If you have been living under a rug, the premise with the PlayStation Move (over the Wii motion controls) is that the PS3 can track Z motion (depth) and gives the player better control. So you should be able to stab somebody instead of just swiping at them with a sword. The PS3 Move is going to suffer from the same issues as the Wii has: Waggleware. Games that both console manufacturers should be sweeping under the rug. Who wants to wave a controller as fast as they can to move faster (PlayStations TV super star and Wii Sports Resorts).

The other downside to the PlayStation Move is noticeable input lag.

So I tried The Fight: Lights Out. This is game seemed like the antithesis to TV Superstar. It's gritty and violent, sure, but it also tracks two Move controllers rather than one, allowing you to punch an opponent into oblivion. Plus, the Move's camera would track my eyes, allowing me to rotate my position by turning my head (a good thing, since I was warned not to move my feet after calibration). I couldn't wait, even donning 3D glasses for the full effect. The combat? Laggy. And I never felt like my punches were registered the way I threw them onscreen. Rather, my uppercut registered a precanned animation. I understand that my punches probably looked too horrible to use, but a lag, combined with pure animation cues, stops you from feeling like you're fighting. Heck, even Wii's loosely controlled Punch Out! feels more like actual boxing.

While not everything is bad about the PlayStation Move (read more about the Eye pet, Sports Champions and SOCOM) I just don't see the need for more motion control in video games. While Mark Wilson says SOCOM is enjoyable using the Playstaion Move controllers, I don't see it as being comfortable for extended periods. Playing some of the "point and shoot" games on the Wii was great fun, but it gets tiring quick. It will be interesting to see if Sony can bring developers to write for the platform and produce games that use the controls in unique/innovative ways. Time will tell if Sony can capitalize on the more feature heavy control scheme.

Then again, once you look at the true cost of PlayStation Move, it may be hard for game developers to write for it. PlayStation Move pricing breaks down like this: $39.99 for the main controller, $29.99 for the sub controller (although you could just use a dual shock controller) and about $40 for the PlayStation Eye. High costs + optional peripherals will mean for low adoption and game developers being reluctant to write games.

• Initial games will be tech demos showcasing control schemes
• They both use light to track where the controller is at.
• Both the PS3 Move and the Wiimote have a secondary controller with a control stick (and both come separate
• Extra Controllers for the PS3 Move and Wiimote are expensive.
• PS3 fanboys call the new control scheme "gimmicky". Wait, that was just the Wiimote.

OK, while the fine details may not be the same for the PS3 Move and Nintendo's Wiimote; the basic premise is exactly the same. Both controllers give players a new way to control future games and-in the case of the PS3-some older games like Little Big Planet. The PS3 Move handles the motion control differently than the Wiimote though. The PS3 Motion uses a LED lit ball coupled by the PS3 Eye toy to track it. The Wiimote uses a passive IR light in the sensor bar and the receiver is in the Wiimote and if you paid for it, the Motion Plus adapter for true 1:1 control.

The problem with the PS3 Move is that it is a add on and add ons have a terrible adoption rate for consoles. Couple that with how expensive the PS3 Move is going to be: for the "full" experience, each person will need two PlayStation Move controllers AND a sub controller (which doesn't support motion gaming at all). Oh but wait, how many Moves does the PlayStation support? Sony told Gizmodo that the PS3 only supports-at most-FOUR Move controllers at once: or two PS3 Move controllers and two sub-controllers. So, for that full multiplayer epxeriance you are looking at just one PlayStation Eye, but two Moves and a sub-controller per player. Using Giz's napkin math, that comes out to about $290 bucks to get the full experience. So we have expensive hardware, limited multiplayer experience and the potential for low adoption rates; sounds like a recipe for disaster.

The PS3 Move motion controller does have better tracking and better motion sensing (think of it having the Wii Motion Plus adapter built in). Both the PS3 Move and the Wiimote are exactly the same idea and close in hardware. It comes down to the execution of that idea, and the PS3 Move is going to have issues moving forward. I look forward to see how the diehard PS3 and Nintendo fans clamor about how one control scheme is better than the other.

Until I can get my hands on it, I'd have to label the PS3 Move as a mimic of the Wiimote. Mainly because for regular buyers there is no way you can explain that this is different than Wii Remote controllers.

If you don't think the PS3 Move and the Wii remote are the same, tell me why I'm wrong in the comments. Or if you think it is, share your thoughts.

The notoriously-difficult PSP-3000 model (also known as PSP Brite) has finally been hacked, this time without the need for a downgrader tool. MaTiAz's "The Sparta!!!" exploit was allegedly discovered after overwriting the player's name in a GripShift save file with "this is spartaaaaa..." -- with 57 a's tacked onto the end -- and is now available for download along with a new SDK. It's said to work with PSP firmware versions 1.52 through the current 5.02. The Hello World proof of concept video is after the break. Welcome to the homebrew community, Brite: we've been expecting you.

This comes in handy for anybody looking to upgrade from their old PSP-2000 or the REALLY old fat PSP. Although, the PSP-3000 does have interlacing screen issue, the other features would be nice to have. At least you can bring all of your homebrew with you now!

On the Wii side of things, a device called FLATMII came out to enable you to steam ISO backups to your consoles. Nintendo has been pretty vigilant on trying to keep people from installing homebrew and it is interesting to see that FLATMII come out. The FLATMII plugs into the Wii's drive ribbon and then you use a Windows XP or Vista machine to stream the file. Now, there is nothing wrong with homebrew, and nothing wrong with this kind of hardware either. The issue is if the end user is only pirating the games and not just making legal backups of their own games. I would be nervous about prying open my Wii to install the FLATMII; I will just stick to using normal homebrew for DVD playback.
Via Max Console

"Any consumer who may have misplaced their Wii Download Ticket number for the Wii Speak Channel or require a new number following a Wii exchange may contact their local Nintendo Customer Services department, where they can request a replacement Wii Download Ticket number."

I have never been very keen on the idea of offering one time use codes, and I am GLAD that Nintendo will be allowing customers to transfer their Wii Speak devices down the road. Although... their method leaves much to be desired. I mean, having to actually contact Nintendo to have them replace the code for you is quite cumbersome. Isn't there a way to detect the Wii speak peripheral when it is plugged in and then download the channel then? ( and if it isn't connected, don't allow the use of the channel).

Well, it was shortsighted move, and I am glad that they changed their mind (although it still isn't 100% acceptable).

Via JoyStiq

I just installed the homebrew channel the other night, and I am enjoying all of the legit homebrew games that you can download for the Wii. It kinda sucks that Nintendo is cracking down on this now, after letting it go by for quite a while. Granted, the update does bring some functionality ( like USB keyboard support for the Mii channel)l, thats where anything good stops. Here is the bulk of the text for the update:

Message from Nintendo

Wii Menu version 3.4 is now available for your Wii console. To update your Wii Menu to the latest version, please select the Update button at the bottom of the screen or select the System Update option in Wii System Settings.

With this update, Parental Controls have been enhanced, USB keyboard support is available for the Mii Channel, and system functions have been improved.

The Wii User Agreement, which includes the Wii Privacy Policy, has been updated. Because the updated agreement applies to you and your use of the Wii Network Service, you should view the updated version by clicking on the Wii icon located on the lower-left portion of the Wii Channel menu, selecting Wii Settings, accessing the Internet setting, and selecting User Agreements.

You may also view the updated Wii User Agreement online at http://support.nintendo.com

Because unauthorized modifications to save files may impair game play or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 3.4 will also check for and automatically remove such save files.

**Please note: If you've updated your Wii Menu after 11/17/08, you may not need to update again.

Thank you for updating your Wii console!

Nintendo

So remember.. if you want to install homebrew... don't install the 3.4 System Update!

via Gizmodo

The other thing I saw was that Thrustmaster also came out with a gun add-on that looks pretty awesome. I played the Link's Crossbow game with the included zapper and found it very hard after a while to shoot. Something like this would make it more of a point and click experience. That plus more of a natural one handed approach would be nice as well.

via Engadget