Poll: Game Controls - Do We Really Want Motion Sensoring?

[Raikazu]

Before I start getting some negative comments, this is written by someone who plays games on PC, X360 and Wii, so I have knowledge of how all of them play.

With the new wave of motion sensoring (Project Natal for X360) it's made me think about gaming and how they see it developing. But my main concern is the prediction that video game controllers are going to become obsolete against motion sensoring...why?

I don't know about you guys but holding a controller is one of the great things about a game, and personally I don't see motion sensoring as a very immersive tool. Whilst I really enjoy playing the Wii, I can't honestly say that I've been incredibly immersed in any game other than Zelda: Twilight Princess (which is more from a Zelda fanboy reason). However, playing on an Xbox, I can easily become immersed in a game that uses a controller.

It's not the console either, it's purely because of how we play video games. I know it sounds lazy, but motion sensoring requires effort, something which many gamers just don't want to exert. On top of this, it can limit your gaming time on how well your arms/body can hold up.

My view, keep releasing new advancements in motion sensoring, but let me keep my controllers as another option. I'd like to hear your views too (and I've included another option on the poll for PC gamers).

 

[Curtmiester]

All I can say about montion sensing controls are that shooters are now going to be more pain then fun.

 

[Ganthrinor]

Meh. I personally don't even think things like the PS3's 6-axis controller need to be added into gaming, much less motion sensing equipment. Just another expensive peice of equipment to break and replace.

 

[fix-the-spade]

Motion controls would be great if they worked.

But they don't, off the top of my head I can think of no games that would be improved by motion controls and no games that wouldn't be improved by having standard controls (except Wii Sports, but nuts to that).

Mario galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, No More Heroes would all be better with a Cube controller, Twilight Princess is better with a Cube controller and so are all racing games. As for shooters... The Conduit, enough said.

Unless you set up a pure series of gimmicks motion controls don't work. They're in themselves a gimmick (remember Eyetoy?), give it another couple of years and Natal's abject failure and they'll be gone.

The biggest problem is the lack of intuitiveness in their use. With a mouse or controller you very quickly get to a point where you make inputs without thinking about it, you just do it to make the right things happen. Motion controllers just aren't capable of that, everyone moves slightly differently and that lack of objectivity in motion messes thoroughly with the controls. You spend more time concentrating on getting the right motion that the controller wants than playing the game.

 

[theownerer]

I recently bought a PS3 and found that the sixaxis is a good thing when used correctly. Ive played infamous and ratchet and clank, both great games that use the sixaxis as a minor part and it works very well. In fact it does much better then a joystick because in infamous you have to hold down 2 buttons so instead of trying to reach for the joystick you just tilt the controller and for R&C you use it for a weapon but you can still move around and attack while controlling it.

However I played Heavenly sword the other day and was extremely annoyed but the constant usage of the sixaxis. Maybe its because you also controlled the up and down but it was just very hard and frustration to play with it. I was looking forward to playing lair but I hear its even worst.

So ya, all that to say: Motion control is good when not overused and complicated.

 

[Mcface]

Motion Control is a gimmick.
it never fully works. It's annoying, and unnecessary.

it's one of the reasons I still wont buy a PS3.
can you turn that shit off?

 

[bluepilot]

I only want motion control if my own movements are relevent. For example, if the character has a sword, you have to use the controller like a real sword, not just wave your wrists about.

That would be cool. For now, I will stick with button mashing.

 

[GundamSentinel]

Motion Control is a gimmick.
it never fully works. It's annoying, and unnecessary.

it's one of the reasons I still wont buy a PS3.
can you turn that shit off?

True, it is just a gimmick, and thank god most game developers still seem to see it as such. I was afraid of overuse of sixaxis as well, but luckily most games don't (or barely) use it. Saves a lot of annoyance. And I would like an option to turn it off as well, even though some games already give you the option of whether or not you use it (Mirror's Edge comes to mind).

 

[JaymesFogarty]

Motion Control is a gimmick.
it never fully works. It's annoying, and unnecessary.

it's one of the reasons I still wont buy a PS3.
can you turn that shit off?

In most games you never have to use it. With the exception of Heavenly Sword, Lair, Hawx, and a few others, you can play the game all the way through without having to bother with Sixaxis. However, Sixaxis is good, as explained by most people, when used in short intervals, ie. NOT THE WHOLE TIME.

 

[Jared]

IM happy with my controllers, keyboards and all assortment of physical peripherials.

If I want to wave my arms about, or make myself look like a fool ill dig out the Eyetoy. Last thing I want to do after a long hard day is to come home and have to perform large amounts of movement. Thats what I go to the gym for!

 

[Twad]

YOu forgot to add; «All of the above»
All control shemes have their pros and cons.

 

[Slash Dementia]

I dislike motion sensors controllers/consoles because to me, it just seems stupid to be flailing your body around in front of the television. Sure not all of them have you flail around like a complete idiot, but I simply prefer a controller, or when my computer can run it, a mouse and keyboard.

 

[sneakypenguin]

Why does no one seem psyched about the possibility of natal combined with traditional controls? Perhaps playing condemned you could use motions controls to interact with your environment, investigating things shining your light, opening drawers, doors and moving stuff around or looking through a file and you "flip" through the pages. Then you still have the regular controls for combat and things that require precision and speed. I personally think it would be fun to rummage around a room with something as accurate as natal.

 

[Casual Shinji]

If there's no feedback then it's the same as weightlifting without weights.

Edit. Your fingers will always be faster and more precise than your arms, hence the buttons.

 

[gamefreakbsp]

I much prefere to use a controller than motion capture.

 

[coldshadow]

we want VR but motion controls is as close as we are.

 

[BaldursBananaSoap]

No they're gimmicky and annoying.

 

[Aura Guardian]

Seems I'm the only one who voted for Motion Control. I haven't had any problems with it.

 

[BaldursBananaSoap]

Why does no one seem psyched about the possibility of natal combined with traditional controls? Perhaps playing condemned you could use motions controls to interact with your environment, investigating things shining your light, opening drawers, doors and moving stuff around or looking through a file and you "flip" through the pages. Then you still have the regular controls for combat and things that require precision and speed. I personally think it would be fun to rummage around a room with something as accurate as natal.

So you have to put down your controller to search about, then quickly pick up your controller in panic if you suddenly need to fight? Na, plus Natal doesn't have 3D depth of field, which just means using your hands as an FPS controller (which I don't see working), thn picking up and using a controller as an FPS controller which I find pointless and gimmicky at best.

Hopefully motion controls will be nothing more than a casual gimmick after Natal and Sony's wand fail.