With the Upcoming MS Project Natal and SONY's Wand (or is it Gem?) coming into the picture. Let's take a look at what it means for gamers and the competitors (especially Nintendo).

IMO, there's pro's and cons with motion sensing controller. I'm especially interested in Natal...finally a controller free sensor device! But of course, it has sort of been done by the PS2 EyeToy, but if i'm not wrong, EyeToy is only 2D right? (Anyone has experience with EyeToy please share). If the Natal is capable of sensing your body in 3D, does it means we can now do roundhouse kick? Some of the videos showing the concepts and ideas of Natal is pretty interesting, like the shadow and dancing games.

Now, then there's the SONY's Wand/Gem/Harry Potter thingy. How does this different from the Wii's motion controller? Wii Users please share! (I don't have a Wii, so no idea how it actually works). It looks pretty same as Wii to me....you grab a stick and shove it around.

IMO, these are some of the things i can deduct based on limited info.

Natal:
Pros- Unique full 3D body sensor! Opens new concept to motion sensor gaming!
Cons - Some games are still better to play with a stick...imagine if you are holding a sword...u can hold an imaginary sword and fight, but it will still be better if you can actually hold a stick. Also, i think the accuracy of your imaginary stick will be less accurate than a stick motion detector.

Wand/Gem
Pros - a physical stick is better for certain games using motion control for better accuracy and feel.
Cons - does not breaks new ground...no difference from Wii??

Whatever happens, Nintendo is the one to worry....looks like MS is opening a new area in motion gaming while SONY has catch up with their Wand....while Nintendo still refuse to acknowledge they need HD gaming.....

For the hardcore gamers, i think little will change. Most games will still be better play with a gamepad or steering wheel. Ex:, an imaginary steering wheel or even a 'Air Wheel' like Wii or Wand will simply not match the same experience with a physical steering wheel with vibrations and pedals. Some games like Ninja Gaiden ex; i think it is best play with gamepad for the combos....it is physcially impratical to expect a human to do those moves and the tech to register such fast actions and collision is simply not possible with current motion control ( i see some lags in the videos of Natal and Wand...).

Your take please.

I still like to play games the original way, one + pad, start & select buttons, A and B buttons, and turbo A and B buttons. Anything else meh.

if it's not too gimicky, using motion sensitive controllers are quite fun.

the reason wii is full of shovelware is just that...most developer failed to grasp the idea of what works and what not. only a handful of 3rd party developer got it right for the wii.

what wand/gem?
Isn't it called Arc ?

haha. Yes, i believe that's the official name? Forgot liao.

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Added on February 8, 2010, 11:55 amFor most games yes. But with the new motion controller, it really does opens new options. This is especially true for sports game and party games. This is one area the traditional gamepad couldn't match. Especially party games!!!

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Added on February 8, 2010, 11:57 amThis is true. As with any other new tech, some developers simply use it because 'it's there', without thinking thoroughly how to best use it. I think MS has mentioned this and will not simply allow shovelware to use Natal because 'it's there'.

This post has been edited by Matrix: Feb 8 2010, 11:57 AM

Isn't it is tentatively called as PlayStation Motion Controller?

I'm with Gundam.

Was play New Super Mario Bros Wii, and holding the remote horizontally brings me back to my old days of playing the game in its context sensitive motions. Nice additions on motion though.

But you've got to wonder why Sony never thought of releasing Eyedentity, their game that utilized PS Eye to read facial expressions and react to that.

honetly, all this motion sensor is fun FOR A WHILE.

It will get frickishly annoying later.

I will stick with my pad.

its just fun for the expenrince, but playing the whole game with the motion sensor?
Seriously

if utilized correctly, the whole motion experience is fun.

so i'm pretty much open to what games would come in future to these platform.

i think we all gonna be a guniea pig once these stuff released..to me traditional controller still important.

I love GEM but dunno why but I don't like NATAL!
BUT DS3 is the No.1 controller for me.

motion control provide a wide welcome to all my friends who come visit my house and never got really into gaming and also those who games alot but nvr got involve into the motion control world.

the scream of joy and laughter just made my day, and they can get into the game without any complains

but motion controls dont come cheap rather, it's expensive to me.

well, friends dont come often to my house, and i buy console for personal enjoyment

unless many of my frens come often, i dont really like playing motion control.

I just want to lie down on my sofa and play on my controller~

Yah me too only when friends are around
Even then i leave all my motion controllers to them
And i will just stand aside to guide them

I personally prefer sitting down and concentrate my game without any big movements

Or will only want to move around when the mood strikes.

I prefer the Sony one to the Wii controller and Natal.

Natal seems pretty impractical and the Wii console just isn't that powerful.

I've always wondered what playing with proper motion controls would be like in HD.

With the Wand, I can soon do that

With that note, punching air, doesn't feel right.

IINM, a lot of people thought that the Wand is a more feasible idea after the E3 announcement.

Wand was... a bit of awe and a bit of shock.

To me,

The colors emitting from that ball doesn't make much sense. i remember everyone was quiet.

But when the guy used the wand as a sword, to lift a skull, that to me is frigging impressive. Now, to hold my DS3 on left hand, and use the right stick to move. Then i've got next gen motion controller.

360 might just be the next shovelware dumping ground.

Natal is cool and all, but honestly, how many of us got the room to jump around like rabid gundams?

The Wand seems pretty similar to the concept of the Wii, though.

Always nice to have a physical thing to hold.

I scared when play with Natal, I garu2 real life, my character follow

U garu2...or u do something else?