It started off with Nintendo's latest console, the Wii, which has and will continue to revolutionize gaming. Now Microsoft and Sony are joining in on it, coming up with unique ways to take gaming to the next level and to really capture people's attention (and make as much money as Nintendo.) I'm talking about motion controls of course, it will no doubt change console gaming forever, but the real question is: For better or for worse?

For this generation of video game consoles The Wii has surpassed both of it's competitors in sales so therefore I guess you can say it has been the most "successful." And the main reason is not because of Nintendo's fine line of first party games it's all because of motion controls. I can easily back this up by bringing up that the Gamecube was the worst selling console of last generation, making FAR less sales than the PS2 and even coming behind Microsoft's first console, the XBOX.

The Wii and it's motion control technology attracted a whole new audience towards it now known as "casual gamers." These are the people who play simple, fun games like Wii Sports because it provides an experience that normal games where you just sit on your couch with a controller and press buttons never appealed to them but harcore Nintendo fans and people interested in motion controls bought the Wii as well resulting in superior sales. Of course Sony and Microsoft couldn't just sit there making less money than Nintendo despite their more "powerful" consoles. No, they have to go out and make motion controls too.

I have a PS3 and a Wii, (but that doesn't mean I'm biased to Microsoft fans so bear with me) the reason being I wanted to try out motion controls (and wanting to play the next Mario's and Zelda's) which I find to be fun, while still being able to just sit back in my couch and only move my thumb and fingers, the way I have always been gaming. But now with Microsoft coming out with Natal and Sony coming out with the Wand, will this mean that simple gaming will be eliminated from existence?

Probably not... yet... Sony and Microsoft won't be only supporting their new motion controls for the 360 and PS3, they will still be making games with their good old controllers which as a hardcore gamer is nice to hear. But with motion controls making such a huge impact on gaming and being really popular, the end of simple controller gaming could arrive by the next generation of consoles. But will motion controls be so all around great that anyone could just look back on motionless controls and just think how less superior it was back then? It's almost impossible to tell right now.

I've noticed that Sony's wand has no buttons on it and that Natal has no controller whatsoever. I just can't seem to figure out how many of our favorite genres will get done, it seems like these "controllers" can only be used for the simple and unusual, like sports or having some guy in a screen follow your movements. How will FPS' work? Extend you arms and move your finger to press a trigger that isn't there, won't that give you arm cramps? How would you move? Lift your legs up and down over and over again? Great, now you have arm AND leg cramps. These motion control ideas are really cool and high-tech but how will most games work on it? The Wiimote/Nunchuk at least have buttons and an analog stick, this makes all genres still possilbe. Maybe the Wand and Natal will find a good way to make all genres work, but right now it doesn't look like it.

Hopefully motion controless gaming will stay alive forever, but it's certainly not looking like a guranatee right now. Hopefully the big 3 will think about their long time fans who want a choice with motion controls or no motion controls because sometimes it seems like they're just out for money.

I hope you enjoyed reading this, feel free to post what you think below.