Still More to the Wii Than Meets the Eye?

[Kefkataran]

Next Generation has an article reading into the recent Miyamoto interview (http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/24/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/) over at CNN. In their reading (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3085&Itemid=2), Next Gen picks up on a hint from Miyamoto that there could still be a Wii feature or two we haven't heard about:

Commenting on the tilt-sensitive PlayStation 3 controller, Miyamoto said, "We've gotten used to others copying what we do – and we're having a lot of fun with it. ... On the flipside, I suppose they must be worried about any other functionality we may announce."

He added, "We have some different ideas about how to take advantage of that functionality – and we will be sharing that type of functionality with third parties."
Seems to be getting a bit late for Nintendo to still be introducing new stuff. Any of you take any stock in this, or do you think Next-Gen was taking the quote a bit too out of context or reading into it too much?

[Borys]

VOIP, that's all.

[Serapth]

Nah, all the cards are on the table, atleast since E3. I think they are mostly just reacting to Sonys controller in a rather half ass manor.

also

other functionality we may announce.

There will be more functionality announced as we get closer to launch ( for example, we know little of the Virtual Console, or Wifi Network plans ), but nothing big. Mostly just filling in the details.

[Serapth]

VOIP, that's all.

Actually im shocked Microsoft has announced this yet. By extending Live to Live Anywhere, how hard would it be to do Xbox Live -> Cell phone conversations, which essentially would be VOIP. You can already basically use the 360 as a phone to other 360 people plus with the camera addon coming soo.

Nintendo is in the worst situation for offering voip, since they are Wifi, or Wifi. Im not a big wifi fan up to this point.

[Kefkataran]

There will be more functionality announced as we get closer to launch ( for example, we know little of the Virtual Console, or Wifi Network plans ), but nothing big. Mostly just filling in the details.

That's what I'm guessing as well.

[NoName]

In the mindframe that a speaker on the controller is a "surprise feature" (which it is pretty cool), I think there's still something Nintendo hasn't been telling us. Nothing ground breaking, but still something.

[captainspankypants]

"I suppose they must be worried about any other functionality we may announce" sounds like a joke to me. A quick, lighthearted jab at Sony, not a hint of more Wii secrets.

[dimsumx]

Actually im shocked Microsoft has announced this yet. By extending Live to Live Anywhere, how hard would it be to do Xbox Live -> Cell phone conversations, which essentially would be VOIP. You can already basically use the 360 as a phone to other 360 people plus with the camera addon coming soo.

Nintendo is in the worst situation for offering voip, since they are Wifi, or Wifi. Im not a big wifi fan up to this point.

Maybe MS doesn't want to announce all the details of any future Live updates just yet so that Sony can't copy them in the next 6 months.

That said, I'm almost positive we'll be seeing more features in Xbox Live/Live Anywhere by the year's end.

[rein]

Do these controllers use the same technology? I thought Nintendo required attachments to the tv and Sony was just using a gyroscope.

[Intruder]

I agree, it sounds to me as if they are poking fun at the other companies that at first saw the Wii as a cute toy, but not serious competition. Now those same companies may be reevaluating the Wii situation and taking cues from Nintendo.

To me it could have been translated into, "Sony, we will be adding new functions to our controller. As soon as we get it working we will let you know what those additions are so you can copy us. Talk to you soon, love Nintendo."

But who knows maybe N has something up thier sleeve still.

[JazGalaxy]

Well, look at it this way. When Nintendo released the codename:Revolution, they did so without a controller because they said "as soon as we reveal our controller, our competitors will try to copy us, so we will wait until closer to launch the reveal the controller".

And sure enough, they called it 100% and Sony tried to shamelessly and weakly copy their controller.

I figure Nintendo very well MAY be holding onto a few tricks to pull out closer to release. The less time they give people to copy, the better off they will be. I think we may see a steady releasse of new functionality such as the controller mounted speaker.

[Dr.Finger]

I read it more as Nintendo showing third parties how best to implement it tech they;ve already announced, as opposed to Sony, who didn't even tell some of their third parties that there would be a tilt sensor on the PS3 controller.

[rein]

I have another stupid question that can be ignored. :)

Was the batarang controller Sony showed at last years E3 motion sensitive? I thought I read last year that it was. If that is true, how is it Sony is copying Nintendo? If they had planned to release the batarang with gyroscope technology, it would only make sense the would add it to the new controller design.

[Serapth]

I have another stupid question that can be ignored. :)

Was the batarang controller Sony showed at last years E3 motion sensitive? I thought I read last year that it was. If that is true, how is it Sony is copying Nintendo? If they had planned to release the batarang with gyroscope technology, it would only make sense the would add it to the new controller design.


I get the impression ( opinion only ) that the batarang was pure concept only, much like certain concept cars. They were pretty smoke and mirrors that E3, the controller was just another example.

[Serapth]

BTW Kef, how did you resist the obvious pun in this thread title? More then meets the Wii?

[MrMeatshake]

i'm wondering whether the rev. might have some kind of camera built-in. that seems to be the only thing they're lacking for the most 'where the party's ayat!' console out there. clearly having some kind of full-body recognition would add a lot to the use of the controllers.

people have been saying that a lot of games you can play with the wiimote, you could really go for it and (for eg) do full squat-thrusts and tennis-swings, or you can just do small motions which have the same effect on the controller itself. having a camera in there would mean that you really have to participate fully - it'd know if you were doing a full squat-thrust or not (for eg).

just my $0.02.

[Kefkataran]

BTW Kef, how did you resist the obvious pun in this thread title? More then meets the Wii?

Because Wii's not pronounced that way so I didn't even think of it. :p

[Stormwatcher]

Do these controllers use the same technology? I thought Nintendo required attachments to the tv and Sony was just using a gyroscope.

The sony thing is like 1/3 of the full wiimote+nunchuck. It's actually just the nunchuck motion sensing. The Wiimote does a lot more.

Sony's Dual Copy 3 will only sense tilting, not acceletation, position or pointing.

[Stormwatcher]

I have another stupid question that can be ignored. :)

Was the batarang controller Sony showed at last years E3 motion sensitive? I thought I read last year that it was. If that is true, how is it Sony is copying Nintendo? If they had planned to release the batarang with gyroscope technology, it would only make sense the would add it to the new controller design.

That sounds a lot like a dream. or a delusion :)

[Savok]

Other guys from Nintendo have said in interviews (after E3) that they still haven't revealed all their secrets.
Reggie even said it DURING the conference.

I think they still have something up their sleeve, if only to drive Sony nuts. I expect it to be on the speaker level, cool but not latch onto your crotch cool.

And Kef, that's the true joy of the English language, the written word adds even more layers.

[Kefkataran]

And Kef, that's the true joy of the English language, the written word adds even more layers.

Indeed. I'm a bit disappointed that I missed a chance at a bad pun in a news title.

[HardScores]

I'll guess mic in the controller.

[Phhhh]

The sony thing is like 1/3 of the full wiimote+nunchuck. It's actually just the nunchuck motion sensing. The Wiimote does a lot more.

Sony's Dual Copy 3 will only sense tilting, not acceletation, position or pointing.

I don't know if it senses pointing, but it does sense acceleration and position.

[Stormwatcher]

I think he was joking, implying that Sony is always on their toes, expeting what nintendo will do next.
But they may have some stuff yet to be revealed.

[Zanzibar]

I'll guess mic in the controller.

Didn't somebody say that the speaker could double as a mic?

Call me weird, but I think it'd be great for Karaoke Revolution etc. I have kids and they LOVE that game; the Wiimote with a mic could register the movements made by the player and mimic them for their character onscreen.

[Zanzibar]

I don't know if it senses pointing, but it does sense acceleration and position.

You sure about that? I heard there was no accelerometer; it can only sense the angle at which it's currently tilted.

[Serapth]

Didn't somebody say that the speaker could double as a mic?

Call me weird, but I think it'd be great for Karaoke Revolution etc. I have kids and they LOVE that game; the Wiimote with a mic could register the movements made by the player and mimic them for their character onscreen.

Yes, part of the announcement, the mic is a speaker. I have found this odd since it was announced to be honest, as I think the mic is a bigger deal than some tin sounding speaker. (Assumption, but battery powered speakers are always crap).

[Savok]

Didn't somebody say that the speaker could double as a mic?

Call me weird, but I think it'd be great for Karaoke Revolution etc. I have kids and they LOVE that game; the Wiimote with a mic could register the movements made by the player and mimic them for their character onscreen.
Oh god, you'll give someone an idea, then we'll have 10,000 versions of the damn thing.

[EternalGamer]

I thought the mic being a speaker thing was just all speculation. Do you have a link that confirms that it does indeed have microphone capabiliities built in? I think a mic is a no brainer. If they are trying to build more intuitive games, motion sensors and pointers are one part of that, voice recognition would be another. It's been used in very clever ways on the DS (Nintendogs and Brain Training especially). And the controller is basically mic shaped anyway, which makes it even more ideal.

[Serapth]

I thought the mic being a speaker thing was just all speculation. Do you have a link that confirms that it does indeed have microphone capabiliities built in? I think a mic is a no brainer. If they are trying to build more intuitive games, motion sensors and pointers are one part of that, voice recognition would be another. It's been used in very clever ways on the DS (Nintendogs and Brain Training especially). And the controller is basically mic shaped anyway, which makes it even more ideal.


http://revolution.ign.com/articles/706/706147p1.html

And... from that article, perhaps the worst sentence i have read in a very long time...


At press time it was unclear whether the Wii-mote would also feature a built-in microphone to enable two-way communication in online games -- but the use of the controller speaker for voice playback is a given.


Um.... ok....

[Savok]

It's Nintendo IGN, nothing they say is actually real outside of their own minds, never has been.

[EternalGamer]

At press time it was unclear whether the Wii-mote would also feature a built-in microphone to enable two-way communication in online games -- but the use of the controller speaker for voice playback is a given.

To me, it appears all that is saying, is that it will be able to play back voices (such as in online games) but I have no idea how they are able to deduce that w/o knowing whether or not it is a two way speaker. This seems like rather untrustworthy evidence. Do we have any other sources?

[wichenroder]

guys. Unless I'm mistaken, Nintendo haven't explained the section on the front of the Wii. WHAT'S BEHIND THERE?

[EternalGamer]

guys. Unless I'm mistaken, Nintendo haven't explained the section on the front of the Wii. WHAT'S BEHIND THERE?

If you are referring to the big door/flap on the side, that is where the Gamecube controller ports and memory card ports are.

[wichenroder]

If you are referring to the big door/flap on the side, that is where the Gamecube controller ports and memory card ports are.


NO, it's not where the gamecube controller ports are.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Revolution

they're on top.

[EternalGamer]

Ah, thanks for the link with the pics. Is it possible that door is for flash memory? It seems to make a lot more sense to have it on the front, rather than the back. And what about the USB ports, are they on the front or back? Do we have a picture of the back of the system?

[Zanzibar]

guys. Unless I'm mistaken, Nintendo haven't explained the section on the front of the Wii. WHAT'S BEHIND THERE?

We've got a Wii test station here, and I've looked under the flap. I can't talk about what exactly it is because I've been told not to discuss specifics, but it's not anything earth-shattering. Unless, of course, the 'final' version contains something OTHER than what these early test stations have.

[wichenroder]

We've got a Wii test station here, and I've looked under the flap. I can't talk about what exactly it is because I've been told not to discuss specifics, but it's not anything earth-shattering. Unless, of course, the 'final' version contains something OTHER than what these early test stations have.


well we'll make suggestions as to what's behind there, and if it's not wrong, don't answer... ok, rdy?

[Zanzibar]

Is it possible that door is for flash memory? It seems to make a lot more sense to have it on the front, rather than the back.
We all know Nintendo doesn't have any sense. Nope. Not Nintendo. Uh uh. Not at all.

That's all I'm gonna say. ;)

[wichenroder]

We all know Nintendo doesn't have any sense. Nope. Not Nintendo. Uh uh. Not at all.

That's all I'm gonna say. ;)


thx ;) 3D future projector would have been nice, but yeah..

[Zanzibar]

thx ;) 3D future projector would have been nice, but yeah..

disclaimer: There's still time for anything. There's a decent amount of unused space under that flap.

God dammit. Now REALLY that's all I'm gonna say. :D

[EternalGamer]

disclaimer: There's still time for anything. There's a decent amount of unused space under that flap.

God dammit. Now REALLY that's all I'm gonna say. :D


Which leaves us only to wonder whether your facinations with spacial voids stem merely from personal interests/reflections or something. . . else. :)

[EternalGamer]

Sidenote: You heard it hear first, guys. Zanzibar broke the news on a built in 3D projector for the Wii!

[SMES]

Haven't they already said the Wii takes SD cards? I haven't seen anywhere else on the console that accepts SD cards, so "What's under the flap" seems like a no brainer to me.

SD slots are small, so it's possible that there will be other junk under there, but Nintendo usually keeps things simple. I will not be at all surprised if I pop open that flap and two regular SD slots are staring back at me.

[wichenroder]

yeah, of course that's possible. Although it's only 1 sd slot that been announced, not 2. And there's also plenty of room 'round the back for that. It's odd don't you think, I mean, if that's all it is, why hide it?

[jonat3]

It's been hinted that the flap in front of the wii is the entire core of the system by a nintendo rep. I think Nintendo is still holding back one big ass secret, since there have been plenty of hints that suggested this.

[EternalGamer]

It's been hinted that the flap in front of the wii is the entire core of the system by a nintendo rep. I think Nintendo is still holding back one big ass secret, since there have been plenty of hints that suggested this.


The entire core of the system? What does that mean?

[jonat3]

The entire core of the system? What does that mean?

It was stated during TGS, i think. There was one guy on the IGN boards that hoarded every significant link regarding Nintendo's possible secrets and this hint (including others) was in that thread. Basically, i think Nintendo has some technology builtin the console itself that may be on par with the wiimote. That particular hint was just one among many.

Anyways, i don't know the link for it, but if you ask around there on the wii boards, someone likely will know where to find the link.

[Savok]

yeah, of course that's possible. Although it's only 1 sd slot that been announced, not 2. And there's also plenty of room 'round the back for that. It's odd don't you think, I mean, if that's all it is, why hide it?
Because it drives Sony nuts.