Post by: Kairon on July 11, 2007, 10:14:09 PM
For example...
A Sumo Wrestling game. You stand on the board and have to stay balanced while pumping the wiimote and nunchuck forward, sideways, or pulling them back in an attempt to push your on-screen opponent off balance! If your own balance on the wiiboard is too off-kilter, your on-screen avatar will end up falling instead! Also, an online mode for head-to-head Sumo bouts between players.
Or...
A Psychic game where you can read the memories of "objects" by placing a hand on the board. You'd splay out your fingers, and play a minigame with pressing down each different section of your hand/palm as necessary by on-screen prompts. Do this correctly, and the game object you're supposedly touching will trigger a cut scene of memories you've unlocked!
Post by: Mashiro on July 11, 2007, 10:18:52 PM
When my brain is more awake I'll get back to you with my own ideas =)
Post by: King of Twitch on July 11, 2007, 10:45:24 PM
Sim Reggie- use the board to smash things
realistic jump control for the next real mario platformer
twister
masseuse training-learn to massage in minutes a day! (or acupuncture!)
edit i suppose the pressure thingy could double as a sobriety tester, and a line-walking test. think of what the college dorms could do with that one.
Post by: Nick DiMola on July 11, 2007, 11:48:08 PM
Post by: Spak-Spang on July 12, 2007, 02:12:11 AM
Used as extra buttons for third person and first person shooters...(Think peaking around corners and stuff.)
Track and field game.
Pedals for a car. Gas and Brake.
Controls for a Mech.
Wii Sports 2 applications.
Dance games.
Post by: UncleBob on July 12, 2007, 02:24:23 AM
DK Bongo Blast - Bongos - GameCube + Wii - Waggle + Balance Board = new DK Racing game?
Also, somewhere, someone suggested a Balance Board + Zapper game that was a "Hover Board Shooter". Sounds like fun to me.
Post by: Mashiro on July 12, 2007, 02:31:10 AM
Also a fun game could be a "knock your opponent over" kinda game where your Mii's could be on various small platforms and you have to strike at your opponent with the Wiimote. Your character on screen with become off balanced and you'll have to use your body movements to regain balance. An on screen indicator will help show how you have to position yourself to regain sure-footing.
Post by: ShyGuy on July 12, 2007, 06:44:54 AM
MJRx9000, the Masseuse game involves walking on peoples backs, right?
Post by: Smash_Brother on July 12, 2007, 07:15:58 AM
Well done, Namco...
Post by: NWR_pap64 on July 12, 2007, 07:31:03 AM
The pad is cool, yes, but it looks like the sort of peripheral developers use for one specific game (Donkey Konga Bongos), then they try to use it on another game (Jungle Beat) and forget it ever existed.
Again, the pad will rock for Wii Fit, but I seriously doubt anyone will use it for other games. In fact I'll be very surprised if they did.
Post by: MarioAllStar on July 12, 2007, 08:42:01 AM
Post by: MarioAllStar on July 12, 2007, 08:42:12 AM
But I do believe it will be used more than the DK Bongos. The bongos were a specialized product from the start, with the barrel design and DK logo. On the other hand, the Wii Balance Board is just another accessory. As far as I know, it doesn't have any WiiFit-specific markings.
Also the bongos were more limiting in their abilities: two large buttons, one start button, and a clap sensor. The balance board alone has but two pressure-sensitive buttons, but can be used with the remote (although it could get a little difficult).
Post by: UncleBob on July 12, 2007, 08:45:11 AM
Post by: mantidor on July 12, 2007, 10:37:47 AM
Post by: Kairon on July 12, 2007, 10:51:02 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
It would work great as the pedal for a Time Crisis game.
Well done, Namco...
Wow, I didn't thinki fo that one!
Post by: UltimatePartyBear on July 12, 2007, 12:01:38 PM
The balance board is a pretty complicated device, and most of the ideas people are coming up with could be done with a Power Pad. I don't mean any offense. I just really don't expect to see much else done with it. It's likely going to be an expensive peripheral, and even cheap peripherals are barely supported.
Post by: that Baby guy on July 12, 2007, 12:06:12 PM
Just saying. Mario Paint, anyone?
Post by: Mashiro on July 12, 2007, 12:06:17 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: PartyBear
The balance board is a pretty complicated device, and most of the ideas people are coming up with could be done with a Power Pad.
...did you ever even own a power pad?
How would a power pad work in a skate boarding style game for example? It wouldn't, it registers your foot steps like a DDR dance pad, it doesn't recognize you shifting your weight and such.
Post by: Nick DiMola on July 12, 2007, 12:57:03 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: pap64
I hate to be negative but I don't see Nintendo (or any company for that matter) using the pad beyond Wii Fit.
The pad is cool, yes, but it looks like the sort of peripheral developers use for one specific game (Donkey Konga Bongos), then they try to use it on another game (Jungle Beat) and forget it ever existed.
Again, the pad will rock for Wii Fit, but I seriously doubt anyone will use it for other games. In fact I'll be very surprised if they did.
That would be too bad. The idea is actually phenomenal, and quite a bit could be done with it as demonstrated in this thread. Hell if no one does anything with it, I'd be pretty compelled to design a WiiWare game that would take use of it.
Post by: Mashiro on July 12, 2007, 12:59:25 PM
It would be such a waste for companies not to make games for this device. The way I see WiiFit is the same way I see Wii Sports for the Wiimote. It's a game that shows a range of applications for the hardware and what it is capable of.
Just think if all these ideas are rushing through our heads just think of what developers may be thinking up.
Post by: Ian Sane on July 12, 2007, 01:03:20 PM
The sad thing it doesn't always work that way. When GBA connectivity was revealed for the Cube tons of cool ideas were passed around that were better than anything that was actually done. Same with the DS touchscreen. I've read some cool ideas on this board and the real games that come about have not been nearly as cool.
Post by: Nick DiMola on July 12, 2007, 01:10:50 PM
Post by: nickmitch on July 12, 2007, 01:24:11 PM
Post by: Chozo Ghost on July 12, 2007, 03:29:54 PM
Lots of WarioWare type microgames could make use of it as well. I can see it being used to pump up a tire, or to move one of those railroad car things you move yourself...
Post by: Chozo Ghost on July 12, 2007, 03:43:50 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"Just think if all these ideas are rushing through our heads just think of what developers may be thinking up."
The sad thing it doesn't always work that way. When GBA connectivity was revealed for the Cube tons of cool ideas were passed around that were better than anything that was actually done. Same with the DS touchscreen. I've read some cool ideas on this board and the real games that come about have not been nearly as cool.
That's true, and I was disappointed that GC-GBA connectivity didn't work out better than it did.... one of the reasons was because the GC never really caught on. I think Wii-DS connectivity will work much better because these products are both insanely popular so it is far more likely consumers will have both at the same time, plus they have built in capability to communicate with one another and don't require a seperate cord...
As for this Wii Balance Board, that really depends on how well it catches on. I think if Nintendo created a Wii bundle that included this board, the nunchuck, and the Zapper along with the wiimote and Wii system for a bit extra it would sell really well and cement these accessories in as standard peripherals that developers would have to take seriously. Nintendo needs to ensure all Wii owners have these so developers will adopt them.
They also need to lead the way and push first party games for them.
Post by: Kairon on July 12, 2007, 04:26:33 PM
Quote
crecente: Q: What other applications do you see for the Wii fit board?
A: I think there really are a variety of different possibilities that the balance board offers... the simplest would be a snowboarding game. I think you will probably see some products for that very soon.
Post by: UltimatePartyBear on July 13, 2007, 04:24:03 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Mashiro
...did you ever even own a power pad?
Do you know what "most" means? Any idea that simply uses the board as a button or two is just wasting potential.
Post by: Sarail on July 13, 2007, 05:54:56 AM
Post by: Deguello on July 13, 2007, 06:00:46 AM
Post by: Mashiro on July 13, 2007, 08:57:20 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: PartyBearQuote
Originally posted by: Mashiro
...did you ever even own a power pad?
Do you know what "most" means? Any idea that simply uses the board as a button or two is just wasting potential.
Yes I do. I haven't read on the list anything that would really just be using the board as a button.
Sorry for thinking outside of the box but even things like steering wheel pedals and brakes and heck the time crisis thing COULD be pressure sensitive and allow you to vary the speed at which you are performing said actin.
So unless you want to pick out some suggestions and validate your response I stand by what I said.
Post by: Louieturkey on July 13, 2007, 10:05:31 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Deguello
Ian, I think comparing GC-GBA connectivity to the Wii Balance thingy doesn't flow. They aren't the same.
This is true, GBA-GC connectivity cost an extra $10 for each cable, the $50 for the game, and each person would need a GBA which was anywhere from $70-$90 at the time, so it was way too much cost ineffective. With this board, all you need is the board and it works out fine. I think we'll see some interesting games for this, especially since it will be coming out in the first couple of years of the system's life.
Post by: UltimatePartyBear on July 13, 2007, 10:38:38 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: MashiroQuote
Originally posted by: PartyBearQuote
Originally posted by: Mashiro
...did you ever even own a power pad?
Do you know what "most" means? Any idea that simply uses the board as a button or two is just wasting potential.
Yes I do. I haven't read on the list anything that would really just be using the board as a button.
Sorry for thinking outside of the box but even things like steering wheel pedals and brakes and heck the time crisis thing COULD be pressure sensitive and allow you to vary the speed at which you are performing said actin.
So unless you want to pick out some suggestions and validate your response I stand by what I said.
I specifically said "most" because I wanted to exclude the snowboard or skateboard game idea from my criticism. To have that very idea thrown back as a counterargument was a tad annoying. I apologize for snapping at you.
First of all, I highly doubt the balance board is pressure sensitive in quite the way a lot of people are assuming. If you look at pictures of it, you can clearly see a seam down the middle. I don't know exactly what's inside of it, but there's no way it has enough sensors in it to replicate touchscreen-like features. My best guess is that there are a few strain guages in it. Regardless, I don't think the psychic, masseuse, or paint ideas will work because they would require vastly more sensor points than simple balance detection does. That many sensors would be much more expensive and quite unnecessary for what's known to be possible in Wii Fit.
Time Crisis in particular has never to my knowledge used anything more than an on/off switch for the pedal. There's no reason they couldn't change that, but there's little point in doing so unless they make major changes to the gameplay. Besides, the pedal is only there as an extra input device that a player can use at the same time as a light gun. The Wii remote solves that problem by having a bazillion more methods of input than a traditional light gun already, so there's no real need to add a pedal unless you just want that authentic arcade experience, which the balance board really won't help with, not having any give.
That lack of give will make it rather difficult to use for gas and brake pedals, too, since it won't be able to give the player any feedback on how far down the pedals are being pushed. Try putting varying amounts of pressure on the floor with your foot. That would be uncomfortable, tiring, and difficult to manage during a hectic race. Regular pedal accessories would be both better and cheaper.
Track and dance games, again, just use digital buttons. I'm not aware of many dance moves that involve keeping the feet still while shifting the body around, anyway. Admittedly, the step aerobics game in Wii Fit is using the board this way, but that's a game that's included in the package. The Wii balance board isn't going to be replacing any DDR mats.
I don't want to be a jerk and tell everyone that all these ideas suck or anything like that. I just think the majority of the ideas for balance board uses I've seen are either not possible, superfluous, or poor fits.
Post by: Mashiro on July 13, 2007, 10:48:49 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: PartyBearQuote
Originally posted by: MashiroQuote
Originally posted by: PartyBearQuote
Originally posted by: Mashiro
...did you ever even own a power pad?
Do you know what "most" means? Any idea that simply uses the board as a button or two is just wasting potential.
Yes I do. I haven't read on the list anything that would really just be using the board as a button.
Sorry for thinking outside of the box but even things like steering wheel pedals and brakes and heck the time crisis thing COULD be pressure sensitive and allow you to vary the speed at which you are performing said actin.
So unless you want to pick out some suggestions and validate your response I stand by what I said.
I specifically said "most" because I wanted to exclude the snowboard or skateboard game idea from my criticism. To have that very idea thrown back as a counterargument was a tad annoying. I apologize for snapping at you.
First of all, I highly doubt the balance board is pressure sensitive in quite the way a lot of people are assuming. If you look at pictures of it, you can clearly see a seam down the middle. I don't know exactly what's inside of it, but there's no way it has enough sensors in it to replicate touchscreen-like features. My best guess is that there are a few strain guages in it. Regardless, I don't think the psychic, masseuse, or paint ideas will work because they would require vastly more sensor points than simple balance detection does. That many sensors would be much more expensive and quite unnecessary for what's known to be possible in Wii Fit.
Time Crisis in particular has never to my knowledge used anything more than an on/off switch for the pedal. There's no reason they couldn't change that, but there's little point in doing so unless they make major changes to the gameplay. Besides, the pedal is only there as an extra input device that a player can use at the same time as a light gun. The Wii remote solves that problem by having a bazillion more methods of input than a traditional light gun already, so there's no real need to add a pedal unless you just want that authentic arcade experience, which the balance board really won't help with, not having any give.
That lack of give will make it rather difficult to use for gas and brake pedals, too, since it won't be able to give the player any feedback on how far down the pedals are being pushed. Try putting varying amounts of pressure on the floor with your foot. That would be uncomfortable, tiring, and difficult to manage during a hectic race. Regular pedal accessories would be both better and cheaper.
Track and dance games, again, just use digital buttons. I'm not aware of many dance moves that involve keeping the feet still while shifting the body around, anyway. Admittedly, the step aerobics game in Wii Fit is using the board this way, but that's a game that's included in the package. The Wii balance board isn't going to be replacing any DDR mats.
I don't want to be a jerk and tell everyone that all these ideas suck or anything like that. I just think the majority of the ideas for balance board uses I've seen are either not possible, superfluous, or poor fits.
Ok that's a much better argument =)
Post by: Kairon on July 14, 2007, 07:42:57 PM
You can see this in the Wii Fit Yoga demos, how when you're standing on one foot, it can make a graphical representation of your shifting balance... and do so for the other foot.
Perhaps we shouldn't be thinking of the balance board as "pressure sensitive" but instead as two separate plates that can detect the weight and "bal;ance" on themselves, independent of the other.
In this way, the Psychic Idea can be made to work by de-emphasizing particular finger-associated pressure points and instead abstracting the balance of the entire board. In order to read an object's memories, you'd place your hand on the board and shift the pressure across your ENTIRE hand to solve a minigame.
Post by: Kairon on July 14, 2007, 08:53:10 PM
Post by: Mashiro on July 14, 2007, 08:54:55 PM
Post by: Mashiro on July 15, 2007, 12:45:39 AM
Quote
Question: Is there going to be a Final Fantasy-themed fitness game?
Toriyama: There are no actual plans to take Final Fantasy into the fitness genre, but that whole system and mechanism of using your weight and balance to control games is something we're interested in incorporating into future RPG titles.
Source: http://ds.ign.com/articles/804/804653p2.html
Post by: Chozo Ghost on July 15, 2007, 04:10:57 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
OMG, how could we forget this. Punchout.
Yeah! It makes perfect sense. One Wii board and a wii mote in either hand would make a great boxing simulation.
Post by: Ceric on July 15, 2007, 04:25:02 PM
Brawl. Why not?
I could set it know. Control you characters left to right movement with the sensor. Jump to do a smash down... lol.
Also SHMUP. Move your craft with the board and shoot/aim with either the analog or wiimote.
Or the Craziest idea of them all. Seamster Extreme. Starting with a manual sewing machine that you inheritted from you grandma you go to conquer the high stakes tailor world. Using the Board to pump the sewing maching. Later just as an electronic pedal. Cut and feed the material in using the Wiimote. The tailoring possibilities are there.
Post by: Kairon on January 09, 2008, 03:20:08 PM
Slasher Horror Game on-rails
The game will play more like a Horror Film on rails than actual Survivor Horror games, and will feature a lot of QTE-like activities when "scares" happen. To "concentrate" and increase your ability to see ghosts or things in the dark or movement, you have to be standing on the board and have your weight shifted a certain way. The more your weight is shifted correctly, the more visible the ghosts become. But if you an enemy manages to surprise you, you have to jump OFF the board in order to whip around, and jump right back on the board to start running away, meaning you have to both have a pnanic reflex in jumping away and recollect yourself enough to jump back on the board. Probably the faster you shake the wiimote the faster you run away...
Post by: DAaaMan64 on January 09, 2008, 04:08:55 PM
However Punch out sounds awesome.
Post by: ReverendNoahWhateley on January 09, 2008, 10:12:30 PM
Wait, does Q*bert count as just one word? At any rate, all the manic pyramid navigation would certainly entitle me to an extra slice of pecan pie next Thanksgiving.
Post by: Plugabugz on January 10, 2008, 12:50:58 AM
Or the statue arranging bit in twilight princess to be handled by it?
Post by: DAaaMan64 on January 10, 2008, 05:06:23 AM
Post by: Kairon on January 10, 2008, 05:09:18 AM
Post by: DAaaMan64 on January 10, 2008, 05:30:20 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
Has anyone mentioned Segway Training?
Mail that one to Mr. President. All though, I've never ridden one.
How about a segway shooting game, with the wiimote and the balance board. Damn that'd be cool. Not even lying.
Post by: TheFleece on January 12, 2008, 01:06:28 PM
I'm a big geek.
Post by: Kairon on January 12, 2008, 02:19:27 PM
That said, Wiiware sounds like a GREAT idea. They should have have a Wiiware title that uses the Balance Board like a hoverboard, and you race, just to test out the concept before turning it into a full fledged game.
Post by: TheFleece on January 13, 2008, 01:42:30 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
I wouldn't be surprised if such games came out in Japan TheFleece. In fact, they even sound like games that might be in the simple series, the budget line of games the D3 Publisher sells for budget prices.
That said, Wiiware sounds like a GREAT idea. They should have have a Wiiware title that uses the Balance Board like a hoverboard, and you race, just to test out the concept before turning it into a full fledged game.
Kairon, if those type of games were to ever be released I would get them in a heartbeat. The potential is great for the balance board, what if it were used in conjunction with games that are out now like Boxing on Wii Sports? or perhaps even wierder like a direction function for a game like Metroid or Dragon Quest Swords. If I could afford a Wiiware kit I would try to make the mediation game myself.
Post by: Spak-Spang on January 23, 2008, 08:38:01 AM
