Satoru Iwata, the president of Nintendo, said that the company has tried technologies that enable motion-sensing game controllers recently announced by Microsoft Corp. and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., but rejected them since existing technology that power Wiimote proved to be more accurate.

“Until they say when they are releasing it, how much it costs and what software it comes with, we will not know whether that is the route we should have taken. However, I think they could not choose to release exactly the same thing,” said Mr. Iwata in an interview with Financial Times.

Microsoft’s motion-sensing device for the Xbox 360 video game console – Project Natal – device that does not require any additional controllers. Project Natal sensor is the world’s first to combine an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software all in one device. Unlike 2D cameras and controllers, Project Natal tracks full body movement in 3D, while responding to commands, directions and even a shift of emotion in voice, Microsoft explained.

Sony’s motion sensing controller features a special light located on top and works in collaboration with Sony’s updated Toy camera. Even though the original EyeToy has been criticized for its limitations, when the device is used with the controller, the accuracy of the controls is rather high, according to Sony, which demonstrated the functionality of the solution at the E3 trade-show.

Currently it is unknown which of the unveiled technologies – Microsoft’s or Sony’s – is better: it is uncertain whether it is comfortable to drive a car without any controller at all, but it is also unclear whether it is possible to play box video game with just one controller. However, Mr. Iwata said in the interview that he was happy that the “companies whose people said that motion-sensing wouldn’t work are now proposing motion sensors”.

Tags: Nintendo, Wii, Microsoft, Natal, Xbox, Sony, Playstation