In a move to counter the Wii's revolutionary controller, Sony revealed in its press conference today its own secret weapon.
"I have one more thing that we have kept secret from you," said Ken Kutaragi, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment before a bewildered audience. With that, he revealed what looked like a typical PlayStation controller, only wireless. However, after a brief demonstration, the true capabilities of this controller were revealed.
Demonstrating on a digital rubber ducky in a bathtub, a spokesman was able to manipulate the object simply by rotating and lifting the controller itself. He went on to pilot an airplane using the entire controller to steer. Overall, the capabilities of the controller seemed consistent with those of the competing Wii.
Additionally, the controller is expected to have numerous other applications, including precision steering for racing games or allowing characters to jump when the controller is jerked upward.
The spokesman stated, "This controller has six degrees of freedom as standard, with no external sensory required; using my hands as the entire input device."
Will this controller counter the appeal of Wii? It's still too early to say, but it will likely dull its edge. Though there is still the matter of the $500 to $600 price tag attached to the PS3, while Nintendo has promised a comparably affordable system. An announcement regarding that is expected later this week.