Nintendo considering new Wiimote accelerometer tech
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Dec 6th 2008 at 6:15PM }
This is not only good news for accelerometer manufacturers (who are already wrestling to get their technology into the best-selling controller), but for Wii enthusiasts as well -- according to a Nikkei Tech-On article, a manufacturer named Kionix could provide an accelerometer that will noticably improve the Wiimote's motion sensitivity. However, we hope it doesn't make it too sensitive -- after all, what good is a controller that sits in its room all day, watching Love Actually and listening to James Taylor?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Lone Starr @ Dec 6th 2008 6:26PM
And this will be their reason for keeping prices on the Wiimote high.
Grog @ Dec 6th 2008 6:31PM
I can't remember a console manufacturer *ever* lowering the price on controllers during the life of the system - at least not until 5+ years into it.
Lorben @ Dec 6th 2008 6:42PM
The 360 controller started out at $50 but has been $40 since sometime earlier this year.
jajaes @ Dec 6th 2008 7:08PM
Once again... Epic Fail :(
bigsofty @ Dec 6th 2008 7:45PM
The reason is simple, the current one is SHIT...
Tiptup300 @ Dec 6th 2008 11:56PM
Are you seriously going to say the xbox 360 controller is bad when the article is about the fucking WIIMOTE!? Like the worst controller design ever. It's a remote.
The Fatass of Kickassness @ Dec 7th 2008 12:42AM
Tiptup, reading comprehension is a wonderful gift. Use it.
Need a hint?
BigSofty wasn't referring to Lorben's post, he was referring to Lone Starr's post.
GG.
Markez @ Dec 7th 2008 6:01AM
The current one is shit?
Funny thing, "hard core" gamers I've seen on this site have complained about the wiimote being imprecise in MarioKart. It's one of the most asinine things I've ever heard.
It's fine the way it is. My guess is they're looking to sneak away from some other contractual agreement, or to source/mfg it for cheaper.
Kye says: Know thyself @ Dec 7th 2008 6:55AM
Tiptup, I think the controller design is genius.
But if you don't think I'm right then cast your eyes over some sales comparisons for all the consoles.
And I can tell you this much, people aint buying the Wii for the graphics or online gaming.
Tiptup300 @ Dec 7th 2008 2:12PM
I'm saying the ergonomic design and button placement/naming. It's horrible. It's a remote.
Marrvia @ Dec 7th 2008 3:38PM
Tiptub, name any other controller that can be played in two different positions. What other way is there of using a controller in one hand and be able to point it as the screen at the same time? It has be shaped like a remote for that to work. Plus, you can turn it horizontal and use it like a nes controller.
Yes it is not the most comfortable controller, but the design is close to perfect.
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Dec 7th 2008 4:50PM
There, there babies all controllers this generation are friggin bad.
The D-pad on the xbox 360 makes fighting games almost unplayable. Seriously try to do a max combo in MK vs DC,I'll wait.
The wiimote is frustrating from time to time like in the most challenging levels of Super Mario Galaxy or any rail shooter.
The Dualshock well the triggers feel somehow bad but to be honest I don’t have a problem with this one because Sony at least have the decency to make the PS compatible with a keyboard and mouse. Seriously why can’t we have this same function on the xbaucks?
Analog sticks are really infuriating when you try to precise.
Tiptup300 @ Dec 7th 2008 11:02PM
The Xbox 360's controller is nearly flawless, as you said the DPad is the only downfall. But seriously, the Wiimote isn't really a controller, it's a remote with motion sensing and a pointer device.
I lol'd at the "perfect controller" comment. Long story short, the Wiimote frustrates me. Why can't every Wii game just support the Gamecube controller?
Kye says: Know thyself @ Dec 8th 2008 5:49AM
Tiptup, the ergonomics and design is fine.
How can I say that?
Ive done a masters degree in ergonomics and a bachelors in product design. No, seriously. So, yes, I do know what I'm talking about.
Fang @ Dec 6th 2008 6:30PM
I can say this - Kionix makes a good gyro, for realz.
Though the consumer in me wonders what this will mean for Wii and my wallet.....and games I already own that use motion to change into on-screen action.
Cos these gyros are sensitive.
BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Dec 6th 2008 8:14PM
We aren't talking gyros here, though. Accelerometers. Kinda similar in function, but not the same thing.
ejordan @ Dec 6th 2008 6:30PM
They're just looking to make more money off each wiimote. I haven't seen any exciting news about Nintendo in months.
fffunfarm06 @ Dec 6th 2008 6:31PM
i can see it now on our next battle on brawl; "i call shotties the new remote! u'all can use the shitty remote" they better buy the new hotness if they want to beat me ever again.
-miyamoto cranking out money from wii pic here-
Alex McKee @ Dec 6th 2008 6:43PM
http://www.mywii.com.au/img/contents/miyamotomoney.gif
DeoWulf @ Dec 6th 2008 6:56PM
Why would improved motion sensing mean anything in Brawl?
fffunfarm06 @ Dec 6th 2008 9:44PM
sorry but i was speaking to the general public. i dont own a wii nor have i played brawl.
still this seems dumb. idk.
fffunfarm06 @ Dec 6th 2008 9:49PM
lmao at gif.i guess thats him penetrating the PAL continents
Citizensnips @ Dec 6th 2008 11:22PM
so wait, you don't own a Wii or have ever played Brawl (something which was painfully obvious by your comment) but you still felt the need to chime in on this topic?
...why?
Mr Khan @ Dec 6th 2008 11:48PM
If he has a relevant point to make, he's allowed to post, even without proper experience
He can't make any arguments from authority, but he's allowed to comment. Same problem that some people seem to have with me posting in PS360 topics
Cody @ Dec 7th 2008 2:09PM
wow fffunfarm06, just stop commenting please.
Lee @ Dec 6th 2008 6:37PM
This is good news.
DeoWulf @ Dec 6th 2008 6:57PM
If you consider being forced to buy a whole new suite of controllers to make sure your new games work as well as they should, sure.
Oh, who am I kidding. All Nintendo seems to care about is selling new hardware. Next generation I'm jumping ship.
WRE @ Dec 6th 2008 8:00PM
No way! A hardware manufacturer cares about selling hardware?! We should go buy stuff from some company that's too cool to care whether or not we buy their product. Oh, wait. I already bought a PS3...
Lee @ Dec 7th 2008 10:13AM
Didn't MS remake the dpad in their newer 360 controllers?
Didn't MS remake their original Xbox controller?
Didn't Sony finally realise it was best to add rumble to their controllers?
Didn't Sony also add analogue sticks onto the PS1 controller after the N64 was released?
Doesn't Sony keep adding minor updates to the PSP that don't seem to fix the real problems with it?
Didn't Sony once say that their PS3 will allow for CPU upgrades?
Don't MS keep updating their 360 with various new architectures, flash drives and video output options?
What has Nintendo's console done this gen... A 2 year old Wii that has had no changes. A 2 year old controller that has had no changes.
Thus ends teh uber pwn.
Cody @ Dec 7th 2008 2:13PM
Lee, stop it with the valid and logical points, they are no good here.
Remember, we're talking about a Nintendo related article on Joystiq.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Dec 6th 2008 6:38PM
Yeah, you wouldn't want your wii to be too sensitive, otherwise it'd be prone to premature e-- oh wait.
ice~ @ Dec 6th 2008 7:23PM
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/premature-ejaculatures-might-be-better-at-games/
it had to be done
rooshma @ Dec 7th 2008 12:52AM
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/premature-ejaculatures-might-be-better-at-games/
too late
Premature ejaculation man @ Dec 7th 2008 1:58AM
Don't knock it 'till you try it!
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Dec 7th 2008 5:32AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4
mazza_man @ Dec 7th 2008 5:47AM
You sir, made my day!
embassy @ Dec 8th 2008 12:42AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8HB252MeAI
Mr Khan @ Dec 6th 2008 6:38PM
I'll really have to take a look at the inevitable comparisons that will be shown after these are released into the wild. Putting one of these together alongside motionplus might make a real difference
Mr Khan @ Dec 6th 2008 8:05PM
It's always the most awkward posts that get screwed up, always.
Papytendo @ Dec 6th 2008 6:57PM
Don't post that! There could be little kids here looking at that Wiimote porn!
Alvin @ Dec 6th 2008 6:59PM
IT'S NUDE!!!
O_o
BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Dec 6th 2008 8:15PM
AND I LOVE IT! HAHAHA!
Foetoid @ Dec 6th 2008 8:19PM
And it's not wearing any clothes too!
Drew @ Dec 7th 2008 1:33AM
Foe, is that a Thumbtanic reference?
Extinction @ Dec 6th 2008 7:31PM
This seems like bad news for all existing controller owners, and all game developers who now have to support yet another wii controller.
Mr Khan @ Dec 6th 2008 8:03PM
Well no. This isn't bad like Motion Plus is, this is just an improvement on the existing tech. More accurate gesture recognition under the current system of programming, not a whole new means of programming better gesture recognition.
Definitely be a boon for playing Zack and Wiki, if nothing else
Extinction @ Dec 7th 2008 1:16AM
"More accurate gesture recognition under the current system of programming"
No, it would require different programming as it's different data received by the system. Games are expecting very specific data, and this is very different.
iofthestorm @ Dec 7th 2008 2:10AM
Umm... no. Why would the data be different? Doesn't matter what chips are inside as long as they output the same signals, and it would be stupid for them not to. I think what's really happening here though is that they're just using a cheaper manufacturer, and it might just happen to be more accurate. But API wise I doubt anything will change, because that's just not how things are done.
Extinction @ Dec 7th 2008 4:02PM
"Umm... no. Why would the data be different? "
Because it's receiving different data. This isn't rocket science. The whole article told you this.
BishBash @ Dec 6th 2008 7:32PM
can i just say that the "too sensitive" end joke caught me off guard. havent loled at/with joystiq for a long time