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The Public's First Look at Wii
isaacklinger writes "Time Magazine reports how it feels to play with the Wii. Overall it's a very enthusiastic review." From the Gamespot coverage: "Grossman traveled to Nintendo's headquarters in Kyoto, Japan, and was shown the Wii by legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. The reporter was especially impressed with the Wii's controller. 'It's part laser pointer and part motion sensor, so it knows where you're aiming it, when and how fast you move it and how far it is from the TV screen ... There's a strong whiff of voodoo about it.'" Update: 05/08 16:50 GMT by Z : Ran into a registration screen when I tried for the original article, but eldavojohn had more luck than I. The original Time article is available for reading.
It will be cheap to produce, have enough power to run games slightly more advanced than the Gamecube, those games will include a number of rehashed titles and the controler design is going to lead to an endless stream of "optional" attachments (somtimes bundled) to even play a big chunk of the new titles.
I don't mean to sound negative but I don't see Nintendo changing it's stripes any time soon...
You know what? Wii (we) are all going to gobble it up this time just like the last two systems.
I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way.
Mark Twain
Am I the only initial detractor who's actually getting used to the name? At first I thought it was awful, but it's sort of growing on me. And now that the press has gotten over the cheap jokes it looks like they're starting to take the device seriously as well. It may not be the best name in history, but now I don't think that the name is bad enough to sink the console, at least.
... and I'm probably going to run out and get this one. I have no idea how much I'll actually play it, but it looks too interesting to pass up.
Is anyone else worried that this system will just be too darn aerobic? It's not that I'm against moving around, but is that what we want from a video game system? The time article mentions that the reporter had to take off his jacket to play the system, and numerous E3 technicians have commented on the aerobic natures of the games playable at the expo. Why break down a barrier with the controller, only to raise another one by making people move around to play a game?
"Frankly, I enjoy the idea of the controller changing."
/incredibly/ awkward dual-stick control scheme.
You got that right. The controller is completely central to gameplay, and it has undergone essentially zero changes since the PS1, and only evolutionary changes since the original NES. One or more Dpads, optional analog sticks, and 2 or more buttons.
The controller defines what games you can play. I think we can all agree that Street Fighter 2 was a good game. But it was impossible to implement in any reasonble way on any machine except the SNES, because the SNES was the only machine with enough buttons.
I am really looking forward to FPS games on a console that doesn't use the
there is no need to sign your posts. this isn't usenet. your username is right there above your post. stop it.
And yeah, the article is well written and full of smart observations. One of my favorites:
I don't agree with Iwata on many things, but customers don't give you your vision. You present it to them, and they either buy it or they don't.
hand a dualshock to someone who hasn't played a lot of videogames and ask them to play Halo. It's incredibly awkward. You only think it's ok because you're used to it.
there is no need to sign your posts. this isn't usenet. your username is right there above your post. stop it.
I don't think the point is that we can adapt to it: nay, it is that we don't need to. Who here doesn't instinctivly lean when going through a sharp turn in a racing game, or make motions with their controler when playing any game? I know I'm guilty of it, and I think the fact that the Wii will actually respond to these sort of instinctive physical movements is just awesome.
No, Mr. Green. Communism is just a red herring.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
You know you've done it. You've sitting in front of your computer or console, playing a driving sim. Without thinking, you find yourself leaning into a turn as you try to hold your line.
You're playing a FPS when suddenly, a zombie/mutant/demon/something jumps from around the corner. You instinctively duck in your chair as you jerk your char out of the way and unload a few shots.
Potentially, Nintendo has created the most intuitive, natural interface with a video game since the joystick. Well, at least it is the first new video game interface since the joystick.
Personally, I hate console games. I get bored after minutes of play and haven't purchased one since the NES (yes, the first one). Even so, I think I'll likely be getting one of these. I'm not crazy enough to camp for one, but I can see buying one. Interesting interface > same crap with better resolution.
Have you forgotten who is making this device? This is Nintendo, the king of making robust pieces of technology that can withstand a beating. Everything I've had of theirs' has been crazy hard to break. Heck my old SNES still works fine, can anybody at all say the same thing about their old PS1?
Wii is the only true next-generation system, as it is the only one with a controller that allows next-generation gameplay. The other systems have lots of power but it is wasted on last-generation gameplay.
Wii also offers last-gen gameplay in the form of the classic download service, but for new games it's time to move on to next-gen gameplay.
The best part of the Time article:
It's a remarkable experience. Instead of passively playing the games, with the new controller you physically perform them. You act them out. It's almost like theater: the fourth wall between game and player dissolves. The sense of immersion-the illusion that you, personally, are projected into the game world-is powerful. And there's an instant party atmosphere in the room. One advantage of the new controller is that it not only is fun, it looks fun. When you play with an old-style controller, you look like a loser, a blank-eyed joystick fondler. But when you're jumping around and shaking your hulamaker, everybody's having a good time.
After getting a tate of next-generation gameplay, everything else seems old and busted.
You don't want to be a blank-eyed joystick fondler, do you?
Finally a company gets it. Do not listen to the hardcore audience as they have absolutly no basis in reality (they have likely spent more time in virtual reality than actual reality for last couple years). Hardcore gamers spend so much time playing games they really can't think outside of the "these games are too short and too easy for my leet skillz" box. Games do not need to be harder to play or interface with. Games just need to be fun. Swinging a virtual sword, pump faking a virtual football and swating a virtual fly all seem like fun to me. I will gladly trade the hardcore "games are not fun unless you WORK for the accomplishment" attitude for this "new" idea of having fun while I acutally "play" a video game.
Ves
Usually customers tell you their wants, not their needs.
Finding what the customer wants, really isn't that hard, despite the troubles some companies have at doing it.
Divining what the customer needs, as opposed to what he wants, is on a higher plane. It's all the more difficult because of the temptation to convince yourself that the customer really needs (as opposed to what he wants) just happens to be what you're ready to supply.
Finally, there's figuring out what the customer will need or want - let's face it, what the customer is ready to repeatedly plunk down $$$ for, when the customer doesn't currently realize that for himself and isn't asking.
The living have better things to do than to continue hating the dead.
I feel like people are overestimating what this Wii controller will be able to do.
I'm sure the Wii controller is going to be quite good and Nintendo will release some great games for it. But I don't think it's quite as revolutionary as it's being made out to seem.
First of all, a truly revolutionary control system would track your entire body. Secondly, it would likely require some kind of visual interface that makes you feel like you're there. Either that, or playing a game will be like a dream. You're convinced you're actually in the game world even though you're stationary. This Wii controller is one of many, many steps in that direction and it isn't like this sort of thing hasn't been done before in gaming.
Take a look at the gaming console produced by Xavix. The technology is different than what Nintendo is using but the applications are similar. I think all the games offered for that system are sports based, but it shows that the options for these kinds of devices are somewhat limited.
Traditional game controllers have done well for so long because they generally work well-enough for most kinds of games. The mouse/keyboard combination, while superb for FPS and strategy games has proven to be lacking in many other genres. It could be argued that the Wii's controller poses similar problems being somewhat closer in operation to a mouse than it is to a controller.
Another problem is that gaming is generally a sedentary experience. Not many people are going to be able to stand there waving their arms around for several hours straight. When using a keyboard and mouse we're supposed to keep our wrists in a neutral position, and here we have a device that requires we use our wrists in repetitive motions. Your range of motion is fairly limited, which means your entire arm has to move, which increases exhaustion. Hold a remote control in the air and you'll get a good sense of what's involved.
Excercise is a great thing; anything that encourages kids to work out is good. People are too sedentary. But keep in mind, most people who game for hours on end aren't necessarily looking to move around much. But it also get's a point where you might as well just go out and play sports for real if you need to move that much.
I think the Wii will be great for simple puzzle games, like those we've seen for the DS. Beyond that I think it will be an ideal fit for party games. It might provide the right kind of action and excitement people need to be encouraged to play. On the other hand, while providing a better control scheme it will still lose every to the precision and speed of a mouse in many genres.
Thats my ultimate problem. It's not that the controller is bad. I think it's great. I just think it's a bit too specialized and people seem to be overestimating what it can do. However, if Nintendo provides a more ubiquitous control option I think they wont have a problem.
To those who are skeptical about the controller changing must not have been involved with games too long. I remember the first time I was shown the 'wasd' keyboard layout. This seemed awkward to me considering I had been playing with the arrow keys for so long. However when an arrow key guy came across a wasd+mouse combo he didnt stand a chance. I got to see and participate in this standard changing the face of first person shooters. Now it has become a standard and everyone knows no different (save a few non-gamers). But I see the same thing coming with the Wii controller. If it is done properly in 5 years we all might be wondering how we played games with a standard controller (at least certain type of games).
I'm not much of a gamer. I find that new games look great but they're annoying to play because the controls seem to be so hard. I always liked Nintendo. I have a NES and a SNES. I got a playstation 2 now and I hardly ever play it. Even games like Grand Theft Auto leave me feeling frustrated. When I sit down to play a game, I want to be able to play it straight away. I want to play it for maybe an hour and then do something else. I spend enough time in front of a computer, trying to figure things out with college stuff that I don't want to do it when I'm trying to relax.
The wand thing sounds a little strange but it sounds fun too. If I get another console, I'll probably get a Wii instead of a PS3 or GameCube. Computer games that are fun! Who'd have thunk it?
I hate the GC's grooves. They are bent the wrong way, in my opinion, and when playing games like Zelda and Metroid where you have to hold down the L or R button for long periods of time, it causes much pain in my fingers.
the GC comment was more aimed at the parent post then you.
I agree that the Wii-mote looks interesting, I'm trying not to pass judgment until I get a chance to spend a few hours with the thing but I'm skeptical at best. Having used controllers with similar ideas in the past (SideWinder Freestyle, Essential Reality P5 glove) the motion sensing is either too inaccurate and buggy (like the P5) or too accurate to use (like the Freestyle). In all cases having to keep your arms afloat instead of resting on your lap can be tiresome. As a fan of shooting games at the arcade Your arms can get very tired very fast holding the gun in the air in front of you. In fact most games like that provide short 10 second breaks every 30 to 60 seconds of gameplay to provide your arms with a break.
In most cases Wii-mote type controller in the past have made interesting conversation pieces but little else. If anyone can pull it off well Nintendo can... but thinking about how I come home from a long day at work followed by a few hours at the gym, slump down and snuggle into my couch with a cool drink at arms reach and play for hours using little more then my thumbs and first finger, the idea of having to sit up or stand and waving my arms in the air doesn't seem all that appetizing past impressing people when I hold parties.
Collector's Edition
During the first performance of Igor Stravinksy's ballet, Rite Of Spring, there was a riot.