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 that gamers greeted the motion-sensitive controller with a "col🧔lective yawn."
What's more, making the controllers isn't enough - y𓄧ou 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 inဣto motion-gaming, but until motion-controls are refined enough to offer a deeper, more respon🌳sive 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 goꦐing to produce decent results. Just look how many games have been ported to Wii, complete with obligatory, but awkward motion-controls, while th෴e 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, Micros💙oft isn't missing out on anything by not getting involved imme♈diately.
April 4, 2007
