by Bruce Tyson

Created on: June 16, 2010   Last Updated: June 17, 2010

Soon PlayStation 3 users will use motion to control their games in ways similar to users of the Nintendo Wii.  PlayStation Move, the new controllers from Sony were announced a year ago, but will finally hit retail shelves this fall. PlayStation 3 is the last console to be fitted with motion control capability, now that Xbox has its Kinect controller for motion. 3D gaming is also coming to PlayStation 3, with at least twenty being available in the first quarter of 2011.

New Games for PlayStation Move

To allow users to enjoy their new PlayStation Move gear, Sony has titles such as Resident Evil Gold Edition, Machi Suberi, EyePet, Sports Champions, and Big 3 Gun Shooting scheduled for simultaneous release.

About PlayStation Move

Although only a controller, Move is being marketed by Sony as if it were a major platform release. Wirelessly connected to the console via Bluetooth, Move allows players to become “part of the game” as movements of the Move wand translate into on-screen movements of characters and objects on the screen. Special Move enabled games are required to take advantage of the device, with as many as forty titles being on the market in time for the holiday season.

PlayStation Move comes in the form of two separate components. First, there is the PlayStation Move motion controller, the device that senses changes in position and translates those changes into movements within the game. The PlayStation move navigation controller augments the motion controller by putting standard left-side controls in the other hand. Complete with a left joystick, X, O, L1, L2, and D pad controls, the navigation controller features single hand operation, allowing both hands to be working with game play at the same time. The PlayStation Move navigation controller is optional, meaning that other wireless controllers can be used in its place.

Beginning in September, the PlayStation Move motion controller is expected to be available for about fifty dollars. The Move navigation controller should cost around $30. A shooting attachment is expected to be released in conjunction with PlayStation Move, but no pricing for that is currently uncertain.

PlayStation Eye

The latest camera for the PlayStation 3, the PlayStation Eye, captures video and audio, allows for interactive chat, and provides tools for movie making, all on the PlayStation 3 platform. Using EyeCreate software for the PlayStation, the PlayStation Eye comes with advanced motion trails and artistic filters that allow users to create professional grade videos.


Sources:

Lang, Derrik J. "Sony touts 3-D, motion-control gaming at E3." Yahoo! News. June 15, 2010. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_hi_te/us_g ames_sony_8 (accessed June 16, 2010).

"PlayStation®Move." Sony PlayStation. http://us.playstation.com/ps3/playstation-move/ (accessed June 16, 2010).

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