PlayStation 3 Joins the Motion-Capture Gaming Party

Sony joins Microsoft in playing catch-up to Nintendo's bestselling Wii

By Dan Smith Posted 06.03.2009 at 1:15 pm 5 Comments

PS3 Motion Capture Control of a very large virtual sword is demonstrated

After Microsoft's announcement at the E3 conference of Project Natal, Sony unveiled its own version of motion-capture gaming, both playing catch-up to Nintendo's Wii. Using the Playstation Eye camera and a colorfully globe-tipped controller, the new hardware claims to allow true 1:1 motion response. It can not only recognize where the controllers are in relation to each other, but also in relation to the screen, creating movement response in a true 3D world. This could yield some interesting gaming experiences once fully realized.

The press conference showed off some of the potential uses of hardware in a virtual world directly out of a Dire Straits video. Showing a range of mocked-up uses such as sports, weaponry, and novel gaming controls. The most intriguing uses, though, seemed to be the ability for writing and drawing that requires fine movement control and the ability to switch between first person and third person views.

The announcement came after XBOX’s Project Natal system Monday, which allows for full body motion capture without controllers, and Nintendo’s new Vitality Sensor for the Wii. Both Sony and Microsoft have a long way to go in order to capture the lead from Nintendo which has a solid head start in this market. It will be interesting to see if Sony’s introduction of precise motion control, projected to be released next Spring, will win over gamers enough to get them to buy additional hardware for an already expensive system.

Video Games | PlayStation 3 | E3 09: Motion Controller Demo Part I

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

[GameTrailers, BBC]

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5 Comments

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robert1374

06/03/09 at 4:35 pm

What this needs is a 3D Headset that can also be tracked as well. It would be the most immersive experience to be able to look around in your environment in 1:1 while you see a direct animation of your hand holding the controller as a gun. The reason is that then you have a 3d perspective objects instead of looking at the perspective through a 2D TV farther away than is in virtual space. Motion capture is like a novelty, but a visual 3D experience is what will revolutionize gaming.

The only real problem is that there is no "weight" to the virtual object. So when you have a massive sword moving 1:1 in your hand it looks all glitchy because it moves too fast.

Still it's only just a controller interface. Project natal is a full body motion capture device. That's some real progress for Micro$oft because ANYONE can easily make a motion tracking controller as well.

I can't wait till all these technologies are combined into one platform. Imagine putting your self in a stationary vehicle with 3d cars and buildings flying by, while your perspective moves in direct correlation with the position and angle of your head in space.

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carltonthegreat

06/04/09 at 2:51 am

i dont really think games are all that great. It'd be good as a social networking interface. But to me the idea of playing games just for fun is a waste of life. They need to make this for computers so engineers and designers can use this with CAD software. I can see having a virtual reality as a means of communication, socialization and learning.

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AreYouKidding

06/04/09 at 6:38 am

"Playing games just for fun is a wase of life"........do you have friends?

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AreYouKidding

06/04/09 at 6:43 am

You know what I think is a great means of communication, socialization and learning? Getting together with your friends and playing a game face to face, just for fun. Why is our world getting more socially isolated. We can't even handle the semi personal act of talk on the phone anymore, we choose to text......

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hypnometal

from New York, NY

06/08/09 at 9:07 am

I think this is the ultimate in "me too" R&D. We've come to expect this from Microsoft, up to and including Project Natal, but the fact that now Sony is trying to catch up to it too show's they're really desperate now. And no matter how technically accurate they make it, it will fail, because Nintendo's already cornered that market, and any attempt by Microsoft and Sony will be just like the Zune trying to claim the space already claimed by the iPod.

I mean, what happened with the latest generation of consoles? Microsoft and Sony both came out with more, better, different versions of their last consoles. Nintendo, on the other hand, came out with a completely new console. And then when they added Virtual Console and Gamecube compatibility, they proved that Wii has the capability to appeal to your more traditional gamers as well. Result? They won. Now, on the other hand, Microsoft is attempting to cover their base first, and then tweak on new things to encroach on the Wii market, and it just won't work.

Don't get me wrong - my Wii ownership has not quelled my desire to own an XBox 360 (and I still regularly play - and buy games for - my PS2), but I really don't see Project Natal going anywhere.