I have to say, Sony is clueless when it comes to the practicality of their new motion-sensing functionality in the PS3 controller. Yeah, flying an airplane by leaning the controller every which way is a unique experience in concept, but it will fail in execution. Not that it’s a last-minute addition, and that developers will be slow to properly adapt the functionality.

So I hear readers’ collective gasps, “why?” I’ll tell you.

Contrary to popular belief, gamers are not lazy, they play lazy. How many of us prefer console versions of titles rather than PC versions, for the plain fact that we can play while sitting on the couch? Yes, if we can confirm one thing it’s that furniture to a gamer is just as important as the games themselves. A comfy couch or recliner is an essential piece of the overall experience. And with that comfort comes poor posture, playing games in ranging positions. And the wireless Xbox 360 controller has jaded us toward all other gaming experiences that came before it because it gives us that flexibility in positioning. The Wavebird almost as much, except we have to still get up to turn on and off the console.

Do you see where I’m going with this? I would assume the PS3 controller has some sort of calibration mechanism to it, but that does not accomodate for frequent repositioning while gaming. It would require a gamer to be in a single position during a gaming experience. Now, this same type of controller was released by Microsoft for the PC years ago, and it would work for that platform because PC gamers are usually in a set posture – feet on the floor, face forward, back straight. Office chairs don’t usually allow for the range in motion that couches do. In addition, a smaller display, and the use of a mouse and keyboard keeps the gamer focused in a single position.

Now I don’t see this same theory applying to the Wii, because that is a completely different beast. The Wii will force gamers to rethink how they play games. It will be a big hit with kids and non-gaming adults to get on their feet and wave the remote – as a matter of fact, the experience will be severely dimished if gamers maintain the conventional postures and positions. It is not meant to be played stationary, it will encourage whole-body movement by its very nature. It has been designed with this experience as its foundation.

The PS3 has retrofitted this functionality, and it will show. Gamers will not accept it aside from some niche titles, like Super Monkey Ball. It is a gameplay mechanic that is fundamentally different from that which the console was created. That means, the gamer will be fighting with two drastically different concepts, and this clash will bury it in obscurity. It will be the new R.O.B. for the 21st century.

Not to offend any young readers, but this reminds me of an old saying – “shit or get off the pot.” Sony needs to decide what they want to do.