Is The Playstation Move A Bit To Close To The Wii?

While Microsoft decided to go with a totally new system for its motion controller, ending up with a product unlike any of us have seen before in a gaming system. As our own Jon Rettinger pointed out in a recent video, Sony decided to play it safe with its controller, the Playstation Move. The question is, did they play it too safe? Is it too much like the Nintendo Wii’s controllers for anyone to care?

[Genesis5]

It made look the same but the tech is way better. As far as MS going with a product unlike any have seen before. I guess they're refering to people that didn't own a PS2.

[EYEamNUMBER1]

1 thing people should realize/remember by now is that better technology doesn't always equal a better product
we keep seeing this time and time again

[Genesis5]

I'm sorry I don't follow your reasoning. Do you have an example of better technology making a worse product/application?

[EYEamNUMBER1]

1 good example is the DS and PSP despite the psp being the obviously better piece of tech the DS always has and always does leave it behind in the dust
more people are quick to go for a ds than a psp

iphone> android
same can be said here

in fact if you look at technology in the past in SO MANY cases the consumer always for 1 reason or another goes for product A despite product B being far superior

i expect this to be the same thing with the move despite the move being superior to the wiimote the move really won't dent what the wii already has and is getting

if you really believe that then your kidding yourselves its the whole psp vs ds thing all over again when psp was about to be released EVERYONE was saying it was the end of nintendo/DS etc etc

im sure the core consumer will love the move going by sonys promises but the causal consumer i don't see them taking the bait

that's what i meant by the better tech doesn't always equal the better product

[Genesis5]

So what you're actually saying is better tech does not always equal better sales. That's different than saying better technology doesn't always create a superior performace.

The public is hard to predict sometimes. Though price is usually a big factor. First to market is hard to beat because people will normally stick with what they have.

[EYEamNUMBER1]

sales make the product and without the sales the better tech is irrelevant the tech world has shown this to us time and time again

anyways im out of bubbles so im off

[Rainstorm81]

Actually it seems like you meant the better tech doesnt equal the best selling product.....am i right?

Because there is no advantages the DS has over the PSP but sales which is great for Nintendo, and seeing that the Wii has such a lead over the PS Move the same will hold true.

But Move will solidify what Sony is trying to get across with the PS3............... It Only Does Everything. (mostly)

It benefits Sony with the people who has a wii but wants more from thier console, or the people who have PS3s and is intrigued by the Wii but hasnt or refuses to buy one.

[Hideo_Kojima]

Wiimote-PS Move

is the same as

Dpad-Analogue stick

imo that is what this whole thing looks like.

Obviously they do the same job but the PS Move is more accurate and offers more directions of control.

[acedoh]

You are totally off base...
you use the PSP and DS... Yet both still exist and are doing well
the Iphone and Droid... yet both exist and are doing well
Your argument really doesnt work
Good technology will always sell if it is priced right and has support. Time and time again that is the case. It doesn't have to be a better seller to be a better product.

That could be said of high end electronics and yet they still exist despite not outselling the lower end. That could be said of cars and yet they still bring out expensive cars. Your argument is flawed.

[onanie]

Indeed, eye's argument doesn't really work. Does he mean one should always automatically support the inferior product, as he does perhaps?

Kinda like supporting the underdog, right? What is this, 3rd grade?

[N4g_null]

The problem with better tech is it always works better on paper.
Itanium great chip yet no one want to write code for it, larrabee great idea a chip that can be upgrade via software mostly yet intel heard games where massively parralell yet they are mostly not ESP when transpartency are used.

IPhone to droid, ds to psp yet you guys forget why the poor tech keeps winning. They bring something new to the table.

I posted the other day about the kinect call I got from a friend and it illustrates why people buy they want new stuff. Even though he was miss informed he was excited about the idea of some thing new. Yet he totally past on move and he has a wii.

Just look at the game gear a genisis in your hand how cool is that? Yet was that really new nope so gb ate it's lunch with new games.

There is no such thing as a promising tech to out side consumer there is only stuff that works. Tech guys get cuaght up in promises too much.

The ds was simple and it worked on two levels. Touch screen and it brought new types of games and game play.

You see a long time ago the hardcore use to love new game types until the colective a holes where brought out of every one online. Now every one is in reveng mode.

Yet people that don't really care for the online reveng. They just want new games. They just want to have fun. Graphic can lead to fund but over paying for them is not fun. I don't know about you guys but I loved sega vr games and daytona yet the price went all the way up to $3 just to play for 5-15 minutes.

It was not fun putting all those dollars in the machine when you can go cart at the same place.

People are cost prohibted even the hardcore. There are a few fps that are out and even more that I'm sure most of you have not played on the pc just because you can not afford the tech.

See this is the problem the cost of better tech always out wieghts the better tech to many. On top of this many have played shallow video games before due to hype.

Another thing is tech can actualy distract or take away from other things. Tech is only a tool not art.

[RageAgainstTheMShine]

@ Eye

How about I say the PS3 is a Lamborghini Diablo and the Wii a Toyota Corolla?

Both are cars, aren't they? Which is the better product? Which is more successful? Do they have the same objectives?

I know where you are coming from.... but a lot of people here with sense and open minds know where they stand.

[DanyBrown]

agree with you genesis although i think the author makes a good point about there being possible confusions with consumers as to what the move can bring to the table

[WhatARump]

Well, all the consumer needs to think is that "it's like the Wii except on Ps3"

and that alone is so powerful a marketing tool that the other features are irrelevant. (To the general public)

[RageAgainstTheMShine]

....

1st On PS2 Sony PlayStation had the camera based motion control gaming without no controllers.

2nd On PS3 they just added the motion controller to the camera.

Period.
Simple as that.

Does the Wii have a camera and mic that recognizes motions, faces, voice?
Does the Wii sense motion without a controller?

[dangert12]

Fanboyism at its greatest
'It made look the same but the tech is way better'

he says talking about ps move concerning the wii

'As far as MS going with a product unlike any have seen before. I guess they're refering to people that didn't own a PS2'

he says about kinect conerning the eyetoy

bother are simular
and could be seen as succesor on different conoles
stoping buying a sony joey
just because sony do it don't mean they will always be the first there not the first and don't the wii with with motion plus do 1:1 tracking and ain't the tech in the wii motes ment to be better hence the reason theres no flashing ball

[extermin8or]

owns a wii with wii+ I can assure you there is no wa in hell it tracks me 1:1 als if it does then no games support it, i mean wii resort hass dificulty knowing when ive moved the controler to the other side of me and it definatly canot track it in 3d...

[Why o why]

kinect similar to eyetoy

now thats out the way from a tech standpoint both are better than their blueprints on paper

The move is more functional AND accurate whereas the kinect hasn't proved it can do much more than what the eyetoy did at the moment.

Finally we have to really ask ourselves if either can cater for core and casual....I think the unanimous answer fro that from what we've seen is NO WAY. Kinect is strictly for casual and no celebrity, fanboy or website can change that...Thats down to the software and as of now there is zilch

[N4g_null]

Exterminator the wii can track to see the wii mote on the other side of you. Yet in most game play step ups this is limited. Wii resort ping pong I can sing from any side in the rowing game you actualy have to row on each side of you lol.

Something tells me you don't own one and maybe you played one looking for problems. The move has the same problems if not more because the hardcore want full 1:1 on every thing. There is a reason for the d-pad it limits Input so game play can be controlled and improved.

I'm glad this is happening though it will make for better games across the board.

The only thing the wii mote lacks is tracking colors. Which is actualy a good thing which you will see why when you get one.

[Davoh]

I agree that it is better tech but many casual gamers will still see it as a Wii replica, and the main reason Sony has released a motion controller is to grab a share of the casual market. The Eyetoy never achieved mass recognition which is why Kinect can easily fly under the radar as "innovative" but Sony has a massive mountain to climb to get the casual Wii owners to buy the Move, especially now that the motion control fad is over and casual gamers rarely even play with the Wii anymore.

[acedoh]

Sony is trying to get their core audience involved. Bring on the shooters and then the casual games. That has been their successful recipe for years. It has always worked. Buzz, Singstar and ratchet and clank are all examples of that.

[Davoh]

Looking at the Move launch line up I would say that it's bring on the casual games and then the shooters. Not saying that it's all casual games there's a mix but there's obviously more casual games.
True that the PlayStation Move was created for both core and casual gamers but it was mainly created to compete and tap into the market of the Wii and my comment before was just explaining why I think it would be difficult for Sony.

[spooky205]

essentially is everything i though the wii would be. I bought a wii at launch with high hopes of playing some amazing games using a brand new control scheme. It was fun and new until reality set in. I suffered a gaming drought on the system due to Nintendos commitment to casuals. I realized most of the games on the system could be better played with a traditional controller. I realized it wasnt even motion control. The button that is clearly missing on the controller is replaced with a waggle motion. Need to swing at a enemy? waggle. need to use a item? waggle. need to dodge a attack? waggle. Maybe move can make me have a better motion control experience. I dont care if its a ripoff. If it could be used to play my games in a way i enjoy them even more then its welcome to me.

[Omega4]

Yeah it is, will be interesting to see if casual consumers care about accuracy, because Wii Motion Plus didn't seem to make much difference.

At least Kinect is something 99% of the casual population have never experienced before, since next to no one had the eyetoy, and is likely the reason preorders are so high for it even with nearly half a year before it releases.

[EYEamNUMBER1]

and here you come trying to spin kinect

kinect wont be the saving grace microsoft hopes it will be doesn't matter how much money they throw at it

[SillySundae]

... have Kinect pre-orders (for the sake of queueing their orders).

They tell me they WON'T hesitate to CANCEL if the price will be too high.

I still say wait and see.

[acedoh]

All these Wii owners have no problem plopping another $300 for a console... or more for a 360 with a new gadget. Show me one time in history that has worked...

[dhall1989]

And no, its not. The Move is what we always wanted out of the Wii and never got.

[clintos59]

but the sorcery demo showed off at e3 was more impressive then anything i have seen on the wii and kinetic. if u dont believe me go watch the sorcery video youll see the crowd reaction. welcome to how real motion controlling is meant to be played. =)

[olLANDSHARKlo]

Did they really expect sony to come up with something original, the kings of copying!!

[AtatakaiSamurai]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

This was years b4 the wii and Nintendo copied this and dumped their idea of the power glove medium. The media didn't jump on Sony's tech back then cause Sony didn't have a strategy to "make" them promote the tech but Ninty found a better marketing strategy to get the media and it's fans involved but they weren't the first to do THIS TYPE of motion wand controlls.

Learn your gaming history and you won't look like a fool... too much.

Sony pioneers so much but the media don't jump on them so Sony waits, keeps the tech in their back pocket 'till someone else breaks through then they can say "ok, we here, we have something even better"

Everyone talks about Live but they forget it was Sega that initially pioneered online gaming for consoles but it just wasn't ready to catch back then. Some of their staff moved to MS and voila, Live succeeded years later.

Learn your history in gaming. It helps you better appreciate the gaming industry even more.

[ChickeyCantor]

Thats nice and all, but, think about it.
Nintendo pioneered this stuff. A large portion of the market looks at Nintendo, the people behind motion controls.(Sure they didn't invent the stuff but they established it for the industry).

Now people will see Move and think: "Wait didn't Nintendo do this already?"

Lots of stuff shown with move looks like a Wii-sports++(Again Nintendo promoted Wii-sports as their main game for Wii, there have been plenty of sport games, but none was promoted like Wii-sports).
In contrast Wii is still cheaper price tag wise. I really do wonder how well it will fare.

Before anyone gets deluded and goes on about how im bashing Move, I'm not. Sony announced this product kinda LATE. It is 4 years since the Wii was announced, its going to be a tough job to appeal to this market they are trying to reach.

[DuneBuggy]

Learning about who intially invented what is nice and all, but the one who capitalizes on it wins. Xerox invented the graphical interface for computers for instance, but it was Apple and MS that benefited from it.
But yes, timing is also important.If the technology isnt ready for prime time,isnt cost effect,isnt supported, or poorly marketed,then its going to fail.
History has taught us that lesson many times over.

I think Sonys plan as opposed to MS is a safer play in some cases. Since the way its used is similar to the Wii, game development for it may be more widespread. Thats a double edged sword though.Could mean alot of third party shovelware...Or the public decides HD graphics alone arent worth giving up their Wii.The games will make or break Move.
And the games will certainly make or break Kinect. Kinect is just different enough it could run wild though.That and if the features like the ESPN and vid chat gets wildly popular, then it may sell very well even with a weaker game lineup.Think about Facebook integrated with Kinect for a second. Social networking is huge.
When the Wii came out,I didnt think it had a shot against the 360 or the PS3 letalone steamroller both of them in sales. But he who has the most horsepower under the hood doesnt always win the console wars. In fact historically, less powerful systems tend to be the victor.

[AtatakaiSamurai]

Yup, Nintendo capitalized on what Sony initiated and made it more of a success. Now Sony is capitalizing on the Wiis success. By your own logic - Win Win for Sony is it not?

[DuneBuggy]

No its not. If I developed a concept for a MP3 player years ago, and then did nothing with it while Apple and everyone else launched one, would I win by default by offering one on the market now?
Would people automatically say "Gee Dunebuggy created these things, so I need to throw my I Pod in the trash and get one of his".
Sony has to market the Move,support it, and convince people its not only a viable option to the Wii..but a superior one as well.It would have been a little easier to do if they attempted this before 5 gazillion Wii consoles were sold IMO.

[Thudd]

I sense Move Fitness Board announcing soon. Sony doesnt have any original ideas, they suck.

[Ahmay]

just come out with kinetic 2 and kinetic combat 2...

[WrAiTh Sp3cTr3]

Let the customers decide for themselves.

[GrandDragon]

The difference is the PS-M works for every type of game whereas the WiiMote doesn't.

[TheLig32]

And this guys grammar is a bit "too" off to be considered a real journalist.

[AngelorD]

The things that makes it a mile better are:
- the graphics
- the precision
- the lineup
- the haptic feedback

[AtatakaiSamurai]

The PS Move is what gamers thought the Wii was going to be. So I think more traditional gamers will support Move than they do the Wii.

It's left to see if the casual market will move" towards the PS MOVE and away from the wii but I think even if they don't in masses, the PS MOVE will indeed significantly cut into that base from the Wiii and that's a win win for Sony.

Looks like the Playstation is set for moving over 100mill this gen as well.

[keysy420]

so

[GLoRyKnoT]

Are "motion controllers" so yeah they the same.

& in the same way i don't want anything 2do w/ either one.

I'm not shooting w/ dat sh@ - what is this duck hut:P

[yippiechicken]

"I'm not shooting w/ dat sh@ - what is this duck hut:P"

??

[Ahmay]

was fun

[GrandDragon]

I can remember about 2 year ago I played Wii sports at my friends house and the only complaint I had was about the lag. I told him I wish one day a more precise motion controller comes out with tiny or unnoticeable lag and then BAM Sony shows off the PS-M and I was blown away.

What I like about the PS-M is the unnoticeable lag when you're ACTUALLY PLAYING with it, that's what I wanted and that's what Sony has brought to the table.

So although I don't like the Wii I do however like motion controls, but as I said the WiiMote wasn't good enough for me and all I wanted was something more precise and that's all really.

[midgard229]

is the ps3 controller, xbox controller, ps1, gamecube controller bit to close? i mean they have buttons......, people are freakin retarded

whats next,"Is the Whopper to close to thee big mac?

[DelbertGrady]

It's basically the same, only it's bigger, looks somewhat like a sex toy and is overpriced.

[digger18]

"looks somewhat like a sex toy"
Oh how mature!!

The Kinect is a total rip off of Eye Toy. But who cares, they both will be fun.

[MaximusPrime]

no. its more precise than Wiimote.

Eyetoy is more precise than Kinect.

In another word, Sony wins

[bjornbear]

just asking...sex toy jokes on motion controllers can be done with the wii ffs, its equally insertable, so...

[tiamat5]

Everyone is so busy taking about how similar the Move looks and how they are copying Nintendo that they haven't noticed that Microsoft is following Nintendo even more closely then Sony. Look at the games, the motions used to play, the way they are marketing it. At least Sony is attempting to cater for both sides, casual and hardcore. But Microsoft isn't really taking as big a risk as people think. They are playing it safe and copying Nintendo almost to the letter.

[BillOreilly]

no one will buy a ps3 for move only people with a ps3 will get it kinect will sell 360s cause its new the public (not us) sees move as the wii and kinect as the new innovation(regaurdless of how you feel about it )

[digger18]

How is it "the new innovation" when its a copy of Eye Toy, which the Playstation has had it for years?

[DuneBuggy]

For arguments sake,lets say Kinect is a souped up eye toy. Im of the opinion thats a simplisitc description of it,but.....
It doesnt matter!
Sony didnt support the device enough and it hasnt been a runaway hit. Now incorporated with Move could breath new life back into it.
But they have to stand behind it this time.
The "innovation" comes in if MS sucessfully shows it can do more than just simplistic parlor games,or it offers ease of use watching Netflixs,or the video chat integrated into Live....etc.
Eyetoy was never expanded much since it came out. It was used strictly for a limited number of games narrowing its appeal.
Now if MS cant pull it off or short sells,then they blew alot of money and the stockholders get angry.

[danielle007]

People like the safe bet, as well. Which is probably why the PSP had so much trouble. Nintendo's always dominated the handhelds, so when you had choice, just go with the one you know. So maybe they'll want to stick to the same kinds of controls, instead of going with that magic no controllers nonsense.

Plus, manymanymany parents bought Wiis because of their children, but maybe once Sony releases Move, really hypes it up for both the core and the casuals, then the kiddies will reallyreally want the PS3. & Parents will be like well.. it has blu-ray. So, it's not a bad investment.

Or they could be like, you kids already have a Wii. Stfu. I really have no idea how this all is going to pan out. It's not like Natal is differentiating itself from Nintendo with the party games either and kinectimals. Whatever. They're going pure casual audience with Natal.. other than a crappy forza game, while Sony is at least trying to appeal to everyone. I'd get Move way before I'd never get Kinect. & I think people like my mother and cousins who are uber casual gamers, would too. But, I have no idea if they would fork over $300 + money for the Move junk, when they already have a Wii.

[jemarval]

Yes. It might be different, and better, but to the eye of the public is the same. And Im saying this being ps3 owner. When I try to explain PS MOVE to my friends and brothers and justify why I might buy it, The understand "Oh, so its a wii mote for the ps3??" I say no, but the more I explain they ask again "So its like a wii hd?" NO!! But thats what the general public understands!! try to explain to someone you know that isnt all day hooked on N4G news and you will see my point.
I believe Kinect will sell just for the view than its different from anything on the market and its inovative (I mean, for the general public). And move will have to sell based on the games they release, Like with the ps3, the games have to be mindblowing awesome.

[pippoppow]

Move being perceived like a Wii HD may work for it especially for those Wii owners looking to upgrade. Sony needs to market Move as an HD next gen experience showing it's full spectrum of possible usage.

Regardless of how well both Move and Kinect do, I believe it is a warm up for next gen. People will see and know Sony and MS have motion controls as well and will hopefully get those Wii owners looking at their offerings next gen. I'm sure next gen Sony and MS will have full motion controls out the box. Sony will most likely continue leading with diverse games. Will MS be more of the same or more soft-core motion control centric?

[bjornbear]

i don't mind spelling errors in posts, because heck, we all do them when we type too fast, etc.

but in an article title? im sick of it

either way, they are close but if Move is more precise I see no problem, if anything its simply another way to achieve the same (or a better) result

its called lateral thinking ;) check it out

[MORGiON]

"While Microsoft decided to go with a totally new system for its motion controller, ending up with a product unlike any of us have seen before in a gaming system"

Wow this is the first line on the front page. I'm sorry didn't the PS2 + Eyetoy ever exist?

[jemarval]

Dude!! Who knows the ps2 eyetoy did this?? just us bro... Not the majority of people who buy moves and kinects

[jhani]

but the price for the damn thing is a robbery! I mean 129 bucks for the whole package!? thats to much! I hope sony come to their senses and reduce the price to 99$.

[jemarval]

Its 99$ bro...
Check amazon.com

[Titanz]

The Wiimote is the faster motion device because its utilises IR sensors, where as the PS move uses a camera so speed is limited.

The PS move the more accurate device because the playstation's camera can detect moves every position.

Move:More accurate
Wiimote:Less lag(the faster motion device)

Example: Wii Sports Resort.The sword duel game proves the speed of Wiimote, try the game for yourself or you can search "Youtube" videos and see how fast people are actually swinging the Wiimote to determine its speed.

Another reason why casuals like the Nintendo Wiimote; you can play games by turning it sideways making it convert back into an old school nes controller!

And you can't forget about the speaker.

[danielle007]

It's honestly not that scary. It's the same as the fancy new classic controller that Nintendo released with monster hunter tri. Plus, I know casual gamers. My mother hates turning the controller on its side and using it. It hurts her hands. It might be chill for little kiddies, but for older people the Wiimote on its side is not fun.

Plus, isn't the lag on the Move like 22ms? I saw that guy at E3 with Tiger Woods and it seems really instantaneous.

[Titanz]

So you never played "New Super Mario Brothers Wii?".About the "hands hurting and everything", you can get free foam gel coverings from Nintendo for your Wiimotes(Online or by telephone).

So I guess you ain't interested in the new "Metroid O:M" game dropping in august?(Cause you play it by turning the Wiimote sideways).

[tiamat5]

If it make the haters feel better, yes it a version of the Wii-mote but it's our version of the Wii-mote. Are you happy now? Now leave us alone and stop being a bunch killjoys. And jhani when think about it you will really only need to buy one Move Wand and the camera which is $80.00. If you want the game the pack is only $100.00. You don't need the nav yet and if you do you can use a controller. So stop exaggerating and throwing numbers around.

[ReBurn]

Does it matter how close it is to how Wii games are controlled? As long as it gives people what they want then Sony designed it well. What's going to matter is the software, not the hardware itself.

I'm curious to see if this will be successful at eating into the Wii's market share. Are people going to buy PS3 to be able to get this? I can't say for sure since it hasn't been released yet. But I'm curious to find out.

[danielle007]

It doesn't really matter.. PS Move actually has core games, they're going to patch old core games as well to add in Move controls. I like that for a bunch of the games, they're using this as a control alternative. So, when I want to, I could play RE5 with Move, and look silly with a pal. Or I could play with a controller, if I want to be a Trophy whore, and be serious.

I don't know. the Wii had the tech out on the market first, but Sony is going to deliver with core games. & the Wii's lineup looks pretty awesome, honestly. But, I'm not sure if they're ever going to release core games like Sony does. I know Sony is also gunning for the casual market. But, we'll see how it all pans out. I think Sony will do well. They've released quality casual games in the past, like LBP. It's very pick up and play, but if you want you can go insane with the level editing. I mean, with M$, from what I saw, Kinect doesn't have much, and it really doesn't appeal to me, at all. It could work with the casual gamers though. But, people also like what they know, the safe bet. So that could work in Sony's favor.

I think with its games, Sony is differentiating itself already, especially since the tech is more powerful, and it's in HD, and it's more precise. & the kinds of games that they're saying will be Move compatible is going to also capture the core audience, as well as the casuals. Plus, Sony doesn't screw over 3rd Party Developers like Nintendo does. So.. I don't know. I'm really interested to see how this all works out, honestly.

[Tzuno]

It's the same only the design differ and let's not forget that Nintendo started all.