Motion control has generated a level a hatred on here, and among some said "hardcore" gamers.  Such individuals believe their gaming life starts and stops with the joypad controllers, or possibly an add-on steering wheel or maybe Guitar controller.  Well, I want to speak in defense of motion control here as something that is good.  I am speaking more of how it COULD be implemented, rather than maybe the hit and miss we see today.

We are faced with a need to be able to create immersive environments that feel natural to play in.  We also would want to have new play experiences that entertain.  What I do see, if we get stuck with joypad controllers with the XBox 360 or PS3, is a limit in what actions can be performed by players.  Also, certain types of actions, without motion control, aren't as immersive.  Take, for example sword fighting.  I understand maybe core gamers are happy mashing a button to sword fight, but what about doing realistic combos?  Do we want to have to force people to memorize the sequence of hitting 5 buttons that resembles nothing like what your character on the screen peformed?  And how about the likes of doing a game like bowling?  Fine, you say that bowling sucks, and why not just go out and bowl for real.  Well, why don't we also do paintball in real life to? 

Another argument would be, "Well, why don't we just buy accessories to do games of choice?"  Do we want to keep adding $30+ to each cost of every game out there that could benefit from motion control?  Having controllers that can map to human movement and interpret it correctly, is a plus in my book.  It opens up so much more, while keeping costs to play down.  And, in my mind, this is a reason why motion control is a good thing.  Does every game need it?  No.  But I say that a number of games we can play become possible with motion control.

Anyone up for Guitar Hero with a joypad controller? 

Of course motion controls are good. Infact they are more advance than Standered controllers. The pointer is better than duel anolgue. Doing hand gestures in for fighting is more fun than regualr buttons. Heck wait until we get a lightsabar game with Motion plus. It'll be like your really swinging that controller.

It _could_ be good yes. It could be just another way to input commands alongside with buttons and the analog stick. Doing all that in an ergonomic fashion isn't easy though as evidenced by all the solutions thus far.

Just a nitpick but the problem with your additional cost example is that there are already plenty of games that use motion controls that still require additional gear for that 'immersion' effect. Guitar Hero and Rock Band are not going to be use the Wiimote or SONY Arc or Natal effectively. Or anyone who uses the 'real' equipment will blow them away.

@killeryoshis,

I have to say I disagree with the notion that the pointer trumps the controller in all cases. Fact is, keyboard shortcuts are faster than the mouse and the d-pad/analog is more accurate and stable than the wiimote.

I'm of the opinion that games such as Guitar Hero would appeal more to the casuals anyway because two factor are very familiar with the casuals: the selection of music and a guitar shaped controller.  Looks at it like this.  I also think motion controls are good because they help expand gaming.  But where were all those casual/non-gamers before the Wii came out?  Controls that mimic what's in real life are more familiar to the casual/non-gamer.  And remember Gitaroo Man from KOEI for the PS2?  That was a niche hardcore music game that worked VERY well with a Dual Shock 2 controller.

Here's the part I don't understand:

How come these threads didn't exist before project natal/sony's wand were introduced? How come everyone who is standing up for motion controls now used to bash the Wii based on that exact reason? I used to hear so much negativity from HD fans towards the wiimote and the general approach nintendo was taking to this generation. Boom E3 2009 happens and the entire world loves motion controls.

I think anything that adds to the genre is good! Other people (the ladies...) will get into it and that benefits us all. Just remember, innovation isn't mutually exclusive.. innovation breeds innovation!

Guitar Hero/Rock Band players are some of the most hard core players i've ever seen (just shy of us old timer 10 year EQ vets). I've seen people play through an impossible song in extreme mode blind folded with 100% notes hit. That takes dedication. Plenty of casuals play these games, but they don't play them for long.

By no means I'm saying that hardcore gamer will not like these games.  I say this because hardcore gamers will appreciate and recognize a quality game of all sorts.  I'm just stating that casuals will gravitate more towards something familiar in real life such as pop culture and a guitar instead of inputing a series of commands with a control pad to unfamiliar tunes of an anime style game such as Gitaroo Man.  Hardcore gamers on the other hand will give both game a fair shake when given the opportunity.

I don't like the idea of having to move my arms around, I'm lazy and I just want to push buttons and that's it.

Thumbs and fingers moving is enough for me.

multiplayer porn games can be fun now.

iam really surprised no one has made a waggle porn game yet.