Sony to launch PS3 motion controller in spring 2010

Sony made this announcement at the Tokyo Game Show but the company has yet not divulged any price details.

Unveiling details about the new game console, Sony Computer Entertainment chairman and group CEO, Kaz Hirai, said, “Game consoles and networks are now inseparable in the eyes of the users.”

He added that the company is interested in tapping 3-D displays for videogames, and would soon “push forward” with 3-D displays on PlayStation.

Improvement over Nintendo’s Wii game console
Like Nintendo’s motion-sensing Wii, Sony’s version will be able to sense position, distance and movement of two hand-held controllers.

But Sony’s new game console will also be able to detect player's face, voice and body motion and show the player's image onto the TV screen.

"The newly announced Motion Controller is equipped with two motion sensors, three axes gyroscope and three axes accelerometer that can detect the controller's angle and movement held in the user's hand," Sony said in a release.

"Together with the PlayStation Eye camera for PS3 which can accurately track the absolute position of the controller, the controller can detect the natural and intuitive movement of the hand and reflect the precise movement on to the game."

Sony will also launch a number of titles, which include a new Ape Escape title and Echochrome 2, plus improved versions of Flower for its Motion Controller PS3.

Sony records increase in sales
Further, Sony has also reported a rise in sales of the PlayStation 3 video game console. The sales have increased after Sony announced a price cut to counter plummeting sale amid economic slowdown.

Sony had reduced the price of PlayStation 3 by 25 percent to $300 last month. As a result, its sales crossed the 1 million mark in the three weeks following the price cut.

"We are up about 300 percent over where we were pre-price drop,” said Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment of America. "We are up significantly versus last year."

He further added that an increase in demand could leave some retailers out of stock.

"If things continue at this pace, it is conceivable that there will be product shortages," Tretton said.

Sony is expecting to sell 13 million game consoles by the end of its fiscal year in March, up from 10.06 million units sold in previous financial year.