There were a lot of things shown this e3, and a lot got love; the things that didn’t seem to get any love, are the new Motion Controllers. With Microsoft’s announcement of Project Natal, alack of controller, and primary controls dealing with face and voice detection; its focus is about body movement and not the need for a controller. Sony’s motion controller, which does not have name at this time, seems more traditional in its design with it being actual a controller, with buttons and an analogue stick, works with the Playstation Eye to detect where it’s at in a three dimensional space. Nintendo finally brought their improved motion detection controller accessory, Wii Motion Plus, to the forefront of theirs company’s strategic ambitions only taking about a year to be made into an actual product. All three companies seem to have different strategies for motion interaction. With all the possibilities for immersion and enhanced game mechanics, the core gaming audience seems not to have allot of interest for this type of gaming interactions.
Nintendo had a motion controller before this year’s e3, but they added a peripheral to enhance to accuracy. Most of the core gaming perception is, the Wii Motion Plus is an add on that makes original game conceptions of the Wii now more possible; instead of the shortcoming that is actually end up being. Nintendo’s focus on motion controls seems to have an opposite effect on the core gaming market. Instead of driving innovation and creativity, it produced mainstream and casual experience that attracted new users and returned gamers. To add insult to injury for the core gaming audience, Nintendo started to focus on this emerging market in the place of the traditional hub of gamers.
With doubt in their minds, it’s no wonder why there is a lack of enthusiasm for motion controlled interactive experiences called games. With their track record and everything taken in to account, can Nintendo, with Wii Motion Plus really inspire and help produce innovation in this type of motion controlled immersion, and is it ever possible redeem themselves to their loyal fan base they’ve let down?
Moicrosoft not only the fist company to make public announcements at e3 2009, but also brought one of the biggest unexpected a secrets to realization, Project Natal. Project Natal being similar to the Wiimote is used to detect three-dimensional motion, but un-similar in the manner is does not require any controller to function correctly. Natal uses a stereoscopic camera that registers imagery in 3D, comparable to those used to make 3D movies. Also so with voice detection is how an individual interacts with this motion peripheral. With a few demos that Microsoft gave during their press conference dealing with Natal really seem to show imagination and could brew innovation.
This potion they’re taking with motion controls seems to have most of the gaming community on the fence. In one direction, the possibilities what this could presume, eliminating plastic peripherals, interact with AI in a more natural way, easier interfaces and controls, more realistic interaction with other player’s, and many more uses that haven’t been discovered yet. On the other side, the lack of testing done by the overall gaming media to see if it holds up and really delivers on it’s premise, makes them concerned if it really works. The gaming community being undecided on Natal has quite a bit to do with Nintendo’s Wii and the undelivered promises it made of one-to-one controls and true three dimensional interactive gaming experiences. Now in a post Wii world, knowing the actuality of motion controllers, can Natal really captivate the gaming enthusiasts?
Sony’s nameless motion controller was also announced at this year’s e3. SMC (Sony motion controller) is a mix between the two pervious variations of 3D controls. The SMC uses a one handed, Dualshock 3 like, controller with a spherical bulb on top that changes colors. The color-changing bulb on the controller feeds information to the Playstation Eye, that helps that determines its location in 3D space. From the tech demos received by the media at Sony’s press event, it seems to use a combination of camera and controller to obtain a high level of one-to-one precision between the user and game. This avenue of motion controller design Sony’s has chosen to take doesn’t seem to have a much backlash or uncertainty as Microsoft and Nintendo’s concepts of 3D motion controllers. This probably has to do the multiple proven demos that have shown its precision.
The main concerns that keeps appearing are, a since these controls will be forced into most games regardless if it’s part of the design, Sony’s main focus will be on the casual market, and the core gaming audience doesn’t seem to want to get up and move around when they play videos games. With SMC, it doesn’t seem that the controls are a concern; the trouble is getting the core to break out of their shell, jump up and move with the controls. But this isn’t just a problem with Sony; it’s a problem with all motion controls. With Sony having to fight the main issue of motion controls, being new and foreign to the established core gaming audience, can they get their install base to grow and adapt to such a different type of gaming interaction?
In what appears to be this consol generation’s arms race, motion controls, seemed to have changed the way people play games, or at least not yet. With it being somewhat a big focus from the big three consol manufactures, it’s inevitable. But what does that mean to the “hard core?” One of two things; either adapt and grow with the possibility of innovation. Or look back at a time when gaming was in its prime, as a person that use to play games. I don’t know about you guys, but to quote, Sterling McGarvey, “…gaming’s in my DNA.”
If you want an intro and a brief description of the game, go the my first look.
After what could be considered “done with the game,“ I’m coming out of the experience Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic with a positive spin. It’s fun in the way that reminds me of my youth; pretending with my friends to be in a Kung Fu movie. This might have to do with the toy-ish character style, or the party like fighting system, that happens to be surprising complex. The whole time I’m thinking “…oh yea, you grabbed me. Then I jumped off you; then I downward fire punched you. You jumped back and blasted with an electric ball, then you went all levitation, and started healing yourself while I started charging you…” That child like conversations started coming out, when I was playing with my friends. While fighting, your either shaking the controller for a charge, or doing a forward moving gesture for fire punch, which makes you really feel like the attack you just nailed is real, and that much more connected to this world; which just happens to let the little kid out inside of you.
Without going into a review type format, the game kept me busy for about 5 to 6 hours by my self, and with friends, it’s anyone’s guess, it’s fun for everybody. The one player “Challenges” mode takes the place of a story driven adventure; which just happens to train the player for multiplayer fighting pretty well. Customizable toy styled characters made of parts unlocked from the arcade-ish reward system is addictive. The only thing I could wish this game could of included, would be more pieces to collect for the characters, and enhanced abilities that could attached the pieces unlocked or new abilities in general. For $9.99 on PSN it’s out now.
The game’s an A
