Second, I will address one of the concerns I’ve heard about latency (lag) issues. Yes, some of the demos had moments of noticeable lag, but I feel confident in saying that any and all lag issues will be fixed before the official launch. From a technical perspective, it felt like they were 90% to 95% “there,” and with time (and resources) they will get to that 100%. Sony won’t launch a faulty product; the PlayStation Move is just too important.
Of course, the primary reason the PlayStation Move will succeed commercially is that consumers are infatuated with motion-based games. This industry went to the point of insanity with the Wii, DS, Wii Fit, Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and dozens of other products with unique controls that reached mainstream status. Personally, I remember waiting in-line for a Wii Fit on launch day and I rushed home to play as if it was a new Final Fantasy title. In retrospect, I must have been crazy, because why the heck would someone like myself, who avoids breaking a sweat at all costs, wait in-line for a Wii Fit? Yet there I was swinging that imaginary hula hoop for hours on end—when no one was looking of course.
Motion-based games are still a new technology and we as consumers are still intrigued by the possibilities. The success of motion-based games is no different than the success of Avatar (or the recently released Alice in Wonderland). While the story and plot are not exceptional by any standards, the fact that both movies were available in 3D was a huge catalyst to their success. 3D movies are (relatively) new, they're interesting, captivating, and something that MUST be experienced!
Lastly, the PlayStation Move will be commercially successful due to its marketing. The Kevin Butler campaigns are priceless and a shining image of marketing done right (not just in gaming, but in all of marketing). The Move hasn’t event launched, yet millions are being primed to accept the PlayStation Move as a new standard for motion-based gaming (check out Butler's latest on Move here).
I think many have misinterpreted my comments about the PlayStation Move being commercially successful to mean that the PlayStation Move will be a revolutionary piece of technology; there is quite a difference. A product's commercial success has little correlation to its originality. Some products are both (the Wii), some are commercial blunders despite being developed years ahead of competitors or being completely original (Game Gear / Virtual Boy), while others are the opposite (GBA), and many carry neither quality (Dreamcast). The PlayStation Move is not a revolutionary piece of technology; it is just motion-based gaming on a powerful next-generation console.
When evaluating the potential success of the PlayStation Move, I just ask myself, “Will people buy it?” And the answer is yes. Of course, without strong software support it could become a product that quickly gathers dust and is forgotten. Nevertheless, people will still buy it; we have to, we are just too mesmerized by the possibilities of motion-based gaming.
17 Comments
March 22, 2010
So Move will beat Wii just because Sony is Sony? I humbly disagree.
If people were embarrassed about Mii's, then why is the Wii the best selling console on the market today?
This article is based on pure fanboyism, and does not show professionalism. I am disappointed.
However, the tech behind Move is promising, and could bring elements only found on the Wii to the PS3.
But I can't see Move selling well enough for game makers to care. It's going to be the Super Scope or Power Glove of this generation. Sony should have waited and bundled Move 2.0 with PS4.
March 22, 2010
I wouldn't call it fanboyism. Jesse's quite professional and he's entitled to his opinion. I'm not really in agreement with him on this one. In fact, I'm still somewhat skeptical about both Natal and Move. I'm not convinced that just because Wii has sold like hotcakes that motion control represents the future, nor am I convinced that motion control tacked onto PS3 and Xbox 360 halfway (or more) through their lifecycles is a formula for success.
March 22, 2010
Embarrassed to play with a Mii? You have issues. I don't know about you, but I'd be embarrassed to play some of these more "Mature" titles. I mean, could you imagine the embarrassment of your daughter walking in while playing an embarrassing game like Bayonetta. "Uh, I don't know why her privates are glowing, sweetheart."
But I digress. When I saw PS Move Sports, I thought "BORING"! Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the two games worth playing on the PS3. But PS Move Sports totally "uncanny vallied" my way back to Wii Sports Resort! But let's imagine that I didn't own a PS3 already. Why would I want to fork out $400 minimum to enjoy a less fun version of Wii Sports?
March 22, 2010
This analyst should consider something...
Nintendo games don't succeed because of motion control. They succeed because the entirety of their product resonates with the (global) audience.
Nintendo has proven that, this generation, simply upping screen resolution and polygon counts no longer resonates with gamers. It's not a bad thing, and higher def is always better than lower def. But gaming is growing beyond technophiles and into the lives of the mainstream.
The mainstream thinks, buys and plays based on what engages them. Not like this: "720 > 480."
In addition, as much as the people who DO think that way would like to believe that Sony/MS are gonna do motion control but somehow "keep it real, unlike Nintendo"? Sorry, that's not the way big business works. At least, not in Sony's case. That's why the hardware is a near mirror image and the software borders on intellectual property infringement.
So go on ... keep telling yourself that the Wii is a fad - that Wii owners aren't really playing games, let alone enjoying them. Keep telling yourself that those millions of gamers have just been holding their breath for an HD (and more expensive) version of the same experience...
But ultimately, unless Sony can put Nintendo's lightning in a bottle (come up with software that makes this hardware resonate with audiences), then you're just gonna have to keep moving back the goal post for a few more years.
March 22, 2010
http://seanmalstrom.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/analyst-says-why-move-will-be-a-success/
March 22, 2010
Personally, I agree. It will sell a well amount at retail, but won't be looked at as a game changing device. I think it all comes down to what we consider "commercially successful". 1 million? 5 million? 10 million units?
To Mr. Moore, the Wii is the best selling console, but is among the least played. Any gamer will tell you that (and I've seen many surveys indicating such.)
I don't want to agree with Divnich, but if his only conclusion is that the move will be commercially successful, he is probably right.
March 23, 2010
The graphics in Wii Sports Resort are not the limit of the Wii's capabilities and are not designed to push the Wii. Nintendo did not even aim for photorealism, since attempted photorealism does not sell. Therefore the removing of graphical limitations with the Move is largely meaningless in the context of the wider market, though it will help the smaller traditional gamer market get into motion controls. This may shift enough units for the Move to be considered a success depending on your expectations.
In the comments people suggest that since the Wii has the least play time (on average per console I presume) this invalidates the success in terms of hardware and software sales. This assumes that success requires that your customers have gaming as their primary hobby rather than just one source of entertainment among others. Clearly absurd.
March 23, 2010
Fanboys always tend to see things in fanboy extremes - Jesse is an analyst that happens to like the Move, that's all.
I think Move is a neat little technology, but it's got an uphill battle to face. There are market forces (high install base of the Wii, price, not a pack in with the PS3, etc) that will make it difficult for it to achieve a high level of penetration. I also haven't seen anything software wise that will necessitate an “upgrade” or change the world of motion control as well know it.
The market that Nintendo has gone after with the Wii is pretty different than the main fanbase of the PS3/Xbox 360 – it'll be hard for them to capture that mindshare that Nintendo already has, but Sony and Microsoft are sure going to try.
March 23, 2010
Let's remember that 2D controllers are for 2D worlds. If/when a good 3D game is released for the PS3 (and I have every reason to believe that Sony is working their asses off on one), the Move will separate itself.
March 23, 2010
Let's remember that 2D controllers are for 2D worlds. If/when a good 3D game is released for the PS3 (and I have every reason to believe that Sony is working their asses off on one), the Move will separate itself.
March 23, 2010
@David Radd
More like Jesse is a fanboy that happens to be an analyst. His nonsense is exposed here:
http://seanmalstrom.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/analyst-says-why-move-will-be-a-success/
March 23, 2010
Interesting article Jesse. I'm fairly certain that the PS3 Move will not upseat the Wii or give Sony that big of an advantage over the 360 but theres definitely a possibility for some engaging gaming experiences.
From the outside it obviously looks like Sony is blatingly copying Nintendo(and they are) and basically saying that they can make motion controls better. But now they have to prove it. And they will get their chance this fall. I don't know how well either Move or Natal will perform once they hit retail but we will get a glimsp of that future at E3 once we see some of the launch games for both.
March 23, 2010
Ah, I see. If you like Move, that means you're a fanboy and probably like to hurt puppies in your free time as well.
March 24, 2010
@David Radd
Says who?
I just pointed out that he is a fanboy, and that his arguments are flawed. And I linked to an article which shows exactly how.
Nice red herring, though.
March 24, 2010
@yeahyeah
you must be some type of idiot? Have you read Divnich's articles? I've seen him bash the Wii, Sony, iPhone, Xbox. I would HARDLY even use the term fanboy.
Have you read your own article? It it no way concludes that he is a fanboy. And who uses the word "fanboy" anyways?
I am reserving my judgment for when the sales come in. Until that day, you should too.
March 25, 2010
It isn't my article, but it clearly shows how this "analysis" is garbage.
March 26, 2010
I really wish I had free time like that blogger. You can disagree, but calling someone a "fanboy" of the bat doesn't help your argument and it just simple isn't true in this case.