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Fils-Aime: MotionPlus Wasn't an Afterthought
When Nintendo announced the Wii MotionPlus peripheral earlier this year, many wondered why the company didn't include the superior gyroscopic technology in the Wii controller in the first place.
Turns out the tech was too expensive when the Wii launched in 2006.
Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime explained the situation in a VentureBeat interview, stating, "We were aware of that technology (the gryoscopic chips made by Invensense) at the time we designed the original Wii.
"But the cost would have been too high for the business model. It would have been unacceptable."
He said Nintendo waited about three years until the costs came down to a manageable point.
Nintendo has yet to announce a retail price for the MotionPlus, but Nintendo chief Satoru Iwata said in August, "...The cost of making the Wii Motion Plus is not that much, so I think we can make it very affordable."
Fils-Aime also talked about cutting-edge controls that utilize depth cameras, saying that at this time, such tech "is not at a point where there’s a consumer proposition."
Sounds reasonable.
This is quite a nice conversation and oh my, more mature than what we can see on other sites.
See I work in the game industry and from a developer stand point; the Wii MotionPlus is in fact what Nintendo promised in the first place. After prototyping countless gameplays based on what we were told, we realised that we couldn't deliver many of our ideas. At the end, we still managed to do interesting mechanics, but they somehow feel pale compare to what we first had in mind. If the specs for the MotionPlus are true, most of these ideas would've been possible.
From a customer perspective, it's far from being shiny as well. We bought the Wii, and then got to get the secure wrist strap. Later we had to get the latex jacket for the remote. Now, we have to get the MotionPlus, which will cause another size of latex jacket to get a grab on. This is far from being convenient. I can understand that for let's say the WiiSpeak, the Wii BalanceBoard or the Classic controller that it's alright to go into the steps of actually getting them in order to play games that are specifically made for them. But we are talking about the main controller here and I think this is unacceptable.
Why not just create a brand new Wii MotionPlus remote instead of the attachment? This would at least give the opportunity to offer something slicker and also the opportunity to offer rechargeable batteries. Let's be honest here, the Remote cost a lot of money in batteries. 3rd party alternatives aren't reliable at all and regular rechargeable batteries make you feel like you are always recharging them and last for less than two hours.
While trying to appeal to the largest possible audience, Nintendo seems to be missing the point in some areas. Most developers are gamers and in order to create the best games (no matter what audience is targeted), these pals and gals have to be motivated by the tools they have at their disposal to be stimulated and above all passionate. On the other side; getting granny and grandpa to get their hands on a game console is one thing, getting them to buy all the accessories, is another more complex one. These people might never hear about the MotionPlus.
Don’t get me wrong, I have no issues against the Big N. I just don’t know what to think about them anymore; both from a developer and a customer point of view. Maybe it’s just me. While I bought a 42’ inch tv to plug my PS3, I’m not wiling to spit 10 bucks on the Wii MotionPlus… how weird is that? My wonder is... was it that expensive 2 years ago. I think not. If the Wii would've been selling for what? 20$ more? Not that much of a deal! Also, let us not forget that this (maybe on a smaller scale) has already been seen in GBA games such as Wario Ware Twisted and Yoshi Topsy Turvy.
I agree with your post in general, except a points:
"We bought the Wii, and then got to get the secure wrist strap. Later we had to get the latex jacket for the remote. Now, we have to get the MotionPlus."
In fact, you HAD to get none of that. My brother has 4 Wiimotes, no wristbands, no jackets, nothing. I got the jackets, but not the wristband upgrade. Our Wiis still work just fine without any of that. And, even if you did choose to get these items, Nintendo offered them up for free. As for the motion-plus, again, if you don't want it, don't get it. You say "This is far from being convenient," but it's as convinient as you want to make it. If you don't want any of these Wiimote upgrades, don't get them. What could be more convinient then that? It's all about choices.
"Why not just create a brand new Wii MotionPlus remote instead of the attachment?"
What are people more inclined to buy, a control add-on for...say..... $10 or a whole new controller with said add-on for $40? And, if I have 4 Wiimotes and want to make the upgrade, that makes the price difference $40 vs. $120. That's a fair chunk of change. and then, what do you do with previous Wiimotes you just bought replacements for? If Nintendo is smart, they will most likely offer both, the add-on, and a Wiimote/add-on packaged together. That way you can buy whatever configuration best suits your needs/budget. Again, it's all about choices.
"While I bought a 42’ inch tv to plug my PS3, I’m not wiling to spit 10 bucks on the Wii MotionPlus… how weird is that? "
Just seems that a hi-def gaming experience is more important to you then a more accurate control scheme, nothing wrong with that. Each person has their own priorities when gaming.
Ozzy,
All good points except for one. You say if you don't want it don't get it, how convenient is that? (paraphrasing). I totally agree, I'm glad the 360 offers options as well. The only problem with that is that there will be games that ONLY work with the new wii-motion plus. Kinda like having to buy that additional ram pack thing for the N64, as some games didn't work without it. That is a huge inconvenience if you want to buy some game you're excited about but have to pony up the extra dough for the required add-on. That is inconvenient. Nintendo is good at making money though...
I stand midway between both your points. While I'm not a developer (I'm a game design student), I do think the functionality should have been present in the Wii Remote from the beginning, as Sim Grave suggested. Even two years ago, paying $20 extra for an extra controller would have been "okay" by me. I personally think the Wii Remote, as it is, is choppy and I do not like many of the games that rely heavily on its motion technology.
I do think I understand Fils-Aime's point, though, about the pricing. But I honestly don't think it would have been much an issue. I think, with enough hype, they could have convinced anyone to pay the additional $20.
As it stands, I do think they should offer the upgrades and then update additional Wii Remotes with the technology already installed.
I do understand why Sim Grave wouldn't feel inclined to buy one, though. Nintendo is getting ridiculous with its peripheral scheme. They should have had the technology already incorporated.
As successful as the Wii is, though, I do think, given the controller scheme, it must be a nightmare to develop for. Especially since the only controller you could develop for is the Wii Remote and Nunchuck in order to appeal to the widest demographic. Not everyone has the other controllers. Nor do I think everyone will have the Motion Plus, either.
Well there is also the possibility no one on this thread seems to have thought about yet, that nintendo could have launched with the motion+ built in and subsidsed the stupid thing. The PS3 did it, it still costs less than an actual Blu Ray player and you get a game console and all that memory aswell.
And i still stick by the need for a right analog stick. For FPS's you could turn the camera properly and still aim within that using the lighgun. And the console would have been so much better, a really viable alternative to harcore gamers aswell as all these stinking noobs who can't move and turn a camera at once lol.
P.S. where are you doing the game design course? I want to go on one of these courses but it's terrifying hearing of all the crappy ones that waste 2 years of your life.
People are referring to this as the way the wii should have been when it launched... but would that really have worked? and is the wii motion plus actually a great idea?
Surely a good amount of the wii's success is the pick up and play ability of the controller, with a very small learning curve. If when playing wii tennis youd actually have to have hit the ball with the pad angled correctly, instead of just swining at the right time, would it have has the same appeal to the masses?
Im sure wii motion plus will make for some interesting stuff, swordplay being a good example... but the wii as it is appeals to a lot of people, and im not sure motion plus will appeal to all of them. Releasing this now that they have a massive player base was probably a better idea.
No, you could still make easy to play innacurate and easy motion based controls with a more effective controller. Although a lot of developers may have been seduced by the idea of 1:1 motion and left the noobs in the dust. So good point i guess
I don't think that's quite how it would work, it all depends on how the game reads the inputs so I'd imagine the only difference it would make to tennis for example is getting rid of the slight lag. The wii motion plus will only make it possible to have a higher level of "detail" in the motion tracking, not compulsory.
yer
also to that, making it an add-on for those that do want it, versus making it part of the intial controller and forcing people to adapt to not having such a, as you so excellently put it, "small learning curve," was another good idea, in my estimation. People can now have it either way. And isn't having choices on how we play the best thing for the gamer/consumer?
is it just me or does the wiimote look ridiculous now its got it's rubber coat and motion bum bag.... its gone from sleek industrial design to some sort of 1950's baking apparatus...
lol. Well the 1950s baking apparatus fans are obviously the only noobs who will buy it
So rather than making a product that works properly and picking up the cost, they're patching the hardware and passing the cost onto the consumer.
good stuff. Still a shame the wii doesn't have two analog sticks and rechargeable batteries and some proper storage though eh
Wouldn't those things just make it a Playstation/Xbox then? Also, you can buy rechargeable batteries just about anywhere for it. I use Energizers, personally.
But it'd be so much easier/cheaper to be able to plug the controller into the console and let it charge as you play.
Sorry, it's just one of those things that irritates me. ( I own a X360 + a Wii)
The gamecube pad/ classic already have analogue sticks, so that's not a problem.
Maybe things will be different with the WiiHD ?
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maybe but i still think analogs, one on the WII MOTE are required. Then you could use them in combination with the motion controls and infra red... - turn camera with right analog, aim on screen with Wii Mote. It's surely the natural proggression.
I'm not sure about the WiiHD. Is anyone? Does it have more processing power or does it just have a HD out?
I'd prefer a PS4 with a Dualshock controller that could break into 2 parts down the middle, and, if you want, attach longways again, with great motion sensing and infra red on both. Yeah. That would be the way.
Willy,
I think that would be a bit too complicated. You want to have two analog sticks in addition to the motion control? All the motion control is really is another analog stick in the form of an inaccurate aiming device. You use one analog stick for moving, motion control for your "look" as you would with the other analog stick (if it had one). What would the 3rd movement be for? You can move and look, what else do you want to do? Remembering 3 different movement inputs would be tough, even for hardcore players. Unless you're reducing the motion control to some gimmicky "wiggle it to reload" which is just a waste of time any way.
What you describe is way too complicated and unintuitive. Turning/pointing with the pointer is simple enough and very intuitive after the initial learning curve.
Well alright. Maybe i was wrong about the FPS control scheme. But i just thought that it could be like time crisis in the arcades but you could also turn the camera round. And games like Zelda and spiderman3 need a right analog. Maybe they could have let the A button slide up and down/ left and right.
And i still kind of think the FPS controls could work. -flick the analog stick, they are on your right. Aim at all the zombies in this angle with the WiiMote. Bang Bang Bang. It would fit for me. Turn your head and aim your gun. Aim beyond the edge of the screen and your character will hold it that way, sensing the direction with the motion sensing. Don't knock it till you've tried it guys? I'm just not sure anyone has. Would Nintendo have demo'd these unlikely seeming control schemes when making the Wii? I is not sure. I senses missed opportunity. Is probably pointless going on about it though.
Having only a Wii, i didn't know you could plug them into the consoles and charge them. While I agree, that does sound pretty handy, the size and weight of a Wii and Wiimote, vs. the size and weight of a 360 and controller, might make that option a little difficult on a Wii. I think it would be too thin to lay it on it's side and plug a Wiimote in. As for upright, while I'm sure it would be ok in general, that poses a weight distribution and stability issue I might not be that comfortable with. If someone were to bump the table while charging, i think the Wiimote side would cause the console to fall over.
The problem with analogue sticks is, if they added those, they would be moving AWAY from what differentiates the Wii from the other 2 consoles and brings them closer to being in direct competition. If they were really smart, they'd make a seperate controller, more similar to Xbox and Playstation-style controllers, so if people DID want a duel-analogue stick type controller, they'd have the option to buy it.
NO NO NO. First off, a combination of the dual analog sticks, with the dual motion sensing parts to wield and the infra red in both would mean you could have the ultimate controller. That's what i was after. Otherwise either control scheme is still pretty lame. And the keyboard and mouse are still most capable in many respects. -Alongside the neatness of a conventional first person game, your hands would be the characters hands in 3D space. Aiming the gun at the screen and using the right analog to still turn the camera is surely the natural progression of controllers. WIth more nooby control schemes available of course.
And all this about the controllers docking with the consoles? Naa. The PS3 controller links to the PS3 for charging via a USB cable, meaning you can carry on gaming just with a controller that is wired for ten minutes. It charges whilst on standby and everything and is very neat, although the wire is a bit short for conventional sofa TV set ups.
"360 and controller"? I presume you mean the PS3 controller. The PS3 controller actually isn't that heavy (I've not used a DualShock 3, so I"m going by the launch PS3 controller).
Don't you mean 2006?
Yah, totally did.