Since before its release, the Nintendo Wii has been heralded as a “fitness” console. The fact that games are played better standing up with arms swinging does well to argue the point. Rival Sony Computer Entertainment today announced plans to release a motion controller of its own. It will become the de facto controller for the PlayStation 3 platform along with the DualShock controller. The Motion Controller does require an additional PlayStation Eye camera accessory to pick up a user’s movements. Before you protest, remember the Nintendo Wii has a motion sensor you have to place within a line of site of the controller to pick up movement.
Sony says the name Motion Controller is a working name and is subject to change. The Motion Controller is due to be released worldwide in fall 2010. The controller looks like a flashlight with a glowing bulb at the end. There will be games available at the time of release from both Sony and third party developers. Ape Escape, Motion Party, Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition, and Under Siege are among the titles listed in development that support Motion Controller. Additional games include LittleBigPlanet, Pain, Flower, and EyePet. As with the Nintendo Wii controller, some games will take advantage of the motion and get gamers moving. Others games will use smaller motions that don’t offer the calorie burning benefits, and might even allow players to sit on the couch.
