During an otherwise pedestrian interview, Peter Molyneux opened that big mouth again, this time putting the burden of another potential overstatement squarely on Microsoft's shoulders. The Fable man has predicted that Xbox Live "will ultimately be far more impactful on video games in the long term than something like the Wii controller."Molyneux isn't alone, but his view goes against the current (but possibly transitory) trend, which sees Wii demand reaching nothing short of phenomenon. Though, in practice, Wii is still an inconsistent technology; whereas Xbox Live is a stable and consistently growing platform that has changed the way publishers and developers create and deliver game content, and is inspiring competitors, namely Sony, to launch their own grand social networks for the console market. Is Molyneux dead on?
[Via NeoGAF]













(Page 1) Reader Comments
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I think the best way to say it is that microsoft set the standard for what will forever be a console feature yet nintendo created a unique and revolutionary controller. Props to both companies for putting the money into a chance but i think they are far to different to compare.
agreed
As much as I love Wii, there has yet to be a game that has convinced me that this is the "next generation of gaming." There are a lot of fun titles, but nothing convinces me that Sony and MS will HAVE to include motion sensing/pointer control in their next console.
XBox Live, on the other hand, has proved that online gaming is the future. I'm sure in response to Live's success, Nintendo launched some online titles on the DS, and is attempting to expand that with Wii (failing, but attempting). Sony, too, is trying to expand their online in response to Live.
I think we'll really see the long term potential impact of Live come Halo 3. I mean, I hate to toot the hype train or anything, but the online features of Halo 3 just sound incredible, something totally beyond any waggle controls I've seen thus far.
And I kind of think that the simple interaction with video games that is found on the Wii will have a greater impact on the industry via expansion of it's audience...I don't have many grandmothers that know how to download Pacman Tournament edition off of Live, but I sure as hell know a few that will bowl your face off on the Wii.....
"Hey, this is going to change everything."
Yeah, it already did grandpa.
Personally, I think “online” gaming is important and Live is basically just another brand of that. To say that "XBox Live... has proved that online gaming is the future" is too presumptuous on how much impact Live has had on online gaming in general, even from a console only point of view. It’s more advanced to be sure than most online services but more "proves online gaming is the future?" Well, I wouldn’t say it’s making more headway than the benchmark established in the PC world, but it does have improvements of its own, whether it be seen in terms of consoles or PCs.
That said, the Wiimote and its push with actual utilization of the age old technology of motion sensing (and pointer) is certainly a welcome advancement (especially considering the lack of push in areas of motion controls and touch screens in gaming). We all know that certain games like RTS and FPS on consoles could use some improvements with regards to more intuitive means on control and short of marrying PC peripherals with consoles, the Wiimote certainly provides another avenue. Does it compare with advancement in long distance social gaming, probably not, but to dismiss it would be a terrible waste.
Keep in mind that Xbox Live has been around a lot longer then the Wiimote. The service has had a long time to grow into what it is today, where as the Wiimote is a new control concept that came right out of left field. Developers are still getting a handle on how to utilize it.
I personally have no doubt that the Wiimote will, eventually, have just as much impact, if not more so, then Xbox Live. Give it five years. Thats how much time Live came. As revolutionary as it is now, when it first came out Live was little more then a PC online service on a console.
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The controller has yet to be used in any meaningful manner. Once developers get a better handle on how to use it, then maybe, maybe, there will be something worthwhile.
But until then you are just waving your arms around pretending like you are boxing.
As opposed to sitting on the couch, pressing buttons, pretending you are boxing.
Well, when you use buttons, you have precise input. I press the buttons to throw a left hook, I throw a left hook. I press the buttons to jab, I jab.
Using the wiimote to box is a good idea, and when it works, it will be fun. But for now, what you do with the controller rarely corresponds to what you do in the game.
So that explains all the casual gamers flocking to pick it up, because it's Nintendo? Do you think before you write jackass?
Sounds like you are having trouble with the controls. This is not true for everyone.
The controls are set up to discourage flailing around. The faster you move your arms, the less likely it is to pick up your swing. To be successful in Wii boxing you have to be methodical in your movement, picking your opportunities. Imagine real boxers. They do not flail around. They wait for a chance and put their energy behind it.
But amen to that.
I just hope the next Nintendo system has an online service similar to LIVE...
...but free..
... and a wireless nunchuck.
I would like 1-to-1 motion as well. I keep wonder why no companies try, since it would be the holy grail of the wii.
But as far as Wiisports is concerned, it wasn't designed to be 1-to-1, so failing it for not doing so when it works perfectly fine the way I said it does is unfair.
If wiimote had a gyroscopic motor, the problems would be less, but still near impossible without the console knowing a starting reference point and orientation.
If the wiimote was longer (by a foot or 2) and had 2 independent transmitters at either end, it could be possible to triangulate position and orientation in 3D space if the sensor bar actually sensed anything. In this case, the sensor bar would become the point of reference, and the wii would calculate distances and trajectories in 3d space based on the timing of a radio pulse sent out simultaneously by the two transmitters in the wiimote.
At least, thats how I imagined the Wii working before I actually knew anything about it. Long story short, its damn near impossible to get accurate 1 to 1 without making a ton of assumptions that may not be correct.
It would be less, but the sarcastic "Wii waggle" in the headline will put it over the top.
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It would be less, but the sarcastic "Wii waggle" in the headline will put it over the top.
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zing! just kidding. I hate when people make a big deal about hitting the "Add Your Comments" button twice.
It's like he just realized you can play games online.
I can't really hand this one to Live until they surpass what PC gaming has been doing for years. I understand that the Live experience is unified and polished, but until they can pull of something of WOW proportions as far as simultaneous players, (not popularity, they don't have to work miracles) I can't really say they're doing anything too cutting edge.
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However, my guess is that social networking on consoles will have the stronger long-term impact, although the Wii remote is definitely doing more to change the industry now, in the end it will be just another control scheme (albiet a better scheme) just like the d-pad and analogue innovations ahead of it
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I think the Wii will have amore blatant impact on pop culture, sure. But I set that more on the shoulders of Wii Sports, and Nintendo's marketing. But the whole... streamlined network, connected game console thing... is already made it's impact. From, the PS3's PSN, to Wii's online infrastructure... (Online gaming, news and content delivery)
HOLD UP! This kid is absolutely wrong. As Wii and 360 owner I love both systems to death and beyond but Live while being the awesomeness that it is right now could easily be done by Nintendo or even *gulps and swallows a hard lump* sony....
It just takes setting up A LOT of servers and getting the logistics down.
However the Wiimote is truly revolutionary IMO and something like that which has changed the way I play games is definitely more impactful than just Online gaming...
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I don't think revolutionary is the issue - its what has more impact. Live's impact on how console users play online is much larger I would bet. Live made what was largely a solitary method of gaming one where people could socialize like when they play on pc.
sony is still trying to stay afloat.
Nintendo is having problems just making enough Wiis.
And especially for Nintendo you know how slow they are on the uptake. I'm sure some idiot there has said that Online isn't that crucial and that they should invest too much money into that aspect...dumb I know. And I think whoever said that (assuming they did) should be shot.
But the bottom line here is that Nintendo and sony will probably have something akin to Live...maybe not within the next few years but EVENTUALLY one would hope right?
All I'm saying that while Live is great (and trust me I marvel at it everytime I'm playing Gears) I still think that the Wiimote is a bigger deal just cuz in terms of history I think it will have a far more reaching effect/impact.
If you had to imagine a future of console gaming, would you rather have it without motion tracking, or without online connectivity (no DC, no communication, no demos, zip)?
The argument isn't that M$ is doing something the others can't, or that they are doing it better, it's that they are doing it, and it will become a standard.
The controller is awesome for playing brain age or Wii sports however Xbox Live is clearly the revolutionary for online content. It's not just about gameplay you can also download music and movies not to mentio there new IPTV network that's coming.
Until Nintendo can figure out how to get 1:1 controls I'll stick with my controller. Because a boxing game should not punish you for punching too fast. I want a real simulator because even if I am patient and pick my moment I tend to punch to fast and it doesn't make an impact. I'm not flailing. A huge part of boxing is speed which is apprently lost in Wii sports.
We do?
Huh. I'll be sure to tell myself that.
Hey samfish!
Yeah?
Did you know you have a computer to play FPS and RTS games on?
I do?
Yeah!
But I don't like those kind of games, samfish! I didn't even like Bioshock all that much!
Well that's what it's for, samfish!
Oh.
...and all this time, I've been using it for porn! Thanks for telling me that, samfish!
Oh, don't thank me, samfish. Thank Penguin Warlord!
Thanks, Penguin Warlord!
Live will have a more stable long term impact, as online will now be standard across every console in the future.
The Wiimote will have a much more dramatic impact in the shorter term, possibly in the long term, as using pointers and motion controls will also become standard.
But those standards are more likely to undergo more radical changes than the way a company operates it's online community services.
Really, it's comparing apples and oranges and whoever asked Molyneux that question is a dumbass for even making the comparison.
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/pretends to fly away