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PlayStation Move Preview
We get some hands-on time with Sony's motion controller offering
While GDC Canada 2010 had a rather busy schedule, with multiple sessions running at the same time, there were a few late additions. One of those additions was a presentation by Sony Entertainment, which included a discussion of the 3D technology and of course, PlayStation Move. This article focuses on the PS Move and related notes, so if you are looking for 3D tech part of the presentation, see our previous article.
With PlayStation Move, Sony is quite clearly attempting to reinvent the motion control systems in gaming. They pioneered the early technology with the PlayStation Eye, though the product never really took off as expected in the popular culture. Then Nintendo came along with the Wii, and showed the gaming industry that motion controls are possible and extremely profitable on that feature alone. Thus, both Microsoft and Sony are set to introduce their motion control devices this year. While Microsoft’s Natal attempts a rather interesting hands-free approach, Sony decided to model their design in a more common way by introducing the Move. PlayStation Move is essentially two custom controllers with motion sensitivity features, and the PlayStation Eye combined to provide a user with a fresh experience.

A bare-bones demo of the technology
During the presentation, Anton Mikhailov from SCEA described the various methods and technologies that go into making the Move possible. As he described the device, a variety of demos were shown to the audience. On a technical level, the controller is very impressive with precise movements and very little delay between the input and the result. The controller incorporates sensors based on a triple axis, X-Y-Z, representing a direction in a three dimensional space. It essentially improves on existing SIXAXIS tech.
The ball on the end of the controller is a vital part of the device, as it sends information via sensors dynamically. In classical 3D technologies, the position of the player in a space is calculated, whereas with Move the sensors are able to dynamically establish player position via direct information feeds to the system. The color of the sphere changes in order for the Eye to have an easier time tracking the device in varied lighting conditions, but it is also used to illustrate gameplay elements – for example, the ball may turn white and yellow when the player is firing a weapon in the game. It was also demonstrated that the ball is quite sturdy and can withstand direct impact on a hard surface – it is soft, which also means that accidents involving TVs are less likely.
A few demos were shown during the session, each quite impressive. A few basic motion-tracking games looked solid, with no noticeable lag and an interesting take on the use of technology. One of the highlights was the ability for a player to hold one controller as if it was a large object, then making it spin, and applying the second controller in order to carve right into the object as if you are watching virtual pottery. It was noted that abilities and tools such as these will allow developers to really get creative and implement original designs that are crafted right on the system using the motion controllers.
Another big highlight positioned the player in a virtual 3D Space, and then placed some objects in front of them. At a touch of a button, the view on the screen shifted – now we were not looking at the player through the PS Eye, but instead the camera perspective shifted to the controller in the player’s hand. It was as if the player was now holding a camera, and was able to move this camera around the 3D space he just created with a first person view. This allowed the player to peek in behind 3D objects he just created by extending his hand and pointing the controller (the camera view) down behind the object.

Demo of the device
It was mentioned that Sony is treating the launch of Move as a major event, but not quite to the level of the PS3 launch. It is being presented as a major controller launch, and Move will ship with PS3s, games and as standalone with the PS Eye camera. PlayStation Move is set to release as a compliment to the existing Dualshock controller series, and not as a rival or successor.
After the presentation concluded, a few members of the audience were given a chance to try a few basic games for the system. Picking up the Move controllers felt very comfortable, perhaps even more so than the Wii’s alternative. The buttons are positioned cleverly across the face of the device, with a large Move button taking place in the center and a trigger located in the back. The second controller was similar, but had less buttons and felt a bit lighter and smaller than the main controller. After a quick calibration process with the Eye, the system established my position and surroundings, location of my head and body, and I was ready for a few demo playthroughs.
There were only two games available, one involved squashing bugs as they flew around in screen; the other focused on cutting hair from cute animated characters. The first title was mostly focused on waving the controller around, trying to hit as many bugs as possible in the time allotted. This was a true “button masher”, except of course in the case of motion controls, a “wave the controller like crazy” kind of game. The game was meant to showcase the responsiveness and lack of lag in Move, and it succeeded in doing so. Though the controls felt quick and I was able to score many points, the game didn’t really have enough feedback on screen to see just how precise the controller is when in such constant quick motion. Overall, it felt right, and that’s what matters with this type of game.

Members of the audience give the controller a try
The second title on display was meant to demonstrate the precision of the controller, and it was impressive. Positioning the controller to cut the hair off the creatures with precision, but also with quickness, was challenging but also fun. It did not feel like you were hindered by the controller’s sensitivity or lack thereof, instead all the focus was on the player trying to make sharp and accurate movements. Having played the Wii on many occasions, I was very relieved to find that Move really does feel much sharper and more accurate. The controller really does have potential to be used in serious games, such as shooters, where reaction time is key and where the Wii controller never achieved the level of precision desired by the hardcore shooter community.
At the conclusion of the event, it was clear that Sony has created a product they are proud of. Given a rumored suggested price of under $100, the company is well positioned to take on the rival challenge from Microsoft and its Natal project, as well as take on the current motion control champion, Nintendo. By the end of this year, all of the modern platforms will have a motion controller offering. It will be interesting to see who takes the sales crown this holiday season, and if Nintendo can deal with the market challenge of the newcomers.
