Presumably how you'll play Mortal Kombat on Wii
by Blake Snow 
{ Jan 23rd 2007 at 2:15PM }
Ed Boon, creator of the venerable Mortal Kombat series, talks with Gamespot about the upcoming Wii release of MK: Armageddon while pitching a promotional video of the same. Boon talks motion-controls, a new endurance mode where you see how many fighters you can take down without replenishing your health bar, and what it's like to develop games on Wii. Basically, he says for gamers (himself included) the Wii is a great console, and for developers, it's "very similar to doing games for the GameCube, with the addition of the Wii's controllers." He also notes that the Wii version won't support online play because online components "were not ready" when Midway would have needed them in the development cycle. Bummer. Armageddon hits Wii May 1.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DJ phYre @ Jan 23rd 2007 2:23PM
This is good but bad. Easier to string together combos, but less strategy to do so...
Catma @ Jan 23rd 2007 2:27PM
As must as I love my Wii that game looks absolutely awful. the version on the PS2 was awful and it had button controls. Motion controls cannot possibly make MK:A a good game. Can't make lemonade from a pile of crap guys sorry. Still interesting control scheme maybe on a good game it would be worth it ntil you stab your buddy in the through throwing Scorpion's spear :p
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 23rd 2007 2:25PM
How do we do normal punches or combos?
C.A. @ Jan 23rd 2007 2:40PM
"So easy your grandma will be doing fatalities."
justaj @ Jan 23rd 2007 7:08PM
I have to agree, the controls look terrible. They could have done a better job with the mapping and made the required moves resemble more what the character was doing. That just looks plain lazy.
Field Anony-mouse @ Jan 23rd 2007 2:42PM
"2. How do we do normal punches or combos?"
Most fighting games are all about the combos. You're not supposed to be doing just standard kicks and punches. Just fancy moves.
anonymous @ Jan 23rd 2007 2:44PM
The controls make it seem like an Smash Bros meets mortal kombat game. One button press special moves.
It's not the worst thing in the world and is sure to get make the game easier. I wonder what the other punch/block/run buttons are mapped to.
Scythe @ Jan 23rd 2007 2:54PM
can you see it now little kids about to slice off their friends head as their mom walks in the room to see what just happened. I can see it now,
"I can't believe they put this kinda content in a game that children play."
Miss the game is rated "M" did you read the back of the box?!
"What the heck does that mean? He said it was a fun game and I got it for him I was in a hurry to get my hair done before my Stories came on."
adolph vega @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:42PM
7. THE M is "MORE FUN".
game looks idiot proof. if you don't like wii fancy controls use old school classic controller.
i'm going to rent this, i enjoyed that one on cube.
Q @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:03PM
interesting but nothing feels better the the press of a button sequence to perform combos (arcade concave buttons) and stick. some games should just be left alone
silkylove @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:02PM
I don't understand why some of you a bitching about the motion controls because they look over simplified or because you're wondering how you do normal punches and kicks. Did you even watch the whole interview. 1) The motion controls look fun to me and I would like to try a new control scheme for MK. 2) Boon said that THE GAMECUBE AND WII CLASSIC CONTROLLER CAN ALSO BE USED TO PLAY THE GAME. So all you purists have nothing to complain about.
Counterfe1t @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:26PM
i say its a welcome change
The Intangible Fact @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:08PM
This motion controls shit is fuckin stupid. Using a regular controller with High Def graphics is way better. Everyone is on this hype with "oh this controller is so next gen" or "Gamplay>graphics"
(but when it comes down to it, the wiimote is a POS that cripples gameplay more than it helps it)
is @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:13PM
silkylove - reason ftw.
How can anyone complain when the old and new control schemes are both included. Personally im not so much of a snob that I won't try the motion control (phisically flinging a spear for a 'getoverhere' is just too tempting) but if I don't like it, i can always revert to the old way. Its win win.
ernest alba @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:18PM
I think the developers are having more fun than the customers.
Burnt Meatloaf @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:26PM
Just what I suspected: developers are forced to use motion sensors, even when they are not appropriate. Regardless of VC controller support, they must support the Wiimote.
I was under the impression that fighting games weren't meant to be so easy your grandma could do it. Ever see people play Mortal Kombat in the arcade?
Of course, people will buy it anyway, even if the end up playing it for all of 15 minutes.
Mouse gestures were also supposed to be the next big thing to make everything so easy and efficient. How long did that last? Oh, long enough for people to realize that better GUI design is more important than gestures.
Darkness @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:24PM
"I think the developers are having more fun than the customers." - ernest alba
After reading forums and blogs, I'm inclined to agree. Players just complain to much. Apparently, gamers like to complain the most....
icruise @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:32PM
I'm not at all convinced that the motion controls will be "easier." In the games that I've tried, motion controls are too imprecise to be used for this kind of thing. But I must say, supporting the Classic Controller and the GC controller is very nice, so at least you aren't forced to use the new controls if you don't want to.
Ryoga Vee @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:32PM
I have to say I'm actually impressed.
Andrew Fong @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:32PM
Anyone else notice a slight lag between the motion and the actual move on screen?
Darkness @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:33PM
Burnt, I don't think any company is forced to use motion controls...but think about it like this. Why did someone purchase a Wii? Let's face it, mainly for motion controls. Therefore, not supporting that part of it defeats the whole point of getting a Wii in the first place. If you don't like that, then don't use them, or don't purchase a Wii. But there are MANY people out there who are more than happy to try them out.
Blazur @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:38PM
He also notes that the Wii version won't support online play
I've grown bored with MK. Deadly Alliance was a significant change to the engine, but ever since then the game hasn't changed much at all. Each one after that feels the same and they're really milking the franchise for as much as they can.
The control scheme does seem like a welcomed change, but the fact that there'll be no online capacity is enough for me to not even consider getting the game. I recognize that online capabilities don't even exist on the Wii yet, but they really should hold off until it becomes available.
NintendoFanbot @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:43PM
Makes sense.
If you've watched the documentaries about Scorpion (specifically) in DA and Deception, Ed Boon refers to him (and Liu Kang) as being "so easy that your mother and/or grandmother" could do it.
Kano's 360 roll on a joystick in MK1-3 NEVER made sense to me anyways.
The 3D MKs after DA have made a change towards accessibilty. I could always do really well in VF, Tekken, Street Fighter and such, but found it much harder to get into MK. II, Deception, and probably Armageddon will be my favorite.
TheMog @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:18PM
This might be how they want it to play when they are ready to ship, but it is fairly obvious that the footage in the video is faked.
He bounces the controllers around while talking and nothing happens, then does the special move (which is in some cases nearly the exact motion he just did while talking) and the game finally reacts.
ackmondual @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:33PM
I won't scoff at the motion control till I try it myself. However, it is nice to see the traditional controller be offered as an alternative.
I'm all for the Wii and its wiimote, but this shouldn't be a cue to developers/designers to stop creating trad controller only games for Wii. It would be like every SNES game having to use at least 6 of its 10 buttons or every n64 game requiring use of the analog just b/c they have it. Issues are, some SNES games were a blast due to simplicity of less buttons (e.g. NBA Jam TE with 3 buttons instead of Live 95... {or was it 96-99?} using ALL the buttons, including all 4 shoulder buttons of the PS1 controller). For n64, some worked better with the crosskey joystick than the analog like, coincidentally enough, such as UMK and MK4 as is this thread's topic.
.
Heh, I'd like to see another Law & Order episode on vid game violence. The juvinelle suspect will claim the Wii controllers were so realistic he didn't know he was really pummelling the guy, ripping his face off, then decapitating him.
.
@ #17
""Anyone else notice a slight lag between the motion and the actual move on screen?""
Yes. I did as well. I've noticed this lag when sword swinging in Zelda TP, but there, it was less noticeable. I've even seen such lag swinging swords in Zelda OoT via the blue A button, but here, it was barely noticeable, and often not there. I suppose one could compensate for this. I found Zelda TP wiimote control could've been better, but I still found it good to use.
GoonieGooGoo @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:26PM
And we thought SFII Fireball battles were the worst.......can you imagine how cheeso the special moves will be with this simplified scheme??
Kevin @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:19PM
Other game companies need to follow with what they are doing with providing the use of BOTH the Wiimote and Classic/Gamecube controller.
Lou @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:24PM
I drudged through Kombat in MK:Deception on the GC having to repeat the same overly complex stick/buttons combos to pull off a simple move. Any system's D-pad or analog this gen or last is FAR FROM IDEAL for a fighting game. This motion-sensing makes more sense.
Fighting games aren't about who can pull off the most complicated special move, but who can pull off the right combinations of moves to counter and defeat there opponent. Constantly throwing fireballs doesn't win you the match when someone teleports behind you and uppercuts your ass into an enviromental fatality.
To the fanboy who mentioned the lag in the motion-sensing:
Ever notice the lag from the start of doing a perfect half-circle roll followed by a button press that then HOPEFULLY triggers the move? Bet I can swivel the Wii-mote faster and more accurately than you can do your tradtional method.
Also, how do you play a fighting game on line...with lag. I think SF2 on the XBLA proved that it's not that much fun. Fighting games are just not a genre that lends itself to online play. This feature will not be missed here.
Now, what I'm looking forward to online is PvP in Fire Emblem. Now, I will be pissed if Nintendo doesn't get the ball rolling on genres that truly benefit from online play.
yeahright @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:31PM
"1) The motion controls look fun to me and I would like to try a new control scheme for MK. 2)"
Have fun. To me playing the game looked like something which will become just plain annoying and tiresome in the long term.
Wiimote gestures are once again just glorified button presses with no more connection to "reality" than pushing "X" (which works every time, unlike these motions).
"Boon said that THE GAMECUBE AND WII CLASSIC CONTROLLER CAN ALSO BE USED TO PLAY THE GAME. So all you purists have nothing to complain about."
Come on, Wiimote is the whole fucking point of Wii!
Not that I wanted to play a has-been fighting game with PS1 graphics in 2007 anyway.
Why do you Wii boys get so excited about these games? This game will sink into the sea of mediocrity in an instant.
Where is the really new, innovative stuff we were supposed to be getting? You know, something totally *new*? No, Rayman or WarioWare is not innovative, neither is Zelda, neither is Excite Truck and neither are the half-assed PS2 ports which form the rest of the current lineup.
Where is the "immersive" stuff? Wiimote was supposed to make every game "immersive"?
(Of course most people have realised by now that the controls have very little to do with immersion; it's more down to classy visuals and stunning audio; ICO on PS2 being a prime example)
Justin C @ Jan 23rd 2007 7:24PM
WOW readin all your negative comments on this topic makes me sick. Whats with all the hate for the Wii all of a sudden sheez. Maybe you don'tlike Mortal Kombat but damn people! Do you all just flood Joystiq for the opportunity to slam anything and everything they post?
FSK405K @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:06PM
It's not necessary to explain who Ed Boon is to MK players. Isn't he hidden somewhere in like all of the Mortal Kombat games, or was that only in the early ones?
Sam @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:34PM
"(Of course most people have realised by now that the controls have very little to do with immersion; it's more down to classy visuals and stunning audio; ICO on PS2 being a prime example)"
By your own definition you've named Zelda: Twilight Princess an immersive title. And the controls in that case most definitely do add to the gameplay experience; it's brilliantly immersive, in fact.
NintendoFanbot @ Jan 23rd 2007 6:03PM
Hey Yeahright, if PS2 could create such a wonderful experience like ICO, don't you think a system capable of at least some amount of power BETTER than PS2 would be able to deliver the same, if not better, experience?
""Boon said that THE GAMECUBE AND WII CLASSIC CONTROLLER CAN ALSO BE USED TO PLAY THE GAME. So all you purists have nothing to complain about."
Come on, Wiimote is the whole fucking point of Wii!"
NO, Wii is about making more control schemes possible on Wii and console gaming. It can also take pre-existing schemes and make them more intuitive if NEED BE. Sometimes a company or a developer won't feel the need to, so they don't. And it's OKAY that they don't. Of course the standard will be higher on a $600 system, as it should because someone paid $600 freaking dollars.
Maybe they shouldn't allow 2D games on consoles anymore because the power is clearly underutilized. Give me a fucking break.
Ken Kutaragi, a man who has NO first-hand experience with making games, has you by the strings.
It's obvious you don't pay attention to what Nintendo tries to tell other people.
If you keep going the way you're currently going, Nintendo could make a Wii successor with slightly more power than 360 and you'd STILL complain.
Now, being that MORTAL KOMBAT IS IN THE VEIN OF ARCADE-STYLE games for consoles, there is little need to be 'immersive'. Loosen up. Honestly.
wetsploogie @ Jan 23rd 2007 6:01PM
lol can't wait to see the wii's equivalent to beat em up button bashing...combos galore
Nate @ Jan 24th 2007 2:43PM
Man, listening to gamers debate makes me pity the poor people devoting years of their life to the increasingly difficult task of designing and programming these games.
I, for one, have grown quite weary of finger-cramping games that reward encyclopedic knowledge of controller voodoo. I'd love to see a game that let me focus more on simple, intuitive strategic decisions that make the difference between winning and losing. Cheers to new approaches.
amiga_tone @ Jan 23rd 2007 9:46PM
Some of these negative comments are so immature!
Whether this is a good move or not, they [Ed Booon and his team] have covered their bases allowing you to use either control pad or Wii remote.
Yes there was a slight lag BUT you get the same with button combos. How many buttons do you press before the move actually takes place? It doesn't happen on the first hit of the first button, it still takes 3-5 buttons before the move is executed!
Though I'm glad they allowed for Wii remote use because I'm actually sick of having to remember what combination of buttons I need to press just to get some of the moves to happen.
Don't like the motion sensor version? Use a controller. Don't like remembering buttons? Use the Wii remote.
Oh and grow up and stop bashing until you've tried the damn game.
Joystiq, let's start a Poll now and see who will use which controller prior to the release of this game then another after the release of the game. See how many converted people there really are!
Killer Instinct @ Jan 23rd 2007 6:58PM
So now we will have people that fling their arms everywhere rather than button mash
Geo @ Jan 23rd 2007 7:05PM
# 24,
If they make the moves easier, then the special move that will counter the "fireballs" will be just as easy to execute.
And easy to execute is where its at. If we want to talk immersion, imagine being able to pull off the moves you want to easily and at will. The focus then shifts from being able to get button combinations to work to being the one with the best strategy for winning. Thats more immersive.
Geo @ Jan 23rd 2007 7:35PM
I have to agree a little with #35. Jamming the Remote forward (and yelling, "GET OVER HERE") would have been better for scorpions spear. Maybe that does something else. Well have to wait and see.
mkoracer @ Jan 24th 2007 12:39AM
In regard to the comment (#37) about more realistic motions...
After playing MK for all of it's iterations I now feel like the joystick motions are realistic... I mean when you pull back on the stick then push forward and fling that spear out it feels natural. So for them to emulate that same motion using the Wiimote is natural!
Lou @ Jan 23rd 2007 8:00PM
#34, I guess #24 didn't get my point which was #23, the same as yours.
I notice all the people complaining don't have Wii's. While I'll admit I have a bit of hi-def envy (I play on a 50" DLP) I think the Wii-mote envy from the non-Wii-owning crowd is a mountain next to my mole hill.
Rob @ Jan 23rd 2007 8:04PM
What?!? A Wii game uses motion controls??!! What's this ****!?? WTF were the developers thinking!! *Grumble Grumble Grumble*
What's that? It gives you the option to use standard controls?
Oh.....
OrionTheSmiter @ Jan 23rd 2007 8:05PM
I don't think that the day the first fighting game was made, everyone sat around thinking about how much fun complicated button pressing maneuvers would be. As the games got more complicated, it was a requirement to create these button pressing schemes so that the system could differentiate between one move and the other 50.
A motion controlling scheme just opens up the available inputs to a nearly limitless number of possibilities while at the same time hopefully making a move a bit more intuitive. Would you rather play a game of Mortal Kombat where you have to spend weeks/months memorizing button pressing combos or where both players can intuitively learn most controls and have an all out brawl utilizing most/all of the available moves in a fight?
I know which I'd choose. God didn't send d-pads and x,y,a,b,r,l buttons down from heaven, they were just the best solution at the time. Some of you need to get over yourselves and consider there COULD be a better way of doing things.
aceR @ Jan 23rd 2007 9:01PM
wow. they are reviving the fighting genre with this.
Defenestrator2.0 @ Jan 23rd 2007 9:05PM
[Insert generic anti-Nintendo fanboy comment here]
Jigsaw @ Jan 23rd 2007 10:33PM
I'm just curious how the hell the controls are supposed to work (regardless of motion-controlled special attacks) considering the PS2 and Xbox versions use seven(!) buttons.
Geo @ Jan 23rd 2007 11:01PM
#44 buttons are another common misconception.
The way your hand sits allows you to very comfortably use 8 buttons. C and z could be high and low punch, A + B= high and low kick, down for block, up for run, and left and right (or maybe even minus) to toggle styles.
Rubang B @ Jan 23rd 2007 11:56PM
I seriously had no interest in this game whatsoever until I saw this video. I'm at least renting it, maybe getting a used copy after a couple weeks.
BIG reub @ Jan 24th 2007 11:49AM
I like motion controls. This is perfect for a guy like me. I buy about 10 video games a year. I don't have the time in my day to memorize any more random combinations of buttons to make some dude throw a spear. I work 60 hours a week and games should be an opportunity for me to relax, not stress about remembering pointless stuff. Think about doing this with a couple a friends. Cool.
The only thing I hope they did is level out the damage caused by some of these special moves. With them being so easy to do the should be less effective.
iag25 @ Jan 24th 2007 6:32PM
I've always felt that the mortal kombat series was kinda repetitive in that there wasn't really anything new implemented in the strategies, Unlike Street Fighter 3:TS, KOF or tekken. The graphics are nice but it looks like the same old boring thing. My two cents.