Blaze ‘Wiimote’ for PS3 could beat Sony to the motion sensitive controller punch

Sony might want to pull the lead out with European video game accessory maker, Blaze, announcing its very own motion-sensing controller for the PS3. The Blaze PS3 Motion Freedom Controller sports more than a passing resemblance to a Wiimote and promises to bring Wii-like motion sensing capabilities to any PS3.

It boasts most of the controls found on a regular PS3 controller, including a directional D-pad, analogue stick and the full complement of buttons. Blaze says its controller employs, “the latest motion sensing technology,” but not having read my latest Motion Sensing Technology Weekly it’s unclear whether that means accelerometers, infrared bars, or some other method.

It’s also unclear how the Blaze controller will integrate with PS3 games, but the company claims it will “allow you to interact and become one with the hottest PS3 sporting and action title’” such as Sega Tennis and Tiger Woods Golf.

Blaze says its controller has been “ergonomically designed from the ground up,” but it’s hard not to think the design process involved a few sessions in front of a Wii given the appearance of the device. Still, they say imitation is the greatest form of flattery so, presumably, Nintendo is taking the design of the Blaze controller as a complement.

There’s no news on a release date or pricing for the Blaze PS3 Motion Freedom Controller, but there’s every chance it will be before the planned second quarter 2010 date Sony has penned in for the release of its own motion sensitive PS3 controller.

Blaze via engadget