Sony Trademarks Rumored Motion Controller Name 'Arc' In Japan

EA CEO John Riccitiello may have thought Sony's PS3 motion controller would be called the "Gem," but a trademark filed in Japan suggests that another name being batted about may have won out after all. So despite efforts by GDC to limit hardware announcements, don't be surprised if you hear Sony call their device an "Arc" during their demonstration later this month.

The Japanese PlayStation Arc trademark was accompanied by a couple of other unrelated concepts, according to Siliconera. Until it's official, there's a lingering possibility that Sony could just be covering its bases to prevent anyone from grabbing the name, but given the timing of the filing, my gut tells me they've made their decision.

Besides, who are we kidding here? If the choice was between "Arc" and "Gem," they clearly waffled between an implicitly action-oriented title that would have more appeal to a hardcore crowd and a name that associates the controller with puzzle and casual games. One name implies a strand of energy connecting two points, and the other sounds like a rare stone that will be shipped off somewhere to be used for jewelry. If Sony wants to cater to its base, Arc seems like the clear choice.

Which name should Sony choose for its PS3 motion controller? Do think they've settled on Arc? Share your reactions in the comment section below.