyone’s minds, specifically ones dealing with the similarity to Nintendo’s Wii-Motes, and whether or not there would be a lot of buy-in from developers.
A few days ago, Sony announced that they will be releasing the PlayStation Move controller in the fall, along with the PlayStation Move Sub-controller. Sony has also stated that 36 developers and publishers will be supporting Playstation Move. This year, more than 20 games are to be released that are either dedicated to or will support the platform.
On first blush the control scheme looks very similar to the Nintendo Wii. However, I would like to remind everyone that the analog-movement-on-the-left-action-controls-on-the-right actually predates the Wii by many years.
The Sony solution is a natively wireless one, with both the main unit and sub unit utilizing Bluetooth 2.0 to communicate with the PS3. Tracking is done using a combination of the PlayStation Eye, a colour-changing LED sphere, a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis accelerometer and a terrestrial magnetic sensor. Sony indicates that the level of accuracy is unmatched, as both subtle and fast motion is captured with great precision thanks to the array of sensors.
When I first read about these controllers, I spent a good chunk of time devouring videos of people showing off demos of the product. I am very excited, as I already have one of the components required to utilize the controller. Knowing that there is a great deal of developer support only serves to augment my glee.
Hopefully someone has spoken to Mr. Lucas about this so that I might start cutting down Sith when these controllers are unleashed later this year…
