Why Microsoft should steer clear for now
Motion-controls are a gimmick, at the moment at least. Many games using them feel underdeveloped (see WiiPlay), like the controls are just tacked-on (Zelda), or just plain wrong (Virtua Tennis 3 ). It might be an interesting gimmick, with plenty of potential, but motion-sensitive gaming still needs a lot of work and is by no means a must-have feature.
Sixaxis, for instance, traded the much-loved rumble feature for motion-sensing. But it's been used with far less satisfying impact- witness the tiresome wrestle-with-the-pad moments during games like Call of Duty and Resistance.
Anyway, Microsoft has already been there and done that, with the Sidewinder Freestyle Pro pad for PC. And without much excitement, too, with Peter Moore recollecting that gamers greeted the motion-sensitive controller with a "collective yawn."
What's more, making the controllers isn't enough - you need the games to support them. But forcing developers to add gesture-control in their latest game isn't going to produce decent results. Just look how many games have been ported to Wii, complete with obligatory, but awkward motion-controls, while the gesturing in PS3 games feels largely needless.
Microsoft hasn't said it won't look into motion-gaming, but until motion-controls are refined enough to offer a deeper, more responsive level of play, Microsoft isn't missing out on anything by not getting involved immediately.
April 4, 2007
What's more, making the controllers isn't enough - you need the games to support them. But forcing developers to add gesture-control in their latest game isn't going to produce decent results. Just look how many games have been ported to Wii, complete with obligatory, but awkward motion-controls, while the gesturing in PS3 games feels largely needless.
Microsoft hasn't said it won't look into motion-gaming, but until motion-controls are refined enough to offer a deeper, more responsive level of play, Microsoft isn't missing out on anything by not getting involved immediately.
April 4, 2007
