Wii MotionPlus

Wii MotionPlus

Wii MotionPlus attached to the Wii Remote
Manufacturer Nintendo
Product family Wii Remote
Type Expansion device
Release date
  • JP: June 25, 2009 (2009-06-25)
  • NA: June 8, 2009 (2009-06-08)[1][2]
  • EU: June 12, 2009 (2009-06-12)[3]
Connectivity External extension connector

The Wii MotionPlus (Wiiモーションプラス) is an expansion device for the Wii Remote video game controller for the Wii that allows it to capture complex motion more accurately. According to Nintendo, the sensor in the device supplements the accelerometer and Sensor Bar capabilities of the Wii Remote to enable actions to be rendered identically on the screen in real time.[4]

The Wii's successor console, the Wii U, supports the Wii MotionPlus and its peripherals in games where use of its touchscreen-built-in primary controller is not necessary.

History

The Wii MotionPlus was announced by Nintendo in a press release on July 14, 2008,[4] and revealed the next day at a press conference at the E3 Media & Business Summit. It was released in June 2009.[2][3] On May 3, 2010, Nintendo announced that starting May 9, 2010, the company will include its Wii Sports Resort game and MotionPlus controller with new consoles with no price increase.[5]

Development

The Wii MotionPlus was developed by Nintendo in collaboration with game development tool company AiLive.[6] The sensor used is an InvenSense IDG-600[7] or IDG-650 in later units, designed in accordance to Nintendo's specification;[8][9] with a high dynamic range, high mechanical shock tolerance, high temperature and humidity resistance, and small physical size.[10][11]

The Wii MotionPlus was conceived soon after the completion of the initial Wii Remote design, to address developer demand for more capable motion sensing, but was only announced after the sensors could be purchased in sufficient volume at a reasonable price.[12][13] During a developer roundtable discussion at E3 2008, Wii Sports Resort producer Katsuya Eguchi discussed the potential influence of the Wii MotionPlus on the Wii's existing market, stating that Nintendo was looking at whether the MotionPlus capability will be built into the Wii Remote in the future, or kept "as an attachment we only use for certain software."[14]

In November 2009, a black Wii MotionPlus was released to coincide with the release of the black Wii console. Bundles containing a black Wii Remote and MotionPlus attachment were also released. In North America, all black, blue, and pink Wii remotes are bundled with a MotionPlus. The Wii Remote Jacket accompanying each black Wii Remote is itself black, while the jacket in blue and pink bundles is the standard translucent color. In a 2010 Nintendo Conference, the Wii Remote Plus was announced, which places the function of the MotionPlus into a regular sized Wii remote.

Technology and features

The device incorporates a dual-axis[10] tuning fork gyroscope,[15] and a single-axis gyroscope which can determine rotational motion. The information captured by the angular rate sensor can then be used to distinguish true linear motion from the accelerometer readings.[16] This allows for the capture of more complex movements than possible with the Wii Remote alone.[12][17]

The Wii MotionPlus features a pass-through External Extension Connector, allowing other expansions such as the Nunchuk or Classic Controller to be used simultaneously with the device. The attachment has a color-coded mechanical slide switch for locking the clip release. When attached to the (original, non-MotionPlus) Wii Remote, the add-on unit extends the length of the controller body[18] by approximately 1.5 in (4 cm).[19] Each Wii MotionPlus includes a longer version of the Wii Remote Jacket to accommodate the added length.[12] However, the newer Wii Remote Plus includes the MotionPlus functionality without any extra length.

The device is only used by games that have been specifically developed to use its functionality. It can remain attached to the Wii Remote when playing games that do not support it without causing any problems, but it will not enhance gameplay. The add-on version of the device must be detached when using the Wii Remote with certain accessories such as the Wii Wheel or Wii Zapper and when using most third-party peripherals, such as the Guitar Hero controllers.

Wii Remote Plus

Wii Remote Plus (left) & Wii Remote w/ Motion Plus accessory (right)

In September 2010, rumors were circulating of a Wii Remote with Wii MotionPlus already built in after the box art for the upcoming FlingSmash revealed it to be bundled with "Wii Remote Plus". Nintendo initially declined to comment, but later announced the device on September 29, 2010, confirming it to be a Wii Remote with MotionPlus built in, allowing players to use peripherals like the Wii Zapper and Wii Wheel without having to remove Wii MotionPlus from the Wii Remote. It competes with the Kinect and the PlayStation Move with PlayStation Eye motion controllers for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 home consoles, respectively. Nintendo later announced that the remote would be available in white, black, blue and pink. It was released in Australia on October 28, 2010, in Europe on November 5, 2010, in North America on November 7, 2010 and in Japan on November 11, 2010.[20] It was also released as part of a bundle containing Wii Sports, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, a red Wii, red Wii Remote Plus and red Nunchuk.[21] It has been announced that the European version of Wii Play: Motion will be bundled with the red Wii Remote Plus,[22] while the Black Wii Remote Plus is also included with other versions of the game.

At E3 2011, it was revealed that a gold Wii Remote Plus stylized with a Triforce logo will be released alongside The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.[23][24] It was available as part of a bundle with Skyward Sword for a limited time.[25]

Third-party alternatives

Nyko revealed the Nyko Wand+ at CES 2009, a Wii Remote alternative with the MotionPlus functionality built into the device, saving players from having to change plugins.[26]

In Europe, Snakebyte launched its Premium Remote XL +, with built-in Wii MotionPlus,[27] and its Minimote, a smaller version of the Premium Remote, for children.[28]

Memorex launched a series of controllers in 2011 under the "Game Controller Plus" moniker. Available in black, pink and blue, the Game Controller Plus line has Wii MotionPlus functionality built in.[29]

Reception

Developers at Electronic Arts have noted that the fidelity of the device can be too sensitive[30] and at times inaccurate, although technology reviewers have likened the improved accuracy to the leap from the fidelity of VHS to that of Blu-ray.[31]

Game reviewers at Official Nintendo Magazine have called the device "100% accurate" and stated that movements are "captured extremely accurately".[32]

In North America, approximately 374,000 Wii MotionPlus units were sold in June 2009 (including nearly 205,000 units sold as part of a bundle with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10), according to the NPD Group.[33]

In Japan, the Wii MotionPlus sold approximately 650,000 units in its opening week (including units sold as part of a bundle with Wii Sports Resort), with about 296,000 sold as standalone units.[34][35]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Takenaka, Kiyoshi; Izumi, Sachi (April 9, 2009). "Nintendo Wii in doldrums in Japan, plans fight-back". Reuters. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Nintendo to Set Summer '09 Ablaze with Wii MotionPlus and Wii Sports Resort". Nintendo of America. April 14, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Nintendo to set Summer '09 ablaze with Wii MotionPlus and Wii Sports Resort". Nintendo. April 14, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2009.
  4. 1 2 "Introducing Wii MotionPlus, Nintendo's upcoming accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote". Nintendo. July 14, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Wii to bundle Sports Resort, MotionPlus". CNET. May 3, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  6. ↑ "AILive Reveals LiveMove2 For Wii MotionPlus". Gamasutra.com. July 15, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
  7. ↑ "InvenSense IDG-600 motion sensing solution showcased in Nintendo's new Wii MotionPlus accessory". InvenSense. July 15, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
  8. ↑ Caron, Frank (August 25, 2008). "Of gyroscopes and gaming: the tech behind the Wii MotionPlus". Ars File: Technology and Culture. Ars Technica. p. 2. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  9. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (July 23, 2008). "Interview: Wii Motion Creators". IGN Wii. IGN Entertainment. p. 2. Retrieved July 29, 2008.
  10. 1 2 "INVENSENSE IDG-600 MOTION SENSING SOLUTION SHOWCASED IN NINTENDO'S NEW Wii MotionPlus ACCESSORY". InvenSense. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Combining Two Sensors". Iwata Asks: Wii MotionPlus. Nintendo. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  12. 1 2 3 "The Gyro Sensor: A New Sense Of Control". Iwata Asks: Wii MotionPlus. Nintendo. p. 1. Retrieved June 4, 2009. No, the intention was to integrate the two from the very start. This is why when we use the term Wii MotionPlus, we are referring to the accessory with the Wii MotionPlus Jacket attached.
  13. ↑ Brightman, James (July 22, 2008). "Interview: Satoru Iwata Talks Wii MotionPlus, Supply/Demand & More". GameDaily BIZ. AOL. p. 2. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  14. ↑ Gibson, Ellie (July 17, 2008). "Next Wiimotes may integrate MotionPlus". Eurogamer.net. Eurogamer Network. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
  15. ↑ "MEMS Gyroscope Technology". InvenSense. Archived from the original on April 16, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
  16. ↑ Gyroscopes and Accelerometers Compared (Flash Video). InvenSense. Event occurs at 00:00:37. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
  17. ↑ Wii MotionPlus and AiLive's LiveMove 2 (Flash Video). AiLive. July 28, 2008. Event occurs at 00:04:13. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
  18. ↑ "Easy To Hold With Both Hands". Iwata Asks: Wii MotionPlus. Nintendo. p. 3. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  19. ↑ Yu, James (July 17, 2008). "Wii MotionPlus Hands-On". GameSpot. CNET.
  20. ↑ Thomas East. "Wii Remote Plus coming to Japan next month". Official Nintendo Magazine.
  21. ↑ Fletcher, JC. "Red Wii and DSi XL bundles, Wii Remote Plus, and FlingSmash in North America Nov. 7". Joystiq.
  22. ↑ Thomas, Lucas (April 12, 2011). "Wii Play Gets an Unexpected Sequel". IGN. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  23. ↑ E3 2011: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Due End of Year; Gold Tri-Force Wii Remote Announced. Esperino.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-23.
  24. ↑ Archived June 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  25. ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Box Art, Bundle Revealed - IGN. Wii.ign.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-23.
  26. ↑ Mike Fahey. "Nyko's Wand+ Has Wii MotionPlus Built Right In". Kotaku.
  27. ↑ Snakebyte Direct – Wii Premium Remote XL + – white
  28. ↑ Snakebyte Minimote – Red (Wii): Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games
  29. ↑ "Memorex Wii Controller Plus product page".
  30. ↑ "EA: Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus is 'over responsive'". Retrieved April 3, 2009.
  31. ↑ "Hands-on: Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus". Retrieved April 3, 2009.
  32. ↑ "Official Nintendo Magazine answer E3-related questions". Retrieved July 11, 2009.
  33. ↑ "Nintendo DS Franchise Sells More than All Home Consoles Combined in June". Nintendo of America. July 16, 2009. Archived from the original on July 17, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  34. ↑ 週間ソフト＆ハードセルスルーランキング（2009年6月22日～6月28日） (in Japanese). Media Create. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  35. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (July 7, 2009). "IGN: Wii Sports Resort Takes Over Japan". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
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