|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Video Games May Never Be the Same |
| New controller receives widespread praise for adding whole new dimension of interaction |
|
Samuel Lee (slee1981)  |
 Email Article
 Print Article
|
|
|
|
Published 2005-09-19 10:45 (KST) |
|
|
|
Nintendo has shocked the $11 billion video games industry by releasing details of their secret controller, described as a true "Revolution." Nintendo, unlike their competitors Microsoft and Sony, have put innovation and gameplay ahead of graphics, violence and sex. Nintendo has always pioneered new controller designs which their competitors quickly copy -- shoulder buttons, triggers, vibration, four controller ports, analog direction pads and double clicking shoulder buttons, for example.
 |  | |  Game controller "Revolution" | | | ©2005 Nintendo | The next generation consoles from Sony and Microsoft concentrate on familiarity and graphic power, with only cosmetic changes to their controllers. Nintendo has chosen to launch with a small, thin console. While not as powerful as their competitors, it still packs a punch and they are hoping that the new controller will knock the socks off consumers.
I am an avid gamer and have played many consoles in my day, but this controller has amazed and shocked me. Judging solely from pictures, it looks like a remote designed by Apple in the same style as their iPods. My first impressions were bad. Then I viewed gameplay and demonstration videos of the controller in action and all I can say now is, "don't judge this book by its cover."
The amount of new gameplay options opened by the controller alone will be enormous and Sony and Microsoft cannot imitate the innovation. It will entice non-gamers into the videogame market.
Main Controller Features:
3D Pointing. Sensors understand up, down, left, right, forward and backward.
Tilt Sensitive. Controller can be rotated or rolled from side-to-side.
Buttons Included. Has a trigger on its backside, face buttons, and a D-Pad.
Multifunctional. Has an expansion port which can be used with different types of controller peripherals. Analog stick with two trigger buttons planned for left hand.
Wireless. Totally wire-free. Currently there are no details on the max distance, source or power, or otherwise.
Rumble Built-in. Included as a standard in all the controllers.
IGN Cube, the popular gaming web site, has reported some comments made from major developers:
"The feeling is so natural and real, as soon as players use the controller, their minds will spin with the possibilities of how this will change gaming as we know it today," explains Satoru Iwata, Nintendo president. "This is an extremely exciting innovation --one that will thrill current players and entice new ones."
Brian Farrell, president and CEO of THQ, said, "Nintendo has long been a trailblazer, and this controller design reinforces that reputation." He continued, "We enthusiastically support Nintendo's next console because we believe their approach of continual innovation is very much in line with our own strategy of creating unique and innovative games for the next generation of hardware."
"What we're seeing from this controller is the same thing we saw with Nintendo DS," said Chuck Huebner, Head of Worldwide Studios, Activision. "It's a system that's designed with an eye on enticing new players to the video game industry, and that's something we firmly support."
"Game control is essential -- it's the area where perhaps the most game-play improvement can be made," said John Schappert, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Electronic Arts Canada. "While our portfolio represents a full array of titles across all genres, I think our sports titles might be the first to immediately take advantage of what this novel "freehand" type of control has to offer."
Serge Hascoet, Chief Creative Officer of Ubisoft, said, "We were among the first publishers to see the control design in action. We're excited about the new controller and are looking forward to taking advantage of its innovative aspects."
Praise has also come from Hideo Kojima, creator of the Metal Gear Solid series and Square Enix of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest fame.
For those who have not seen the gameplay footage, if you have played Donkey Konga, DrumMania, Dance Dance Revolution, it is similar because it feels a bit more physical than just holding a normal controller. The player actually swings the 'remote' just like a golf club to hit the ball or uses the "remote" just like a torch when entering a dark room, and can aim to shoot bad guys just like a light gun from Time Crisis.
There is a concern that only good developers can truly take advantage of the innovations to make a great game. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of them and there are gamers who are unwilling to try something new. The controller maybe too radical to be accepted and used, but Nintendo has never been afraid to innovate.
Nintendo Revolution is tentatively set to launch in the second half of 2006. Nintendo will be the last console to come out, after Microsoft launches in November this year and Sony launches in the first half of 2006.
|
|
 |
|
Samuel Lee has a blog site http://eastasiaaffairs.blog.com/
|
|
|
©2005 OhmyNews
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
How worried are you about the H1N1 influenza virus? |
|
 |
| * Vote to see the result. |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RSS
Del.icio.us
Digg 
reddit
Y! MyWeb
Comments Note: Kindly refrain from personal attacks and profanity.
.jpg)
