Wii60: Weighing in on the Xbox 360 motion controller
When Nintendo first announced that their revolutionary new console would use motion controls, it garnered mixed speculation. Fanboys debated back and forth across the Internet whether or not motion controls were a viable opportunity for the future of gaming. Sony seemed to think so when, shortly after, they announced that the new PS3 would also contain motion sensors. Whether Sony sincerely felt that motion control was the future of gaming, or they were just trying to combat the Wii didn’t matter. Two of the three major console manufacturers had just adopted the new concept to some degree.
When MTV announced several days ago that Microsoft had been developing a motion-sensitive controller for their Xbox 360 since last summer, I was anything but surprised.
In fact, I was guessing how long it would be before they released this news. This isn’t to say that I was excited, but rather I was awaiting the reaction of the media, gamers and general public. So far, the reaction, if any, has been mild. The PlayStation 3 and more so the Nintendo Wii have already proven that motion controls are a viable option, but certainly not “the future” of gaming. Microsoft is coming late to this party. Does this mean they won’t release any good software to accompany their new controller? Of course not. I’m sure that Microsoft will have a few good motion-based titles available on the Xbox Live Marketplace, but overall, the quality titles that use motion controls will probably be released for the Wii for one reason: necessity.
The Xbox 360 motion controller will be a peripheral that consumers will not necessarily be compelled to purchase and that developers will not necessarily be compelled to program for. Whereas the Wii is the poster-child of motion controls. Its main selling point to the general public is its unique controller which, in essence, is the only controller and comes with the system. If a game developer wants to create a game that uses motion controls, he would want it to reach as many potential consumers as possible. By releasing his game for the Wii, he gets the obstacle of the controller out of the way and brings the consumer one step closer to purchasing his game. Unlike the Xbox 360, where the consumer would worry about having to purchase both the controller and the game.
In any event, it is too early to declare a victor in the motion controls department, but early indicators point toward the Wii maintaining its position as the console for motion sensitive gaming and a too little, too late effort on the part of Microsoft.
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Comments
Jason Labinger Yeah, the Xbox and Xbox 360 were lame copies. I’d agree with that.
/sarcasm
Tim Wilsie Well, look at it another way;
This could lead to more games being built with motion controls in mind if all three consoles have the capability. In turn, it could serve to round-out the Wii’s game library, I don’t care how many consoles they’ve sold, the selection of titles is looking pretty light.
Granted, those same companies would then need to dummy down the graphics pretty heavily, or build them with the Wii’s modest power in mind. I’ll leave that to them. 
Groynk Tim what exactly do you mean by light selection of games? I think there are plenty of games for the year and a half its been out. If you campare to 360 remember the extra year.
Maybe you refer to the range, and lack of some genres, or maybe just multi platform games?
More than motion controls the 360 would benefit from an IR sensor controller, even just a slap on peripheral.
This would finally enable excellent first person controls and pry the PCs last little clinging fingers off the claim to best platform for FPS.
Tim Wilsie I mean that there aren’t nearly as many quality titles available for the Wii. Most of the 3rd party titles are complete garbage, with a few shining examples (No More Heroes… drool).
And the XBox doesn’t need a IR sensor controller, it needs permission from MS for X-Arcade to be able to make an adapter! I’m sick of having to use the 360’s failed excuse for a d-pad for arcade titles.
Major reason I haven’t bought Ikaruga off Live yet; I can use my X-Arcade on the Dreamcast.
Typical Microsoft. Others lead, they follow with lame copies…