PSMove Wiki

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) has been hard at work on their newest gaming controller, the PlayStation Move (or PSMove), designed for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console. It is groundbreaking technology in the gaming world, due to its motion-sensing capabilities. The PSMove was announced on June 2, 2009, and over a year later on September 19, 2010, it will finally be released in the United States.

To reserve yours today, click here to Preorder the PlayStation Move before it releases on September 19, 2010!

The controller uses a special camera called the PlayStation Eye which helps the console track the wands position, while sensors inside the controller detect motion. This adds a new dimension to gaming: when the wand moves in your hand—tilting, rotating, etc.—the console follows the motion and your character in the game completes the actions.

The controller itself is sleek, matte black, coming in two pieces: the motion and navigation controllers, both connected to the PS3 console via Bluetooth technology and charged through USB Mini-B.

There are demonstration videos of the PlayStation Move Motion Controller, or you can Pre-Order the PSMove Online for speedy delivery once it is released–these controllers will be in high demand and therefore hard to find in stores.

Motion Controller: The key piece of the PSMove is the Motion Controller, which relays all the motion from the player to the console. The odd white ball sitting at the top is the paramount piece. It can glow in any RGB color combination, but each player in multi-player games is given a unique color. This is how the PlayStation Eye camera connected to the console tracks a player: the light intensity signals distance to the console and provides visual feedback such as the flash of a gun firing, while inertial sensors inside determine movement (rotation and motion).

The Motion Controller also has four action buttons, Select and Start, and an analog trigger on the bottom. Near the wrist strap there is a USB port. Of course the controller also features vibration technology, mimicking the actions of any video game.

(You can use the Quad Port Charging Station to charge two Motion and two Navigation Controllers at one time, or use the Sony brand Charging Station which charges one of each.)

Navigation Controller: The Navigation Controller is the small companion to the Motion Controller and more similar to the older version of PS3 gaming controllers, although still shaped like a wand. It will be used for certain types of game play along with the Motion Controller, since it hosts a left analog stick, two analog triggers, a D-pad, and two action buttons. But since it is basically an upgraded standard Wireless Controller, certain standard ones can replace the Navigation Controller for PSMove games.

(To charge the Motion and Navigation Controllers, opt for the Energizer Charger which can charge up to four controllers, two of each kind, at once.)

PlayStation Eye: The Eye resembles a webcam which is connected to the PS3 console. It can read the light from the orb on the Motion Controller, determining distance; or it can read the sensors inside the controller to determine the angle, motion, and rotation of the controller. It was originally released in 2007, but is the key element for the PSMove to work, so the PlayStation Eye can be bought separately or in a  bundle.

The Eye can only keep track of four controllers at once. That means that four people can each have one Motion Controller, or two people can have two Motion Controllers each, or two people can have one Motion and one Navigation Controller each.

Bundles and Accessories: While the PSMove controllers will be sold individually, Sony will also offer them in bundled packages with other relevant and/or necessary equipment. Since the PSMove relies on the PlayStation Eye camera, there will be a bundle including both controllers and the webcam. Some packages,  like the PlayStation Move Console Bundle, will include a PlayStation 3, a PSEye camera, a regular PS controller, a PSMove Motion controller, and the game Sports Champion. . Racing game accessories will be offered, such as the GT Racing Wheel. Also, for shooter games, there will be a Shooting Attachment to make the Motion Controller feel or look similar to a handgun, with the analog trigger used as the gun trigger and the wand is placed inside the barrel (see right), as well as the bigger Blaster Gun which can attach to both the Motion and Navigation Controllers.

The Professional Sports Kit and Sports Champions Pack includes items like swords, ping-pong paddle, shield, and bow for archery.

If you’re the type to enjoy physical workouts without leaving your living room, the Ultimate Boxing Gloves may be the perfect accessory. They attach to Motion Controllers in your hands.

History: When the announcement came from Sony about the PSMove, it was unnamed. It was just descriptively named “PlayStation Motion Controller,” but several other names were rumored as well. First was the “magic wand” and simple “Wand,” followed by “Gem” and then “Arc.” Arc was the name chosen for the controllers, and Sony had logos designed—until they realized there was a copyright issue with Microsoft. Finally, “Move” was chosen, but the A from “Arc” still remains in the logo for the PSMove.

During E3 2010, the tag-line for the PSMove was, “This Changes Everything.”

Games: Thirty-six third-party game developers have already confirmed that they will be working for Sony to create games that support PSMove controllers. All games that do support the PSMove will have a blue bar with white letters beneath the PS3 logo. But some games will only support PSMove, and those will be marked with “PlayStationMove Required,” and if it supports standard DualShock 3 controllers as well as PS3, the game will state, “PlayStationMove Features.”

The PSMove will be hard to find due to high-demand once it is released on September 19, 2010, so click here to Preorder the PlayStation Move and reserve your copy before it’s too late!

Several games have already been announced. Click below on the links for more information or to buy that game:

• Batman Arkham Asylum 2
• Call of Duty: Black Ops
• EyePet Game
• Gran Turismo 5
• Heavy Rain
• Heroes on the Move
• Infamous 2
• Killzone 3
• Kung Fu Riders
• LittleBigPlanet 2
• Lord of the Rights: Aragorn’s Quest
• Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition
• SingStar Dance
• SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs
• Sorcery Game
• Sports Champions
• Start the Party
• The Fight: Lights Out
• The Shoot
• The Sly Collection
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11
• TV Superstars