When Nintendo unveiled the motion-sensing game system known as the Wii the process opened up gaming to a whole new audience. Video games have long been the domain of young males, a demographic that accounts for the majority of game system and video game sales. But with the Wii’s revolutionary stick-like wand controller many new users came on board to give it a try and Nintendo cashed in like never before seeing three straight years of record profits that finally slowed only recently. During that time gaming competitors Sony and Microsoft have been busy designing their own motion-sensing game systems and used the recent E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles to announce their product launch dates.
Microsoft has started introducing the motion sensing Kinect and early reports indicate the software giant is looking to expand the casual user demographic even more. Reviewer Matt Peckham of PC World summed up the new system from a hard-core gamers perspective, “It’s probably not for me. I like complex, hard to master games. It’s (Kinect) more for my wife, for kids, for whole families.” The new users who came to gaming because of the simplicity of the Wii now are being wooed my Microsoft’s version that features advanced motion-sensing technology to practically map the entire body of the console controller and higher resolution tracking and audio input for better verbal command communication. Some analysts in the gaming industry warn that with the recession lingering now is not the time to introduce new game systems but Microsoft is betting that better graphics and simpler games will continue to bring in new gamers.
Beating Microsoft to the shelves will be the new Sony Move, a motion sensing platform wand that can be bundled with the Sony Eye and the PlayStation 3 that will be in stores September 15th. The Move features a motion controller with a special light bulb, navigation controller and eye camera that can detect the precise movement, angle and absolute position in 3D space of the Move motion player allowing gamers to intuitively play the game as if they are part of it.
With the launch will be software titles including Resident Evil 5, Big 3 Gun Shooting andSports Champions that will continue to cater to hard core gamers while also reaching out to casual gamers as well. The Move system contains high-tech advancements including a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis accelerator, a terrestrial magnetic field sensor and a color-changing sphere that is tracked by the PlayStation console camera to deliver amazingly precise accuracy.
Whether or not the Nintendo can fend off the new blood of motion-sensing games remains to be seen. The Wii manufacturer is planning to update popular Wii games in the hopes of keeping the brand relevant. Popular favorites that will see enhancements include Metroid,Donkey Kong and Legend of Zelda. As of now Nintendo has no plans to overhaul the Wii system but new changes to its DS handheld system to incorporate 3D technology hints where development will be heading.