Announced at E3 2009 and shown off as a technology demo during the Sony keynote, the PS3 Motion Controller will bring 1:1 motion control to the PlayStation 3. The images shown (hat tip to Engadget and Joystiq) are likely not the final version of the physical form factor of the controller, but the functionality shown off in the demo looked quite impressively precise. The PlayStation Eye camera handles communication with the wand-like controller, turning the wand into any number of virtual devices (tennis racket, spray paint can, gun, etc.) with impressively accurate tracking.

At the Tokyo Game Show on September 23rd, 2009, Sony confirmed that the motion controller will launch in Spring of 2010. Bigwig Kaz Hirai also said that it will satisfy the stringent requirements hardcore gamers. Sony also showed the first press shots of the device, which you can see in our gallery courtesy of Joystiq.

In December of 2009, Electronic Arts bigwig John Riccitiello called the Sony PS3 Motion Controller "Gem." When asked, Sony confirmed that Gem is an early codename for the device, but that it may not be the final name. Still, it has a nicer ring to it than "Sony PS3 Motion Controller," so we're gonna run with it, okay?