Nintendo To Launch New Motion-Control Technology For Wii

Nintendo is betting that a new, small, cube-shaped gadget known as the Wii MotionPlus will take the game’s motion-sensing controls to  new levels of precision.

The new Wii MotionPlus, available June 8, aims to address shortcomings in the accuracy of Wii Remote by utilizing gyroscopic sensors to precisely imitate gamers’ hand movements.  This will allow activities such as golfing, sword fighting and disc throwing to appear seamless on screen.

"The great thing about this particular new technology, which isn’t always true for other new technologies, is that we immediately saw the benefits of it," Jason Shenkman, senior producer of Electronic Arts’ "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10", told the AP.

The game will be the first to be bundled with the Wii MotionPlus.

"Before I even touched it or got my hands on it, I knew exactly what having a gyroscope in our possession would do for this game."

Shenkman maintains the increased sensitivity does not make the game more difficult, since the instant feedback helps gamers before their shots.

Since the initial launch of Wii, Nintendo has been bundling cute peripheral gadgets with its games.  These have included the Wii Zapper, the Wii Wheel and the Wii Balance Board, the scale-like gadget that accompanies Nintendo’s "Wii Fit."

It is not yet clear how Nintendo intends to market the Wii MotionPlus accessory.  To date, just five games have been confirmed to use the new device.

The most well-known is Nintendo’s "Wii Sports Resort," a follow up to the company’s popular "Wii Sports."   In addition to "Tiger Woods," other games using Wii MotionPlus include Electronic Arts’” Grand Slam Tennis," Ubisoft’s "Red Steel 2,” and Capcom’s "Virtua Tennis 2009.”

Although the original "Red Steel" was one of the most eagerly anticipated games to debut in 2006.  However, the samurai shooter’s clunky fidelity left many gamers disappointed.  

Creative director Jason Vandenberghe pledges that the new Wii MotionPlus technology will resolve that in "Red Steel 2."

"One of the cool things is that with Wii MotionPlus, we know how hard you have swung the remote," Vandenberghe told the AP.

"That means we can ask the player to have a more physical experience, like having enemies who are wearing armor that players will have to hit harder with their sword,” he said.

Judging by the enormous success of the Wii Balance Board with "Wii Fit", gamers will likely embrace the new device, even if it’s not compatible with their older titles.

Michael Pachter, a game analyst with Wedbush Morgan, said he expects over 30 million Wii owners will pick up the new Wii MotionPlus during its first year on the market.  The device, which will sell for $19.99 for one, or $49.99 if bundled with "Wii Sports Resort", is priced right for budget-conscious consumers, he said.

"Some people will find Wii MotionPlus really appealing, and some people won’t understand it and will wait until they’re told by their friends they need it," Pachter told the AP.

Nintendo is expected to promote the new Wii MotionPlus, along with announcing additional games that use the technology, during next month’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).   

Rumors abound that Sony and Microsoft may also announce their own motion-control technologies for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles at E3.

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Image Credit: www.iconocast.com

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