[m]

Don't know if this has been brought up yet.  I know most people on this forum are (hopefully) on the "core" side of gaming, but it'll be interesting, nonetheless.  The Wii has so far been dominating the market with its motion controller.  PS3 and Xbox 360 are each coming out with new control devices to incorporate motion control as well.  The PS3 Move is a Wii-like controller, but (reportedly) more accurate and with a glowing ball on top.  The X360 Natal is a completely hands-free device, although it will presumably be able to be used in conjunction with a controller.

I personally think Natal will outsell the Move, just because it will appeal more to the non-core gamers.  The Move will probably be more useful for the FPS-style games, but I think the regular controller will still dominate that area.  Wii has already sold enough consoles to be ahead of the game, but their hardware just doesn't compare to the Move or Natal.

It'll be interesting to see if Microsoft tries to implement FPS into Natal, and if it does, how.

-m

[Dilmah G]

I'm a man of Xbox, so I guess I'm inclined to side with Natal.

[jr2]

Ah.  There you are.  Been lurking for a while, or just got back into checking HLP forums?

And I prefer...

mice!   

[phatosealpha]

Add on hardware versus native controllers?  We've all seen how that works out, over and over again.  Move and Natal may be great....but if developers can't count on it being there, they won't design for it.  And these kind of interfaces really need the game to be built around them to be effective - reserving a control pad fallback means you can't use the things anywhere near their full extent

[Klaustrophobia]

if they really want to, nintendo can probably release a second generation and still stay ahead of both. 

[cloneof]

I'm giving Natal and Move the same change as that HD-DVD add on Microsoft tried to sell for Xbox.

[Topgun]

if they really want to, nintendo can probably release a second generation and still stay ahead of both. 

there is already the wii motion plus addon for the wiimote, and wii HD is supposed to come out 2012.

[Klaustrophobia]

honestly i haven't noticed a difference with the wiimotion +.  the only game i have that uses it doesn't really do anything the games that don't use it can't.

[Galemp]

They'll probably go the same route as the EyeToy. I just think it's hilarious how Microsoft and Sony dismissed the Wii's motion controls as a gimmick and now they're eating their words.

[Mongoose]

They'll probably go the same route as the EyeToy. I just think it's hilarious how Microsoft and Sony dismissed the Wii's motion controls as a gimmick and now they're eating their words.

Seriously.  It's amazing how massive sales numbers change one's tune.

[Dark Knight]

Wii - few good games.
Motion - Looks like a lolipop
Natal - Browsing my zune movies catalogue like i'm in Minority Report? Hell yeah!

[m]

Add on hardware versus native controllers?  We've all seen how that works out, over and over again.  Move and Natal may be great....but if developers can't count on it being there, they won't design for it.  And these kind of interfaces really need the game to be built around them to be effective - reserving a control pad fallback means you can't use the things anywhere near their full extent

I would be inclined to agree, were it not for the success of such games as Guitar Hero and Rock Band.  If Sony and Microsoft are smart, they'll include at least 5 free games with their devices, making it a "steal" in the average consumer's eyes.

As for a Wii HD to compete with them, I assume there will also be a PS4 and Xbox 720 or whatever they're going to call it.  Also, the Move and Natal controllers are expected to be priced well below what any new Wii will probably cost.

I also see a difference in marketing strategies that could make a difference.  Sony is advertising mainly (it seems) to "core" gamers, making the Move out to be just a new controller for games much like ones we already play.  The problem there is that core gamers tend to play for longer periods than casual gamers and would probably prefer to stay on the couch if playing for over an hour.

Microsoft, on the other hand, is making Natal out to be an entirely new device, targeting the same audience that went for the Wii in the first place.  The Xbox itself is so distant in the ads that there will probably be instances where customers buy Natal and then only realize when they get home that they need an X360 as well.

Nintendo, of course, is happily at the top of console sales, and so is not doing much advertising beyond for monster hunter and a couple other games.  That actually seems to be a problem for Wii right now; they're selling consoles, but many people (including my in-laws) only use it for the Wii Sports game that comes with it, so Nintendo doesn't get as much profit from games.

-m

[Klaustrophobia]

guitar hero/rock band isn't really a good example for native vs. add-on.  those are very specific games designed ALONG WITH a very specific controller(s), and were packaged together.  there wasn't anybody who bought the game and went "****, i need a different controller."  also as far as popularity goes, GH was a relatively late bloomer.  it was decently popular by 2, but didn't really explode until 3.

[Solatar]

These new things will probably sell well to people who have the consoles.  I doubt it'll convince many Wii owners that don't own the other consoles to rush out and buy them.

Still, good to see this kind of stuff catching on.  The day I can play a FPS without a stupid thumbstuck is the day I might actually get into Halo.