Sony said it would postpone the launch of a motion controller for its PlayStation 3 to the autumn of 2010 from this spring, marking the second delay of a major product release in as many weeks.

Sony said it would release its Motion Controller (tentative name) for PS3 in fall 2010 in Japan, Asian regions and countries, North America and Europe/PAL territories together with a new line-up of exciting software titles. The new controller, combined together with the PlayStation Eye camera (Users will need to use the PlayStation Eye camera to enjoy Motion Controller on PS3), can detect the natural and intuitive movement of the hand and reflect the precise movement within the game.

"We have decided to release the Motion Controller in fall 2010 when we will be able to offer an exciting and varied line-up of software titles that will deliver the new entertainment experience to PS3 users, " said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "We will continue to work to have a comprehensive portfolio of attractive and innovative games for the Motion Controller, not only from SCE Worldwide Studios but also from the third party developers and publishers, whom we have been working closely with. We look forward to soon unveiling the exciting software line-up that further expand and define the PS3 platform as the ultimate entertainment system for the home."

SCE pans to vigorously promote the Motion Controller as the de facto controller of the PS3 platform along with the DUALSHOCK series controller.

The new controller would likely give Sony more of an edge in competition with Nintendo's Wii game machine, which features a controller that allows users to direct onscreen play.

Microsoft is also planning to launch its controller-less game system "Project Natal" by this year's holiday season. Natal, combines a camera, depth sensor, microphone and processor and eliminates the need for any button-mashing device.