PS3Mote: Good Idea?
Reliable rumors have been rolling in that Sony is focus testing a Wii-like motion controller for the PS3. Co-blogger, Tosh assures that this is definitely true. But is this a good idea?
Obviously, Wii has been the surprise runaway success in games, and I’m sure that Sony would like to get a piece of that. However, is this a good idea?
One on hand, I don’t think this will change things much. The Wii’s controller and game selection are good, but the fundamental draw that drives the Wii’s success that Sony and Microsoft will have a hard time emulating, is that the Wii isn’t obnoxious. Seriously. The entire field of video games has a completely negative stigma in the minds of most of society and the overall image of the PS3 and 360 play right into that stigma. I don’t care how many family friendly Ratchet & Clanks or Little Big Planets or Viva Pinatas they ship or what simple, dumbed down motion controllers they use, most regular families of non-gamers see the PS3 or the 360 and they think of a big obnoxious system with a bunch of antisocial teenagers playing obnoxious violent games and arguing back and forth about tech specs and frame rates. And they want to steer clear of that whole scene. The PS3 and the 360 are delivering more bleeding edge innovation, which is what myself and most readers of this site want, but Nintendo avoids the snobbery and the stigmas of the gaming world and delivers the most geek-free and family-friendly living room experience.
On the other hand, why not make a Wii like controller? It probably won’t change the PS3’s overall market standing, but maybe it will lead to some new games and new innovation that we wouldn’t see otherwise.
I´m waiting for KZ2, and thats not out before feb 09 .. Now that is a loong wait 
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I have no interest in motion controls at all. In fact I’d even go as far and say I hate it.
Bah!
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Motion control would be a good addition. Possibly great. Many games could benefit from wii-like motion controls. Anything that gives the game designers better response and allows the possibility of new gameplay is a bonus. look at the cool stuff the Eyetoy is allowing to occur. One day a cool game is going to come out for it, combined with an extra $60 burning a hole in my pocket and I’ll pick up an eyetoy.
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Yike, I don’t think this is a good idea at all.
I think the target demographic for the Wii and PS3 are totally different. Wii games are more towards the casual fun, so FPS using the Wiimote has absolutely no accuracy involved. While I think PS3 games require more skills.
May be PS3 wants to enter the casual game market?
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
“The entire field of video games has a completely negative stigma in the minds of most of society and the overall image of the PS3 and 360 play right into that stigma.”
PSOne and PS2 had a very similar game selection (other than not being as shooter heavy) and they sold incredibly. The difference was accessible pricing. Adding motion controls isn’t going to do anything, getting hardware prices down most certainly would.
Keep in mind, “mainstream” software follows mainstream hardware pricing. All those hunting, fishing, and ford car games game out after PS2 was at a very low price and sold in great volume.
PS3’s problem at it’s current pricing is that Sony is losing the dedicated gamer crowd (and the numerous software purchases they make) to 360. 360 is by far the closest to matching the tie ration that PS2 had.
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:46 pm
A Wii Remote-style controller actually wouldn’t provide anything to hardcore gamers, I don’t think. However, motion controls are a lot easier for casual players to wrap their brain around than trying to drive with two thumb sticks. I’d know, I’m a recent console convert, and having to relearn how to aim using the sticks instead of a mouse is just plain painful. However, now that I’m fairly used to it, I don’t see how a motion controller would improve my gaming performance at all.
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I don’t buy the cost argument. Do you really think that if PS3’s price dropped, it would have anything close to the Wii’s momentum? Last generation, the Dreamcast and the GameCube cut price aggressively below the PS2. and it just seemed pathetic and no one cared. Some have already referred to the PS3’s price cuts as desperate. Secondly, the 360’s price is worse. I don’t want to dig up that old debate again, but I think the PS3 is far more price/value friendly to most consumers than 360. The 360 ha\
been successful in other areas.
“A Wii Remote-style controller actually wouldn’t provide anything to hardcore gamers”
It’s definitely not a sure bet. I think it’s a gamble like the sixaxis tilt or the PS Eye. Those technologies haven’t delivered anything big yet, but I’m optimistic about their future possibilities.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:11 am
i share gary’s view on motion controllers. yuck. they need to make the sixaxis more responsive. its just too sluggish to be useful.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
i think it’d make much more sense to make a wii-style remote for the ps2.