Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


Parappa creator says Wii MotionPlus offers no benefit photo

My initial reaction to the introduction of the Wii MotionPlus at last year's E3 was, well, a bit blunt. I believe my exact words were "And the original Wiimote doesn't do this because why?" Of course, the staff patted me on the head to calm me down, and I forgot about it, but even when I think about it now, it seems odd -- why does the device offer more movement when the Wiimote is all about movement in the first place? Shouldn't Nintendo have thought of this?

Masaya Matsuura, the creator of the Parappa the Rappa games and the upcoming Major Minor's Majestic March, was recently interviewed by MTV Multiplayer and the topic came up. Here's what hehad to say in regards to MotionPlus:

"We tried to adapt “Major Minor” to MotionPlus, but doing so didn’t really make it any more fun than it already was. Maybe MotionPlus titles need to be planned as such from the beginning. The basic structure of “Major Minor” was pretty much determined before MotionPlus arrived, so there wasn’t a huge advantage to adapting it to MotionPlus. And what’s more, the controller would become bigger, so we gave up on the idea."

I can't help but wonder if this is an issue many developers will run into when trying to interpret MotionPlus use into their games. After all, who wants a bigger controller? Are you interested in trying MotionPlus out, or feel like you can do just fine without it?


Continue: More wii stories





prev next

23 comments | showing # 1 to 23

Mr Gilder's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 11:29
Mr Gilder
I sort of feel this way about motion controls in general. Just substitute "motion controls" for every time Masaya says "MotionPlus" and "video games" for every instance of "Major Minor."
Zero Atma's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 11:30
Zero Atma
First post? I may get beaten to it by the time I write what I have to say...

My opinion, based on no factual evidence, is that they wanted to get the Wii out the door by a certain time, and they hadn't developed the Wiimote up to the Wiimotion Plus level of sophistication yet. As it is, the tech in the Wiimotes was, for the time, pretty good. But look at the iPhone/iPod Touch now, and see how far tilt/motion sensing has come since then.

That being said, yes, we'll have to see how easily developers can implement it for it to be worthwhile. But the same can be said about the Wiimote in the first place. In some games it works well, in others, not so much, primarily based on what the developer can do, or puts the effort into figuring out properly.
Zero Atma's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 11:34
Zero Atma
Yup, beaten to the first post :-P
Anyway, we'll see the same variability in MotionPlus as we have with the Wiimote so far. The good will be better, the bad will be just as bad or worse, and the mediocre will stay mediocre. It won't be a miracle cure to tacked on waggle, shovelware, etc. but the damn thing sells too well for some people to care.

Meanwhile, a lot of innovative, cool games that make in impact artistically will continue to sell poorly.
megaStryke's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 11:40
megaStryke
I do believe it was mentioned somewhere that the MotionPlus tech was already developed by the time the Wii launched. However, the tech wasn't cheap enough to allow the Wii Remotes to be priced as they are. I also think that, as an introduction to motion controls, it was ideal to ease consumers into the consumer. I doubt Nintendo expected consumers to understand that every nuance of movement would translate into on-screen actions. It makes sense for us, sure, but you can imagine how fidgety games would have gotten, more so than they are now, if the controller picked up absolutely everything.

As it stands, the plain vanilla remote can sense a lot more than developers and gamers give it credit. However, the tech has to be toned down lest every sneeze or shaky hand would throw your game off.

One other thing, most developers can't even do basic motion sensing right. MotionPlus isn't magically going to turn them into motion-sensing gods.
Dr Milkdad's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 11:45
Dr Milkdad
Everyone thought what MotionPlus will do is what the Wii was already supposed to do, instead we just got lots of waggle, now they expect us to pay extra for functionality we all thought was going to be there in the first place, no thanks.

I wouldn't expect many developers to jump on board with this either, aside from adding something a little extra to those who have it, not everyone will own it, so I don't see a lot of games being developed that will require the motion plus to get the full experience.
hoyt414's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 11:48
hoyt414
I can do just fine without Motion+. As a matter of fact, I can do just fine without a Wii. Because the Wii is an embarrassment to anyone who calls himself a gamer. I sold my Wii last week for $240 because it's only a matter of time before the gimmick wears out and people realize they're playing minigames.
Maxxthepenguin's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 11:50
Maxxthepenguin
The Wii MotionPlus offers no benefits to a game where the precise (relative) position of the controller does not matter.

I doubt the precise position matters in a rhythm game.

Therefore, the MotionPlus won't matter.


Wasn't that easy?
megaStryke's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 11:53
megaStryke
@hoyt414

Over two years and counting. This is a fad for the ages.
Face's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 12:02
Face
I'd much prefer it to have been taken into consideration at the conceptual stage in any game. No point shoe-horning it in. Plus not every genre can really benefit from it.
Hiltz's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 12:18
Hiltz
It seems that games that originally didn't take MotionPlus into consideration just aren't benefiting from it because it was designed around it in the first place. That or the Wii controls work well enough in those games so supporting Motion+ would be an unnecessary.

Then there's the actual games designed from the ground up that use MotionPlus which so far, have all been sports titles. From Wii Sports Resort and Virtua Tennis to Tiger Woods and Grand Slam Tennis. The one thing they all have in common is that the accuracy and precision of the heavy use of motion control in those games has seen a significant improvement thanks to the peripheral's multi-gyroscope.

Games like Wii Sports essentially perfectly demonstrate Motion+'s new capabilities in terms of properly measuring rotational and diagnol motion control found in the Swordplay, frisbee throwing and the the jet-ski games.

The problem with the Wii remote is that while it works well enough in some games, the accelerometer can accidentally mistake one motion for a different one (like if you want to do a left motion gesture swing but instead the game translates that as being a right or even a downwards or upwards motion gesture swing) because its measurement capabilities aren't precise enough.
Tubatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 12:27
Tubatic
I like what Hiltz is saying.

Games built from ground up with MotionPlus in mind might actually be pretty awesome. I'd like to think this will help bring in that mythical Bushido Blade for the Wii from my dreams.

And in particular, I don't know what type of motion play is involved in Major Minor, but I can beleive that what ever it is just might not be in line with what the MotionPlus offers (at least from a "what's fun and important to this game" point of view, which a game producer/designer will be looking at it from)
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 12:50
Chronic Logic
Nintendo trying to make more money?
BlackFreefall's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 13:03
BlackFreefall
I second Hiltz comment.

Just think of all the potentiality the MotionPlus would offer. The current Wii games give only a sample taste of motion control. While it may be fun initially it is certainly not precise.

In a game like No More Heroes, I want the character to mirror my movement of the Wii Controller. Not just some simple horizontal and vertical attacks.
geekbot's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 13:10
geekbot
You could argue that Wii MotionPlus should have been technology that was made available in the first place, but that would be pointless, because the fact is that it didn't. We should just be happy that it will be available in the future.

As for the comment made by the developer of Major Minor's Majestic March: "Maybe MotionPlus titles need to be planned as such from the beginning." That seems like a no-brainer to me. You can have the best hardware in the world, but it won't mean much if the developers don't create their games to fully take advantage of it.
pedrovay2003's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 13:24
pedrovay2003
@Dr.

Everyone thought what MotionPlus will do is what the Wii was already supposed to do, instead we just got lots of waggle, now they expect us to pay extra for functionality we all thought was going to be there in the first place, no thanks.

Nintendo never once said that the Wii remote would have perfect 1:1 motion control functionality from the beginning. A lot of people keep saying "Ooh, MotionPlus, something that should have been there from the beginning." Anyone who thought that functionality would be built in from the start set themselves up for disappointment, and shouldn't be blaming Nintendo.

As far as the actual article, I don't think the point of MotionPlus is to throw it in every single game ever made and expect the games to get better. I third Hiltz --- You have to build a game with the device in mind.
Hiltz's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 14:49
Hiltz
Nintendo's approach with the Wii was based on accessability, affordability and innovation.For Nintendo,it was the right move to offer something different from the competition.


Nintendo didn't want to contribute to rising development costs, increased game prices and complex controls. Besides, Nintendo already tried taking that path with the GameCube. While Nintendo did make a profit, it lost significant market share. Besides, it didn't make sense to have 3 similar home consoles competing against each other then or now in my opinion.

As we all know, Nintendo has a thing for peripherals and quite frankly, most of them have been gimmicky, one-trick ponies. I do however, have to give credit for Nintendo for not being afraid to experiment with unique ideas.


Better hardware only means better technical game design which is important, no question about it. Whether the game is actually fun, is a whole different matter. As Nintendo and other developers has shown, you don't necessarily need better hardware in order to make better, more enjoyable games or even original and innovative ones for that matter.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 15:04
Holyetheline
OMG THE TRUTH IS FINALLY OUT
Hiltz's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 15:14
Hiltz
People have different opinions. Parappa creator sayes one thing and EA's Montreal says another thing.

- Taken from a 1up interview:


1UP: So for the Wii, do you have things in the works for the MotionPlus add-on?

AT: Well, we have a demo using MotionPlus; we have some early things going on. I feel that it is really a huge difference in quality and precision. I feel like a lot of things that we felt were going to be doable with the former controller are going to now be doable for sure. You know, like games using swords — everything can be improved. We did dancing stuff here [referring to Boogie], but the problem that we discovered was that it was more difficult or challenging than it should have been; this time we can do tons more stuff. I’m not saying we’re definitely going to do more dancing stuff again, but the control is now so tight. It’s really going to be fun.
peachboy's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 15:15
peachboy
sin and punishment 2 is the only thing keeping me from leaving my wii out for the wolves.
L0cky's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 15:15
L0cky
simple answers
1: at the time of the wii launch wii motion plus (1on1 control) was to expensive to implament into the controllers so nintendo released a remote that had some motion sensing which was aforabdle at the time.

2: some games are more focused on motion control then others, a lot of games are fine with yust waggle and light jesters movements they realy dont benefit much from motion plus (example mario galaxy) , other games benefit from more precis movements (at which the wii mote fails atm) (wii boxing)

prob in the future we will see a wiimote with wii motion plus already inside.
Covertpoet's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 17:30
Covertpoet
I have to agree with Hiltz as well, The games that would benefit the most from MotionPlus would be those that were made with it in mind, I actually want to play Grand Slam Tennis and Tiger Woods Golf and I am not a fan of Sports games...

Exciting times...exciting times
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/20/2009 19:03
AgentMOO
Stating the obvious FTW! For a third party publisher there's no advantage to requiring additional hardware that adds negligible benefits. Selling this Wiimote motion-band-aid is Nintendo's job, and they need to do much better than Wii Music for a killer app to convince their casual base to buy it.
Hiltz's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/21/2009 15:29
Hiltz
Nintendo already started to promote MotionPlus by demonstrating its capabilities with Wii Sports Resort at E3 2008 when it was first announced.

What are you talking about? Wii Music doesn't even support MotionPlus and the game was never viewed as being a killer-app title. Although it did sell a million copies.
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 

   Got news?   tips@destructoid.com   |   Dtoid Twitter

New Videos

more videos


Reviews & Previews
BioShock 2 review
Dante's Inferno review
Chime review
Hustle Kings review
iPhone Review Round-up: January review
more reviews
Dawn of War II Chaos Rising
Metro 2033
A trip to the racetracks Days of Thunder Arcade
Double the pleasure, double the fun with Darwinia+
Wizarding world in plastic Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4
more previews


- The Dtoid Army is 56756 strong -

Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

Call for entries: the Areas of my Expertise

New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide


 Originals
Jim Sterling: How Aliens are blatantly better than Predators





















More Destructoid Originals




We are Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
Nick Chester
Editor-in-Chief
Niero
Founder, Big Boss
Jim Sterling
Reviews Editor
Hamza Aziz
Community Manager
Dale North
News Editor
Rey Gutierrez
Destructoid Video EIC
Anthony Burch
Features Editor
Brad Nicholson
Managing Editor
Tom Fronczak Colette Bennett
Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
Conrad
Zimmerman
Chad Concelmo
Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
Brad Rice Jordan Devore
Will Maddock Matthew Razak
Josh Tolentino
Joseph Leray
Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
     
  Adam Dork
Daniel Lingen
Hollie Bennett
Joe Burling
Mikey Turvey






 
 
  get involved

register or login
post a blog
post a forum
enter a contest
contribute a news tip
suggest a feature
be a guest editor
support

new member's guide
login assistance
tech support
report abuse
email our editors
read our dev blog
nuclear crisis?
keep in touch

RSS feed
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace
Flickr
Game nights
Meetup+play online
seriously

about Destructoid
advertising
terms of use
privacy policy
jobs at MM
buy our crap
our network

Tomopop
Japanator
Despingation?




Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
living the dream since March 16, 2006