Is motion control essential for games?

Rumors have been buzzing about a Wii-mote like device in development from Microsoft, which wouldn’t be surprising at all considering Rare hinted about a similar accessory when they announced Conker: The Fast & Furriest. Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if such a device in development. Microsoft has the money to invent and market one, even if it only works with a few games like the Big Button controller. But does Microsoft need a motion controlled accessory to survive?

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Only a handful of games have made motion control a must in a good way. Wii Sports, Wario Ware: Touched, Trauma Center and a Zack & Wiki are some of the titles that come to mind. Nintendo’s mega hits like the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Super Mario Galaxy would have been fine without the Wii remote. I’m not saying Mario Galaxy is a “bad” at all. It would have been fine with or without spin shakes.

 

Sony has motion sensing in their Sixaxis controller too and it hasn’t really paid off for them. Lair, High Velocity Bowling, flOw and the Go Sports games are part of the handful of titles where motion control was essential to game design.

 

I suppose if Microsoft made a device and had a decent pack in game a new controller would sell. A Halo light gun game with laser sword swings or Viva point and click might do the trick. A driving game probably wouldn’t since Microsoft already has a bunch of steering wheels for Project Gotham 4 and Forza Motorsport 2.

 

Now that we’re a year into motion control, what are your thoughts? Is the feature critically important for future games or has the novelty worn off?

 

Images courtesy of Microsoft. 


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