TSA’s Guide To PlayStation Move

In only a couple of weeks, Sony will launch the PlayStation Move, the company’s latest addition to the PlayStation 3′s impressive range of capabilities. Here at TheSixthAxis, we’ve compiled a guide with all you need to know about the upcoming controller.

So what is this PlayStation Move thing anyway?

The PlayStation Move is Sony’s first foray into wand-style motion-controlled gaming, and works using a combination of the new handheld Move controller and the already available PlayStation Eye camera. At a very simplistic level, it offers a more precise version of a Wii-style control system on a powerful high-definition console.

When will it be available?

Move will be released on Wednesday 15th September in PAL and Asian regions, Friday 17th September in the UK, and Sunday 19th September in the US. The Japanese release is later, on Thursday 21st October.

How will I know if I need Move to play a game?

Move-enabled games are split into three categories: those that you need to have Move to play (Sports Champions) are branded “Move required”, those that can be played with Move or a DualShock (Killzone 3) are “Move compatible” and games with bonus Move content (LittleBigPlanet 2) are noted as having “Move features”. This branding banner will appear at the top of the PS3 boxart, as below.

What buttons are on the Move?

The controller has a PlayStation button, all four face buttons, as well as a trigger (named ‘T’) and a Move button. There are also Start and Select buttons tucked away either side, so you don’t accidentally hit them during gameplay.

Will it be available in other colours?

Sony haven’t indicated either way, but at least at launch it looks like the controller will only be available in black.

Does the Move controller have rumble? What about a microphone or speaker?

It does indeed have rumble! The Move controller itself doesn’t have a microphone, but the PlayStation Eye has its own dedicated array. Due to the cost and limited uses, Sony decided against including a speaker in the controller itself.

Can the Move be used to navigate the PS3’s XMB?

You can use Move in the XMB by holding the ‘T’ trigger on the back and tilting or moving the controller. Currently, whilst you can select and play media from the PS3’s XMB, fast forward and rewinding doesn’t work, although it does when watching a Blu-Ray movie. You can browse your photos too, but you can’t skip through a slideshow. The internet browser also supports Move, but it flicks between links on the page as the DualShock does, rather than working as a mouse. Expect to see these issues ironed out by release though. You can read Nofi’s experiments with the Move and XMB here.

How much will Move cost, and will there be any bundles?

The RRP for the Move controller is £34.99, and £24.99 for the Navigation Controller, however if you shop around online you can find them for as cheap as £27.85 and £19.85 respectively on ShopTo. You’ll also need a PlayStation Eye camera if you don’t already have one – this costs around about £20. A “PlayStation Move Starter Pack” is also available, bundling a Move controller, Eye, and a disk full of demos (which will also be released on the Store) for around £45. If you are new to the whole PS3 thing, there’s also a 320GB slim PlayStation 3 with the Move Starter Pack retailing for about £285.

Will I need a PlayStation Eye camera?

Yes, you will – the Eye tracks the glowing ball atop the wand; the camera is currently available separately (for about £20) or in bundles with games such as EyePet and The Eye of Judgement, and will also be available in a bundle with the Move controller at launch.

What’s all this about a “Navigation Controller”?

The Navigation Controller is an additional element of the Move system. It is similar to the Wii’s Nunchuck attachment, although wireless. It features an analog stick, d-pad, two face buttons, a PlayStation button, L1 and L2, and is designed primarily to ease with movement in Move-enabled games. A Navigation Controller is not compulsory, as you can easily just hold the left side of a DualShock to fulfil the same purpose – the Navigation Controller just streamlines that.

Will I need to get a couple of Moves and a Navigation Controller to play all Move games?

Sony have said that all Move games will be playable using only one Move controller, although you will obviously have a better experience with more controllers as applicable to the game’s design – Sports Champions’ Archery game for example can be played with one or two Move controllers, The Fight can use a Move and DualShock or two Moves, and for multiplayer you’ll want more anyway. You can use a DualShock in place of the Navigation Controller for movement in games that need an analog stick.

How many Move controllers can be used at one time?

You can use four Move units simultaneously. This can be four Move wands, or a mix of 2 wands and two Navigation Controllers. Presumably (although this is not confirmed), should you wish to use DualShock/SIXAXIS controllers in place of Navigation Controllers, you will equally be limited to two gamepads and two Moves.

Why is it better than the Wiimote? And what’s with that glowing orb?

The Move controller features an iconic glowing ball on its tip that allows the PlayStation Eye camera to track the controller, adding additional precision and interfacing over the Wii implementation. The PS3 can track the Move’s light sphere, as well as use the data from the controller’s inbuilt sensors, gyroscope and accelerometer for a more accurate experience than even the MotionPlus Wii add-on can offer. This enabled developers to add supplementary Move controls to more core games, rather than design games that specifically require less precision than a gamepad – all of this adds up to better game playing on the Move. In addition, developers can change the colour of the light within the orb to enhance gameplay.

How does Move compare to Microsoft’s Kinect system?

The main difference between Kinect and the PlayStation Move is that Kinect is a controller-less system. Whilst this may seem flashy and futuristic, in practice this means much less precise experiences – rather than pointing, games are largely played with sweeping gestures such as waving. Sony previously experimented with controller-less gaming with the EyeToy on PS2 and PlayStation Eye on PS3, but decided that for the best game experiences, a precise controller is needed.

What accessories are there for the Move?

Sony are officially shipping two accessories, a “shooting attachment”, and a USB or mains charging station for two controllers (two Moves or a Move and Navigation Controller, for example). You can also find similar add-ons from third-party manufacturers. Be warned, however: any accessory that obstructs the glowing orb on top of the Move could lead to issues when playing games.

Which Move-enabled games will be available at launch?

EyePet: Move Edition, Heavy Rain: Move Edition, Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition (with Move branding), The Shoot, Start The Party, Sports Champions and Kung-Fu Rider will all be available at retail at launch. EyePet, Heavy Rain, High Velocity Bowling, R.U.S.E., and Resident Evil 5: Gold will receive launch day patches. Flight Control HD will also be available on the PlayStation Store in the week of Move’s release.

And what about for the rest of the year?

Brunswick Pro Bowling, Buzz! The Ultimate Music Quiz, Create, DanceDanceRevolution, Deadliest Catch: Sea of Chaos, EA Sports Active 2, John Daly’s ProStroke Golf, Michael Jackson: The Experience, NBA 2K11, Raquet Sports, SingStar Dance, The Fight: Lights Out, The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest, Time Crisis: Razing Storm, Tron Evolution, and TV Superstars should all be out before the new year rolls around.

I’m fresh out of cash for new games. Which previously-released games are being patched to support Move?

EyePet, Flower, Heavy Rain, High Velocity Bowling, Hustle Kings, MAG, PAIN, Planet Minigolf, Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition, R.U.S.E, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 and Toy Story 3.

I don’t believe in physical media. What Move-enabled games will be coming out on the PlayStation Store?

Beat Sketcher, Dungeon Defenders, Echochrome ii, Flight Control HD, Kung-Fu LIVE, Plain Sight, Tumble and Under Siege are all Move-enabled and out before the end of the year. Flower, High Velocity Bowling, Hustle Kings, PAIN and Planet Minigolf are all PSN titles getting Move patches.

Sports Champions? TV Superstars? Where are the Move-enabled ‘core’ games?

There’s a couple of more mature games getting Move support this year (Heavy Rain, MAG, R.U.S.E and Resident Evil 5: Gold), but for the big guns you’ll be looking to the first part of next year. SOCOM 4, Killzone 3, Heroes on the Move, Virtua Tennis 4, Sorcery, No More Heroes: Heroes’ Paradise and more are heading for an early 2011 release.

Have any questions we havent answered here? Feel free to ask away in the comment area, where you’re sure to get an answer from our community of commenting ninjas. You can also catch-up with our previous coverage of Move here.