Author Topic: IGN reveals what they know about Wiimote tech (Read 8246 times)

Kairon · « **on:** July 14, 2006, 05:22:13 PM »

Don't forget to check out the exact wording from the horse's mouth, but IGN has once again gone undercover at their developer buddies to bring news of what the technical specs the devs have (much like they looked at dev kits and tech docs to determine the Wii's specs) to say with regards to the Wiimote technology.

Notable points:

Quote
2 AA batteries nets you:
- 60 hours of accelerometer functionality.
- 30 hours of accelerometer and pointer functionality

Wiimote has 6Kb of "non-volatile memory" of un-known use (user-profile-data? sound-files?)

All buttons are digital, even the shoulder/trigger buttons.

The built-in force feedback has only one level of intensity, but higher levels of intensity can be simulated by turning the rumble on-and-off (probably in a wave-amplifying manner).

The synchro buttons syncs the console with the controllers, (does this mean that multiple Wii's can be in the same room without interrupting each other?) and the Wiimote's have their own complementary synchro button underneath the battery cover (or buttons 1 & 2 can be held down to accomplish the same thing so you don't need to open the battery cover).

The direct-pointing device camera at the tip has a resolution of 1023 horizontal and 767 vertical (but does this see visible light or just IR?)

Developers have not yet gotten information from Nintendo on how to access the Wiimote's sound features despite TP using it at E3.

Developers expect to get their own Classic style controllers in September.

Light sources from flourescent and halogen lamps can confuse to Wiimote. "To eliminate this interference, the pointer must identify the sensor bar and mark its two coordinates."

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Artimus · « **Reply #1 on:** July 14, 2006, 05:28:45 PM »

A lot could easily change (batteries) but the synchro button is neat.

nickmitch · « **Reply #2 on:** July 14, 2006, 05:29:57 PM »

Ok, so we won't be seeing any games designed for the classic controller until 2007? That's cool.

Kairon · « **Reply #3 on:** July 14, 2006, 05:31:03 PM »

I'm fairly confident that someone, Nintendo or a third party, will make an easy rechargable pack for Wiimote use. I'm not worried one jot. And, of course, there's always Costco.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

31 Flavas · « **Reply #4 on:** July 14, 2006, 05:53:13 PM »

Or for that matter already existing and prolific AA rechargeables. Keep two on the charger and swap batteries when the ones in use fade.

Bill Aurion · « **Reply #5 on:** July 14, 2006, 06:15:04 PM »

30 hours? I guess I was getting worried over nothing...

"Developers have not yet gotten information from Nintendo on how to access the Wiimote's sound features despite TP using it at E3."

I could have sworn I read that UbiSoft has been experimenting with this very function since before E3...

Kairon · « **Reply #6 on:** July 14, 2006, 06:24:14 PM »

Maybe IGN's sources don't include the Red Steel team, which seems to have been getting some extra attention.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Ceric · « **Reply #7 on:** July 14, 2006, 06:35:58 PM »

I can't see that being true. I would think that developers would have at least a way to get information on all the announced features because Nintendo want's them to use it.

Kairon · « **Reply #8 on:** July 14, 2006, 06:49:07 PM »

Like how developers who WEREN'T on the Warhawk team didn't know that the PS3 lacked rumble feedback until asked by journalists?

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Shorty McNostril · « **Reply #9 on:** July 14, 2006, 07:57:57 PM »

Fluros can confuse the remote? Halogens were already mentioned but fluros? That might be a problem. Pretty much all dwellings use fluros, unless some people still prefer incandescent. It does mention a solution but still...

Kairon · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2006, 08:01:35 PM »

Flourine is a Halogen element. Therefore it follows that Flourine lights are included when you talk about Halogen lights.

Looks to me like we'll be playing with our Wiis with the lights out.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Bloodworth · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2006, 08:11:56 PM »

No, no read the next sentence. There are methods to reduce the possibility of confusion since there are two lights on the sensor bar.

Kairon · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2006, 08:16:33 PM »

You'd need two lights anyway to determine distance: the closer the two lights look, the closer you are to the screen. The further they are, the further you are from the screen.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Bloodworth · « **Reply #13 on:** July 14, 2006, 08:24:08 PM »

Actually, it's the opposite. The closer the lights are, the farther you are from the screen, and the farther the lights are, the closer you are to the screen. Just pick two points and move your head between them. You'll see what I mean.

Kairon · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2006, 08:46:39 PM »

DOH!

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

mantidor · « **Reply #15 on:** July 14, 2006, 09:16:36 PM »

I don't understand the rumble exactly, so its a much simpler rumble than the one in the GC controller?

30 hours of battery life is far better than what I was expecting though, still rechargables seem to be the best choice, this is no wavebird after all.

Bloodworth · « **Reply #16 on:** July 14, 2006, 09:46:37 PM »

I'm not sure what he meant by that either. I know it can be turned on and off at a rapid rate, but I really don't know about other rumble devices to know how it compares.

oohhboy · « **Reply #17 on:** July 14, 2006, 10:03:46 PM »

I was hoping that they keep the analouge shoulder buttons.

Stimutacs Addict · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2006, 05:47:59 AM »

the digital triggers will definitely affect shielding in smash bros. brawl...
i'll probably play with the cube controller anyway

Edfishy · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2006, 05:25:03 PM »

Hm. I wonder why it didn't make more sense for Nintendo to use Lithium Ion batteries inside of the Wiimote instead. With the supposed-already-expensive-price, why not? Longer battery life, reduced size and weight, and the users simply have to plug their Wiimote into the docking station the Wii sits in to charge the Wiimotes.

Makes sense to me, I really despise AA's.

Ceric · « **Reply #20 on:** July 15, 2006, 06:20:55 PM »

On subject of rumble. Sony was taking away a feature and Nintendo was announcing features. Sony was probably trying to keep rumble and the last minute realized it was a losing battle. Like comparing apples to oranges.
Nintendo probably just going to not use a a variable speed motor. Instead something smaller, lighter, and more energy efficient. I'm sure there are plenty of other options.

Jensen · « **Reply #21 on:** July 15, 2006, 08:16:46 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Edfishy
Hm. I wonder why it didn't make more sense for Nintendo to use Lithium Ion batteries inside of the Wiimote instead. With the supposed-already-expensive-price, why not? Longer battery life, reduced size and weight, and the users simply have to plug their Wiimote into the docking station the Wii sits in to charge the Wiimotes.

Makes sense to me, I really despise AA's.

I think it is in issue with charging.

Do you include a seperate charger with every controller? That would use a lot of AC outlets.

Do you include a 4 Wii-mote docking station station for every system? That is extra hardware for people who will only be using one controller.

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #22 on:** July 15, 2006, 08:32:57 PM »

I have 4 wavebirds and changing the batteries isn't that bad, especially when they last a damn long time on a single charge.

30 hours will be just fine. You have to consider that it'll take 5 six hour sittings of gaming before the batteries would run out, and at that point, It's safe to say you have a goddamn addiction on your hands.

wandering · « **Reply #23 on:** July 15, 2006, 08:55:14 PM »

30-40 hours is a relief. Compared to the 10 hours we get on Nintendo's portable systems and Xbox's controllers, and considering all the stuff the controllers have built in (motion sensing, rumble, speaker)...I wasn't expecting anything more than 20.

31 Flavas · « **Reply #24 on:** July 15, 2006, 10:40:20 PM »

Well, correct me if wrong, AA's also hold more mAh? The battery in your GBA:SP and DS are between 600-800 mAh. Most recharageable AA's hold 2000+ mAh, with the newest holding close to 3000mAh.

So I still think its really best that Nintendo didn't go with an internal battery.

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Author Topic: IGN reveals what they know about Wiimote tech (Read 8246 times)