Playstation Move is the real name for the device we’d all been calling Playstation Arc. At the Game Developer Conference, Playstation Move controllers were shown on stage revealing their  glowing bulbs and a slew of Playstation Move games. Read to see Playstation Move video…

We’d thought that Playstation Arc was certain to be the name for the feverishly anticipated Sony motion controller but…we were wrong. It’s called the Playstation Move.

Sony has revealed when you’ll be able to grab the Playstation Move. It’s also pulled the covers off some of the games that will get you waving the controller around and even speaking into it with voice-recognition features as you can see in the Playstation Move video.

Due in the autumn, the Playstation Move will sell in three different packages. For folk who already have the Playstation Eye camera (required by the controller to track your movements), you’ll be able to buy the Playstation Move controllers on their own.

The next level bundle will pack a Playstation Eye camera and Playstation Move controllers and a game. Finally, a “full fat” package will include a Playstation Eye camera, Playstation Move controllers, games and a Playstation 3. Sony execs said the Playstation Eye, Playstation Move controllers and game package will sell for under-£66 ($100).

Sony demonstrate several Playstation Move game demos including a medieval sword and shield beat-em-up using gestures to slash with the your weapon and block attacks and a hands-behind-your-back stance that triggered taunts at your enemy. There was also a table tennis game showing more subtle movements than we’re used to expecting from Wii games like Wii Tennis.

LittleBigPlanet with Playstation Move integration was demonstrated. A co-operative mode demo showed one player using a normal Playstation 3 gamepad to control Sackboy while a second player used a Playstation Move controller to alter the environment and speed the other player’s progress.

Demonstrating Playstation Move with SOCOM 4, Sony revealed an additional product it called the SubController, an analogue stick that resembles the Nintendo Wii nunchuck. Sony says you’ll be able to play through SOCOM 4 using a combination of the Playstation Move controller and SubController.

EA’s Tiger Woods 2011 is also set for Playstation Move functionality, allowing you to swing the controller like a real golf club while there’ll be more brutal sports action with Dukes, a bare knuckle boxing game.

Sony executives promise that we’ll be seeing a bit promotional push for the Playstation Move which will arrive just in time to battle Microsoft and Project Natal which is also due in time for Christmas.

Which motion controller gets your vote? Sony’s Playstation Move or Microsoft Project Natal? Let us know.

Due autumn | £TBC | Sony (via PC World)

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  • http://www.gravatar.com James Holland

    It looks better than I thought, to be honest (although I’m surprised to hear the ball on top is “squishy”) – still though, Natal seems more natural to me. I’ll reserve judgment until it’s in my hands, and as ever it’ll come down to the software / game support.

  • Brian Murphy

    I think that this solution is going to find more applications to typical gaming that we see now, whereas, Natal is going to be good for other things. The lack of a device in your hand for Natal is rather off-putting to me, for a great many types of games. However, for something like Trials of Topoq (PSN game that uses the Eye), it’d be a brilliant advancement.

    It’s also going to come down to precision, and response time. Whichever of the two boasts these qualities, is going to have the clear edge. Let’s face it, for anything but pointless party games and the like, you’ll need spot on response in order to make it as immersive as possible. Any serious/noticeable lag in control is going to piss people off, cause all types of deaths at inopportune moments and things of that nature. And will hardly get the word of mouth hype moving.

    I think there are some really neat applications for this particular device to the PS3 though, yes, many are party/kid friendly, but there could be some serious core gaming applications also.

    I’d just like to add, that both companies should seriously consider investing in Martial Arts forms tutorials that tie in the motion controllers to track arm/body/hand positioning and movement. It’d be a great way to spread the culture and theories behind each style, as well as being a great exercise tool.

  • http://www.electricpig.co.uk Joe Minihane

    Gotta say I think it looks unbelievably naff, but until I have a play I can’t say how good it is. The controllers look cheap as chips though.

    • http://www.electricpig.co.uk Ben Sillis

      Likewise I’ll reserve judgment, but as someone who plays games regularly rather than a Wii newcomer, any lag whatsoever is an instant disqualification. It’s no coincidence that my favourite Wii games all make minimal use of motion controls (Mario Galaxy, New Super Mario Bros, Zelda).

  • jae cruz

    I like the idea, its just like the wii, maybe since its a ps3 I can expect more “hardcore” games other than mario and zelda like games(in comparison). We’ll see what happens. As for natal… that also looks cool.

    Bahh!! Too many cool games and little $$$ lol! Ill stick to one console. Ps3 is my choice :D

  • http://www.monbeausapin.org/ Claire Benoit

    It really looks cool and it is suppose to be cool. I really want to try it the soonest. Hope that there are no glitches whatsoever.

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