Prince of Persia's Wii Waggle-Tech Demonstrated
by Jared Rea 
{ Jan 24th 2007 at 4:05AM }
Ubisoft, intent on continuing their new tradition of shoehorning just about every intellectual property they can muster onto the Wii, has created a video demonstrating Prince of Persia: Rival Swords' use of the Wii controls. In an interview with Ubisoft concerning the project ("intuitive" word count: 2), producer Ben Mattes gushed with excitement, saying "I've spent a lot of time playing [Prince of Persia] games over the last few years, and Rival Swords for the Wii is by far my favorite."
The demonstration itself is a montage of in-game clips, accompanied by haunted Wii controllers jiggling about the footage. I suppose we'll just have to wait until the games release in March to get a sense of just how well it plays as waggling the controller in place of the Two Thrones control scheme (the game in which this is based on) doesn't exactly instill us with confidence. Ben seems fairly stoked about it, but Splinter Cell and Far Cry has us a bit more cautious towards Ubisoft's non-original offerings for the Wii.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MoonfirePewPEwPEw @ Jan 24th 2007 4:34AM
Looks confusing. I wish they had someone demo it like the MK:A Wii video.
Frexy Q. @ Jan 24th 2007 6:43AM
Woot! Password enabled comments!
And yes, indeed, I agree, I had to watch that movie twice to more or less know what was happening...
It seems fun, never played a Prince Of Persia game, maybe this'll be my first then ^^;
Geo @ Jan 24th 2007 7:47AM
I beat this game for PS2. Ill rent this. The controls do look quite confusing.
Darcrequiem @ Jan 24th 2007 8:32AM
After all the quick and dirty ports Ubisoft has done for we thus far, I have no confidence in their Wii titles. I never though I'd see EA put more effort into the Wii than Ubisoft.
Smeagol @ Jan 24th 2007 8:43AM
This is going to be stinking pile of crap. How can they make a game worst? By tacking on wiimote controls.
woohoo for passwords!
Doug Kaplan @ Jan 24th 2007 8:58AM
Looks incredibly confusing and convaluted. I was up late last night playing Wii Sports and Twilight Princess and realized that those controls were fantastic but these for Prince of Persia don't give me a great boost of confidence that the game will be easy to control.
As I was watching the video, I kept thinking certain maneuvers in the game should be certain gestures on the Wiimote and it never ended up being what I thought it naturally should. Watching the MK:Armageddon video yesterday each moved seemed to be mapped to the Wiimote in a sensible way but this game doesn't seem to have that same thought process and it's getting me nervous.
It will take a lot for me to get this game since I beat it on the GameCube several times so if the controls don't make the game feel completely new, trust me a lot of people won't be buying this for the Wii.
Krak Monkey @ Jan 24th 2007 8:58AM
Looks way too confusing.
WamBam @ Jan 24th 2007 8:59AM
It's games like this that are going to be the hardest sell for the Wii. Like MK, the controls are not intuitive to anyone thats played the series before. Whether it's better or just different remains to be seen but merely having different controls and being graphically inferior to other versions probably won't sell games. Developers are going to need to concentrate on original games to keep this system afloat.
Fred T @ Jan 24th 2007 9:03AM
How does wagging your wii make this game better? It doesnt. The Wii is a joke.
Thomas @ Jan 24th 2007 9:15AM
Is there a way to port this game to the Wii w/o using the Wiimote, and tacking on its controls? You can't make the game using only the standard controller, cause everyone hasn't invested in that controller.. but as long as its supported, I don't think that their will be an issue w/ the game.
Myke @ Jan 24th 2007 9:34AM
I'm actually pretty psyched about this game, it looks promising.
Derek @ Jan 24th 2007 9:35AM
#9
This game may indeed suck, but that 'joke' you refer to is currently spanking your pos3 with a remote shaped paddle.
snowy_mongoose @ Jan 24th 2007 9:50AM
it will most likely support the gamecube controller. It may not look too pretty but you can open the top and plug one of those bad boys in.
Jonathan Tran @ Jan 24th 2007 9:50AM
Meh, it's true the ports are lame. At least Rayman was a little more designed for this. Why can't someone just make NiGHTS/Bushido Blade/Jedi Knight/Some Weird Dancing Game already? That's what people want
The Intangible Fact @ Jan 24th 2007 10:02AM
Wow! The Wii really sucks. Im glad my $250 went to some Really Good Games for the 360.
Wiisports is the only game that truely benifits from the dumb controller. Fighting, racing and adventure games are stupid with this controller.
Wii=joke
fawazr @ Jan 24th 2007 10:03AM
It seems that UbiSoft is hell-bent on marginalizing the Wii with uninspired ports of rehashed games. It would be appropriate for all future Ubisoft Wii releases to don a blue sticker that reads: "Now With Added Waggle!"
But in all honesty who would feel compelled to pick up Two Thrones again at a higher price point? And has the strategy of mediocre ports worked well for Ubi? The consumer in me just feels insulted.
fawazr @ Jan 24th 2007 10:03AM
haha "truely"
The Intangible Fact @ Jan 24th 2007 10:07AM
"truly" sorry teacher please dont give me a D for spelling....
RODNEY @ Jan 24th 2007 10:14AM
@Fred T and The Intangible Fact
Sorry about your obvious insecurities about your petty little "NEX GEN CONSOLES LOL"
Why don't you go back to playing them, since their obviously SO much better
or better yet spare the world of your moronic antics by taking a .357 caliber sleeping pill
RODNEY @ Jan 24th 2007 10:15AM
What i find sad that this "JOKE" of which you speak is raping
the ps3 in sales, and slowing catching up on the 360
funny how that works
CowboyGA @ Jan 24th 2007 10:18AM
What's the deal with fanboys posting hatred? I admit, when the Wii came out, I thought it was going to be a gimmick. I don't own one, but I have spent more than a few hours playing other people's, and I have to admit, it's a solid system. You can knock port games to no end, and you can argue that fighting games be difficult to control, but eventually you have to stop the whining and fess up to what the numbers show: The Wii is a popular and well made system that has a strong following.
Matt @ Jan 24th 2007 10:20AM
The whole purpose of the Wii is to make game controls more intuitive and more accessible. All these videos explaining how the Wii remote works with their games are giving me the feeling that developers are going in the opposite direction.
The Wii remote needs to be utilized in natural ways (ala Wii Sports or the Bow in TP). Shaking the control back and forth for some random combo move isn't any better than old school controls, probably worse.
koan @ Jan 24th 2007 10:35AM
yay. password comments. finally.
...dunno... maybe it'll be fun.
Fred T @ Jan 24th 2007 10:28AM
The wiimote works in instances where it mimmics or directly controls an on screen widget; like in wiisports or point-and-click games like elebits. Even something like Madden.. try playing defence in it; it dont work.
Its non-sense for everything else... sluggish, gesture based games are only good if the game isnt concerned about precision or accuracy. It has to be dumbed down so gandma can play it too; like Mortal Kombat. Why the f*ck would i care if my grandma has a hard time playing MK?
All the shit-ass ports prove this. Why is this so hard for your guys to accept... all you will have are point-and-click games and derivatives of wiisports.
And, NEWS flash, the GC and N64 sold well at launch too; mostly to diehard fanboys. No wonder Nintendo wants to expand THEIR market... who the heck wants to play Mario 26 or Zelda 18.
TRUTH @ Jan 24th 2007 10:29AM
@ RODNEY
That sleeping pill bounces of my eye.
The only petty console this gen is the Wii. The controls don't help shit. In fact it makes games suck worst. Nintendo took the cheap ass route this gen because the last two consoles they produced bombed. So they tack on a new contoller with a system that has barely any multi-media capabilities and sell it to the gen public that has no idea that they are getting screwed.
koan @ Jan 24th 2007 10:40AM
...is it possible that we can all grow the hell up some and quit bashing systems? all three systems have their pluses and minuses. god. grow up, children.
RODNEY @ Jan 24th 2007 10:41AM
Truth your name should be changed to "opinion"
Go back to Gamefaqs, they need more fanboys to meet quota
JodyAnthony @ Jan 24th 2007 10:41AM
"who the heck wants to play Mario 26 or Zelda 18." (Posted by Fred T)
Uh, I do.
JodyAnthony @ Jan 24th 2007 10:43AM
and as a side note, let me just say, I damn love this password feature on the comments. THANK YOU, JOYSTIQ.
RODNEY @ Jan 24th 2007 10:43AM
@Fred T
Yes, but was the n64 or Gamecube sold out for 4 months?
Thats what i thought
And i especially Love telling us What WE should enjoy or some dumb shit
I usually don't like feeding the trolls but Fred T thanks for filling that Gap that "Shagi" or "ME" Left behind
JPsithlord @ Jan 24th 2007 10:17PM
I have a Wii and the controllers are superior to ps3 and 360, there controls feel last gen
Olsta @ Jan 24th 2007 11:20AM
I love how people call the Wii 'shit' and 'gimmicky' when it's not even been on sale for 2 months.
Even so, I've had more fun on mine in the past 7 weeks than I've had with any other console.
If you don't like the Wii, then don't fucking buy it, just stop telling me it's shit because I DON'T AGREE.
JodyAnthony @ Jan 24th 2007 10:51AM
Rodney, don't forget that classic troll ">"
jaybleezy @ Jan 24th 2007 8:22PM
@ Fred T
Why do you post on a Nintendo thread if you hate the system so damn much? I'm starting to think you really sad you don't own one. Don't take your aggression out on Nintendo because you wish you had one. There's going to be shitty games for all systems and great one's. I should know I own all of them excpet the PS3, and I shouldn't even have to expand my opinion on that topic.
As far as the Intangible Fact your the biggest 2 faced loser on this site. You talk about how much the wii sucks one minute and then talk about how it's such a solid system the next. What, do you like treat consoles like a Football team when your team is really sucking you jump on the bandwagon. Then when everyone has something bad to say you jump ship. I could give a shit less what console you own, have or whatever but get your story straight. What happened to guys like AZN1080P? Or Daryl, or ME. Those guys were definitely Trolls but you gotta admit atleast they stayed on one side as loyalists, and not some bandwagon 2 faced idiots.
RODNEY @ Jan 24th 2007 10:55AM
That was foolish of me jody for letting ">" slip my mind
But with ">", he was so idiotic that people rarely took him seriously
Revolution @ Jan 24th 2007 11:15AM
Password system pwns my heart
Fred T @ Jan 24th 2007 11:01AM
lol .. methinks ">" is still around ..
RODNEY @ Jan 24th 2007 11:08AM
I haven't seen him in awhile, maybe he changed his name or something
oh man anyone remember Daryl? (Sp?)
He was IMO THE WORST out of all of them
RODNEY @ Jan 24th 2007 11:11AM
But back on track though, yes i agree that all this "PORTING" nonsense is getting old, however i cannot wait for blazing angels since i liked it on my 360, so i have to at least rent it
Diman @ Jan 24th 2007 11:17AM
Rehashes, that's all the Wii is good for.
RODNEY @ Jan 24th 2007 11:21AM
@Diman
Congrats you just filled the moronic gap that ">" left behind
good job
Number One @ Jan 24th 2007 11:44AM
@ TRUTH, Fred T and other 360 trolls
Keep playing shooter after shooter after shooter until its too late to realise you are feeding developpers' unwillingness to innovate. Pricks. I have the Wii and an Xbox 360 (because honestly, who needs a ps3 when all their games are gonna get ported anyway,) and the 360 is sitting on a shelf picking up dust becuase the novelty of Gears of War has worn off. People keep saying tacked on when they talk about Wii control schemes but how many times do I need to have the camera on my ass anytime I decide to run across the screen cause someone at epic thought it was cool? Oh, yeh, EVERY GOD FORSAKEN TIME.
Cody @ Jan 24th 2007 11:39AM
I agree that these controls look pretty ridiculous. It just seems to confusing, and like it wouldnt be much fun tapping the remote and nunchuck up and down and up and down.
I do think that the Mortal Kombat controls were very interesting. I have never liked the insanely long button ccombos required to performs some moves, and making motions that to a degree mimic that of your character make it a lot better than PoP's in my opinion.
RODNEY @ Jan 24th 2007 11:46AM
Just ignore the trolls, the more they troll the more insecure they feel about their purchase
its just common sense
Almack64 @ Jan 24th 2007 11:50AM
I think that this first year of wii games are probably going to have some pretty disappointing controller schemes. I just hope the developers learn what's good and what's not quickly.
WamBam @ Jan 24th 2007 11:50AM
Wow, name calling. Nothing like guys getting tough over the internet to really make me laugh. Honestly, you have problems if you don't realize unqualified worship of one company makes you a corporate tool.
Buy all the systems or, if you're poor, spend the money on food for godsakes!
RODNEY @ Jan 24th 2007 12:00PM
I just say good things about a company that fucks up the least
i realize all companies fuck up
but yeah if you don't buy all 3 consoles then seriously, you shouldn't even be allowed to say ANYTHING
(yes i own a wii,ps3,and a 360 HURRAY YEARS OF LABOR WASTED ON GAMES)
JodyAnthony @ Jan 24th 2007 12:16PM
As it is, I only have a Wii from this generation (ps2, dc, and gc from last)
then again, I dont badmouth sony or ms. I will definately be getting either the 360 or the ps3 eventually. It all depends on which one gets Suikoden 6. If Suikoden 6 never comes...well, I'll probably get a PS3 for other RPGs about 6 years from now.
Hell, I love my PS2 probably more than gamecube (because of the RPGs) but I didnt even get the ps2 until it was $149. Wii is the only console I've ever purchased for the first price, let alone at launch. The only reason I was able to get Wii is because it was only $250, and I saved up my money for 2 months to get it (I generally give myself an allowance of $50 for games a month. I splurged on Wii. All the rest of my money goes to mortgage, car payment, bills, and college payments, with whatever is left going into savings)
MysticX @ Jan 24th 2007 12:48PM
I think this looks prettyr cool. But I still want to test it before I buy it.
Blazur @ Jan 24th 2007 12:22PM
I don't think some games were meant for the Wiimote control scheme, and PoP seems like one of them. There's just too much variety in the characters attacks and movements. Of course this is all supposition haven't never played the Wii game myself.