Continue reading Revolutionary: Pure Excitement

Revolutionary: Pure Excitement originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Let me tell you about the game I played when I was still young..." Growing up, I was familiar with the name Bionic Commando, although I'd never played it for myself. I've had lots of conversations with friends about old games, and they'd reminisced about some game with a guy that swung around on a grappling arm. Yet strangely enough, none of my friends could remember what the game was called. When it was announced that Bionic Commando was to receive a re-imagining, I finally was able to match that game my friends loved, with the title. With the hype for the new game, I caught my first glimpse of the old 8-bit classic in promotional videos, and I really felt like I'd missed out on something special. But my disappointment quickly turned to anticipation when it was later revealed that the game would also be remade in 2D for download on all the popular home consoles!

(raucous cheering)

But not the Wii!

(sound of crickets)

Long-time Nintendo fans love to remember the old times, but we don't hold dear the memories of being repeatedly snubbed out of multiplatform ports. With GlovePIE running and Wiimote in hand, I turned to the PC version of Bionic Commando: Rearmed.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Go Go Bionic!

Revolutionary: Go Go Bionic! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Most Deceptive Kontraction

Revolutionary: Most Deceptive Kontraction originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

What is it about Castlevania that gamers have found so appealing for more than twenty years? Is it the story? The atmosphere? The visceral sense of fulfillment from whipping all manner of damned creatures back to the infernal depths? Is it the one-on-one arena battles in Boy George makeup, steam-punk corsets and leather-daddy fetishware? Yeah, it's probably not that last thing. We had in mind a traditional sidescroller for Castlevania on the Wii, with waggle-enhanced whip cracking, so that's why this week, I've set out to capture that fun that we've so desperately desired.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Whip it good

Revolutionary: Whip it good originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This week I wanted to take on scripting for an indie game, and one that came in high regard was Synaesthete. I didn't know much about it when I first tried it out, except that it was a cross-breed of rhythm games and action shooters, and I was hopeful that it would lend itself to the Wii experience as well as the last rhythm hybrid I tried out. One level was all it took to start the script-writing cogs turning in my head, and after much experimentation, I wound up with a script that dynamically changes what makes this brilliant game so fun to play.

At first, nothing about Synaesthete makes it scream out that it was born for Wii, but ultimately, the addition of Wii controls has made this game my new addiction. I truly believe that a Wii port of this title would be hailed as the "next big thing."

Continue reading Revolutionary: Synaesthetic

Revolutionary: Synaesthetic originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The training wheel project got me thinking about what more it would take to create a Wii racing rig that's as comprehensive as a traditional wheel and pedal gaming setup. The Wii Wheel provides analog control for steering, but not throttle and braking. The Wheel shell also blocks off the expansion port, so you can't use a Nunchuk's analog stick. It seemed like there was just no way to build a full set of racing controls around the Wii Wheel, but then I got my Balance Board and the wheels started turning in my head. How about a Wii Racing Xperiment?

Continue reading Revolutionary: WRX Stage 1

Revolutionary: WRX Stage 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Unlike most people, when I brought Wii Fit home for the first time, I didn't head straight to my Wii and slide the disc in to play. Instead, I tore apart the packaging to get at the Balance Board, which I then attempted to "hook up" to my computer. It took a while and a change in my method of operating, but I eventually got the thing connected and working in GlovePIE. It was at that point I started realizing what the Balance Board was really capable of, and this week I'll be sharing with you a few things I've learned about this new peripheral, so that you can start scripting for it and letting your imagination run wild.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Balance and Options

Revolutionary: Balance and Options originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every (other) Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

The rhythm gaming genre, while relatively young, is already on the verge of becoming stale. Hitting buttons in time with a visual cue only remains as fresh as the accompanying song. But there's a new game that's set to turn the genre on its ear and destroy your preconceived notions of what a rhythm game can be. Today we'll be giving Audiosurf the GlovePIE treatment.

Continue reading Revolutionary: A Musical Revolution

Revolutionary: A Musical Revolution originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every (other) Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

Some of you may have wanted to see the Wiimote and SIXAXIS dropped on an island with explosive collars around their necks, forced to fight a deathmatch, but Battle Royale this is not. Nintendo and Sony would happily accept you placing both consoles in your entertainment center, because they offer up different experiences. Getting a DVD player doesn't require the discontinuation of cable TV service, nor does it render your iPod obsolete. But they are similar in that they are gaming input devices, so there will naturally be some overlap in possible applications. It's for that reason we're interested in seeing which controller is better at what. So with no further ado: Round 2. Fight!

Continue reading Revolutionary: Controller Showdown, Round 2

Revolutionary: Controller Showdown, Round 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every (other) Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

So you've tuned in to Revolutionary expecting to see the dramatic conclusion of the Controller Showdown. Well, as I was evaluating games to use in the matchup, I found myself revisiting old scripts I'd put aside, and building new scripts for games which wouldn't be fit to judge the motion sensing capabilities of the Wii Remote and SIXAXIS. I realized that because of the recently updated build of GlovePIE, my passion for scripting has been re-ignited!

You see, the latest version of GlovePIE supports the SIXAXIS, Xbox 360 control pad, and standard PC control pads, on top the already robust support for Wii Remotes and attachments. There's also a new function which allows you to easily write scripts for any and all of these controllers universally. So, before we commence with Round 2, let's take a look at the GlovePIE update that will figure heavily in the big battle.

Continue reading Revolutionary: GlovePIE v.30, The Great Equalizer

Revolutionary: GlovePIE v.30, The Great Equalizer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

DIYee-haw: Wiimote rodeo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every (other) Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

I guess it could be said that my favorite game genres are rhythm and racing. My racing wheels, bongos, dance mats, drum kit, and guitar collection stand as testament to that being fact. So, while brainstorming new uses for my Guitar Hero III Wii Guitar, it struck me that racing might be the peanut butter to the guitar's chocolate.

Yeah, I'm sure that doesn't make any sense to you, as I got the 'WTF face' plenty of times when explaining my plan to friends. But read on and I'll tell you how to shred. How to shred down NFS ProStreet.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Speed Metal

Revolutionary: Speed Metal originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One part GlovePIE, two parts Wiimote = Samba de Amigo originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

Metroid Prime 3 has proven indeed that a Wii Remote and Nunchuk is the next best thing to a keyboard and mouse for first person shooting and action. Although we have few FPS titles being developed and released on the Wii (relative to party games and family-friendly content, or the main attraction of a certain other platform), the genre is among the most popular in the scripting community. This is naturally so with FPS being a favored genre among hardcore PC gamers and hardware enthusiasts.

With the recent release of the demo version of Call of Duty 4 and its imminent final release, I felt it was time to pick up arms and serve you a script for this spectacular shooter.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Answering the Call

Revolutionary: Answering the Call originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

Ever since the motion sensing ability of the Wiimote was revealed, Star Wars fans have been pleading for a game that would let them live out their Jedi fantasies, swinging the Wiimote in command of an onscreen light saber. Well, Lucasarts recently announced that the Wii will be getting a version of the multiplatform title, The Force Unleashed, a game that's expected to fulfill all your fantasies of being an power-infused enforcer with a luminous sword.

But Lucas & Co. haven't always given us just what we want. In 1999 they released the first chapter of the long-awaited Star Wars prequel trilogy, The Phantom Menace, to an audience that was expecting something more, well ... Star Wars-y. Jar Jar, midichlorians, and a pre-pubescent, mop-topped future-fascist didn't quite make for the hit we were hoping for, and the most exciting moment in the film was not a war or a fight scene, but a race. Lucasarts seemed to agree and developed a game based around that scene (albeit, filled out with more tracks and worlds). In this week's Revolutionary, we'll be using GlovePIE to see if the Wiimote and Nunchuk can keep up with the Jedi-like reflexes you'll need to stay in the lead in Star Wars: Episode I Racer.

Continue reading Revolutionary: This is Not the Star Wars You're Looking For

Revolutionary: This is Not the Star Wars You're Looking For originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

Are you getting tired of "Wii gimmicks?" Has waggling lost its charm? Has the Wii's cheese become old and moldy and sent you looking for the bathroom? And are you tired of seeing everyday words being pwiif ... *ahem* - prefixed with "Wii?" If the answer to all of those questions is a resounding "Heck no!" then read on as we wiicap Revolutionaries past, and wiivisit the projects and hobbies previously featured and see how they've progressed since last we discussed them.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Progress Wiiport, Part 1

Revolutionary: Progress Wiiport, Part 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

Long ago, there existed a magical place where children and teenagers dumped quarter after quarter into machines which housed the latest and greatest hardware for playing drool-worthy games that just weren't possible at home. This place was called Arcade. One day, a powerful consumer electronics manufacturer decided they wanted those quarters, a few hundred dollars on top of that, and a lifetime of your loyalty. With the mystical weapon called PlayStation, they drew the life force out of arcades and created their own mighty empire - in your home. Most memories of the arcade have evolved into legend, with a few of the old games brought home as ports. But capturing the full magnificent essence of most of those games has rarely been accomplished. Whether it's the scarcity of competitors whose pockets jingle with change as they wait their turn to play, the absence of custom-made control systems designed to fit each individual game, the inability to play ports that look exactly as they did in their arcade incarnations, or any number of other reasons, the arcade is nigh on impossible to rebuild in one's home. But that shouldn't stop you from trying.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Support our Cyber Troopers

Revolutionary: Support our Cyber Troopers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

Going by the company's success of late, neophytes might assume that Nintendo was always looked at as the redemptive innovator of the games industry. But some time around the midpoint of the Super Nintendo's life cycle, the popular sentiment started turning to "a trend isn't cool until Nintendo bucks it." Nintendo fans were two generations behind in getting an optical drive. We played grayscaled, unlit Gameboys for years while our friends dumped battery after battery into their Lynx's, Turbo Express Portables, Neo Geo Pocket Colors, and Game Gears. Even today, we're still ravening for Nintendo-flavored online gaming.

Nintendo's first 3D console didn't come out until a year after Sony's, and 18 months after Sega's, so while my SNES delivered 2D nirvana in Donkey Kong Country, Super Castlevania 4, and Super Mario All-Stars, I was getting my 3D fix elsewhere.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Exploring New Depths

Revolutionary: Exploring New Depths originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Control a telescope with the Wiimote

Control a telescope with the Wiimote originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

de Blob has been getting a lot of coverage here lately because it's been announced that the freeware PC game will be making its way to our favorite console. I first heard of the game a few months ago, and it seemed like it could make for an interesting bit of roll-up gaming for my Wiimote in the absence of Katamari. I figured this week would be an opportune time to finish the scripting project I'd started back then and present a script for this gelatinous ball of Technicolor fun.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Beware! de Blob

Revolutionary: Beware! de Blob originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

I was going to jump right into writing another script with you this week, but as development progressed, I remembered how much time I wasted on my first scripts because I didn't have a handle on exactly what motions were triggering the responses I was after. I figured I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't take time out to get you primed on the nomenclature of all the motions and get you started in thinking in 3 dimensions.

Last week we wrote a simple script that didn't use the Wiimote's motion detecting functionality. Some might say that defeats the purpose of using the Wiimote, but is that really what the Wiimote is about? The different input options are there to give the developer choices. Sometimes the developer will throw in lots of alternatives and pass the choice on to the gamer. Taking every feature of the controller and slapping it onto a game isn't going to assure a fun time. More than likely, you'll wind up making something repellent that people will call "gimmicky." It's best to have an understanding of the control options available, and be selective in applying or omitting ones from your project.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Going Through the Motions

Revolutionary: Going Through the Motions originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Swedish musicians conduct concert with Wiimotes

Swedish musicians conduct concert with Wiimotes originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Why wait for RE4 with Wiimote controls? Do it now!

Why wait for RE4 with Wiimote controls? Do it now! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading GlovePIE lets you play Panzer Dragoon with the Wiimote

GlovePIE lets you play Panzer Dragoon with the Wiimote originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Wiimote and nunchuk used to play House of the Dead 3

Wiimote and nunchuk used to play House of the Dead 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Mar 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Today's hottest game video: Wiimote control Half-Life 2

Today's hottest game video: Wiimote control Half-Life 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Today's hottest game video: Wiimote on Windows

Today's hottest game video: Wiimote on Windows originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.