Imagine this: everyone in the industry is selling the same thing - a product made from the same technology and functions in the same manner as any other product in the market. This was effectively any gaming console prior to the Nintendo Wii. They were basically all exteriors containing a processor along with a two-handed game controller.
Instead of trying to top the Xbox and Playstation with bleeding edge multicore chips and graphics cards, the Nintendo Wii took an entirely new approach in the way of user interaction. What I find interesting about this is the fact that the Playstation and Xbox as gaming consoles would naturally focus on user interaction - but if you think about it, it seems as if their focus on user interaction was never considered beyond life-like graphics, realistic sounds and a few feedback vibrations.
I think the Wii is rather successful because Nintendo manages to avoid falling into the trap of thinking that existing gaming consoles has been honed to perfection and that there isn't any room for improvement. The Wii takes the experience between user and product to a new level.
If you look at the controllers for the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3: they're nearly identical. You hold them in two hands and use your thumbs to control the in-game action with buttons and joysticks. In terms of interaction, you are basically stationary aside from the pressing of buttons. Although it has become the norm for us to maneuver with a fumbly joystick, its still rather unnatural.
A wise guy (or gal) from Nintendo must've realised how silly they looked when intuitively leaning to one side to dodge an oncoming bullet on a playstation, only to remember that every move was controlled by a joystick. The result: the Nintendo Wii. The Wii controller however, is a single handed sensor based on intuition and allows you to physically interact with it as you would in reality.
The Wii has lent itself to new game-playing paradigms. Playing a sword-fighting game with a joystick is clunky and confusing. Playing it with a controller that can be swung like a sword is completely natural. Not only does the innovation of Wii allow a more interactive gaming experience, but naturally it targets a wider audience with the simplicity that comes with it's intuitive control.
A wise guy (or gal) from Nintendo must've realised how silly they looked when intuitively leaning to one side to dodge an oncoming bullet on a playstation, only to remember that every move was controlled by a joystick. The result: the Nintendo Wii. The Wii controller however, is a single handed sensor based on intuition and allows you to physically interact with it as you would in reality.
The Wii has lent itself to new game-playing paradigms. Playing a sword-fighting game with a joystick is clunky and confusing. Playing it with a controller that can be swung like a sword is completely natural. Not only does the innovation of Wii allow a more interactive gaming experience, but naturally it targets a wider audience with the simplicity that comes with it's intuitive control.
To be able to overcome what is already out there in the market, looking beyond what is deemed the 'perfect' product and coming up with a design that revolutionises the industry puts the Wii forward on top in consumer products in my opinion.
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Cynthia Tang
I remember how excited I got after seeing the previews for the wii, and how much I thought to myself 'I needa get me one of those'. The whole design really changed the way the gaming universe worked and it's so much more entertaining when you can interact with the product rather than just sitting in front of the computer or holding a controller while lazing on the couch. Nice product!
ReplyDeleteMey Chiam
I have to agree with you there Cynthia. The Nintendo Wii has revolutionalized how gamers play by simply thinking outside of the box. The gameplay has changed dramatically as you're movements are no longer restricted to the joystick but opens the experience as if you became manifested into the game. Other consoles such as the Xbox Kinect and Playstation Move have utilized the same motion-sensoring concept, none of which cannot compete with the hype that the Wii created when it first came out. In a way, this console reminds me of the distant future where hover cars and teleportation tubes are abundant-so too can the Nintendo Wii emobody the same magically futuristic appeal.
ReplyDelete-Karen Ly
You raise some very valid points Cynthia. I agree that the move to target a different market by changing the way people interact with games makes it a popular product, and something that came more desirable than the standard xbox or playstation systems. Nintendo definently left room for improving the product in terms of graphics and fine tuning of the user interface and sensitivity. But what about the idea of throwing and flinging a remote around in front of your large flat screen TV? So they did put a wrist strap on the remote which does work, and is a good initiative. But there are dozens of websites devoted to photos of wii remotes embedded in television screens. I am always using the writs strap when I play the wii because I don't want to break my friend's TV, but it still happens.... LOTS! This is unavoidable as people will be careless and make mistakes - that is human nature.
ReplyDeleteWhat im tring to say is that it is a good product, no doubt, but the perhaps the hundreds of smashed TV's out weighs the directional shift in gaming made by the wii.
ALSO....
what powers the wii remote? Yes, im afraid it is batteries....
Matt Harding
Nintendo really did address all the issues Sony playstation had with Eyetoy when they created the Wii. I also really like how the console is targeting younger audience and also how they are attempting to combat the obesity epidemic with the introduction of Wii fit.
ReplyDeleteHowever I do believe the Wii is one of those gimmicky products that will one day be a fad. While the interactivity of many games seem very appealing and exciting at first, I tend to see that the novelty of most games wear off quite quickly. And many multiplayer games can only be played when many people are over, so often those games are seen gathering dust. Although they did find a niche in the market, Nintendo will always find themselves competing with other companies that have loyal hardcore gaming customers.
-Phi Do
Nintendo did have a lot of issues with people vigorously swinging remotes around and accidental launching them into TVs, Windows, loved ones etc.
ReplyDeleteThey eventually brought out this rubber grip thing which was designed to reduce the amount of accidents. I believe they started including them in the package as a necessary piece of equipment. They also shipped them out free of charge to people who already owned a Wii.
Dael