Motion Sensitive Controls

[Wolfdale]

Since the launch of the Wii, motion sensitive controls have been a big topic of discussion. For example, a thread I just went through talking about the implications of motion sensitivity in the supposed Dead Rising port coming to the Wii, where some users were theorizing how Capcom could "do things right." This generation of consoles could be the springboard for this new control scheme, and even PCs seem to be (somewhat) lethargically heading in this direction, what with the odd $100 motion-sensitive mice I've seen popping up at the local Fry's Electronics (they look kinda like weird versions of the Wii nunchuck).

In recent months, I've been testing out the Wii at friends' houses, and I have to say that I'm not altogether impressed with motion sensitivity on the little white rectangular prism known as the Wii just yet. So far, it seems that most of the games handle badly, including those little catchy, cartoony sports games that are apparently free with the console. Another game I was disappointed with was Red Steel, for all the possibilities motion sensitivity really had, it only really had about six directions you could swing the bloody sword in. I have to ask, is the equipment just poorly made, or is it coding flaws that cause the games' motion-sensitive uses to suck so hard? Friends have made arguments to me that some games apply it well, but outside of rail shooters, I have yet to see this really done. In Wii Golf, for example, every swing seems to have little to no correlation with my actual movement. Same of bowling, baseball, etc.

That having been said, I'm going to add here that this is not a Wii-bashing thread. The PS3's SIXAXIS controls are even more worthless, as I have yet to really see them enhance my gaming experience period. I'd just assume cut the price of SIXAXIS off the bloody controller and be done with it. And, as most gamers on this forum would know, there is no motion sensitivity whatsoever on the 360. So I have to ask now... Is motion sensitivity really the next big step in gaming, or are we going to be going back to the good ol' fashioned controller in the next generation?

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

I really liked how No More Heroes implemented Motion Control, mostly a series if super-fun little gimicks that I found terribly amusing. SIXAXIS is fucking stupid though.

 

[tiredinnuendo]

Motion sensitive control is an interesting idea. It opens (some types of) gaming to a new demographic, and while not "immersive" in the normal sense, it certainly can be fairly involving.

That said, much like there are people who like foosball and also people who like football/soccer, motion control is not "the way" to go, and shoehorning it onto a game where it doesn't belong can really hurt the experience. The Wii-mote is fine for Super Mario Galaxy but it doesn't really work on Super Smash Bros.

In short, I think that motion controled games have their place, but playing my Wii almost feels like a different hobby than playing my 360, which if you think about it is probably why so many non-gamers are buying the Wii.

And don't get me started on the sixaxis thing. My thoughts on that are scattered around the board already. Long and short of it is that the Power Glove was a terrible idea and time has not improved it.

- J

 

[The Wooster]

I think it's a case of technology not being able to keep up with our expectations. Kind of like when VR was all the rage a few years back, everyone was thinking they'd be wandering around realistic dungeons and stuff but what we actually got were red and black games that gave us headaches of ocular cancer.
Maybe with this upgrade for the wii mote we'll be seeing some games that meet our inflated expectations.

Also I'd pay an extra 200 bucks for a wii with some anti aliasing. I'm sick of not being able to play it on my HD tv without the game looking like an Escher painting.

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

"This is in NOOO WAAAY a Wii bashing thread....IT'S A PS3 BASHING THREAD SIXAXIS SUCKZ!"

 

[Wolfdale]

"This is in NOOO WAAAY a Wii bashing thread....IT'S A PS3 BASHING THREAD SIXAXIS SUCKZ!"

Heh, yeah, guess that was a weak attempt to placate the Wii-fanboys, but I have yet to see even PS3 fans care if the SIXAXIS is really ragged on, so didn't bother with a disclaimer there.
-WD, PS3 Owner

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

"This is in NOOO WAAAY a Wii bashing thread....IT'S A PS3 BASHING THREAD SIXAXIS SUCKZ!"

Heh, yeah, guess that was a weak attempt to placate the Wii-fanboys, but I have yet to see even PS3 fans care if the SIXAXIS is really ragged on, so didn't bother with a disclaimer there.
-WD, PS3 Owner

I feel like people are too hard on the sixaxis since the majority never gave it the chance it deserves, but I'll admit that I'm pretty indifferent about sixaxis but when it's done right I love it, or if it's just "thrown in there" it's usually optional, and it's also got a "bad first impression" so people try it, go "what the hell?!" and then stop using it - it may not add to the experience but at least it doesn't take away. Then there's Lair, which I thought was funny because everyone complained about sixaxis controls, the analog patch comes out and the majority went back to sixaxis .

The 360 has no motion sensing but google "Darwin Motion Controller" or search "Darwin" on www.shacknews.com and it also sounds like it could be a "make or break" - but my prediction is that a lot of people will get it and then start using the 360 controller again.

I think that Motion Sensing is a small baby step forward, because hey, virtual reality will make it here someday without feeling like you are in a room surrounded by T.V.'s - but right now they feel a tad gimmicky even if there are games that use it effectively, not to mention that it's very dependent on preference as well - but apparently that "Wii-mote performance enhancer" will be on it's way soon so price and performance is soon to increase, but overall, I'll stick with Gamepads and KB&M until there's a huge difference.

Honestly, I think this generation has a peripheral epidemic, and I don't want a second garage to play games - let's release regular games and go to the arcade for "peripheral based" games.

 

[shatnershaman]

I'll take comfort and actually working over shaking and tilting.

 

[Quaidis]

Another game I was disappointed with was Red Steel, for all the possibilities motion sensitivity really had, it only really had about six directions you could swing the bloody sword in.

There have been great advances in properly adjusting the motion sensitive controls since the first games that came out with the system. Red Steel was a huge let down because they slapped controls on it without thinking or testing them just to release it on launch date. Most games with slapped on controls like this for a motion-sensitive system - which are usually third party and have something to do with system release or movies - turn out awful and hard to control. Metroid Prime 3 was nearly given the same terrible controls to get released quickly, but was put on hold by the people who made it (ie, "Whoa, WHOA! What the fuck is this? We want the game to be playable!") for six months to smooth out the controls and get it right. Zelda: Twilight Princess was already being made for GameCube release, and since it's a first party game, the people who made the Wii already had a handle of how the game was supposed to work.

As for 6-axis, I feel like it was a flop. Maybe the controller scheme itself was thrown haphazardly together to be with the speed of the other consoles.

Then again, motion sensitivity was tried a few times in the past, and none too successfully. First it was probably the game guns, followed by the virtual glove. The Wii-mote appears to be the first that's really getting a handle on working correctly for the most part and is fully implemented as part of the system, itself.

 

[Jumplion]

If a wii game does not have atleast some motion control, then you might as well put it on the Gamecube or better yet on one of the other consoles. That's my opinion anyway. Motion control is the whole point of the Wii so not including some motion control would be weird for a Wii game.

But there is one thing i cannot stress enough with the whole "SixaxiS sucks bawlz!@!" crap i hear from everyone, it's a god damn choice! I admit, alot of games don't use SixaxiS well but they are easily optional and you don't have to use them. Most people I see that say "SixaxiS sucks bawlz!" usually have never used it once or just used it once and demented it of failure for that one time.

A choice is better than non at all.

But overall i think that motion controls will just be a cool side dish to the whole meat of the bones. Motion control will never replace random button mashing, only accelerate it.

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

If a wii game does not have atleast some motion control, then you might as well put it on the Gamecube or better yet on one of the other consoles. That's my opinion anyway. Motion control is the whole point of the Wii so not including some motion control would be weird for a Wii game.

But there is one thing i cannot stress enough with the whole "SixaxiS sucks bawlz!@!" crap i hear from everyone, it's a god damn choice! I admit, alot of games don't use SixaxiS well but they are easily optional and you don't have to use them. Most people I see that say "SixaxiS sucks bawlz!" usually have never used it once or just used it once and demented it of failure for that one time.

A choice is better than non at all.

But overall i think that motion controls will just be a cool side dish to the whole meat of the bones. Motion control will never replace random button mashing, only accelerate it.

Cue someone bringing up Lair.

But overall i think that motion controls will just be a cool side dish to the whole meat of the bones. Motion control will never replace random button mashing, only accelerate it.

-but I think you're right, we're gonna need buttons for a long time motion sensing isn't that revolutionary - unless you count Wii music - commence seizure - win game. Still, it's a baby step and nothing more, and the majority jut want a working controller.

 

[Jumplion]

But overall i think that motion controls will just be a cool side dish to the whole meat of the bones. Motion control will never replace random button mashing, only accelerate it.

-but I think you're right, we're gonna need buttons for a long time motion sensing isn't that revolutionary - unless you count Wii music - commence seizure - win game. Still, it's a baby step and nothing more, and the majority jut want a working controller.

Until we get a $2000 VR jumpsuit, i don't expect buttons to go away any time soon.

 

[shatnershaman]

Until we get a $2000 VR jumpsuit, i don't expect buttons to go away any time soon.

Or packed in peripherals for sports games (ball controller woo!)

 

[Rob Sharona]

There are a lot of games that get it right, Metroid and Medal of Honour coming to mind.
As disappointing as Nintendo's showing was at E3 was, the developments with the motion sensitive controls are very promising and could give us the 1:1 experience some of us imagined when the Wii controller was first announced.

 

[shatnershaman]

If they're gonna do that, why doesn't the player just go outside and kick the damn ball?

Exactly (damn you emotionless text!!!) though you can say the same about current sports game.

 

[TheKnifeJuggler]

Red steel was apparently not that good.

As for all the Wii (Whatever) games that are out, they're really just tech demos. Eventually Nintendo will start making better games that use the motion sensitive controls to their fullest extent.

Honestly I think some of the cooler things done with the controllers are the home brew programs made with them. Like the guy who made a motion capture suit that makes noises like Theramen.

 

[shatnershaman]

Thats different. I doubt any of us could play Tennis to the same degree as our little sports stars in Top Spin 3. But if you're adding the players own athletic prowess, its virtual reality replicating an actual reality, that would be better.

Sorry I come from playing tennis for fun in real life is better than a guy on screen doing it awesomely.