Sony's Playstation Move Hits Living Rooms, Eager Arms

[err0r]

Gamers rejoice: Sony's Playstation Move has officially been released …as of Friday. For while Sony has long talked about today as the initial release date for its console's much-awaited motion control device, the company actually began pushing product to gamers two days ago at various midnight launches and other retail gatherings.

 

So what, exactly, is the Playstation Move? First off, you can check out PCMag's official review of the device to determine whether it will best line up with your general gaming experience: Spoiler, the "new dimension" that this motion-capture device brings to gaming is as awesome as it is accurate.

 

Of course, you could also check out some hands-on video of the Playstation Move in action. Though it was released but days ago, gamers have already been filling the airwaves with their own demonstrations and commentary surrounding the magic-wand-like device. As well, they've been using the Move ($99 for those without an accompanying Playstation Eye; $49 with) to give their virtual pets showers.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o48UxDGK5Fc

 

So what, exactly, is that big glowing orb? In short, the Playstation Move is a Bluetooth controller with a big ol' LED-illuminated ball affixed to the top. The former uses accelerometers, rate sensors, and inertial sensors to determine rotation and motion as you wave the, er, Wave around your living room. However, the LED ball isn't just for show—it's the primary method by which the accompanying Playstation Eye tracks the controller's position, movement, and depth within a given playing area.

 

Of course, that means that said device doesn't work as planned in a brightly lit environment—like, say, outdoors, or with huge reflections bouncing off the screen area, as shown in this video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0ZqbPspYoQ

 

Nevertheless, Sony's Playstation Move does beat rival Microsoft's Kinect to the table by a good two months—ignoring, of course, that both have been trumped by Nintendo's Wii since the console's birth in late 2006 (and the launch of its Wii MotionPlus controller add-on in June of 2009, which builds an additional gyroscope onto the console's motion controllers).

 

By the time Microsoft and Sony go head-to-head in the motion-based arena of the living room, it remains to be seen whether PCMag's Jeffrey Wilson's biggest criticisms of Sony's device will come to pass: Namely, that the Playstation Move will likely enable a lot of budget motion titles on the Wii (e.g. "shovelware") to go cross-platform in an effort to boost sales.

 

Provided enough next-generation games take advantage of the Playstation Move's functionality, it should be a heated battle for control of your arms as we approach winter.