The Electronic Entertainment Expo, most commonly known as E3, this year saw Microsoft and Sony shock attendees as their completely separate yet incredibly similar plans to utilize motion-sensing technology with their game consoles. Though this may appear as odd, considering Nintendo’s long held grasp on the motion-sensor gaming market with the Nintendo Wii, it will certainly prove interesting to hear what the critics who derided the Wii as “child-oriented” and “gimmicky” are going to say as two hardware giants release their own motion-sensor game platforms.
At a glance, the Microsoft Kinect appears to be the most innovative among the two. The Kinect will use a camera to track a user’s movements instead of a hand-held device. While testing has shown that this technology is effective, a lag has been noted when it is put under heavy usage. Additionally, the games that are currently set to be released for the Kinect seem like they will appeal more to casual gamers rather than die-hard gaming fans. In other words, Microsoft will be quick to release apparent rip-off of Wii Sports and Dance Dance Revolution, while there was no display of this technology being utilized by games like Gears of War or Halo. Kinect games seem singularly aimed at the Wii market.
This has led many fans to renew their criticism of companies opening up to motion-sensor gaming. As companies seek to appeal to families and non-traditional gaming populations, the college-age and older crowd that desires more mature games feels as if they will be left out. Many believe that with the rise of games like Kinectimals, games like Gears of War will pass away.
Conversely, it is difficult to discuss Sony’s MOVE device without a comparison with the Wii’s remotes and nunchucks. Mave have accused Sony of not just looking to the Wii for inspiration, but instead for cutting and pasting. However, there are reports that the MOVE will effectively do just what it supposes to do, and that’s to give users the chance to use their own arms to hold the semblance of an automatic weapon, or hold a golf club like Tiger Woods. Furthermore, with a host of games such as Resident Evil 5 coupled with PGA Tour 11 demonstrate Sony’s commitment to its long loyal community of hardcore gaming fans.
However, just like the Nintendo Wii and the Microsoft Kinect, it is clear that the Sony MOVE will be marketed heavily to sell Playstations to the family sector instead of only to the traditional gamer crowd. While it would be easy to say that we have already experienced this, having gone through the same arguments when the Nintendo Wii came out, only time will reveal the future of the gaming industry.
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