Poll: Can we stop calling motion controls gimmicky?
- Thread starter Jeronus
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They are "gimmicky"...I had a class that spent an entire semester coming up with fun new ways to use Wii-motes to interface with computers. I can only imagine the fun times there will be with the other motion-sensing controllers. Pretty sure that puts them somewhere between definitions 1b and 2b.
When it stops being used as a gimmick per the definiton listed by the OP I will stop calling it a gimmick.
Unfortunately, it won't stop because...of post-modernism.
I will explain. When a thing is referred to as a thing even before it is accurately existent AS that thing, it is a post-modernistic approach, because it will inevitably BE that thing later on because people made it so.
The most classic example is the production known as This is Spinal Tap, a mockumentory about a band which does not exist who are, in fact, the ones who coined the phrase "taking it up to eleven". Years after the creation of this film, someone got together a REAL Spinal Tap band using their style, their made-up song-titles, and so on. Something not-real created something that became real. Fiction into non-fiction.
The term 'gimmicky' has been used to describe something that does not function right for quite some time. It will eventually enter the dictionary, listed as a slang-term. Doesn't matter if it's not right. People are making it right.
I will explain. When a thing is referred to as a thing even before it is accurately existent AS that thing, it is a post-modernistic approach, because it will inevitably BE that thing later on because people made it so.
The most classic example is the production known as This is Spinal Tap, a mockumentory about a band which does not exist who are, in fact, the ones who coined the phrase "taking it up to eleven". Years after the creation of this film, someone got together a REAL Spinal Tap band using their style, their made-up song-titles, and so on. Something not-real created something that became real. Fiction into non-fiction.
The term 'gimmicky' has been used to describe something that does not function right for quite some time. It will eventually enter the dictionary, listed as a slang-term. Doesn't matter if it's not right. People are making it right.
I'll stop calling the concept gimmicky when developers stop using it for nothing more than arbitrary waggle.
Have you tried any of the following titles that actually do a good job with motion controls?Daipire said:
No More Heroes
Madworld
Trauma Center
Godfather (best aiming/combat controls of all the ports)
Manhunt 2
Harvey Birdman
Strongbad's Cool Game for Attractive People
To be completely honest, calling motion controls gimmicky is being blind to their potential, only seeing most uses of them. Of course, when something is first released, most of its application will be gimmicky since most people will not know how to use it properly, let along creatively. As time goes by (be it a month or many years), people get used to the new feature, figuring out how to use it well and how to use it in creative ways.
Motion controls can do amazing things, but only if we don't shoot it down immediately with our lack of foresight.
Motion controls can do amazing things, but only if we don't shoot it down immediately with our lack of foresight.
No.
You know why? Because it's a gimmick. It is a minor thing to attract attention to your product. It brings NOTHING to the table but a "Gee Whiz!" method of marketing meant to attract kids and idiots.
It will STOP being a gimmick when it actually becomes integral to the game experience, which would first require it to WORK PROPERLY.
Gimmick gimmick gimmick.
You know why? Because it's a gimmick. It is a minor thing to attract attention to your product. It brings NOTHING to the table but a "Gee Whiz!" method of marketing meant to attract kids and idiots.
It will STOP being a gimmick when it actually becomes integral to the game experience, which would first require it to WORK PROPERLY.
Gimmick gimmick gimmick.
No, because they are gimmicks. I have yet to see a single game that uses motion controls for something where normal controls would not have worked (and better for that matter).
If the goal is to move upwards, why not just use an existing axis to define this action rather than forcing someone to move the controller itself upwards by an arbitrary amount?
The last real innovation in controllers (imo) is the switch from analogue to digital, this really added new possibilities to gameplay.
Motion controls are actually a step backwards, since they force players to assume certain positions and move in unnatural ways.
If the goal is to move upwards, why not just use an existing axis to define this action rather than forcing someone to move the controller itself upwards by an arbitrary amount?
The last real innovation in controllers (imo) is the switch from analogue to digital, this really added new possibilities to gameplay.
Motion controls are actually a step backwards, since they force players to assume certain positions and move in unnatural ways.
No. Because they ARE gimmicky. If games were to make use of the motion controls in a way that felt anything other than "hey, look, we've got MOTION CONTROLS!" then it would be a plausible form of control.
The reason the D-pad (or the stick, or the keyboard and mouse) work is because they're completely taken for granted by both the designer (control schemes in gaming got standardized years if not decades ago) and the player.
The reason the D-pad (or the stick, or the keyboard and mouse) work is because they're completely taken for granted by both the designer (control schemes in gaming got standardized years if not decades ago) and the player.
The problem is that motion controls are put into a game as an afterthought, so they can boast "Look, we got motion controls!". Games like Flower (brilliant game) are made with motion control in mind so the developers can focus on making it work.
No, we can't stop calling it a gimmick. And they suck, too. Whatever the next console that comes out is, I hope it has plenty of buttons, and a cord.
Motion controls as a whole aren't a gimmick, but the way they're implied in Wii games is.
Having seen some of those Playstation Move tech-demos, it's clear you can create some pretty cool shit with motion controls. Unfortunately that's never going to see the light of day. Instead Sony will choose to make more lucrative gimmicky games like, "Wipe The Screen" or "Catch The Falling Leprechaun". Just like the Wii.
Having seen some of those Playstation Move tech-demos, it's clear you can create some pretty cool shit with motion controls. Unfortunately that's never going to see the light of day. Instead Sony will choose to make more lucrative gimmicky games like, "Wipe The Screen" or "Catch The Falling Leprechaun". Just like the Wii.
I don't think their gimmicky I think there the first generation of a new wave, nothing when it comes out is good. The home computer for example used to load games of a tape player and took about 35 minutes to load.
You used to be able to snap a joystick off its base through over use.
Most other games consoles suffer from stick button syndrome after about two years.
If your Wii remote stops working correctly just put your bag of frozen peas on your shoulder and your ready to go!
I own both a 360 and a Wii and enjoy playing shooters much more on the Wii it's far easier to aim etc. No Motion plus has come in we have a system which is accurate.
If you waggle your just not doing it right. Let's face it we can't take solace in our opinions by quoting Zero Punctuation all the time!
And as to "you can only do sword fighting games!" Think out the box! Boxing games, fantasy games with you as the spell caster where hand movements are used to cast. Archery, gun play, surgery, space flight with a jet pack.
People are playing safe at the moment, the reason nothing good is developed as people keep saying uuuh! Wii's are for kids. So as you faced forced the market to be kid led that's what is released!
You used to be able to snap a joystick off its base through over use.
Most other games consoles suffer from stick button syndrome after about two years.
If your Wii remote stops working correctly just put your bag of frozen peas on your shoulder and your ready to go!
I own both a 360 and a Wii and enjoy playing shooters much more on the Wii it's far easier to aim etc. No Motion plus has come in we have a system which is accurate.
If you waggle your just not doing it right. Let's face it we can't take solace in our opinions by quoting Zero Punctuation all the time!
And as to "you can only do sword fighting games!" Think out the box! Boxing games, fantasy games with you as the spell caster where hand movements are used to cast. Archery, gun play, surgery, space flight with a jet pack.
People are playing safe at the moment, the reason nothing good is developed as people keep saying uuuh! Wii's are for kids. So as you faced forced the market to be kid led that's what is released!
I don't care whether people call it gimmicky or not, 'cause I like motion controls when they are done right. Some games do that, most games don't. I enjoy playing my Wii (that sounds dirty no matter how you put it...), and I see a lot of potential in Natal. Move is just the Wii-mote redone, so... that's kinda silly.
Anyway, I like the fact that I am open to new things, instead of close-minded and negative as soon as something new does happen. Just think if everyone was that close-minded in the earlier days.
"3D! What a gimmick! Platform games don't need that, we play it perfectly fine in 2D!"
Anyway, I like the fact that I am open to new things, instead of close-minded and negative as soon as something new does happen. Just think if everyone was that close-minded in the earlier days.
"3D! What a gimmick! Platform games don't need that, we play it perfectly fine in 2D!"