If you’re like us you’ll already be swinging Move controllers around your head in an effort to slay your foes, defeat your opponents and otherwise claim victory in the digital playground. But it’s not all about Sony, Microsoft’s pitch at the motion-control market is looming on the horizon and there has been heated debate over which is best. Who will “beat” who? We think it’s all a matter of perspective…
The Games
We were probably all expecting nothing but a slew of mini-game compilations when Sony announced their motion controller at last year’s E3. Sure, we did end up with some of the staples; Sword-fighting, bowling, table tennis, hair-shaving – all are tried and tested motion control winners and there are bound to be more in the future too. But we’re also getting imaginative uses like Flight Control and EyePet for Move. Add to that the promise of more “hardcore” titles like SOCOM and Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition and Move has an extremely rounded catalogue of games either released or announced.
The Tech
The Wii was impressive with its waggle and Motion Plus, although perhaps under-utilised in software, is even more impressive. Move goes further than that with tracking and precision that works down to a sub-pixel level. The camera tracks the glowing orb but there are all manner of complicated gyroscopes, magnetometers and magic inside that little stick too. Sure, we all like waving our arms around at concerts, nightclubs and the funfair but it’s hardly the most precise way to pull off a headshot is it?
The Price
Alright, Move can get expensive if you’re buying loads of units and Navigation controllers. The entry level though, if you just want to try the tech and play a couple of games, is much lower than that of Kinect. You only really need one Move controller and the PSEye to get started and if you’re having loads of fun then you won’t mind adding extra units to expand on your experience.
The Control
Move is precise in all ranges of movement. You can point and move with pinpoint accuracy. The inclusion of those fancy buttons means you actually feel like you’re connected to something that’s happening. Go ahead; wiggle your index finger a bit. That doesn’t feel like you’re pulling a trigger does it? With Move you have feedback for your digits and that is a key point to making you feel immersed in the game you’re playing.
The Marketing
Pew pew. The venerable Mr Butler is not only Sony’s go-to guy for, well, everything. He’s also “Honorary VP of Bringing the Awesome” here at TSA, not many people (including Kevin and his Sony PR colleagues…) know that. Sony has stepped up a gear in all aspects of their marketing in this past year or so and Move is (at least in the US) no exception. Microsoft seems happy to follow Nintendo down the asinine path to plastic families miming to bad CGI. It’s degrading.
Don’t agree? See if the counter-points suit you better.
lokiy2j
sorry but im getting goosebumps just thinking about tomorrow (move day in the UK) I know it’s extremley geeky of me but Im soooooo excited!!!
Grey_Ghost13
I can’t see Kinect working for the hardcore at all. IMHO most hardcore gamers are going to want to feel connected to the game they are playing with a controller in their hand. Yeah waving your hands around will be fun for a bit to add gesturing to menus and the like. But I can’t see people wanting to play a whole game waving your arms about. Now if it was like the interface in the movie Minority Report where to interact you had to have gloves, that would be better and add that level of interaction.
Quinlank
Got one word for Move: Games. Show me some I can only play with Move that look essential and I’ll consider it.
I admit there are some nice Move games coming soon, but the best ones(No More Heroes, Dead Space Extraction), I’ve played already on Wii, so that won’t do it.
Giving away Dead Space Extraction free with Dead Space 2 is a great move though, I’d be surprised if at least a couple of people weren’t tempted to pick a Move controller up just because they’ve already got at least one title for it on their shelf.
I don’t believe it’ll ever be anything more than a niche pursuit though ultimately, so I guess it’s understandable Sony aren’t betting the farm on Move like Microsoft are with Kinect.
Charmed_Fanatic
You cant compare and use the same good points off the same cateogories ;)
jacklum
Can we have a ‘5 ways regular games beat both Move and Kinect’ article as well?
BlackWidowShirt
more like 500 ways
Boomshanks
I really believe Sony have the upper hand because of the price here. Xbox360 was, and still is, the cheapest way to HD gaming and this is making them a lot of money. Move will be the cheapest way to Motion Gaming, next to the Wii but everyone already has one of those, so it will sell more.
This is of course just one factor, but I think it will be a major contributor
justboy
I’ve just bought mine, have to pick it up from tesco on saturday.
Hopefully it will get more use than my wii did (does it even need to be said its in a corner gathering dust?)
Zoidberg79
Got move last night.
Its cool, but software will be the deciding factor. Nice hardware and really easy to use. VERY accurate.
I was going to buy the move with a game and a sub controller. But I soon realized that you actually require 2 move controllers AND a sub controller if you want to take full advantage of the move.
so prices are:
Move Controller only $69 x 2
Sub Controller $49 x 1
Sports Champions $49
TOTAL $236
Thats $236 AU Dollars for a full single player experience. Granted you can use the second move for basic two player action but man it gets expensive real fast.
I say an ad for the Kinect, price was $199 including a game.
I think that price could end up being the ultimate decider for the casual market.
SmokeyPSD
mmm, marketing, maybe great in the states, but here in Australia. It’s seriously a terrible approach Barely ANY exposure in the shops and it’s day 2.
Asdafers
Hi everyone,
hope this helps all the people who were hoping to rush to the stores to get Move immediately after work/school. I got mine midday and it was a disaster. The room was too bright to use it :( Calibration wasn’t even starting as the camera could not see the ball. After closing the blinds, drawing the curtains the game finally started. AND IT WAS GREAT!!! I bet you were not expecting that after the into :)
The precision is amazing, the games are … ok but provide a lot of fun :) I can clearly say that this is a great technology. Just need AAA titles now and with the Winter coming it’s going to be darker anyway :)