Console Gaming in its seventh generation is experiencing the largest growth rates in a long time. People are clamoring for the latest next-generation games and consoles that money can buy. Fueled by the run-away success of the Nintendo Wii , which lacks both HD Graphics and Multimedia capabilities ie something which is an integral part of both its rivals, the rest of the gaming industry is looking at alternate control schemes which could become the next big thing. In an attempt to bridge the divide between non gamers and gamers, the Wii has successfully married the intuitive control scheme of the wiimote , shaped like a television remote which is something that each one of us is comfortable holding, with cute family friendly , non-intimidating graphics. Sony and Microsoft are both now trying to appeal to this casual gamer market while also offering added capabilities for the hardcore gamers. Lets see the differences between each to decide what is the best both technology-wise and in implementation.
1. Nintendo Wii
The Nintendo Wii is essentially a Gamecube with a different control scheme. Lacking the muscle to output HD Graphics, it had to make do with a quirky but intuitive control scheme. Luckily the gamble paid off and it has rapidly become the most successful console of this generation.
The Wiimote employs gyroscopes to deliver positional information to the wii which then translates it into motions on the Display. However the wii lacks real time tracking, being dependent on gyroscopic data makes it rely on the x,y,z axis information of data but it cant take into account the position of the controller in the space. It has to depend on pre-programmed motion data to figure out the pattern created and translate it into actions on the screen. While this control scheme may prove to be effective in sports games like tennis and baseball but racing games are awkward to play.
2. Microsoft Xbox 360 (Project Natal)
The Xbox 360 arguably has one of the largest game libraries of the cu
rrent gen consoles. Being the second in the race behind
the wii , the 360 has huge support from fans and the wonderful experience of Xbox Live only improves that experience. With a
low entry cost for the Xbox Arcade Edition, the 360 is trying to appeal to the casual gamer market. However Microsoft understands that the target demographic is not used to playing on controllers and to lower the learning curve, it has come out with a remarkable new control mechanism. After the acquisition of 3DV Systems, Microsoft has taken the existing ZCAM and has altered it suit their needs to create Project Natal. Using Motion Tracking Technology , a new camera which will be bundled with future consol e and also sold separately, will be able to translate YOUR motions into actions on the screen effectively making you the controller. A break through in HIDs it is sensitive enough to differentiate between open and clenched fists. It also employs voice recognition technologies via stereo microphone on the camera itself. Though its usage in actual gameplay has not yet been showcased, the videos of possible applications are promising. Imagine playing FIFA by actually standing up and kicking the ball during a penalty shot! It is these technologies which are bridging the divide between science fiction and reality.
3. Sony Playstation 3 Motion Sensing Controller
The PS3 was the last of the three major console manufacturers to enter the market and to its effect is still trailing in sales numbers partly due to its high entry cost. What the PS3 lacks in sales it makes up for in features. It is easily the most feature packed console out there. One of the best bluray players out there, full internet browser, full media playback (even DivX), user-replaceable HDD, free online gaming, in addition to the gaming prowess make it an amazing deal. The Cell Processor used in the PS3 , with its 7 synchronous cores give it tremendous processing power which is demonstrated by the new technology by Sony. Dubbed the PS3 motion controller, it offers real time tracking i.e. true 1:1 tracking making sure that any movement you make is accurately represented on the screen. Using the Playstation Eye , it tracks the movement of the Motion Controller accurately, enabling us to play games with more precision. Sports games such as Sword Fighting and Archery can be infinitely more fun now, due to the realistic control schemes. The tech demos shown by Sony were truly promising and this technology will truly be something to look forward to when it launches in 2010.
The technologies shown at the recent E3 Keynotes have certainly taken up the competition a notch. Taking everything into account, it is the Sony Motion Controller which appears to be the most promising with its real time tracking and also due to the higher sensitivity than Project Natal. There is no doubt that these upcoming peripherals are going to offer stiff competition to Nintendo which suddenly seems to appear even more last-gen after the demonstrations of Motion Gaming peripherals far superior than what is the main control scheme of the Wii. Nintendo has certainly shaken up the competition but it had better come up with something more innovative if they want to stand up against the onslaught of graphically intensive motion control games covering towards us in 2010………
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