Poll: Can we stop calling motion controls gimmicky?

[Jeronus]

The dictionary defines a gimmick as:
c : a trick or device used to attract business or attention

motion controls are gimmicky... when a game requires a motion and you unable to do that motion cause of hardware detection. A game maker is sold on its "motion capability". THUS gimmicky

I don't understand your that statement completely but I believe what you are trying to say is when game makers create games with crappy controls. It becomes gimmicky. If we held classic controllers to this standard then they must be gimmicky too. I mean they don't work all the time. Wrong! The technology has already been proven to work excellently with the games. We only need to stop addressing it as such and realize their is a huge potential to improve the way we play and interact with games.

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.

I resent that idiot part. People have a right to decide something is fun without being called idiotic. How many times do have to say that this is not some small thing? Motion controls are becoming a huge part of the market. They have been proven with a few exceptional games. Don't discount the casual market because their taste don't mesh with yours. Motion controls are becoming integral to the gaming culture. If you haven't noticed, all the console developers are majorly invested in the idea of motion controllers. Should their efforts pay off we could be looking at the next big wave of gaming.

 

[ninja555]

An end to motion controls would solve a lot. Save people who don't want to buy stuff like project natal just for a game they want to play, money.

 

[Jeronus]

Ill stop calling them a gimmick when they stop being used as a gimmick. Even most of nintendos own games have motion control that feel bolted on and 99% of the Wii software out there either uses then instead os button presses (ala waggle) or uses then as a slightly tired additional gimmick mouse stand in.

I can't think of anyhting motion controls have yet contributed to gaming or any games that would function just was well under an existing control scheme (they would usually function BETTER).

The technology is still new. Game developers are still in an experimental stage where they are trying to figure out how to implement the technology. This does mean there will be games where motion controls will be implemented clumsily or thrown in at the spur of the moment. Old controllers were the same way but the gamers and the market have had time to perfect the technology. I have seen a few games (No more heroes, anything developed by Nintendo) have created a whole new way of closing the distance between ourselves and the character on screen. We aren't sitting on our asses watching them run and fight. We are standing and fighting with them. We are able to grow closer to the character on screen because we aren't just controlling them but we are guiding them through our own actions.

 

[Jeronus]

An end to motion controls would solve a lot. Save people who don't want to buy stuff like project natal just for a game they want to play, money.

It would put an end to hardcore whining but it would be a huge step backwards for all of gaming if we dismiss this new technology. We can't dismiss the potential of motion controls because if we do, developers will be afraid to do anything for fear that it may be also suffer harsh criticisms. We will get more of the same. Little will change and people will get bored and move on. We need to encourage this for the good of gaming. If not for the sake of motion controls, for any other seeds of innovation that might spring forth later on.

 

[Jeronus]

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.

I think you fear that gaming is becoming something unfamiliar to you, but it isn't. Gaming is evolving. Gaming can't stay the same forever. Motion controls aren't a gimmick. They are the next logical step in the evolution of video games. I believe that motion controls could hold the same place in your heart that classic controls do. We only have to give it time. If you want to stay in the past and hold onto what's comfortable that is fine, gaming will continue to move on and change in ways you might not agree with. It needs to because as a law of science and a rule of business. Gaming needs to evolve and adapt to survive.

 

[De Ronneman]

We can stop calling them gimmicky as soon as the work flawless.

Red Steel had it down, the drawing in Okami(Wii) was dodgy, but adequate, Wii Sports and it's bastard offspring seem to do pretty well, don't play those, but they are a little too unstable in this era of technology.

I'dd say we try it again in 10 years.

 

[Jeronus]

I'll stop calling them a gimmick when they stop being a gimmick

Did you read the original post or did you come in and post without thinking? This isn't a gimmick. A gimmick is a trick used to deceive people. It is usually short lived. This is NOT A GIMMICK. A gimmick would go away by now. Motion controls are here to stay and aren't showing any signs of slowing down. This is the next step in the evolution of gaming. Gaming can't stay still and be what you specifically think it should be. It must change in order to survive. Motion controls are a huge part of that.

 

[Jeronus]

I'll stop calling them a gimmick when they stop being a gimmick

Did you read the original post or did you come in and post without thinking? This isn't a gimmick. A gimmick is a trick used to deceive people. It is usually short lived. This is NOT A GIMMICK. A gimmick would go away by now. Motion controls are here to stay and aren't showing any signs of slowing down. This is the next step in the evolution of gaming. Gaming can't stay still and be what you specifically think it should be. It must change in order to survive. Motion controls are a huge part of that.

I read your point, found it banal, and chose to post that instead. THEY ARE A GIMMICK, unless you're telling me that the wii isn't selling on motion controls alone while the other consoles are selling on non gimmicky things like their games library. They are a gimmick and the fact that casual gamers flock to the wii doesn't make them any less of a gimmick, they're useless and they're not here to stay and my point will be demonstrated when natal and the sony stick come out and are massive failures.

as for their being the next evolution of controls; show me an RTS with motion controls that doesn't suck, show me a TBS with motion controls that doesn't suck, show me an FPS with motion controls that doesn't suck, (there's more genres but it's not like you'll listen so I'll stop here) and then we'll talk.

The Wii is sold on motion controls but it continues to sell because it is more than a gimmick. The Wii does have a less than stellar library but the technology is still new. Developers are still trying to figure out how to implement the control scheme. The shovelware that has become so prevalent is the market trying to figure out how to properly implement the technology. The NES had tons of games like that because people were still trying figure out how to get use to the controllers.

We are currently seeing a kind of molting period for gaming were things feel uncomfortable at first. I believe that once motion controls break out of the shell they are currently in that things will take a turn for the better. A few games come to mind as spots where the shedding has gone better. Games like Red Steel 2 and No More Heroes are proof that when given the opportunity that motion controls are full of potential. Why is the fact that motion controls appeal to a wider audience make them gimmicky? Does an increase in accessibility automatically qualify as a gimmick?

The entire point of motion controls was to get gamers out of their chairs and bring their own movements to the character on screen in a way that creates a new level immersion and a new way to play. A gimmick would be more comparable to the HD graphics of today. They don't add much to the game outside of visual depth. It adds no function or value to the game other than looking very pretty. Gimmicks aren't relevant to the product's function just change the way they appear. Motion controls do the exact opposite of that. They are trying to change the way we play games. Gimmicks don't do that. They are like rims on a car. It looks better, but doesn't improve the basic operation of the vehicle.

I can't show you some of the things you have asked for simply because they don't exist, but if we dismiss motion controls, we never will and no one wins. They can exist but we have to be more open to the idea of motion controls. I am not asking you to go out and buy a Wii, Natal, or Move. I just want you to open your mind to the possibilities.

 

[John Funk]

Motion control is vital to the health of the industry.

Or, rather, to rephrase: Finding new ways of evolving games and gameplay that ISN'T just spending millions and millions of dollars on the shiniest graphics is vital to the health of the industry.

 

[Julianking93]

I don't care what the fuck you want to call it, I call it crap because motion controls suck and I just hope they die out soon.

 

[Mr Wednesday]

The mouse and keyboard and the controller are the same on the level of good/bad. So, please, shut up. I was agreeing until that bit of idiocy.

Well, that's not quite true now is it? Both are better at some things than the other.

 

[Jark212]

Gimmick: an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, esp. one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.

So far Nintendo used it to stay afloat when the others chose higher processing and visual prowess as their gimmicks. Now the others are using it to try to garner some of the appeal the Wii supposedly had. Sounds oddly familiar.

The gaming world revolves around gimmicks. Just stop thinking of the term with derogatory connotations.

I think that possessing power and graphics are a accepted gimmick among gamers, while motion controls are more like"look at me I'm innovative!!" type of gimmick...

Well that's what I see in it...

 

[Necromancer1991]

I kind of agree, enough people are consuming motion control that it warrants EVERYONE adding it to their consoles, look we may not like it, but motion control is here to stay. As for my opinion on the matter, some people abuse the Wii and motion control in general by releasing crappy games which involve too much Wiigling (spastic shaking of a Wii-mote[See what I did there?]). Until they release an AWESOME game, not a great game, not a good game, an AWESOME game, no one will really take your console seriously (at least motion control on the Xbox and PS3 will be OPTIONAL).

P.S. Regardless of what people say, Nintendo could release a "DS Different" and they would sell thousands.

 

[Booze Zombie]

They are cheap gimmicks in their current form, but maybe some day they'll actually be useful.