When the Nintendo introduced the Wii console with motion sensor controllers, on December 2nd 2006, the other console manufacturers (Sony and Microsoft) were not impressed and convinced that the motion controller could never be a success because it was to active for a consumer. Now more than four years later, these manufacturers are preparing to launch their own motion sensor techniques. Sony is bringing Playstation Move (with special controllers) and Microsoft has Project Natal (with body movement and no controllers). By using motion sensor techniques they hope to enrich the gaming experience. One of the reasons many people did not bought a Wii was because of the graphics and games, for they where targeted at a younger audience. However because the Wii console is gradually changing the target group, it has become one of the best selling consoles.
Because the other consoles have a different target group the motion sensor techniques and applications can and will have a big impact on games and sales. Sony Playstation released a nice and funny commercial introducing their motion controller.
Different games, different strategies.
When Nintendo introduced the Wii, the games that used the special controllers were games like Mario cart Wii, fun for smaller children and with friends. However Nintendo has changed the target group which can be seen in the games being sold. When looking at the best selling games on the Wii console, it is obvious that people like the sport factor in the games, therefore Wii Sports, Wii fit and Wii fit plus are highly ranked in the top 10 of best sold games for the Wii.
The visions of Sony and Microsoft are different, at the moment, and are more relying on game aspects as fighting and shooting.
So how does a motion sensor/controller work?
There are two different kinds of motion sensor techniques used in gaming nowadays. There is the 'normal' motion sensor with a sensor in the remote which sends out signals via Bluetooth to the consoles sensor bar, like with the Wii. This sensor bar calculates the distance and movement of the controller.
There is also a motion sensor based on real time motion which uses a camera, like the technique used by Nintendo in the Nintendo DS and now also by Sony and Microsoft. The difference is that the Playstation version requires special controllers to play the games and Xbox360's version doesn't. (As seen in the announcement commercial below).
The problem this last technique can have is it's lag time, this is the time between the action that is done in real life and when it is represented on the screen. (The shorter this time is the better.) When people are experiencing a big lag time this will result in a bad user experience and can effect the gameplay.
Will the technique be a success for other consoles.
Looking at Nintendo's history and the games Sony and Microsoft have to offer, yes. The motion sensor techniques is one that can be successful on any console and the consumer will benefit from the progress in the next generation gaming industry. Combining the real life movement of the person playing the game and exciting mew games, the gaming experience will be enriched and gaming as we now know it will change.
Links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9tmr8VDqN8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0puP8nrIU8
http://www.toptechreviews.net/tech-news/xbox-360-is-the-best-selling-gaming-console-for-february-2010/
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii-afstandsbediening
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_Wii_video_games
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/17/playstation-move-ad-pulls-no-motion-controlled-punches-against-w/
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