Tilting Out of Control: Spicing Up the Mediocre Sixaxis Controller

Being the powerhouse of this generation of gaming, it’s a shame that the PS3 has rarely gotten to show off just what it can do. Most notably, its limited amount of uses for the Sixaxis motion sensor. With a few gimmicks and a couple of games developed specifically for the device, it seems that the motion sensitive addition is misused. That said, here are a few ways to make the Sixaxis seem less like a ploy and put a bit more “motion in the ocean.”

#1. No more last minute add-ons!

Essentially, what seems to happen with a lot of games on the PS3 is developers think, “Hey, you know what we haven’t used yet?” The problem with this is it creates a feeling of mediocrity and is generally not well put together. Thus, the player feels frustrated as they violently tilt the controller, begging it to do what they want. It’s the essential rule of “just because it’s there, doesn’t mean you have to use it.” While this may seem a bit counterproductive towards the inevitable point, it will allow creators to think differently about the device rather than randomly adding it as an afterthought.

#2. Take a hint from Folklore!

One of the few games released for the PS3 that has utilized the motion controls without getting in the way of gameplay is Folklore. Making good use of the Sixaxis to beat down creepy creatures and rip out their souls gave Folklore a truly unique feel. A sequel to the game would likely bring a similarly distinctive style along with correct use of the Sixaxis. However, turning single games into a series has created a pattern of mediocrity in recent years. Rather than just making a second game, why don’t developers take a cue from the original game’s creativity?

#3. Exclusive titles, please!

Weird, right? Who would think that making games specifically for a system could take advantage of that system’s control scheme! In reality, the major problem with the Sixaxis frequently stems from the fact that the game just wasn’t made with the device in mind. To remedy that issue, as well as the dilemma of the system’s lack of exclusive titles: simply make more games that are exclusive for the PS3. While this suggestion may be the most obvious solution, it is sometimes the simple ideas that work best.

Sony seems to be attempting a “jack of all trades” approach with its newest generation and it is costing them. With a little more thought and development, the Sixaxis could be put to some truly innovative and interesting uses. For now, however, it is either a hindrance to gameplay or a quirky, not quite pivotal, addition to most of the games in the PS3‘s library. Oh well, at least everyone can still enjoy playing Super Rub ‘a’ Dub.