This Holiday Season, You Will Move
January 20, 2010
If you're been resisting the Nintendo Wii's demand that you bring a little movement into your gaming habits, come this holiday season you will no longer have any say in the matter as Microsoft launches its Natal motion control camera add-on and, as we're finding out today, Sony launches its own motion control remote wand peripheral in fall 2010. I have this terrible feeling creeping over me that the big fourth-quarter games for this year will set aside the traditional controller in favor or flailing around like there's no tomorrow. Kotaku has a choice quote from the head of Sony Computer Entertainment, Kaz Hirai:
"We will continue to work to have a comprehensive portfolio of attractive and innovative games for the Motion Controller, not only from SCE Worldwide Studios but also from the third party developers and publishers, whom we have been working closely with. We look forward to soon unveiling the exciting software line-up that further expand and define the PS3 platform as the ultimate entertainment system for the home".
With both Sony and Microsoft prepping motion-related titles for the annual major shopping season, it seems to me that it doesn't matter whether or not the end result is enjoyable or successful. Due to the pressure of the season, expect to see huge, major pushes from both companies and their suite of third-party developers and publishers. The near-simultaneous releases of both brands of motion control will demand increased marketing and promotional costs from both sides, so even if you have no interest in buying into either technology, you won't be able to escape being bombarded with it.