Dynafire has 132 chronicles

1. Motion controls Schmotion controls
   

   Player Chronicle -- Posted on Aug 14 2009

   With the Wii came one thing that dumbfounded the masses. Motion control. I thought it was pretty cool myself. Unnecessary, but cool. That was a long time ago though. I'm glad I never bit on the Wii. I'm sure there are plenty of GoG members with Wiis that enjoy it and play it regularly, and that's fine. This isn't a chronicle to specifically rail on the Wii, but motion control in general.
   
   What is wrong with the controllers we have now? Seriously? I've been playing games for years with a big hunk of plastic in my hands, and I was okay with that. It may not be realistic, but it doesn't have to be. The fact of the matter is that my dualshock, xbox controller, N64 controller, or any other of my dozens of controllers work. the Wiimote has seen limited success in the functionality department. I played Wii Sports, and the thing worked like a charm most of the time. However, I guess lots of other titles have had issues with the motion controls, which got Nintendo to release Wii Motion Plus to get the thing to work properly - 3 years after the system launched. Whether or not that alleviated the issues, I don't know for certain. I don't own a Wii to try it. However, the lesson to be learned here is that motion control can be an unruly beast and I can't see Microsoft or Sony launching a piece of flawless motion control hardware that is as great as they say it is.
   
   I'm assuming most of the gaming community knows about project Natal. I have to admit, it looks pretty amazing. No controller or plastic peripheral of any kind is needed to play a game. You are the controller. That's a neat concept that has already had many ideas thrown around about how to apply it. The more I think about it on a personal level though, the more I'm convinced that this is a product with niche appeal. I don't know about most of you, but I play games to unwind and get a break from the daily grind. I don't want to come home from my 8-9 hour workday, then flail my arms about for 3 or 4 hours. I just want to sit back with controller in hand and play. Ultimately, I feel like Natal will not live up to the hype.
   
   So anyway, that's my opinion. What do you think of it?

   
   

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Dynafire has 2 comment s on this chronicle.

1. Seripha
   Posted On Aug 18 2009

   Excellent chronicle, Dynafire. I've come to expect no less.
   
   You already know that your sentiments resonate with mine. I think the Wii is a great console in its own right, and I am happy that the video game industry has expanded so much due to its success. I would be lying if I said I had not enjoyed my share of the Wii at parties and get togethers.
   
   However, you are correct. There is just something about the perfect pin point precision of a controller. Motion capture is really cool and fun to play around with, but at the end of the day, it can be a little flaky. I don't mind this when I am at a party, but when I am doing some serious gaming, I need to know things on screen are going to do exactly what I tell them to.
   
   "I don't want to come home from my 8-9 hour workday, then flail my arms about for 3 or 4 hours. I just want to sit back with controller in hand and play."
   
   Rofl, every time I read this I get an image of you flailing your arms and jumping around. Awesomeness.

2. BEN
   Posted On Aug 14 2009

   Your insight is great, as always, but I think this can be done well if it's done ACCURATELY and also SUBTLE. My ideal use of this technology would be using the controller for the primary controls, while using my body to do small things (like pick up ammo or something).
   
   I enjoy the Wii-like activity, but it's a party drug for me and I also don't feel like flailing around, when I sit down to game it up after a long day. It doesn't help that the Wiimote's accuracy is just straight annoying. Thanks for the thoughts