We learned that Nintendo Wii started a trend in innovating controllers and may soon be behind the curve, but alas the Wii is still fun so Who Cares… Wait we all should care, others innovation means we all win.

Microsoft an innovator in its own right with its Xbox Live services is entering the area of inter active “controllers” with what it dubs as “Project Natal,” pronounced “nuh-tall” and a code name for a revolutionary new way to play, no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips or speak, you and your friends can jump into the fun. The only experience needed is life experience.

Compatible with any Xbox 360 system, the “Project Natal” sensor is the world’s first to combine an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software all in one device. Unlike 2-D cameras and controllers, “Project Natal” tracks your full body movement in 3-D, while responding to commands, directions and even a shift of emotion in your voice.

In addition, unlike other devices, the “Project Natal” sensor is not light-dependent. It can recognize you just by looking at your face, and it doesn’t just react to key words but understands what you’re saying. Call a play in a football game, and players will actually respond. Want to log onto Xbox LIVE? Simply step in front of the sensor.

“The next step in interactive entertainment is to make the controller disappear,” said Steven Spielberg, visionary director and producer. “With ‘Project Natal,’ we’ll see games that bring everyone together through technology that actually recognizes us.”

If it were not for Nintendo and its revolutionary Wii Remote, would Microsoft had developed Project Natal? We may never really know the answer to that for sure, but as a consumer I think no matter what the Nintendo Wii helped usher this in to end users sooner.

Not ones to stop there Microsoft is also improving its entertainment component to its Xbox Live series with on demand, instant on 1080p movies and TV shows.  While the Nintendo Wii is clearly the winner in all around family fun, Microsoft is kicking it up a notch and I for one am thankful.

Sony is not one to be left out of the race is also introducing new control mechanisms to its PSP and PLAYSTATION 3 entertainment systems.  The new PLAYSTAION 3 Motion controller is designed to work in conjunction with the PlayStation Eye, with the wand overlaid on-screen with a weapon or tool. Unlike Microsoft's Project Natal, Sony says they've learned "some experiences need buttons," which is why there's still a controller involved. The system is said to be "sub-millimeter" precise, and it was demoed drawing and playing a shooter -- it's sort of the middle ground between Natal and Wii Motion Plus. Sony says it'll launch in the spring of 2010.

Maybe the least innovative, but like most things Sony this generation it’s a middle ground that will most likely work well long term so as a consumer that is a welcome change.

Though we expect to see yet newer versions of the Wii Remote/Wii Remote Motion Plus, and the Project Natal platform, they are true innovations that we as gamers should embrace and enjoy.

What of the games? What games are being developed for these new controllers?

That is a simple question with a complex answer, in short besides sports and fitness games we just don’t know what is being developed to use the new “controllers.” We do know that Microsoft has Milo and Kate in development by Lionhead Studios, we also know there have been demo’s of Burnout and a handball game. The Wii Motion Plus Controller add on has three games coming out in June, Virtua Tennis 2009, Grand Slam Tennis, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, and in July you can look forward to Nintendo’s own Wii Sports Resort. As for Sony the only thing we know for sure is that there new controller will be out spring 2010. As developers have more time with the developer’s kits, we will see more third party game announcements.

One of the fears about all this new technology is the focus on the casual gamer; there are worries that substance will be lost to gain a wider audience. While this may be true that more content will be developed and more of it will be geared towards the “casual” gamer, studio heads won’t forgot who got them there nice office, and big house the so called “hard core” gamer. With that in mind we will see after some time, remember good titles take time, some of our favorite games and new intellectual property being developed to take advantage of the new control mechanisms.

On a lighter not as controls become more innovative and more fun, gamers can focus more about being in the game then what buttons they are meshing, when things start to come together we get to enjoy the experience at levels never dreamed of before.

We may be inching closer to a day where we are literally pulled into the game holodeck style but let’s enjoy this ride while we march forward.