LadyLuck34
06-18-2009, 08:24 PM
http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/xbox-360-project-natal_1.jpg
There have been a number of arguments in the past few weeks and even years, as the gaming industry takes steps forward in attempts at innovation and the inclusion of the casual market. Especially since E3 2009, the discussions have expanded more from the regular hardcore vs casual to the more recent controller vs hands free. However, while touched on, the pitting of hands free gaming against the ever popular motion controllers has certainly been lacking.
Many companies have presented us with variations of motion controllers, some failed more than others, but the concept didn’t really hit mainstream until the release of the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo’s brilliant marketing strategy that targeted the non-gamers more than the gamers. Granted, many gamers, myself included, have broken down and bought the system even though we all charge numerous complaints against it. However, the ingenuity of allowing the non-gamers to now effectively game has allowed Nintendo to corner the casual market to a ridiculous extreme. I mean, I pretty much bought the system so I could game with my parents and friends who normally lack the hand-eye coordination and knowledge to play on the other consoles.
Then at E3 as everyone knows, Sony also introduced a new motion controller for their PS3 as a means to appeal to the casual market that Nintendo has been profiting off. Of course, the biggest shock to the gaming population was Microsoft’s display of Project Natal which is our first real look at a hands free system that could really make its way to homes across the world.
As I’ve said, we’ve seen the controller vs hands free and motion controller. Now the real question is which do you prefer: hands free gaming like Project Natal or the motion controllers of Nintendo and Sony?
On one side, Project Natal makes it simple because all you have to do is rely on your body. But seriously, how good are we at that? I admit I’d feel very uncomfortable trying to game without some kind of remote or controller in my hand. Yet there is so much potential to it as I think of the futuristic virtual reality games (from movies) that only require a helmet with a HUD to play.
At the same time, I always get annoyed with my Wii remotes when they don’t accurately reflect my movements, which is a risk for both hands free and motion controllers. Accuracy is hard to do for both systems and makes them a bit riskier than my trusty regular controller. When it comes down to it, until we got some more kick ass technology I really only seeing these systems being effective for casual gaming (for the most part, not totally).
So the final question is, do you want to be the controller?
There have been a number of arguments in the past few weeks and even years, as the gaming industry takes steps forward in attempts at innovation and the inclusion of the casual market. Especially since E3 2009, the discussions have expanded more from the regular hardcore vs casual to the more recent controller vs hands free. However, while touched on, the pitting of hands free gaming against the ever popular motion controllers has certainly been lacking.
Many companies have presented us with variations of motion controllers, some failed more than others, but the concept didn’t really hit mainstream until the release of the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo’s brilliant marketing strategy that targeted the non-gamers more than the gamers. Granted, many gamers, myself included, have broken down and bought the system even though we all charge numerous complaints against it. However, the ingenuity of allowing the non-gamers to now effectively game has allowed Nintendo to corner the casual market to a ridiculous extreme. I mean, I pretty much bought the system so I could game with my parents and friends who normally lack the hand-eye coordination and knowledge to play on the other consoles.
Then at E3 as everyone knows, Sony also introduced a new motion controller for their PS3 as a means to appeal to the casual market that Nintendo has been profiting off. Of course, the biggest shock to the gaming population was Microsoft’s display of Project Natal which is our first real look at a hands free system that could really make its way to homes across the world.
As I’ve said, we’ve seen the controller vs hands free and motion controller. Now the real question is which do you prefer: hands free gaming like Project Natal or the motion controllers of Nintendo and Sony?
On one side, Project Natal makes it simple because all you have to do is rely on your body. But seriously, how good are we at that? I admit I’d feel very uncomfortable trying to game without some kind of remote or controller in my hand. Yet there is so much potential to it as I think of the futuristic virtual reality games (from movies) that only require a helmet with a HUD to play.
At the same time, I always get annoyed with my Wii remotes when they don’t accurately reflect my movements, which is a risk for both hands free and motion controllers. Accuracy is hard to do for both systems and makes them a bit riskier than my trusty regular controller. When it comes down to it, until we got some more kick ass technology I really only seeing these systems being effective for casual gaming (for the most part, not totally).
So the final question is, do you want to be the controller?