Change is Here to Stay

Gaming has never stood still. From the Atari to the NES to the current generation of HD and motion controls with the PS3, 360, and Wii. No doubt, we've seen many improvements over the years. There have been skeptics hanging around for just about all of these, and now there are arguably more than ever in a time when gaming is experimenting with potentially a way that will change the future of how we play altogether.

First, let's take a history lesson. When gaming had the technology to expand past its 2D, side scrolling roots, many people believed it wasn't going to work. The graphics were too muddy. The use of an analog stick was also questioned by some, for not much of a reason other than because it was something they weren't used to. I think by now we all know these changes were for the best of gaming. One of the changes that also came during this time period was rumble. Many people looked at vibrating controllers as a big gimmick, but today it has become a standard for controllers.

Online play was frowned upon by some because they didn't care about playing with anyone aside from friends in the same room as them. Of course, online gaming makes playing with friends from far away much easier, and also has given us a lot of options that split-screen wouldn't have been able to achieve. The Nintendo DS was the first to really take a hold of the touch screen concept in video games, and look where that has gone. The gimmick became a handheld favorite, and big enough to spawn a sequel (the 3DS) and inspire many gaming apps for the iPhone/iPod Touch.

I think it's safe to say that with now over 70 million units sold worldwide, motion control isn't going anywhere. To some gamers, they would like to write this off as a gimmick and move on after this generation, and they do have a bit of a right to complain. The Wii hasn't exactly been the most “hardcore” friendly console, with the majority of games being mini-game collections, shovelware, or fitness titles. This doesn't mean motion control doesn't have a possibility of being for all kinds of games. Look at the recent release of Red Steel 2. It incorporates precise motion control into an action game that would be good on any console.

Plus, I don't think standard controllers will be completely thrown out of the door. Whether we have at least one console down the road that still has a gamepad as the main focus, or we at least have it as an alternative option, there's no need to worry if you like the current control scheme of gaming.

We also have to see where 3D gaming takes us. Not the 3D that was introduced back in the 90s, but the 3D with zombies popping out of the screen at you. We don't have a very good idea on how well it will look, and not every attempt at change is a success (see Virtual Boy and the HD-DVD). So with Sony taking the step forward, and Nintendo following with the announcement of the 3DS, we just have to wait and see what direction this takes us.

With E3 just a day away, we're sure to see more info on 3D, along with the other motion control devices, Microsoft's Natal and Sony's Move. While these are late to the party and won't be particularly revolutionary, they could play a vital role in shaping the generations to come. Even if you're not a fan of motion controlled gaming, you can't hold back. Gaming is going to progress whether we like it or not. And hey, this is one step closer to Virtual Reality.

Logan Smithson, Noobfeed