Sony at its E3 presentation today showed an early prototype for a new motion controller for the PlayStation 3. The device uses a combination of an Eye cam and an illuminated sphere to track the wand-shaped device in 3D space. Like the Wii's MotionPlus add-on, it's accurate "within millimeters" and can recognize distance, orientation, rotation and other characteristics. Since it works with a camera, however, it can be used to overlay objects in the real world, such as the player's weapon.

The peripheral changes colors depending on the context and can let gamers know when it's okay to perform a given action.

Few details are available about the finished product, though unlike Microsoft's Project Natal, Sony has a more definitive release window and plans to ship the PS3 motion controller in spring 2010.