E3 2011

PlayStation Move: What You Need to Know

Giancarlo Varanini
By Giancarlo Varanini, Senior Editor

Find out all the latest on Sony's new motion-controller technology and the games that support it.

The PlayStation Move represents Sony's big push into the realm of motion-controlled gaming. The Move setup is made up of the Move motion controller, PlayStation Eye camera, and the optional Move Navigation controller. At E3 2010, Sony revealed that the Move will come be released in North America on September 19, Japan on October 21, and in Europe on September 15. The company priced the Move motion controller at $50, and the Navigation controller at $30; the already released PlayStation Eye camera costs $40. Sony also announced a PlayStation 3 bundle that includes the Move controller with the PlayStation Eye and the game Sports Champions for $400. Another bundle, without the PlayStation 3, is $100 and includes the Move, the Eye, and the game Sports Champions.

The PlayStation Move functions by using a combination of accelerometers, gyrometers, and magnetometers. Sony determined that the sensors alone are not enough to accurately track movement. As a result, the lit bulb on top of the controller works in conjunction with the PlayStation Eye to help do so. The colors of the bulbs are activated by a combination of LEDs and are fully customizable by game developers. The colors can also change shade to help the PS Eye better track movement in case a particular room environment has similar color schemes.

Data processing for the PlayStation Move controller is handled by the PlayStation 3's Cell processor. A single SPU handles data from the controller's sensors and images from the PS Eye. Up to four controllers can be tracked at one time. Furthermore, Sony indicated that the Cell is rather adept at image processing and does so with little memory overhead and minimal impact to overall performance. The PS Eye's camera system generates images at 60 frames per second, with a resolution of 640x480. When combined with the PlayStation Move controller and the Cell processor, the setup can accurately measure millimeter differences in movement and is accurate enough to detect one-degree shifts in angle.

Calibration of the controllers will take place when a gaming session begins, and according to Sony's researchers, it shouldn't take more than half a second to accomplish. Should conditions change sufficiently (for instance, if someone turns on the lights or the sun sets), in order for the setup to accurately determine movement, gameplay will automatically stop, and the player will be prompted to recalibrate the controller.

Aside from providing motion control, the PlayStation Move controller has a large analog trigger (T button) on the bottom, an extra-large action button on top, and the usual square, triangle, circle, cross, and PS Home buttons. The PlayStation Move controller communicates via Bluetooth 2.0, like the DualShock 3, and also features a lithium ion battery that's rechargeable via a mini-USB port. Built-in rumble provides force feedback for the Move motion controller. Sony's PlayStation Move controller detects motion in the X,Y, and Z planes and also senses rotation about those planes independently.

The PlayStation Move navigation controller--a separate controller from the main Move controller--has a full D pad, an analog stick, a trigger, and X, O, and PS Home buttons. Games like SOCOM 4 make use of the navigation controller for walking around and other functions. Sony states that the DualShock 3 controller can be used as a substitute for the navigation controller. The navigation controller also has a mini-USB port for charging and future peripheral attachments.

Check below for our coverage of the PlayStation Move and its games from E3 2010.

The Games

  • Sorcery
  • Ever wanted to cast virtual magic with a wand? Now you can in this magic-infused action game for the PlayStation Move.
  • Kung Fu Rider
  • Zip down the streets on office chairs and other work-environment objects in this zany stunt-racing game.
  • The Fight: Lights Out
  • The first rule of The Fight is to beat up people using fighting motions with PlayStation Move. The second rule is to not hit people standing around you.
  • Heroes on the Move
  • An all-star lineup of PlayStation characters is on display in this platformer designed from the ground up for PlayStation Move.
  • SingStar Dance
  • Why hit the club when you can stay at home and dance around in your pajamas?
  • Sports Champions
  • Become the athlete you always knew you could be in this compilation of games from Sony.
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11
  • The gold standard for golf sims will be receiving PlayStation Move support later this year.
  • Killzone 3
  • The Helghast continue to fight for their homeworld in this gorgeous-looking first-person shooter.
  • SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy Seals
  • Lead a team of highly trained soldiers through a battlefield in Southeast Asia.
  • LittleBigPlanet 2
  • The level creator should be easier than ever to use thanks to the addition of Move support.
  • EyePet
  • Interact with a cute little monkey, lion, cat-thing as it scurries around your living room floor or table.
  • Time Crisis Razing Storm
  • The classic arcade shooter series is back, and this time, it brought friends in the form of PlayStation Move controllers.

Movies

Giancarlo Varanini
By Giancarlo Varanini, Senior Editor

I am error.

505 Comments

  • zack012

    Posted Dec 18, 2010 2:29 pm GMT

    For all the X-box fanboys saying this is a copy of wii look at this, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EyeToy:_Kinetic Where have I seen something similar to that?

  • NND1

    Posted Aug 11, 2010 1:03 pm GMT

    Keep the MR. Microphone..............

  • Fogshie7277

    Posted Aug 8, 2010 1:43 pm GMT

    is... is it worth it

    NOOO!

  • Gliave

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 2:44 pm GMT

    And oh yeah, in no way can this be compared to the Wii.
    In concept perhaps, but in practicality and tech...Barely half-way thru if u're vouching for the Wii.

    Ppl keep underestimating and overlooking the reliable development Sony has to offer....For god's sake, the sorcery demo as well as the others speak for themselves.

    They'll probably redefine and perfect motion sensor gaming, which will have Wii's tail between it's legs and stretching all the way under Kinect's too.

    Oh and Kinect looks like a one-night-stand arcade / family type of source of entertainment, and it's probably gonna get too old WAY too fast, and due to the following:

    1) All the way motion, with no controllers is probably gonna get hectic, as well as be inaccurate.

    2) There's not much u can do with an all motion capturing tech, in terms of game variety, unless u're talking pure trivial motion based games, which we're all sick of, and Wii has tainted already.

    Are the dates for the Move release in this article fully confirmed or are they tentative in any way?

  • Gliave

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 2:36 pm GMT

    Dognaaam ppl are clueless, Kinect + Wii together can't compare to the PS3, let alone the new tech Sony's comin up with like the Move.

    All Microsoft did was rush into the market with a half-ass machine, to try and make up for the crappy development, and that's obvious in this current years where there are exclusive PS3 titles that 360 can't keep up with, not to mention the long life value of the Tech PS3 has to offer.

    Of course Xbox 360 is gonna be cheaper, they charge u peanuts at the start, and then basically everything else once u get the stripped down console, from decent chargers to online use and play.

    It's normally a fact, especially in Sony's case: Quality and advancement justifies the wait and price, and in the long run, PS3 users save a lot more, not to mention when it comes to break downs and red rings of death...

    Netflix is up now as well, and they've tapped the 3D gaming market already....Wot are u smoklin folks...? Sony's got them all by the puny balls.....Rock on' Son's...PLAAYYYY-Staayyyshon!

  • Lawsow

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 7:25 am GMT

    $80 for move, I'd rather pay $200 for Kinect anad a new XBOX + a gam, now thats a deal.(or another wii)

  • safecow

    Posted Jul 24, 2010 9:18 am GMT

    = =.. why can't sony stick to their old formula of "i dont' care what you're doing but im gonna kick butt w/ rear end kicking games + graphics" = =

  • I-Heroic-Pain-I

    Posted Jul 22, 2010 1:37 pm GMT

    @weapon_d00d816 You do realize that Sony was the first to take a step into motion gaming with the PS eye for the PS2 right? Which was even before the Wii...

  • greenmatt77 posted Jul 17, 2010 6:51 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    greenmatt77

    Posted Jul 17, 2010 6:51 pm GMT (hide)

    i think this is overated, the three components ( move, navigation, and eye) cost more than a hundred dollars and the bundle costs $400. why not just get the wii for 200 and save 200 dollars. its the same thing. i'd get the xbox kinect because its unique and different. the playstation move is just the same thing as the wii.

  • blazetiger89 posted Jul 15, 2010 7:37 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    blazetiger89

    Posted Jul 15, 2010 7:37 pm GMT (hide)

    i can do all of this with the wii! what ineed this for?

  • blazetiger89 posted Jul 15, 2010 7:18 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    blazetiger89

    Posted Jul 15, 2010 7:18 pm GMT (hide)

    i'm not tryin to piss anyone off, but this reminds me of the wii and i think they shouldnt do it. the regular ps3 should have it's own uniqueness like the wii and xbox360 does!

  • lewis2112

    Posted Jul 12, 2010 5:25 pm GMT

    Can't wait. I love motion gaming, and I think the take it or leave it approach Sony are adopting is great. Incorporating full move support as well as pad support is an excellent idea, now we can tailor game experiences based on how we want to play it, motion or classic, as well as allowing ps3 gamers to enjoy the kind of experiences so far only the wii has been able to give without buying another console.

  • Reiken37 posted Jul 10, 2010 5:09 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Reiken37

    Posted Jul 10, 2010 5:09 pm GMT (hide)

    The Playstation Move has better games then Kinect but Kinect looks like it'd be slightly cleaner and more usable then the Move.

    However I believe that the Wii already has unbelievable games and is very easy to use, not to mention it costs less then these accesories. Killzone and SOCOM shouldn't be motion control, and if there's an option I'm playing them without it. Kinect is just a festering wound that makes you flinch every time you look at its line-up. I'm not a Halo fan at all but even if I was I wouldn't but Kinect for the new Halo game.

  • Woopdude

    Posted Jul 10, 2010 4:24 pm GMT

    There's no way this is going to give the PS3 the same amazing number of sales the Wii has. It's just a shameless ripoff.

    At least Microsoft tries to be original. But Kinect's only good for lolfakeanimals and not real games.

  • Brilliant_R

    Posted Jul 10, 2010 1:41 pm GMT

    Also, why is it that 90% of people that I've seen who are anti-Wii always seem to say things in ways that make them come across as a bunch of online punks?

  • Brilliant_R

    Posted Jul 10, 2010 1:39 pm GMT

    @ BMVlado & anyone else who applies

    How is motion control just some dumb gimmick? A whole bunch of different types of normal people have been brought into the gaming world of fun by it. Not to mention the fact that the competitors are copying it. I know a ton of people who LOVE the fun gameplay provided by motion. Motion control is the first real new method to player interface since buttons were invented, and I sure as hell HOPE that they're here to stay past this generation for a LONG, LONG TIME.

    And how is Move better than Wii? They seem exactly the same to me, except Move is just another accessory for PS3, while the Wiimote is an actual PRIMARY controller.

    The way that Nintendo did things in the days of the NES was a great way to do things (and still is), and I don't see how they've changed. So if you're gonna LOL at what they're doing now, you may as well LOL at the a lot of the most important parts of the past 30 years of gaming. Also, just look at a lot of the top-notch software that the Wii has and will soon have.

    Support gaming: support innovation: support motion: support Wii (and Move/Kinect, IF they work out)

    Just sayin.