Move.me

The Move.me is a software application for the PS3, the Move controllers serve as an input device which work alongside the PlayStation Eye controller and a PC, it uses the PlayStation Move technology to create innovative and unique applications that could be used universally for all manor of different things. The software was not just created for programming hobbyists and specialists but also for the use of Students, Instructors and researchers who can make something with the software. To use the software you need a PS3 system, a PlayStation Move controller, a PlayStation Eye Camera and a PC.

Some of uses for the software that have been mentioned are aids to fitness as well as sports and training, Physical therapy, IT education within schools, teaching aids, games, music, art etc. however the possibilities for this software and technology are endless.

When given a chance to test out the Move.me I was limited to what you are given when the program starts up, which is what the camera is picking up and the controller is replaces with a sword on the screen. While this did give me a very good example of the accuracy and responsiveness of the Move controller technology there was nothing more I could do to it or get out of it. In order to be able to make anything, an understanding of programming is needed and I am not a programmer.

At the moment the Move.me is very vague, there are no real guidelines and looking into making something usable is a very daunting task for someone who doesn’t have the knowledge to do so. The key issue is to make it more accessible, to create some form of interface that the person using the software can use to begin creating. For example programs like UDK the Unreal Development kit, it allows the user to make levels for games and whole games if they wish and all the coding is already there so all they have to do is tell the program what they want to do by clicking a few buttons and dragging geometry into place. Another program would be Stencyl which I a program that allows you to create iOS and Flash games without all the coding. You tell it what you want it to do and it does the coding part for you if you want it to, there is the option to input it yourself if needed or wanted. This could open up the software to many people and would be a brilliant opportunity for students to create games or programs that could use Move controllers as part of their University work, or even used in schools as part of IT lessons.

Using this technology for Medical treatments such as Physical Therapy. A large problem, which I myself have experienced, is the motivation to do exercises that are sett for patients to do to aid in their recovery, especially with children and young people. If physical therapy is made into some kind of interactive game that makes it fun and immersive it won’t seem like a core but rather something that they would want to do rather than something they have to do.

If the Move.me is to be as successful as it could be it needs to be integrated into other fields not just gaming, as it stands people might be put off by it if they associate it with video games. A lot of people still see the games industry as a negative thing and as having negative affects on young people but I think if it is advertised more to other areas such as medical practices or schools it could be massively successful.