14 DAY TRIAL // After Nintendo managed to build an entire console on the motion-sensing controller concept, it didn't take long before the competition wanted to cramp its style and get in on the market. Both Microsoft and Sony got to work on their own motion controllers, and, while Microsoft seems to have gotten pretty far along with its project, Sony is a little shyer in details. While it's true that it's a working title for Microsoft's gadget, Project Natal has become quite famous, with several elaborate showcasings and it even being nominated as one of the best inventions of 2009 by Time Magazine. As such, it's very likely that the controller will stick with this name.
But Sony's controller is a lot further behind, if not as development, then definitely as far as marketing goes. The motion controller never even received a working title, or if it did, it's an incredibly well-kept secret by the guys that are developing it. The controller is usually referred to as the Sony Wand, but that's a name it got stuck with, never one given by the company. But it seems like Sony does have a name for the weird-looking invention, and, while the announcement doesn't come from Sony itself, it does come from a pretty official source.
During the UBS 37th Annual Global Media Conference held yesterday, EA's boss, John Riccitiello, gave a name to the shape we all know. He said that, "In the coming year, both Sony and Microsoft have announced new controllers. Motion sensor controls, Natal and Gem, these are likely to bring new consumers into the marketplace." So, while Natal is obviously Microsoft's controller, the only way to interpret this statement is that Sony's unnamed controller is actually Gem.
Sony was quick to issue a "No official name for the PlayStation motion controller has been announced" statement, but, then again, the things that Sony does have to comment are few and far between. As far as Electronic Arts goes, it too stated that it could not confirm the accuracy of this statement. Of course, Riccitiello is the type of boss that cares little for protocol, so it would be no surprise if Gem does indeed have something to do with Sony's controller after all. Until then, the Wand shall be referred to as Gem from now on. So said the king, so it shall be done.