MS: Wii Controllers Are Gimmicks
by Kev Lochun on August 7, 2008 at 11:02 am
It’s not just Marky Mark who considers the Wii to be a bit of a novelty. Xbox VP (and former CEO of Nintendo Europe) David Gosen has slammed Wii for its gimmicky approach when it comes to controllers – notably Wii Fit’s balance board as being little more than a set of “digital bathroom scales”.
Asked about Microsoft’s concerns when it came to creating new peripherals, he praised Nintendo’s success with Wii, but warned they were treading a fine line.
“I think sometimes there is a thin line between gimmick and great gameplay. We’ve seen some research that says 60 per cent of people who bought a Wii Fit play it once and don’t play it again. So we have to get the balance right, because what we are doing is bringing new consumers into the market for the first time in their lives sometimes - and we have to treat them with respect.”
Oh yes, he just made a balance pun. He goes on to make the usual promises about Microsoft’s own efforts – “it’s going to be a truly game changing experience” darhling! – rounding off by claiming anything less revolutionary will end up unloved and collecting dust under the stairs.
So wait, why is he warning Nintendo they need to make more of their peripherals? After all, the sooner those gamers stow their Wii away the sooner they’ll be hungering for something a bit more hardcore. Like a 360, right?
Source: Develop
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on August 7, 2008 11:14 am
I’m beginning to lose faith in Nintendo. I’m kindof with Gosen on this one. The Wii is just full of gimmicks these days, I play mario kart on mine, but I use the GC controller because its better than using the Wiimote IMHO.
on August 7, 2008 11:17 am
Yeah. Brawl and Mario Kart both need controllers to be played propely.
on August 7, 2008 11:33 am
Am I the only one feeling Nintendo will be pioneering in the 8th generation with an emotiv-like headset for mind control of games?
I just hope they’re more substantial than actual motion sensing,which dissapoints me to the bone.
on August 7, 2008 11:41 am
I think the idea is cool. Motion sensing has potential, I just think they’re not really maximizing that potential. They’re just making silly games where you flail around and hope that you win.
on August 7, 2008 11:56 am
In fairness though, Nintendo has always been a company to push peripherals. The Power Pad and the Power Glove are just two examples of their attempts in the past.
I am not bothered by that as much as I was by their Wii Music reveal at E3 … no I will not let it go.
on August 7, 2008 12:10 pm
Wii music just sounds silly. Good thing Emily is on vacation so she doesn’t have to hear it.
on August 7, 2008 1:22 pm
“The Power Pad and the Power Glove are just two examples of their attempts in the past.”
Power glove was Mattel, not NIntendo, but yeah, Robbie the Robot was. :)
on August 7, 2008 2:50 pm
Please… It’s his job to bash the Wii. What do you expect him to say: I love the Wii, you should buy it over the Xbox360? Yeah, right!
on August 7, 2008 7:04 pm
I want a wiimote..type…thing for the 360.. now. After playing RE4 by pointing at the screen that’s the only way I want to play FPS from now on. I get all the precision of a mouse in my right hand and the steering/moving greatness (better than WASD) of an analog stick in my left hand.