Topic: FEATURE: The Future of Input Devices on Nintendo Systems

[MegaByte]

Nintendo's latest generation of systems changed the way we interface with games. A number of new input methods are in development for Nintendo systems.

With the 2010 Game Developers Conference starting, we take a look back at a few highlights of last year's conference beginning with some experimental technology found on the show floor.

The Expo portion of the Game Developers Conference always includes a number of companies showing off "the next big thing" in gaming technology. With Nintendo's popularity at an all-time high - much of it thanks to their innovative interfaces - several companies are trying to position themselves as creators of the newest, best way to play games. Regardless of their future success, we get a glimpse of the latest game technology and how it's being adapted for the market. At GDC 2009, Nintendo was showing off the camera capabilities of the DSi, but four other companies' technologies were available for demoing: Accelerometers from Kionix, Brain-wave control from NeuroSky, a new stylus from PDP, and MotionPlus middleware from AiLive.

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[BlackNMild2k1]

PDP is developing advanced stylus technology for the DS. They plan to release two versions of their SmartStylus product. The first version uses radio communication with a GBA expansion cartridge to transmit information. The stylus includes a rumble motor and light, which turns on depending on what the player is doing in the game, leading to a more tactile experience. They are currently in talks with Nintendo to get the device on the market. The SmartStylus 2 is supposed to include more features, such as motion control, which is already used in their Wii Remote clones for Xbox 360.

There are gonna be a few people in the DS2 thread that have already typed out their "I Called It!!/I Told You So!!" response and are waiting to hit the post button.


edit: AHHHH!!!! The high pitch zoom on the camera!!!! make it stop!!!!! It's like nails on a chalkboard.

[KDR_11k]

Grrrr.... All this talk about new input devices when we barely even scratched the surface of what the Wiimote can do and the Motion Plus is practically non-existent in games.