Kinect vs. Move vs. Wii
- — 10 August, 2010 11:50
PlayStation Move
PlayStation Move logo
The PlayStation Move can be viewed as an evolution of the Wii Remote — but for a rival console. It allows for far greater precision than its Nintendo predecessor, which translates to more complex and intuitive gaming.
How it works
The PlayStation Move consists of two motion-sensitive control wands which work in conjunction with the PlayStation Eye — a webcam-style camera that sits above your TV.
PlayStation Move wand and sub-controller
The Move wand accurately tracks your true-to-life actions and then turns them into precise onscreen movements, such as punches, sword strokes, and tennis racket swings. The Move wand also has regular controller buttons for shooting games that require you to pull a trigger.
Sony has also developed a second wand called the sub-controller, which works in a similar fashion to the Wii Nunchuck. The sub-controller has an analog control stick that you hold in one hand while your other hand is busy using the Move wand. This will allow you to easily move your in-game avatars around in action games, for example.
PlayStation Eye
The PSMove will also give you physical feedback, like vibrations, similar to the Dual Shock controllers.
Games
The PlayStation Move is attempting to provide the best of both worlds, with games that appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers. By contrast, the Kinect for Xbox 360 seems to be aimed squarely at families and non-gamers (for the moment, at least).
Some of the new titles in the works include Sports Champions (which features archery, futuristic table tennis, and Roman Empire-style gladiatorial combat), TV Superstars (a series of quiz show-style mini games), a bare-knuckle brawler called The Fight: Lights Out, and the third-person adventure game Sorcery.
The Fight: Lights Out
Sony will also be re-releasing some regular PlayStation 3 games with added Move-functionality (examples include Heavy Rain and Dead Space: Extraction). Apart from the Move controls, these games will play identically to the originals.
Pros and cons
The main thing that the Sony Move offers over the Wii is better precision. At a recent press conference, Sony demonstrated the scope of the controls with a table tennis game. Subtle shifts in wrist rolling or pitching could produce any of the effects a physical paddle would, from various types of spin to near-court swats and far-court slams. The same level of control simply isn't possible with the Nintendo Wii, which translates to simplified gameplay.
PlayStation Move wand
On the downside, Sony has a habit of not supporting its peripherals. The PlayStation Eye is a case in point. To date, only a handful of games have been released for the device, despite it being launched in 2007. The same fate befell its PlayStation 2 predecessor, the Sony EyeToy.
Pricing and availability
PlayStation Move solo unit: $69.95 RRP
PlayStation 3 console: from $499 RRP
PlayStation Move will be available from September 2010.
Verdict:
Based on our brief time with the PlayStation Move, Sony seems to have the lag-free precision-tracking down pat. In fact, it arguably trumps either of its competitors. Its challenge: producing more than just one or two games (including retroactively upgraded ones like Heavy Rain) worthy of the technology when it launches on 19 September.
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Comments
exxbot
1
"On the plus side, the 'controller-free' interface adds a casual, interactive flexibility that the Wii and PlayStation Move can't match."
Point of clarification: The PS Move system has the incredible PS Eye Camera that can do full body controller free motion tracking minus the lagginess of Kinect. Such functionality will be showcased by an upcoming PS3 game called Kung Fu Live which features 1:1 full body notion tracking gameplay. Expect more controller free PS3 games to come after this one.
The PlayStation Move pretty much covers the best of both Wii & Kinect. Now that is great value!!!
Avatar
2
^ there is another game that uses this the figthing ligths out one. when you duck your lean right to dodge a punch your guy moves with you thats why i like the playstation move the best becuase it is best of bth worlds but unfortunatly i dont think it will beat the wii none of them will. maybey in the next console generation wii will have presision like the move and moption form kinect then it would be awsome
FullMetalKendo
3
@exxbot Lol at your name. Run along PS3 fanboy.
thedecider
4
1st@exxbot it is not controleer free kinect is controler free as you have hings in your hand :P and ps3 is not the best its on par wiv xbox 360
2nd nintendo wii
a great thing for little kids not very good grphics cheapest one
3rd ps3 move looks realy goodno lag good graphics but most expensive
4th xbox 360 kinect not many games more coming contoller free but u lose wiv some lag not much though 2nd in price more expensive than wii cheaper than ps3 graphics on par with ps3
my virdict
WII 3rd place
xbox
ps3
Are joint 1st
FuriousOne
5
I was playing controller-less games on my ps2, and I thought they were great. If ms have improved on the eyetoy and made it a reliable input, then I think kinect will be great fun.
Saying that I just got the ps move and think it's amazing, I don't think any of the other systems allow you to reach into game in the same way! The limitation of move is accuracy, every player has to calibrate, also the amount of space you need to play.. That being said, it's still amazing. I used to love tennis on the Wii, then I played table tennis on the move & it just so much more fun. The control is unbelievable IMO the move is top quality.
Maybe the move will be too accurate for the casual gamer?? Time will tell.
jason3064
6
these prices seem all wrong for kinect and move?
neil
7
GO WIi bloody move just copied it they need more brains
Mick
8
Wii is awesome, except it doesn't know what you're doing. eg am I doing back-hand or fore-hand. A bit frustrating.
Kinect answered wii's short-coming, but lost *everything* else!! eg no feedback. I can't imagine it being sensitive enough to know whether I'm doing topspin or slice etc??
I decided Kinect would have a short life and next generation would combine the two - cameras to track movement, but a controller for the detail wrist action, and provide feedback.
I hadn't heard of Move until today. Is it the answer?? Does the camera see that I'm running to my left, and jumping, then it or controller know that I've raised arm above head and smashing down?? Do I feel the impact as invisible racquet contacts virtual ball??
I'm kinda excited. Who's got a Move??