[Kurisu]

Wii, Wii, Wii! Wherever you go, you can't escape it. It's definitely the most popular gaming console of this generation, and even people who would never usually go near a games console play it.


However, could the Wii have competition when it comes to the launch of Microsofts Project Natal and Sonys PlayStation Motion Controller (name TBA)?


For those who don't know, Natal doesn't require a controller whatsoever. The camera maps the location of parts of your body, and you control the games that way. I will link to Wiki as I don't really follow Natal that much, as I don't have a 360, and don't plan on getting one, either.


Project Natal


Then there is Sonys Controller. It is more similar to the Wii Controller, however, the controller has a coloured ball on top that changes colour. Instead of using a sensor bar like the Wii to track the movements of the controller, the movements will be tracked via the PlayStation Eye Camera.


PlayStation Motion Controller


Do any of these interest you? I already have a Wii, but I will check out the PlayStation Motion Controller when it launches. However, I am unwilling to buy a whole new console just to experience Project Natal. I will just have to look at reviews online.


In my opinion, Natal will sell. A lot. Microsoft will market the hell out of it. Sony on the otherhand...they will sell a few, but it won't be a huge success. I may be wrong, but Wii'll see

This post has been edited by Kurisu: Mar 11, 2010 - 12:23 PM

[Momotaru]

I'm growing tired of gimmicks and popular trends..

How about an honest and earnest effort forward? As cool as the PSmotion technology looks, you can tell they only had those two guys working on it with probably little money for research.. Maybe they're making a bigger budget for it now that they have serious competition, but Sony seems about committed to it as they are to Playstation Home... It's like they're doing it out of necessity but really don't care.

I don't have a 360, and I won't get one for Natal, but it seems to perhaps have the most potential and industry support.. That doesn't mean I think it's the next step forward. Should games probably function without controllers in the future? Yes. Is Natal the answer? No.. Is it a step closer to it? Perhaps.

The Wii, I would say, is an interesting effort at trying to move toward that future in gaming... But for the most part, fails to do anything. It certainly succeeded in catching an enormous amount of attention.

I don't deny that maybe it is time to move beyond the traditional controller... I'm just not convinced any of this new technology is actually responsive and accurate enough to make it an upgrade from what we have now..

[Kurisu]

Momotaru, on Jan 16, 2010 - 10:30 PM, said:

As cool as the PSmotion technology looks, you can tell they only had those two guys working on it with probably little money for research.. Maybe they're making a bigger budget for it now that they have serious competition, but Sony seems about committed to it as they are to Playstation Home... It's like they're doing it out of necessity but really don't care.

Sony have revealed the name of their Motion Controller; Playstation MOVE. You can watch the trailer below:



They should have called it the PSWii. It's almost a direct clone!

Check out an image of it HERE.

Funny how the sports games are HD versions of Wii Sports! But the trailer also shows of the controller being used in SOCOM 4, LittleBigPlanet etc. I may have to sell my Wii, and put the cash towards PS MOVE!

[Momotaru]

In some ways, I can see it just a huge gimmick... in others, it really could be a great marriage between precision motion controls and an HD system.

Hah, it really does look like PSWii. Shamelessly so.



There was apparently some control lag with some of the motions or maybe it was just with specific games (the fighting game), and if they can't work that out, I'll call gimmick on the whole operation.

... But I'm remaining semi curious, while skeptical.. I bothered to watch the full conference, and I really had to cringe and laugh out loud several times. It wasn't all that bad, but somethings, such as the blatant Wii resemblance and the stressful air of the live demos kept me anxious and ready to slap my forehead in embarrassment.

[Bewoulf]

Natal looks fun, but I have my serious questions. Granted, I watched a tech demo or something but it showed a group of people playing a nascar type racing game. The other players were the pit crew. It had a person stand up and take the wheel off. Now, he was moving very deliberately. I doubt though that normal gamers would be like that. I don't know why people think Natal is such an innovation. It looks little more than Playstation's Eye toy. Players NEED a controller in their hand, at least I think so. But call me biased, I've never liked the Xbox.

I like the Playstation Move. However, it's coming mid generation. Take this as an example. The Wii was actually suppose to be a peripheral accessory from the GC. Would it have been the runaway success it is now? It also begs the question, is the Wii a run away success? I see Wii sales slowing down to a dead stop. It will be interesting to see if it can surpass the PS2's sales. I kind of doubt it.

Thing is though, PS move has the best potential for FPS gaming. My biggest disappointment with the Wii is it's horrible FPS lineup. When I first saw the system, that was my first thought. Metroid Prime Trilogy is the ultimate FPS experience on the Wii. A great one, but not the best. The Wii is about equivalent as the original Xbox. As much as I don't like Halo, it's a fun game. How come we can't have something like that on the Wii? Even the PS2 had some great shooting games. I feel jipped.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I hear too much hype for Natal to swear it off, but I don't think a stand alone camera has the potential to make very engrossing games.

[bones1988]

PS move looks awesome compared to Wii Picture is cool only saw a vid for a gladiator game seemed pretty cool