PlayStation Move June 2010

Sony’s PlayStation Move - its own Nintendo Wii-style motion controller for games, seemed a bit low tech after the high-tech gadgetry of Microsoft’s Kinect.

Revealed during the E3 event in Los Angeles in June, Sony’s PlayStation Move is a wireless, wand-like device about the size and shape of an old-fashioned microphone, with a glowing, soft-plastic bulb on the top

PlayStation Move controller

This works in conjunction with the existing PlayStation 3 Eye camera, which helps the PS3 and Move locate exactly where the wand is and which way it is facing in the space in front of the TV. Two Move controllers can be used in some games; for instance, one might represent a bow, while another represents an arrow.

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The Move controller also sports a Move button, a trigger and the PlayStation’s traditional four action buttons, while an additional controller with an analogue joystick can be used for games where you need to move a character around.

PlayStation Move sports games

It might sound complicated, but using Move is actually simple and intuitive; think of it as a more sophisticated and sensitive Wii remote. Playing the inevitable Wii Sports rival, it’s amazing how quickly you get to grips with pulling an arrow from a quiver, notching it to the bow-string, then aiming, pulling and releasing to let the arrow fly at its target.

Playing table tennis on the Move, meanwhile, took the sense of realism to a new level, with the controller replicating every shot perfectly, down to the spin and the snap of the movement.

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Where Move beats Kinect is in responsiveness. Move the controller, and the reaction happens virtually instantly on the screen, which means Move will work better for more traditional styles of game. One title on test was a brutal bare-knuckles fighting game, and it was impressive to see how quickly Move replicated punches, swings and uppercuts on the screen.

In fact, the game was arguably too realistic. Whereas Wii Sports boxers know they can get away with feeble jabs and weedy slaps, the Move equivalent made you put some muscle into every blow.

PlayStation Move 3D games

Still, the initial Move software line-up hits a nice balance between the sports games, party games and dance games that have been so popular on the Wii, and the more action-oriented games that existing PlayStation fans demand.

Sony is adding Move support to violent 3D shooters like Killzone 3and SOCOM 4, while some upcoming games will have support added through a downloadable patch. Tiger Woods 11, for example, will give you the closest thing yet to a virtual golf club thanks to Move.

At its E3 press event, Sony also demonstrated a Move-powered adventure game where the player took the role of a sorcerer’s apprentice and the Move controller his magic wand. Harry Potter has nothing on this.

PlayStation Move UK pricing

Move will be available from September, with the basic camera and controller pack costing £50, including sample games, and the controller on its own costing just £35.