Wii MotionPlus

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Wii MotionPlus
Wii Remote with MotionPlus.jpg
Wii MotionPlus attached to the Wii Remote with extended Wii Remote Jacket
Manufacturer Nintendo
Product family Wii Remote
Type Expansion device
Release date JP June 8, 2009 (2009-06-08)[1]
EU June 12, 2009 (2009-06-12)[2]
Connectivity External Extension Connector

The Wii MotionPlus is an expansion device for the Wii Remote video game controller for the Wii that allows it to more accurately capture complex motion. According to Nintendo, the sensor in the device supplements the accelerometer and Sensor Bar capabilities of the Wii Remote to enable actions to be rendered identically on the screen in real time.[3]

Contents

[edit] History

The Wii MotionPlus was announced by Nintendo in a press release on July 14, 2008,[3] and revealed the next day at a press conference at the E3 Media & Business Summit. It was released in June 2009.[1][2]

[edit] Technology and features

The device incorporates a triple-axis[4] tuning fork gyroscope,[5] which can determine rotational motion. The information captured by the angular rate sensor can then be used to distinguish true linear motion from the accelerometer readings.[6] This allows for the capture of more complex movements than possible with the Wii Remote alone.[7][8]

The Wii MotionPlus features a pass-through External Extension Connector, allowing other expansions such as the Nunchuk or Classic Controller to be used simultaneously with the device. The attachment has a color-coded mechanical slide switch for locking the clip release. When attached to the Wii Remote, the unit extends the length of the controller body[9] by approximately 1+1⁄2 in (4 cm).[10][dated info] Each Wii MotionPlus includes a longer version of the Wii Remote Jacket to accommodate the added length.[7]

The device is only used by games that have been specifically developed to use its functionality. It can remain attached to the Wii Remote when playing games that do not support it without causing any problems, but it will not enhance gameplay. The device must be detached when using the Wii Remote with certain accessories such as the Wii Wheel or Wii Zapper.

[edit] Development

The Wii MotionPlus was developed by Nintendo in collaboration with game development tool company AiLive.[11] The sensor used is an InvenSense IDG-600;[12] designed in accordance to Nintendo's specification;[13][14] with a high dynamic range, high mechanical shock tolerance, high temperature and humidity resistance, and small physical size.[4][15]

The Wii MotionPlus was conceived soon after the completion of the initial Wii Remote design, to address developer demand for more capable motion sensing, but was only announced after the sensors could be purchased in sufficient volume at a reasonable price.[7][16] During a developer roundtable discussion at E3 2008, Wii Sports Resort producer Katsuya Eguchi discussed the potential influence of the Wii MotionPlus on the Wii's existing market, stating that Nintendo was looking at whether the MotionPlus capability will be built into the Wii Remote in the future, or kept "as an attachment we only use for certain software."[17]

In November 2009, a black Wii Motionplus was released to coincide with the release of the black Wii console. Bundles containing a black Wii Remote and MotionPlus attachment were also released.

[edit] Reception

Developers at Electronic Arts have noted that the fidelity of the device can be too sensitive,[18] although technology reviewers have likened the improved accuracy to the leap from the fidelity of VHS to that of Blu-ray.[19]

Game reviewers 'Official Nintendo Magazine' have called the device '100% accurate' and that movements are 'captured extremely accurately'.[20]

In North America, approximately 374,000 Wii MotionPlus units were sold in June 2009 (including nearly 205,000 units sold as part of a bundle with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10), according to the NPD Group.[21]

In Japan, the Wii MotionPlus sold approximately 650,000 units in its opening week (including units sold as part of a bundle with Wii Sports Resort), with about 296,000 sold as standalone units.[22][23]

[edit] Third-party accessories

Nyko revealed the Nyko Wand+ at CES 2009, a Wii Remote alternative with the Motion Plus functionality built into the device, saving players from having to change plugins.[24]

[edit] Supported games

Title Developer Publisher Bundled Required Release date N. America Release date Japan Release date Europe Release date Australia
Academy of Champions[25] Ubisoft Vancouver Ubisoft
Grand Slam Tennis[26] EA Canada EA Sports Some[27] June 8, 2009 June 26, 2009 June 12, 2009 June 11, 2009
Hooked! Again: Real Motion Fishing Arc System Works Aksys Games No Optional November 3, 2009
James Cameron's Avatar: The Game[28] Ubisoft Montreal Ubisoft No[29] Optional[30]
Kidz Sports - Crazy Mini Golf[31]
The Legend of Zelda[32] Nintendo Yes[33]
NewU: Fitness First Mind Body Yoga & Pilates Workout[34] Lightning Fish Black Bean Games Optional April 2, 2010 [35]
NHL 2K10[36] Visual Concepts 2K Sports Some[37] September 15, 2009
Red Steel 2 Ubisoft Paris Ubisoft Some Yes[38] March 23, 2010 [39] March 26, 2010 March 25, 2010
Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage[40] Ubisoft Montreal Ubisoft No Optional
Span Smasher[41] Artoon Nintendo No
SpongeBob's Truth or Square Heavy Iron Studios THQ No Optional November 3, 2009 February 28, 2010 December 2009
The Grinder[42] High Voltage Software
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 EA Tiburon EA Sports Some[27] Optional June 8, 2009 July 3, 2009 July 3, 2009
Virtua Tennis 2009[43] Sumo Digital Sega No June 2, 2009 June 2009 June 2009
Wii Sports Resort[1][2] Nintendo EAD Nintendo Yes Yes July 26, 2009 June 25, 2009 July 24, 2009 July 23, 2009
Zangeki no REGINLEIV Sandlot Nintendo No Optional February 11, 2010

[edit] WiiWare

Title Developer Publisher Required Release date N. America Release date Japan Release date Europe Release date Australia
GhostSlayer[44] Gevo Entertainment Gevo Entertainment Optional
Rage of the Gladiator[45] Ghostfire Games Ghostfire Games Optional
ShadowPlay[46] Deep Fried Entertainment Deep Fried Entertainment Optional January 11, 2010

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "Nintendo to Set Summer ’09 Ablaze with Wii MotionPlus and Wii Sports Resort". Nintendo of America. 2009-04-14. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20090414005535/en. Retrieved 2009-04-14. 
  2. ^ a b c "Nintendo to set Summer '09 ablaze with Wii MotionPlus and Wii Sports Resort". Nintendo. 2009-04-14. http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2008/nintendo_to_set_summer_09_ablaze_with_wii_motionplus_and_wii_sports_resort_12296.html. Retrieved 2009-04-15. 
  3. ^ a b "Introducing Wii MotionPlus, Nintendo's upcoming accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote". Nintendo. 2008-07-14. http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/eMMuRj_N6vntHPDycCJAKWhEO9zBvyPH. Retrieved 2008-07-14. 
  4. ^ a b "Product Brief: IDG-600" (PDF). InvenSense. 2008-07-17. http://www.invensense.com/shared/pdf/IDG600_ProductBrief_English.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  5. ^ "MEMS Gyroscope Technology". InvenSense. http://www.invensense.com/company/technology.html. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  6. ^ (Flash Video) Gyroscopes and Accelerometers Compared. InvenSense. Event occurs at 00:00:37. http://invensense.com/support/FLVPlayer_Progressive.swf?skinName=Halo_Skin_3&streamName=../Library/InvenSense5_VP6_512K. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  7. ^ a b c "The Gyro Sensor: A New Sense Of Control". Iwata Asks: Wii MotionPlus. Nintendo. p. 1. http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/wiimotionplus/vol1_page1.jsp. Retrieved 2009-06-04. "No, the intention was to integrate the two from the very start. This is why when we use the term Wii MotionPlus, we are referring to the accessory with the Wii MotionPlus Jacket attached." 
  8. ^ (Flash Video) Wii MotionPlus and AiLive's LiveMove 2. AiLive. 2008-07-28. Event occurs at 00:04:13. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acND4sO3pJs. Retrieved 2008-07-31. 
  9. ^ "Easy To Hold With Both Hands". Iwata Asks: Wii MotionPlus. Nintendo. p. 3. http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/wiimotionplus/vol1_page3.jsp. Retrieved 2009-06-04. 
  10. ^ Yu, James (2008-07-17). "Wii MotionPlus Hands-On". GameSpot. CNET. http://www.gamespot.com/features/6194443/index.html. 
  11. ^ "AILive Reveals LiveMove2 For Wii MotionPlus". Gamasutra.com. 2008-07-15. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19432. Retrieved 2008-07-30. 
  12. ^ "InvenSense IDG-600 motion sensing solution showcased in Nintendo's new Wii MotionPlus accessory". InvenSense. 2008-07-15. http://www.invensense.com/news/071508.html. Retrieved 2008-07-15. 
  13. ^ Caron, Frank (2008-08-25). "Of gyroscopes and gaming: the tech behind the Wii MotionPlus". Ars File: Technology and Culture. Ars Technica. pp. 2. http://arstechnica.com/articles/culture/wii-motion-sensor.ars. Retrieved 2008-08-26. 
  14. ^ Hatfield, Daemon (2008-07-23). "Interview: Wii Motion Creators". IGN Wii. IGN Entertainment. pp. 2. http://wii.ign.com/articles/893/893192p2.html. Retrieved 2008-07-29. 
  15. ^ "Combining Two Sensors". Iwata Asks: Wii MotionPlus. Nintendo. p. 2. http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/wiimotionplus/vol1_page2.jsp. Retrieved 2009-06-04. 
  16. ^ Brightman, James (2008-07-22). "Interview: Satoru Iwata Talks Wii MotionPlus, Supply/Demand & More". GameDaily BIZ. AOL. pp. 2. http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/interview-satoru-iwata-talks-wii-motionplus-supplydemand--more/. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  17. ^ Gibson, Ellie (2008-07-17). "Next Wiimotes may integrate MotionPlus". Eurogamer.net. Eurogamer Network. http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=190125. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  18. ^ "EA: Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus is 'over responsive'". http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/consoles/ea-nintendo-s-wii-motionplus-is-over-responsive--590232. Retrieved 2009-04-03. 
  19. ^ "Hands-on: Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus". http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/hands-on-nintendos-wii-motionplus-587634. Retrieved 2009-04-03. 
  20. ^ "Official Nintendo Magazine answer E3-related questions". http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=9576. Retrieved 11th July, 2009. 
  21. ^ "Nintendo DS Franchise Sells More than All Home Consoles Combined in June". Nintendo of America. 2009-07-16. Archived from the original on 2009-07-17. http://ds.ign.com/articles/100/1004768p1.html. Retrieved 2009-07-29. 
  22. ^ "週間ソフト＆ハードセルスルーランキング（2009年6月22日～6月28日）" (in Japanese). Media Create. http://www.m-create.com/ranking/. Retrieved 7 July 2009. 
  23. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (7 July 2009). "IGN: Wii Sports Resort Takes Over Japan". IGN. IGN Entertainment. http://psp.ign.com/articles/100/1001557p1.html. Retrieved 7 July 2009. 
  24. ^ Nyko's Wand+ Has Wii Motion Plus Built Right In
  25. ^ "Ubisoft scores with Academy of Champions". Ubisoft. 2009-05-20. http://www.mcvuk.com/press-releases/47487/Academy-of-Champions. Retrieved 2009-05-20. 
  26. ^ "EA’s Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 and Grand Slam Tennis to Hit Retail One Week Early". 2009-05-04. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20090504005761/en. Retrieved 2009-05-04. 
  27. ^ a b "EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 available with Wii MotionPlus at Launch". Electronic Arts. 2009-04-21. http://www.ea.com/news/tiger-woods-pga-tour-10-bundle-wii-motion-plus. 
  28. ^ http://wii.ign.com/articles/100/1006789p1.html
  29. ^ http://avatargame.us.ubi.com/#/media
  30. ^ http://avatargame.us.ubi.com/#/media
  31. ^ Michaels, Deux (2009-06-01). "Data Design Interactive Presents, a realistic golfing experience with a fresh new spin, Crazy Mini Golf on Nintendo Wii.". Data Design Interactive. http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=84587. Retrieved 2009-06-05. 
  32. ^ "Q & A". Corporate Management Policy Briefing / Semi-annual Financial Results Briefing for the 70th Fiscal Term Ending March 2010. Nintendo. 30 October 2009. p. 1. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/091030qa/index.html. Retrieved 5 November 2009. 
  33. ^ http://wii.ign.com/articles/106/1066207p1.html
  34. ^ [1]
  35. ^ http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/wii/data/977721.html
  36. ^ [2]
  37. ^ Ronnie2K. "NHL 2K10 Bundle with Wii MotionPlus Exclusively Available for Canada". 2K Sports Forums. 2K Sports. http://2ksports.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2654586#post2654586. Retrieved 25 September 2009. "It will only be available at retailers throughout Canada while supplies last, starting on September 15." 
  38. ^ Red Steel 2 MotionPlus-Only
  39. ^ http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1230844_1124.html
  40. ^ Craig Harris. "Shaun White Supports MotionPlus". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/103/1035770p1.html. 
  41. ^ "Span Smasher". Nintendo of America. http://e3.nintendo.com/wii/w8/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-05. "Span Smasher is used with the new Wii MotionPlus accessory, which adds even greater precision to players’ swings." 
  42. ^ Casamassina, Matt (2009-05-26). "Pre-E3 2009: The Grinder Revealed". IGN Entertainment. p. 1. http://wii.ign.com/articles/986/986663p1.html. Retrieved 2009-06-02. 
  43. ^ "Sega's Virtua Tennis 2009 Ready for Wii Motion Plus". SEGA. 2009-04-15. http://news.awn.com/?newsitem_no=27258. Retrieved 2009-04-22. 
  44. ^ [3]
  45. ^ [4]
  46. ^ [5]

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