the next xbox and the ps4 will have basically improved wii controls. but the wii 2 will have virtual reality.

I think they will all have some form of motion control (they may do so BEFORE the next-generation..).

The real question I think is the SHAPE of the controller.

I love the Wiimote "feeling" like a remote - I think this is the real key behind the success of the Wii. If the Wiimote was shaped like a GC controller/wavebird, non-gamers still wouldn't touch it.

Will MS/Sony have the gall (balls?) to dump their established controller shapes, and go with something simpler like the Wiimote?

...

I don't think the "camera" solution works that well re: games (i.e. eyetoy). Its great for certain types of games, but this is a much smaller subset that the Wiimote has. Plus one of the nice things about the Wiimote, is the way they made it easy to plug peripherals in.

Camera:

 - no buttons
 - no feedback/rumble
 - no dpad / analog stick
 - no visual indicator in your hand
 - no sound (i.e. Wiimote speaker)

Imagine playing WiiSports Tennis - without holding the tennis racket. I would feel like an idiot... :P

 and you dont swinging a chunk of plastic around? I feel like an idiot playing any game on the Wii. Not saying that its not fun but you do look stupid. Also the PS Eye has a (actually 4)microphone(s), does the WiiMote have one no?

I cant find the link but there was this one camera game that was demoed, they used a fighting game, it was based on motion and sound to do attacks. Like the ultamite attack you basically swung your arms around while screaming to charge up and then the guy kicked his opponent across the whole map into the ocean/lake area. It was funny as hell but looked fun. 

OK, so flailing your arms with the Wii makes you look stupid, but swinging your arms and screaming on a PS3 is not? 

And yet waving a remote around as a racket makes perfect sense to you?  Odd...

Anyway, nobody is stopping the Playstation Eye being used with a controller as well. The Wiimote already lacks good buttons.

Also, the Playstation Eye will have a great mic that doesn't require you to hold anything. 

im not talking aobut the PS Eye its actually a full motio capture camera thing with 3 different cams and a mic. But I'm not saying that either way it looks great to do. I'm saying that it would be more fun using your whole body instead just using a motion sensing pointer (basically).

 Generally I agree, although I'm not sure we're there yet. We'll see. As with the original Eyetoy, the problem isn't that the idea isn't good (it is), or that the future isn't bright for the concept (it is), just that the motion capture is still limited enough to prohibit an extensive array of games that functions effectively with the machine. We'll see if this new iteration solves the problems, but I doubt it -- I think we're still 10+ years away from such technology really reaching mass market functionality. 

Yes, but it needs to be more accurate, especially being able to detect 3D location exact. MS and Sony are probably gonna go for integrating it with their standard controller which will flop if they do. They have to design a completely new controller.

 Also I'm surprised nobody has gone 3D yet, as in 3D-glasses. At least as a pheripal, cause I would buy it.

You guys keep talking about "flailing your arms around" with the Wii Remote.  Can I ask: What the hell game are you playing?

I think the next gen may see more accurate motion controls.  Some way of improving the sensor bar, maybe putting sensors at each corner of your screen, or a way to calibrate for different-sized TVs.  The sensor bar is what allows pointer functionality, but its weakness is that it doesn't know how big your TV is. 

All systems will somehow support it. Where 'next-Nintendo' will have the best i.m.h.o... Cause they have lots of patents and have experience with the stuff with Wii (and in less way with DS).