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PS3 motion-sensing controller due spring 2010

SCEA CEO Kaz Hirai says EyeToy complement should be available to consumers sometime early next year, along with unnamed games support.

Sony saved its big new hardware announcement for last week's GamesCom in Cologne, Germany, saying that the ergonomic PlayStation 3 Slim would be available for $299 beginning the first week of September. However, Sony also had a substantive PS3-related hardware announcement during this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo in June, where it demoed its new camera-based motion-sensing controller.

Sony's new motion controller in action.

Sony's new motion controller in action.

As part of an interview with The Times of London today, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai said that gamers can expect to see the PS3's latest motion-sensing controller in stores sometime during spring 2010.

"We are slating it for spring of next year," he told The Times. "One of the things is that we just don't want to put out the controller. We need great software that supports the controller at launch. It's something that we've been working on for the longest time."

Hirai did not elaborate on which games would support the controller at launch. Sony demoed the device using a number of prototype games in July, showing on one end of the spectrum a tennis game and on the other a first-person fantasy action adventure. SCEA senior vice president of marketing Peter Dille later noted that various third-party developers have already gotten their hands on the new technology.

With a spring 2010 launch, it appears as if Sony's motion-sensing controller will beat Microsoft's similar technology to market. The Xbox 360 maker also unveiled its own camera-based motion-sensing device, code-named Project Natal, during E3 2009. However, the publisher has yet to establish a firm date on when that device will be available.

370 Comments

  • darkchaostitan

    Posted Jan 22, 2010 1:18 pm GMT

    More like sony will delay this to put them in a head butting battle against microsoft to see who can out do eachother in sales, and returning customers. Launching it later will provide them that time to try and press in a game market for their new system, but it still kinda sucks that despite all the time they pushed it back and this new uber RE5 edition that they wouldn't include motion sensing, which would make me have to buy the game again even if it was. Either way....wtf sony wtf. I'd rather buy the DLC off of XBL than deal with this.

  • EgoAttacker

    Posted Jan 5, 2010 7:12 pm GMT

    sounds like "motion control me too" to me

  • pTrMaruchinsu

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:00 am GMT

    this is a pretty good development for SONY although Microsofts xbox360 is keeping up with the market too with its Natal system.

    Now Nintendo Wii has some sweat to keep up with these two massive game companies.

    And although i know the logic of marketing techniques, i would hate to see a different title for each platform...

    SONY has exclusively Uncharted 2
    XBOX360 has exclusively fable 2

    I know it's all marketing agreements between, per example, SONY and Naughty Dog, but it would be nice to see a cross system implemented... (i'm dreaming high, i know!)

  • stu_gamer

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 6:53 am GMT

    This is pretty amazing. I just hope and pray that they redesign the controllers (the things you hold). I really dont want to look like an air traffic controller

  • Gamew

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 1:15 pm GMT

    @yixingtpot

    I agree with you...

  • Pwnd56

    Posted Sep 5, 2009 10:47 am GMT

    awesomeness. cross your fingers for motion sensing RPG!!!
    Maybe MMO?
    O_O

  • akmex

    Posted Aug 31, 2009 1:12 am GMT

    sony is kickin azz

  • yixingtpot

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 2:35 am GMT

    Sony is really showing why they deserver to be on top. They have the best technologies in their products, not old dvd players and bouncy balls... or XBROKES.

    I can see this as the beginning of Sony selling another 100million+ consoles

  • Adziboy

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 1:44 am GMT

    Does the controller have any buttons? I suppose I should just read the article, but in a hurry

  • Ripper_TV

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 12:49 am GMT

    "It's something that we've been working on for the longest time."
    Interesting thing to say, considering they were only able to show primitive cheap demos on E3. Why couldn't they show some really cool stuff from the "incredible" upcoming games?

  • ballsackeristic

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 10:06 pm GMT

    woah, this looks decent.

  • Hereticpoo

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 9:52 pm GMT

    Cool. Im looking forward to seeing what games they come up with. The Mini RPG demo in the video looks promising for things like Eldar Scrolls and maybe a new first person Baldurs gate. A Gun style controller will have to be develloped with alot of attention to detail, coz the margin for error is massive, so dont Frack it up Sony. Imagine a Killzone type game with a well designed Playstation M4 Assault Rifle in your lounge room. Wickidy Wack.

  • yoda4ps3

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 7:54 pm GMT

    I think a game like oblivion would be amazing with these controls. I'm not sure how shooters will translate but FPS will probably be great but TPS better stick with controllers tho

  • johnsnowman

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 6:17 pm GMT

    not a bad idea but im no hyped bout to motion sensor stuff.

  • flamstrosity

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 5:58 pm GMT

    I'm not about to wet my pants over the whole motion/camera addition, although the little pet thing they showed us was pretty neat. I wasn't going to comment about it, but after reading (or attempting to read) Foeleaf's comment, I just had to say that Bizarro Superman wants his speech pattern back. There is an option here that automatically checks your spelling, ya know?

  • Shiftfallout

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 7:20 am GMT

    PS3 games are actually making more profit than the 360 games (according to reports), the PS3 slim has proven to be highly anticipated. Given these two facts, its not surprising Sony is stepping up this hardware add-on, especially before M$ gets around to releasing theirs.

  • Noavar

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 5:47 am GMT

    Not saying they're bad ideas for motion control on the PS3 and 360, but who would want to play games like that, when they could be mutilating people on games - like chainsawing people on Gears of War. Or would you rather talk to a virtual kid?

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 12:09 am GMT

    The whole point of new control like the PS3 motion eye and Natal has nothing to do with us gamers. It is that Sony and M$ have seen how profitable that type of control can be when they look at Nintendo's sales and profits. They obviously want a slice of that cake. The problem for them though is that it is primarily Nintendo itself that is responsible for its high sales (advertising, franchises, publicity), not just the Wii remote, so duplicating their success isn't going to be black and white. Let's see what happens at the end of 2010.

  • jovipman

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 8:51 pm GMT

    from a ps3 owner
    i think if the PS3 motion-sensing controller (ohh dear this is a long name)
    is pointed for games like oblivion(where you don’t have to use a trigger) project natal can match up quit easily
    (based on the ability to scan items like the skate board in the demo) all you need is a sword shaped item a pillow for the shield and wallah you are ready, although there is allot of lag that would destroy the whole experience

  • darkhalo_666

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 8:26 pm GMT

    if they make a good game or games for the new control er thing i might buy it maybe

  • hollatchaboy

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 8:20 pm GMT

    I think playstation will show alot of ppl how this motion tech will revolutionize gaming. Im not saying the sitdown way we play now will be trumped but, this will bring about a new era of gaming as so did the wii. Think this one thru. Motion sensing can only get better. It will take a little while. But it will get there and it will be fun for lots. Not just family and little kids. PS. And do some of ya'll think this is really gonna make the dual shock extinct when it comes on the market. hahahahahahaha. funny ppl.

  • its-2fast4u

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 6:13 pm GMT

    @tonicmole
    natal IS more like eyetoy then the ps3 motion controllers, so it will be defective lol. natal for hardcore games NOO casual yh if they can get it to work -_- saw loads of glitches, and when he scanned the skate board in the vid his hands were in the way but that didnt stop the print underneath still being scanned 0.o sounds supicious to me, plus when they drive they was ALL leaving making me guess like the eye toy if some1 walks past it causes a spazem in the game lol =3

  • NuKkU

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 5:53 pm GMT

    im not a big fan of motion controllers even if i like Sony i hate how every is going crazy about motion controllers i hope this is just a fad

  • DFBTG

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 4:31 pm GMT

    I think excellent motion sensing in a fantasy RPG (like Oblivion (and maybe then it wouldn't be boring as crap/Fable/etc.) would be pretty cool. Butt it can't be some piss poor attempt. I want the blade to move the way the controller is, I want it be extremely responsive. Of course, even with that, how will they do someone blocking? Obviously they can't make you stop moving the motion controller. They could just have it 'reset', and you just move backward from wherever you stopped, but wouldn't that then put you and the game off balance (for lack of a better term)? Well, if they can figure it out and make it great, I look forward to it.

  • Halcalix

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 4:25 pm GMT

    Another motion sensor?... Meh

  • silentsniper359

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 3:47 pm GMT

    @magicjones
    that could work. a harry potter game using that.
    or has wii done it already......

  • torbonator

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 3:26 pm GMT

    have that no realised from the WII motion sensor is a god send for family and group gaming, but for the hardcore consumer who buys the ps3 and 360 it wont work. hardcore gameing with motion senseing does not work

  • mazongo

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 3:23 pm GMT

    I think it looks interesting but we will see how good it works when the games start coming out though. One thing is certain, it has the advantage that it can be useful for the casual and hardcore alike but its most likely to have more casual games than hardcore cuz that is their targeted audience, they saw how much money nintendo is doing so they want a piece of that, but i dont think casuals will buy it cuz they already have a wii and it is widely known for its big library of casual games.

    Natal has a even better chance of getting a little piece of the casual market but it is safe to say that it will be probably be 100% ignored by the hardcore cuz of its inmediate and obvious focus on the casual. I mean come on just look the E3 videos and demos and youll see only racing and jumping like crazy games. Yeah sure they had the Milo thing but just as an idea, so we have to wait and see how it can be applied directly to a game.

    Personally i will continue with my wii and ds cuz i have no money to buy another console they may not have the best graphics or online but i feel happy with both of them, and it for now a proven formula, Natal and Sony still have a lot to prove but i still think they could make some great games with their respective technologies. On a side note i see many people complaining about the wiis waggle controls and even are skeptical about all motion controls cuz of the waggle i tell you my friends not every game has to have waggle only controls, take for example mario galaxy or metroid, they use motion but its not like your going to be throwing your controls to the television or anything like than so dont overreact one thing is to say you prefer normal controls but its very different when you say you prefer them cuz of all the motion in the wii controler suck.

  • L30KinG

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 2:18 pm GMT

    mm i hope it has some good games, cause if not then it will fail

  • Somebody89

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 2:12 pm GMT

    looking forward to it

  • StarlightHunter posted Aug 25, 2009 1:55 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    StarlightHunter

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 1:55 pm GMT (hide)

    looks interesting for the picture but NATAL seems much supeior.

  • awheaten

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 1:52 pm GMT

    @education

    paying no dollar is always better than paying 5 dollars.

  • tonicmole

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 1:35 pm GMT

    I think Sony panicked and made the same mistake they made with six axis. They see someone else doing something and then rush to get it out there. Xbox will have Fable 3, Halo Reach, and possibly a game by Epic. Thats a good launch line up for a motion controller. I find it hard to believe that God of War 3 will support the eye toy, and if it does not, then they have nothing more then.....another eye toy. I'm going to make a prediction that the PS 3 motion controllers will only support 2 terrible mini game collections, and that the Project Natal will be defective.

  • SephireX

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 1:25 pm GMT

    Imagine playing an fps game with nothing in your hand. It wouldn't feel right. I think the PS3 motion control might have an advantage in that respect. To move your character around in a game, a thumb stick will be needed anyway. I don't think Natal will be revolutionary unless it can eliminate the need for a joystick altogether and for example, replace it with a gun controller for fps games. Though maybe the fact that its just different to what I'm used to turns me off it. If I tried it, I might love it but I don't think it will set the world on fire.

  • education

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 1:11 pm GMT

    This motion sensing deal seems like an interesting idea. I'm looking forward t seeing what its all about. I skipped out on the wii because I'm about joysticks, dpads, and buttons. And this jumping around waving your arms around is lame for the most part. Did you ever try world at war on the wii? haha Dont bother if you play on an xbox or ps3 lol But anyways this motion thing might be alright as long as every game doesnt incorporate it. And come on people. You get what you pay for with xbox live. If you own a system I'm sure you can afford to pay 5$ a month.

  • its-2fast4u

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 12:45 pm GMT

    @CWSoccer07
    not everyone wants to or could afford to pay for xboxlivem e.g. if wow was free there obviously would be 2 times or more as much subscribers then there is now, and sony way of getting money is prob much better then live e.g. cnt remem how many but say there are currently 20 million psn subscribers, with home alone if they buy at least 1 item from home a week costing £1 then thts £20 million in the bag for ONE week from HOME alone, im not saying live is bad, i love it but just in my opinion psn is better for moneys =3. plus now with the ps3 slim being same as elite and the old model ps3 prob cost less soon there will be alot more by xmas seeing as ps3 slim (wireless, blu-ray player, free online) against elite (no wireless-£50, no blu-ray, online pay fee). I still play my sbox alot more then ps3 as my mates got it but tht is changing soom =3. loll i tlk too much.

  • MagicJones

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 12:42 pm GMT

    No thanks. If this is the future of great PS3 games
    count me out.

    I prefer to use the controllers I have the past 26 years.
    The current PS3 controller is perfectly fine.

    I'm not bouncing around my living room waving my hand around like Harry Potter. ZIP! ZING! ZAM!

  • Wolf-5

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 12:40 pm GMT

    I for one am looking forward to motion controlls! Gaming to me is gonna get so much more fun!

  • NICKKELANIUS

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 12:32 pm GMT

    gaming is going in the hole if everyone follows the wii

  • Osnic

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 12:15 pm GMT

    I don't really like motion controller stuff. It's like this stupid WM+.
    But one thing that I would look forward to is maybe a sword fihting game like Red Steel 2(One of tthe few games that really need WM+) that the Wii will get, something in that way for the PS3. Playing a sport game or a sword fihgting game that is first person with awsome graphics and that. That would be okay. But if they're going to use it to every singel game, well...Motion sensing is for sports games and games like Red Steel(I've alredy said that, I know.)

    And I really agree with fps d0minat0r there. PS3 would sell more than 360 and Wii if it were cheapier. So far it is the best console ver. And I mean it. It's teh best so far with teh best technology and all that. Everyóne has their own favorite consoles and say Nintendo 64 is the best console ever for exampel. But that's personal favorite.
    So PS3 is the best so far. Yes.

  • fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 12:03 pm GMT

    @ foeleaf

    no point arguing.

    everyone knows technically PS3 is leading.
    its only a matter of sales.

    however everyones knows theres more people who can afford a console worth £180 then a console worth £300...........its a no brainer.

    if ps3 was £180 then no-doubt it would sell more then wii and xbox......because it has better technology and better games lineup.

  • mjk_1

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 11:51 am GMT

    damn! slimline, price cuts, blu-ray, amazing games, and the best motion controller... ps3 is gonna explode!

  • foeleaf

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 11:45 am GMT

    @ CWSoccer07...it was stated my a xbox rp that the 360 was for games not a media center when ps3 was released. I thought it was dumb then as still is now. Let me give a better example..at e3 09 ms showed its exclusive tony hawk skateborad 4 360 then later durning the same e3, showed that natal could scan a skate board. So that makes all that money they invested into the tech 4 the skate board obsolite. Believe it or not?!?

  • lukas1051

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 11:37 am GMT

    The camera/controller combination makes for so much more possibilities than Wiimote, even with Wiimotion plus. I mean if it actually know WHERE the controller is and where and how it moves, that's going to be amazingly accurate. Sword-fighting anyone? I'm excited.

  • CWSoccer07

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 11:36 am GMT

    @foeleaf
    Did you say the next xbox has to become "up to par" with the PS3? I'm pretty sure that both consoles have their pros and cons. And I prefer to pay $50 dollars for online, because that means, I'm paying MS to constantly improve the service and keep the servers up without issue. It's the same reason MMORPG's cost $15 a month. Sony's losing money on making it free, but that's their problem to mitigate with other sales and profits.

    And the 360 was never marketed for games only! It was marketed as a media center.

  • CWSoccer07

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 11:30 am GMT

    @foeleaf
    Someone had their glass of FANBOY this morning....

  • HavQ-san

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 11:25 am GMT

    I'll stick to my DualShock 3, thank you very much.

  • foeleaf

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 11:23 am GMT

    NOT TO BE A FAN BOY OF ANY CONSOLE...

    Now look past to the next console....When the new xbox comes out, if it doesnt offer a social network like home it will not sell, needs a blurray player, and needs to be free online...or up to par with the ps3. Not to mention real 3D game support like GT5(believe it or not idk)....sorry but it the only logical reason that it could fail. Nin. will always be nin. and for the casual gamers with a few hardcore line ups to make us happy. Unless they do a big overhaul, i wouldnt expect much change

  • foeleaf

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 11:22 am GMT

    wow i guess some ppl just hate to see something good come to market. 1st if u want to call this a wii rip off thats fine, but dont forget that since ps3 lauch, it already came with motion sensing tech, just only on the standard controller which was limited by its design. with that being said, the tech for it has always been there but theres no sense to release unfinished products. 2nd, sorry to be a buzz kill but Natal will fail....pretty bad. Sony and Nin. are investing more into motion sensing games which 360 cant play unless u use the standard controller(which would not be as fun imo) so its fate is clear. Sony has the one up as far as camera/motion tech goes(not sales or fan base, so plz dont even start). Ppl souldnt comment that fact that its motion controled they wont purcase it b/c almost everyone has a wii, so why not if its all hd with the this gen features?!?. I remember when this site was only about xbox n nobody could see any good in any other consoles, so not to be off topic but heres the rundown...
    -360 said its only for games NOT movies then released hd-dvd then netflix..
    -360 didnt want a web brower but features facebook etc as a highlight to e3 09
    -360 doesnt want a motion controller, but when sony and nin. invest in the tech, more developers will take more risk and u will see better games(not only 1st party games from nin.) so thats a loss in game sales.
    -I installed a 500g hd for my ps3 for less then $100, xbox 120g hd is retailed at $150..

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