I was thinking the other day about whether or not it would be possible or feasible for Sony or Microsoft, or a developer using a with-game bundle, to create some sort of a controller and sensor-bar add on for one of the other systems to give it similar capabilities to the Wii? I understand completely how the "sensor-bar" works, but I don't fully understand how the remote can so accurately know how you are twisting and turning it, so I don't know if there is some extra hardware or sensors built into the Wii or something that work with the remote to make it work. If the Wii ended up just smoking the competition, do you think one of the other companies could ever find a way to copy the Wii as an add-on or something? Maybe after Nintendo's patents end or something? Just curious.
Could someone copy the Wii as an add-on?
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ActRaiser1
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Could someone copy the Wii as an add-on?
Well, imitation is most certainly the sincerest form of flattery. Can you imagine a Wii controlled Oblivion where each fight was based on your sword or sorcery skills? Anything's possible, though for some reason I think the fanboys would skin Microsoft or Sony alive if they did that. I'd be in favor of it just for the increased graphics and more fun gameplay. Pretty much at that point though, Nintendo would go third party as there would be little incentive to buy a Wii except for the fact it's cheaper than the competition.
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Atarifever1
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Could someone copy the Wii as an add-on?
[QUOTE=Paul Campbell]I was thinking the other day about whether or not it would be possible or feasible for Sony or Microsoft, or a developer using a with-game bundle, to create some sort of a controller and sensor-bar add on for one of the other systems to give it similar capabilities to the Wii? I understand completely how the "sensor-bar" works, but I don't fully understand how the remote can so accurately know how you are twisting and turning it, so I don't know if there is some extra hardware or sensors built into the Wii or something that work with the remote to make it work. If the Wii ended up just smoking the competition, do you think one of the other companies could ever find a way to copy the Wii as an add-on or something? Maybe after Nintendo's patents end or something? Just curious.
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It won't matter anyway for the same reason that Nintendo didn't just sell the Wii as an add-on to the Gamecube, and for the same reason the Sega CD and 32X aren't cited as incredible market forces. If it were made an add on developers wouldn't bother with it, because their potential base would be so small and hard to measure. Also, it would feel cheap (in the bad sense of the word) compared to a nice shiny new system. A big ol' add-on to the already fully grown 360 with power supply would look as attractive as the Genesis/Sega CD/ 32X combo.
Besides, Sony already tried copying it; it's called the Six Axis controller. So far developers have been... underwhelmed.
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It won't matter anyway for the same reason that Nintendo didn't just sell the Wii as an add-on to the Gamecube, and for the same reason the Sega CD and 32X aren't cited as incredible market forces. If it were made an add on developers wouldn't bother with it, because their potential base would be so small and hard to measure. Also, it would feel cheap (in the bad sense of the word) compared to a nice shiny new system. A big ol' add-on to the already fully grown 360 with power supply would look as attractive as the Genesis/Sega CD/ 32X combo.
Besides, Sony already tried copying it; it's called the Six Axis controller. So far developers have been... underwhelmed.
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Cataclysm1
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Could someone copy the Wii as an add-on?
The premise of the question is all wrong. The product of video games is software, never hardware. We buy the hardware only to get to the software. We gladly blow hundreds of dollars on software but will scream if the hardware costs hundreds more (ala PS3).
The Wii controller is nothing. NOTHING. What made it something was Wii Sports. A better question would be is could there be a game company that could make a game like Wii Sports? The answer is no because most game companies focus on cinematic games.
Only an integrated hardware and software company like Nintendo could pull off something like the Wii-mote (including its speaker in the controller). Throwing out hardware has been the strategy for Sony and Microsoft (bigger processors, bigger video cards). Sony has thrown out a motion controller for PS3. Why didn't it gain the fame that the Wii did? It is because of the lack of software for it.
The secret behind Wii's success is Wii Sports (and other software), not the Wii-mote.
The Wii controller is nothing. NOTHING. What made it something was Wii Sports. A better question would be is could there be a game company that could make a game like Wii Sports? The answer is no because most game companies focus on cinematic games.
Only an integrated hardware and software company like Nintendo could pull off something like the Wii-mote (including its speaker in the controller). Throwing out hardware has been the strategy for Sony and Microsoft (bigger processors, bigger video cards). Sony has thrown out a motion controller for PS3. Why didn't it gain the fame that the Wii did? It is because of the lack of software for it.
The secret behind Wii's success is Wii Sports (and other software), not the Wii-mote.
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chrisbid1
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- Joined: December 31st, 1969, 7:00 pm
Could someone copy the Wii as an add-on?
the difference between the six axis and the wiimote is the six axis can only detect motion, where the wii detects motion and coordinates within 3D space. that allows the wiimote to be used a pointing device
i would say that if the wii continues to outsell the competition, then there will be some sort of imitation by the competitors. analog controls and force feedback controllers quickly became standard issue early in the PSX/N64 generation. i can see microsoft making motion sensing a feature in a new controller, and sony expanding on the six axis, but as mentioned, if it is not a feature bundled with every console, it can only be marginally successful.
i would say that if the wii continues to outsell the competition, then there will be some sort of imitation by the competitors. analog controls and force feedback controllers quickly became standard issue early in the PSX/N64 generation. i can see microsoft making motion sensing a feature in a new controller, and sony expanding on the six axis, but as mentioned, if it is not a feature bundled with every console, it can only be marginally successful.
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Gentlegamer1
- Posts: 687
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Could someone copy the Wii as an add-on?
You mean like this? (I don't necessarily agree with this, I just appreciate good parody)
[url=http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5040/sonyrevolution0hj.jpg]Sony Wiimote[/url]
[url=http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5040/sonyrevolution0hj.jpg]Sony Wiimote[/url]
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Steerforth
Could someone copy the Wii as an add-on?
I'll tell you why not. PRIDE!
Pride kills, Sony and Microsoft will continue to try to marginalyze Wii as a gimmic as long as they are able to.
One would think we have seen the end of $500+ consoles, but I would never say never. Anyone else find it funny the Elite360 funny? How hard are those two going to fight over the small tip of the triangle? I love it when self interest in promoting your high end tech blinds you to the fact that you are removing yourself from the mass market.
Zune will be $250 as well. Good luck taking on the ipod and the DS at the same time.
Pride kills, Sony and Microsoft will continue to try to marginalyze Wii as a gimmic as long as they are able to.
One would think we have seen the end of $500+ consoles, but I would never say never. Anyone else find it funny the Elite360 funny? How hard are those two going to fight over the small tip of the triangle? I love it when self interest in promoting your high end tech blinds you to the fact that you are removing yourself from the mass market.
Zune will be $250 as well. Good luck taking on the ipod and the DS at the same time.
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Paul Campbell
Could someone copy the Wii as an add-on?
[QUOTE=Cataclysm]The premise of the question is all wrong. The product of video games is software, never hardware. We buy the hardware only to get to the software. We gladly blow hundreds of dollars on software but will scream if the hardware costs hundreds more (ala PS3).
The Wii controller is nothing. NOTHING. What made it something was Wii Sports. A better question would be is could there be a game company that could make a game like Wii Sports? The answer is no because most game companies focus on cinematic games.
Only an integrated hardware and software company like Nintendo could pull off something like the Wii-mote (including its speaker in the controller). Throwing out hardware has been the strategy for Sony and Microsoft (bigger processors, bigger video cards). Sony has thrown out a motion controller for PS3. Why didn't it gain the fame that the Wii did? It is because of the lack of software for it.
The secret behind Wii's success is Wii Sports (and other software), not the Wii-mote.
[/QUOTE]
I will have to disagree. At least with how strongly you are emphasizing the Wiimote being "NOTHING!". It is very much something. Wii Sports would be a joke without it. If Wii Sports could have made it as a normal, multiplatform game, then you may have a point. But the whole reason this extremely simple looking game is such a hit is the controls. So it's alot more than NOTHING!
The Wii controller is nothing. NOTHING. What made it something was Wii Sports. A better question would be is could there be a game company that could make a game like Wii Sports? The answer is no because most game companies focus on cinematic games.
Only an integrated hardware and software company like Nintendo could pull off something like the Wii-mote (including its speaker in the controller). Throwing out hardware has been the strategy for Sony and Microsoft (bigger processors, bigger video cards). Sony has thrown out a motion controller for PS3. Why didn't it gain the fame that the Wii did? It is because of the lack of software for it.
The secret behind Wii's success is Wii Sports (and other software), not the Wii-mote.
[/QUOTE]
I will have to disagree. At least with how strongly you are emphasizing the Wiimote being "NOTHING!". It is very much something. Wii Sports would be a joke without it. If Wii Sports could have made it as a normal, multiplatform game, then you may have a point. But the whole reason this extremely simple looking game is such a hit is the controls. So it's alot more than NOTHING!
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ActRaiser1
- Posts: 2726
- Joined: December 31st, 1969, 7:00 pm
Could someone copy the Wii as an add-on?
Let's be honest here, all it would take would be another Wii Play like game bundled with a controller for the 360 or PS3 to get into the act. All that needs to be included is a controller and Christmas tree lights on top your tv via a usb cable to your system. We're not talking oodles of cash for that contraption. Does anyone honestly think the Guitar Hero controller is worth the $70-90 and that thing is selling well.
The 360/PS3/2 camera could also be leveraged in the same space as well. The tech for it could in theory be pretty cool. The likelyhood of anyone doing this is pretty slim but certainly possible.
Having said all that the Halo RTS game being released on the 360 with a new controller would seal the deal for me.
The 360/PS3/2 camera could also be leveraged in the same space as well. The tech for it could in theory be pretty cool. The likelyhood of anyone doing this is pretty slim but certainly possible.
Having said all that the Halo RTS game being released on the 360 with a new controller would seal the deal for me.
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VideoGameCritic
- Site Admin
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- Joined: April 1st, 2015, 7:23 pm
Could someone copy the Wii as an add-on?
Sony and Microsoft are in an awkward spot when it comes to motion-detecting controls. Even if they came out with a kick-ass new motion detecting controller, most of their base will still be using the "normal" controllers, so that's where they'd need to concentrate most of their development efforts.
Remember the Genesis six-button controller? Or the Saturn's 3D controller? Then again, the PS1 did change to analog mid-stream and that worked pretty well.
I think Sony and Microsoft would be better off staying out of the motion-detection arena altogether. Whatever they come up with will be considered a second-rate knock-off.
Remember the Genesis six-button controller? Or the Saturn's 3D controller? Then again, the PS1 did change to analog mid-stream and that worked pretty well.
I think Sony and Microsoft would be better off staying out of the motion-detection arena altogether. Whatever they come up with will be considered a second-rate knock-off.
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