Rumor: The Wii-mic ... and Harry Potter will use it
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Mar 11th 2007 at 11:08PM }
Although there hasn't been an official announcement yet, we expect to see the Wii-mic by Q3. Rumors have surfaced and GoNintendo confirmed that NDA was broken -- so, yeah, about that Wii-mic. The writing was on the wall earlier this week when High School Musical was announced for the Wii. The Karaoke Revolution-esque game by Disney Interactive will use a microphone. Unless the game is using the Gamecube's mic to be stuck in on top of the Wii, that means a microphone attachment will soon be officially announced by Nintendo.The real NDA breaking rumor has EA working on a Harry Potter game using the mic in conjunction with gestures to cast spells. Now that's the type of Wii title we're talking about! "Wingardium Leviosah" FTW! Sadly, those who attended the EA Wii event on Wednesday signed NDAs -- so there's a lot of people out there sitting on information they can't confirm, deny or share with their readers.
Update: Statement from GoNintendo, "The NDA I am talking about has nothing to do with the mic for the Wii. I was just mentioning the mic part because we already knew it was coming according to High School Musical info. The NDA deals with something else completely. If EA talked about a mic at their party, I didn't hear anything about it. "
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Optimus Prime @ Mar 11th 2007 11:22PM
Devs have long stopped using the mic on the DS... aside from singing games, its a gimmick (much like the wiimote) and people dont want to do stupid things like blowing into it or saying commands that cant be interpreted.
Dr. John A. Vengeance @ Mar 11th 2007 11:27PM
Manhunt 2 using the mic to let you fuck with your enemies again: confirmed.
Also, I see what you did there, Optimus Prime, and you're really an idiot if you're going to equate something like the microphone on the DS to the Wiimote itself. Please kill yourself.
Sensai @ Mar 11th 2007 11:30PM
#1: A mic is also used for communicating, believe it or not. As in, talking to other people.
Here's hoping to voice chat over a nice game of Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
kandt @ Mar 11th 2007 11:31PM
Has anyone done any teardowns to see if the speaker in the current Wii-mote is 2-way, aka, capable of transmitting the spoken word?
NintendoFanbot @ Mar 11th 2007 11:36PM
I think a mic is even coming with High School Musical. Not that I'm getting it though. ¬_¬
REUYL @ Mar 11th 2007 11:43PM
I can't wait for these blockbuster games.
Spartacus @ Mar 11th 2007 11:47PM
A mic for communication purposes (ala Xbox LIVE) is great, a mic for game commands (which has been tried many times on the PC) is usually confusing, gimmicky and unnatural at best. Why would I want to SAY a command, which takes a second or two, when I could just press a single button in a fraction of the time? Games usually rely on precision timing for input commands and speaking is highly inefficient and clumsy compared to "traditional" input techniques. Plus, you run the risk of the game not understanding what you said, which is EXTREMELY frustrating, resulting in the wrong command executed, the command simply being ignored or having to be repeated. I'll stick to my "old school", "last gen" buttons thank you...
Brandon Johnson @ Mar 11th 2007 11:55PM
Optimus what do you mean devs have stopped using it? Pokemon Diamond and Pearl use the mic to talk to opponents over Wi-fi.
superbagman @ Mar 12th 2007 12:04AM
The Wii does use Bluetooth, so I'm wondering if eventually Nintendo will allow us to use Bluetooth headsets for online games like the PS3. It would make alot of sense for something like Smash Bros. It would be nice. As for this Harry Potter game, I won't touch it with a 10 foot pole, but it sounds like an interesting idea.
Optimus Prime @ Mar 12th 2007 12:11AM
To clarify, the mic hasnt been used for voice commands on the DS.. like in WarioWare touched and nintendogs... people didnt respond well to it.
Of course mics can be used to communicate. Mics as an input method is something else; it doesnt work.
J @ Mar 12th 2007 12:15AM
A speaker is also a microphone and vice versa. It's possible that that is what is referred to when speaking of a wiimic. So this microphone may just be the cheap-o built in speaker.
Cuja @ Mar 12th 2007 12:31AM
That'll never happen. Just like online gaming, it will never happen.
Capt. Castellanos @ Mar 12th 2007 12:31AM
i liked the mic use in Metroid Prime Hunters.
that was pretty groovy.
i wish it could be in-game though.
instead of in a lobby thingy.
scepia @ Mar 12th 2007 12:35AM
"So this microphone may just be the cheap-o built in speaker."
Seriously? I figured Nintendo jumped the gun in not including a mic on the Wiimote.
SecretCow @ Mar 12th 2007 12:38AM
@Optimus Prime uhh Brain Age uses voice commands..
Optimus Prime @ Mar 12th 2007 1:03AM
There are a number of things in video games that are useless, in my opinion, and will no doubt be phased out this year:
1) 3-D graphics. They're just a pointless marketing tool. 2-D is just fine.
2) Analog sticks. Who needs 'em? I'll take a nice, clicky d-pad any day of the week, thank you very much!
3) Online gaming. What's the point? I've been playing video games alone, at night, in my room for the past 10 years. I'd prefer it to stay that way.
4) Sound. Not necessary. When I play my generic playstation games I just crank up my sound system to listen to my favorite band, Generic Rock Band™.
5) Innovation in general. See, I have an unwavering mindset that is completely closed off to others. I already know what I like and refuse to see the value in exploring new ideas.
Periodical @ Mar 12th 2007 1:07AM
Jesus, save the masses. Since when is a speaker a mic and vice versa? I'd love for you to show me how to get something that converts electric signal into waves to do the reverse with no other parts addded. I think there might be a reason we have 2 seperate devices named individually.
Kenny @ Mar 12th 2007 1:11AM
Phoenix Wright also uses the mic on the DS.
Kenny @ Mar 12th 2007 1:12AM
Periodical,
"Speakers as microphones
A loudspeaker is the exact opposite of a microphone, since it's a transducer that turns an electrical signal into sound waves. Since a conventional speaker is constructed much like a dynamic microphone (with a diaphragm, coil and magnet), speakers can actually work "in reverse" as microphones. The result, though, is a microphone with poor quality, limited frequency response (particularly at the high end), and poor sensitivity.
In practical use, speakers are sometimes used as microphones in such applications as intercoms or walkie-talkies, where high quality and sensitivity are not needed. However, there is at least one other novel application of this principle; using a medium-size woofer placed closely in front of a "kick" (bass drum) in a drum set to act as a microphone. This has been commercialized with the Yamaha "Subkick"."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphone#Speakers_as_microphones
T-Man @ Mar 12th 2007 1:12AM
@17 a speaker has always been a microphone. go learn how things work. or try this, take set of headphones and plug them into the mic port of your computer, now start sound recorder and say stuff into the headphone speaker, you will have to be pretty loud, but it should be able to record something.
Periodical @ Mar 12th 2007 1:20AM
@people, the Wiimote speaker is part of a powered device, and you need to rewire it, sending the signal to something external to recieve the signal. There is no way for Nintendo to integrated the current Wiimote speaker as a cheap mic alternative, as the above poster suggests. The easily readable "All Speakers=Mics" info on the web leads to people thinking that regardless of form and function in a device, there is some easy switch to flip to reverse the process. In this case, the only way to do it is to release an entirely new Wiimote. It's also an exercise mostly in science, as mics and especially speakers "created" in this fashion barely function.
Hobbes E. Nader @ Mar 12th 2007 1:41AM
If this motion+mic-using Harry Potter game is the real deal, and it's out by July (AKA The month of Potter), I can't imagine it not being a huge seller.
As a fan of the books/movies myself, I'm really intrigued by the concept.
Squeek @ Mar 12th 2007 1:42AM
Ever consider that maybe, just maybe, the microphone would replace the nunchuck? Or maybe it would be a new controller altogether? Or really, anything OTHER than the Wii Remote?
This is bluetooth we're talking about. It can be anything in anything.
Kinda like how Guitar Hero Wii probably won't have to use the Wii Remote. It can basically borrow the X360 controller and still work just fine with some tweaking.
Dark-Pen @ Mar 12th 2007 1:47AM
high school musical.... last time I went to disneyland, they had this float that went around the california adventure area... with people singing and dancing on and around the float..... >_>;;
Elatis @ Mar 12th 2007 2:05AM
People please ignore Optimus slime.
He's a Sony fanatic who is only here to troll.
In case you haven't noticed he only posts BS (like he is really in touch with all developers around the world and can speak for them).
CartoonBeaver @ Mar 12th 2007 2:26AM
i for one love this idea!!!! i might actually play this harry potter game!
MysticX @ Mar 12th 2007 3:57AM
This is a brilliant idea. I remember how stupid it was in the old Harry Potter games to connect the dots with the mouse, but it would be much cooler with a Wii-mote. Where is my Wii-Wand addon?
Optimus Prime: It´s like you are from the stone age and don´t want to see any kind of evolution in video games. Go play with your Atari.
BPM @ Mar 12th 2007 4:09AM
Elatis, yeah Prime is normally a Sony troll, but post #16 in this thread was genuinely funny.
Questworld @ Mar 12th 2007 4:25AM
"Of course mics can be used to communicate. Mics as an input method is something else; it doesnt work."
Not yet anyway. We're still far away from perfection in that field but the day will eventually come. Much like cards that center around improving graphics, physics, etc. I'm certain that one day we will see something as centralized A.I. where many games will simply tap into (with some adjustments depending on the kind of game and the difficulty required) and improved voice command with highly flexible receptors (i.e. regardless of accent, sentence structure, etc.). To dismiss it completely as a gimmick at all is to short sighted in its potential simply because one is too accustomed to button commands.
idioteraser @ Mar 12th 2007 8:08AM
Warioware touched didn't use voice commands. It just used the mic to pick up your breathing when the games required air being blowed out.
Btw voice commands look at Odama no way in hell could a button replicate the variety of the voice commands.
Nick @ Mar 12th 2007 10:39AM
It's already been commented on, but as an audio engineer I can't help but repeat it. You can use a speaker as a microphone. I don't know that I'd recommend that you do so, but in some instances (like the afore mentioned Yamaha SubKick mic), it works quite well. The main problems come from the high SPLs (Sound Pressure Levels) required to move the driver to generate the signal and the limited frequency response. One way to make voice command integration a bit more responsive would be to base the recognition off of the timing of the percussive elements of the commands in question. That type of an approach would, of course, create some different sets of problems. So, whatever.
ThatFuzzyBastard @ Mar 12th 2007 10:45AM
It's funny---the DS mix is generally a pretty useless device and control with it is annoying *except* that the system's two biggest hits---Nintendogs and Brain Age---make extensive use of it.
Any yeah, the Wii mic could easily replace the nunchuk---modular controller design FTW!
why not the LS2/LS7? @ Mar 12th 2007 11:17AM
I do not share this joy.
Have you played SSX Blur yet?
New control schemes are not always a good thing, and much like drawing figures in the air sucks, I'm not sure I want to hold a Wiimote (with something on the bottom) to my face and say things into it in heat of battle.
VenturaCycling @ Mar 12th 2007 8:00PM
13. That'll never happen. Just like online gaming, it will never happen.
Got News for you, There are plenty of Games that use MIC's for online play... I play DDO Daily and am always conversing with my teamates.
Akamu @ Mar 12th 2007 1:53PM
sorry guys
this is confirmed to be fake!
Eggman @ Mar 12th 2007 1:56PM
Hey, don't say SSX Blur sucks just because you suck at it. There are those of us who have no problem with Uber Tricks at all.
That seems to be the problem with people reviewing games on the Wii. If the player sucks, people blame it on the game when it's human fault. Just because it's on the Wii, that doesn't mean you'll instantly be a pro at it.
Josh @ Mar 12th 2007 2:05PM
This is possible. They made it for the ds. They could use it like on playstation also. Playstation had an attachable remote for karaoke revolution.
KirbyMeister @ Mar 12th 2007 3:58PM
Two words.
Bluetooth headsets.
arrrgh @ Mar 12th 2007 4:28PM
SSX was SO refreshing. I totally enjoyed it....anyone bashing either really doesn't "get" the control scheme, doesn't like ssx period, or sucks ASS at the Wii (yeah some ppl just suck completely at motion related controls.)
Luigi193 @ Mar 12th 2007 4:55PM
Go Rawmeatcowboy!!!
Defenestrator2.0 @ Mar 12th 2007 6:31PM
@ KirbyMeister
Eight words:
The. Wii. Doesn't. Use. Bluetooth.
Know. Your. Facts.
dan diemer @ Mar 13th 2007 1:49AM
Dr John A Vengeance sure does type like Luke Smith from 1up talks.
Mr Khan @ Mar 12th 2007 7:53PM
I swore the Wii used BlueTooth
where does it say otherwise?
Mr Khan @ Mar 12th 2007 7:55PM
Update
Wii does use BlueTooth, i checked
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Wii
PenguinPsycho90 @ Mar 30th 2007 5:02AM
@ Defenestrator2.0:
Get your facts straight before you go off and accuse people of false information, lame tard. Where have you been? I've successfully paired a Wii-mote with my computer via Bluetooth, so unless the Bluetooth hardware happened to form from ashes inside my Wii-mote after it left the factory, I'm pretty sure that it uses Bluetooth. Go jump out a window.