Initially rumoured to be called Arc, Sony announced the details of the 'Playstation Move' - their new wireless motion controller - to a packed out hall at the GDC 2010.
Playstation Move will work through the Playstation Eye - a camera device which is already on the market - and it will detect the precise movement, angle and position of the motion controller.
In addition to the standard motion controller, Sony also revealed a sub controller. Featuring an analog stick and directional buttons, this sub controller will allow users to easily control the game when moving characters or choosing a direction.
Like most other peripherals for the Playstation 3, the Move controllers will connect to the system through wireless-bluetooth technology and will come with a built in lithium-ion rechargeable battery.
With many people dubbing the Playstation Move as “Wii HD”, it remains to be seen if this the product will pick up.
Ultimately, the industry appears to fully support the development.
With over 20 games offering Playstation Move support in the pipeline, it has also been confirmed that 36 third party developers (including Capcom and Electronic Arts, among others) fully intend to make use of the technology.
The Playstation Move will also no doubt help with Sony's intentions to break into the casual market, encroaching on Nintendo's territory.
Some of the games on display looked very wii-sportsesque, particularly the table tennis game and with products such as Eye Pet coming out towards the end of last year, it is quite clear Sony are aiming towards the younger market.
What this will spell for the hardcore gaming market remains to be seen. Taking inspiration from the wii could prove to be a risking move for Sony.
According to several polls, despite being the best selling games console, the wii is also the least played. This is no doubt due to the lack of seminal titles that have come out on the format.
With the exception of say Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles, Super Mario Brothers Wii and Dead Space Extraction – the last few months have been a bit quiet on Nintendo's turf. There are decent games out there for the system, but they are few and far between. Partly because the market is flooded with a lot of shovel-ware.
Sony's line up appears to be a little bit more promising. With games like Resident Evil 5 being readied to support Move, they've also confirmed that Zipper Interactive's upcoming SOCOM 4 will make use of the motion controls.
Other games during the presention included “Motion Fighter” - a beat em up in which the gamer re-enacts the fight moves in a bid to defeat their opponent - and “Move Party” - a social game, that involves painting and guiding falling birds (with the use of motion controlled fans) into nests.
It has got to be said that the Playstation Move looks set to appeal to a varied market. Fingers crossed, developers will concentrate on making good products that will make full use of Move and what it has to offer, and the Playstation 3 won't become a victim to an endless parade of titles such as “Carnival Games HD”.
I know it's early days yet, but if Sony play their cards right, they might be able to bridge that gap between the casual and hardcore market.
Sony's Move will be released later in the year and will be priced at around $100.
UK price - unconfirmed at time of writing.
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