Linky.

Pilotwings?! Now I am pumped!

In Penny-Arcade's latest "podcast" (I am not sure what that word means, but that's what they call it), they raise a fairly interesting issue. Or at least, something to think about: Nintendo is intending to target non-hardcore gamers with this system. It's clear that the Wii has both the professional scene and the "hardcore" gaming fans excited, but Tycho questions whether this will actually make Mom and Dad want to buy a console.

Although I hadn't really thought about the possibility of the Wii not being a crossover product, it does seem like something that can be questioned. My mum loves to play Pikmin on the Gamecube, and Katamari on the PS2, but I doubt very much that she would buy a console if I didn't give them to her. Would she do so for the Wii? I don't really know.

Can you guys see your non-gaming family members enjoying the Wii? Enough to warrant buying one?

That's pretty much an imposibility, unless they included a camera with the system and licensed the technology (or made their own). Chances are Nintendo doesn't want to do that since it would raise the cost substantially, and there hasn't been any indication that they are considering this (unlike the idea behind the Wii controller where they had bought stock in Gyration years beforehand). In addition, it somewhat defeats the entire purpose of the Revolution controller since there wouldn't be a NEED for a motion-sensing device when the system could simply read your movements through the camera.

Oh, and no, this DOES NOT generate holograms. It doesn't have anything to do with projecting or modifying anything into the real world. What it does is read the position of your body, and then uses the information to translate your position into an application, effectively making your body a 3d model. With this, they can do things like "attach" objects to your model and use the model to control aspects of a game. For example, you could hold out your hand and "point" at something to point a gun in the game. Think of it as an extended Eyetoy. Actually, from what I hear, Sony is considering using this technology for the PS3 Eyetoy.


Well, looks like my earlier guess that the "mystery SNES/N64 game" on the Wii has a good chance of being true. Would certainly seem to be a good choice to show off the Wii controller. Although I wonder how the controls will work without a central axis point.

A camera can't accurately pick up 3d movement.

Oh man. 'Wii Love Pilotwings' is THE game I'm hoping for at E3. THE GAME. TEN YEARS since Pilotwings 64. I want to move around the room like a hang glider, making hang glider noises, crashing on-screen hang gliders into mountains. NO OTHER WII ANNOUNCEMENTS MATTER. PILOTWINGS IS IT. >=O

It can to an extent. In the video demonstrations, objects can be "placed" in people's hands fairly accurately. Their orientation and position match up very close to how an actual object would. One demonstration where it "painted" people's faces and put accessories like hats and glasses on them was pretty impressive, it matched up to the contours of their faces very well.

"Can you guys see your non-gaming family members enjoying the Wii? Enough to warrant buying one?"

My mother and sister keep constantly asking me when Wii is coming out. They are extremely interested in it.
My sister plays some Gamecube with me, my mother hardly any games at all. Both of them really enjoyed the DS when it came out, and still want one for themselves.
I think they'll have to release a game that interests them enough to warrant a purchase (beyond just playing mine), but I also think this is highly likely, even in the launch frame.

I can see non-gamers being interested in things such as EyeToy and SingStar much more so than Wii. Sad but true. Besides, the officially announced games so far don't include any 'family' or fun multiplayer games.

I'm skeptical of the Wii approach. Gaming has already become mainstream and appealing to even more idiots isn't necessarily a good thing. Most Next-Gen games are already announced for PS3/Xbox 360 exklusively with no mention of Wii - Third Party support is also still lacking as of now.

As much as I like it, I think the "revolutionary" controller will eventually backfire on them because it will dramatically decrease the types of games suitable for Wii.

Not necessarily. All companys would have to do is build the game around the Gamecube controller or one of Wiis "shells". Not ALL games have to use the Wiis controller to the extent that you're flinging your arms around.

http://img434.imageshack.us/img434/5159/12zc.jpg
Go away.

"Gaming has already become mainstream and appealing to even more idiots isn't necessarily a good thing."

You say that in a manner that suggests gamers aren't the biggest idiots, ever.

Edit: Also, a mighty LOL for that Rayman picture. Note grandpa in the bottom right corner.

Whoa RAB, are those Rayman Wii pics? Where'd you get those? Also, I think the shots and clips where they show players fully swinging their arms are exaggerated. Right? Cause they keep saying how you just need to flick your wrist. I guess you can play both ways.

Anyway, seems like Nintendo themselves will be providing live E3 coverage here during the big event! I guess they know how huge and curcial this E3 is for them so they're not cutting any corners. :)

In the "flower/lightsaber/etc..." demonstration, he had a sensor in his hand. Once it reached the "car" stuff, all that technology relies on a multiple camera set-up and is basically impossible for Wii to do.

In the webcam video you saw with the hats and glasses, that was purely FACE tracking, not body.

Anyhow, it'd be cool if Nintendo did this, since it's a pretty simple add-on, but the thing is... you'd have to see yourself onscreen all the time to enjoy it. And basically, that's not gonna happen unless it's a type of Eyetoy minigame.

Most of the Wii games are probably going to be first person, since the controller is based around the idea of you controlling actions directly.

Where the hell is this from. I hope it's not recent, because there's something very like an 80s Nintendo magazine ad to it.

That's true, however I can also picture certain side-scrollers, and fighting games. Hell, maybe even standard RPGs. All you need is a few simple commands.

Poor Rayman. That 1980's radical awesome gnarly flashback is official. Wii launch title.

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/2262/24py.jpg

Wow, I'm actualy surprised that a multiplatform title is getting a special control scheme just for the Wii version. Figured most titles spanning all three consoles would just use Wii's "normal" shell or GC controler. Oh and this concept art for the title is pretty awsome. XD [the one Infernal Monkey has in his post above]


Rayman games are usualy pretty great. I may end up picking this up with the console.

Oh and I hope you guys are wrong about your predictions that most games will be 1st person. I'm not too fond 1st person views. There's just something more satisfying about seeing someone/something represent your actions on screen. I personaly see no problem with applying Wii's core remote's abilities to a, say, 3rd person platformer or action/adventure game.

-EDIT-

Aaah Infernal Monkey! Too fast!

WTF is with those two kids?

I fail to see whether that's a marketing ploy, a demonstration of the Wii's controller, or some weird cross-culture promotion.

I think it's suppose to suggest that "cool and hip" kids from all sorts of different scenes can enjoy Wii together. Or Rayman Wii to be exact. Meh, I just like the crazed bunnies XD.

I'm not sure, is the kid in black a boy or girl?

"I'm not sure, is the kid in black a boy or girl?"

Neither. That entity has transcended gender through its sheer awesomeness.

Gee the Gaming Age water mark doesn't give away where it's from? This is recent it's very recent, the picture had been publically availible for about half an hour when I posted it here.

I feel pretty safe in saying that the shell doesn't even exist. Would EA set p an entire new division just for Revolution if it did?

You say guy in it's plural form, connotating that multible people think this way. It's just JazzFlight who on the record for having no imagination or any idea whatsoever.

Yeah you have a point there. I mean, they haven't even shown this so-called shell at all. But, you never know, it could be saved up for E3. Besides, even if it did indeed get canned, there's still the GC controler. =p

Even though Neogin suggests other genres and views, he does state that he agrees with him, hence, "guys". But I'm probebly nitpicking here. I'm sure Nintendo will offer numerous games in a veriaty of views. After all, I doubt we're gonna see something like KIRBY: ARMED & LOADED shooter gracing Wii anytime soon. Or ever.

I think he's stating that the true part is Wii's controller letting you take direct control.

First person games wont be a major focus thanks to one word, Japan.