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Wii

Boom Blox Sequel Coming This Spring

by Carmine Red - January 29, 2009, 3:56 am EST
Total comments: 69 Source: Hollywood Reporter

Steven Spielberg and Electronic Arts are re-teaming for Boom Blox Bash Party, which promises new levels, an expanded online component, and "more explosive multiplayer experiences."

What happens after you knock a tower of blocks down? You build them back up. That is exactly how Electronic Arts is playing the game with Boom Blox Bash Party, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Wii game Boom Blox.

The sequel will be hitting as early as this spring, a surprisingly quick turn-around time considering the first game's release last May. It will also be the second game to come out of the partnership between Steven Spielberg and EA established in 2005, said to span three original properties. The other two Spielberg-EA collaborations have not yet been revealed. Additionally, the game allegedly moved from one internal EA development team to another after Blueprint Studio shut down.

Yet despite all this, the sequel seems to have emerged from its trials with a slew of added features. For instance, Boom Blox Bash party will feature 400 new levels situated in locations like outer space or under water. It will offer an expanded online component that "enables users to download additional levels from Electronic Arts as well as other 'Boom Blox Bash Party' players." And Spielberg has stated that they have designed "more explosive multiplayer experiences" for the sequel.

The original Boom Blox is a finalist for the 2008 Family Game of the Year Award from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. Family-friendly titles have recently surged in popularity according to a recent study by the Entertainment Software Association.

UPDATE:

The following is the official press release.

EA AND STEVEN SPIELBERG ANNOUNCE BOOM BLOX BASH PARTY

Sequel to Award-Winning BOOM BLOX Takes Players from the Depths of the Sea to Outer Space for a Party Anyone Can Throw

Guildford, UK January 29, 2009 – Get ready for the ultimate blox-busting action as Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced BOOM BLOX™ Bash Party for Wii™, the sequel to the critically-acclaimed BOOM BLOX™ game for Wii. EA’s collaboration with director and producer Steven Spielberg continues with BOOM BLOX Bash Party, and the destructive fun reaches new heights with richer multiplayer action and more than 400 new levels that will have players of all ages gaming together and solving action-packed puzzles under water, in zero gravity, and beyond!

"BOOM BLOX Bash Party is a wild social gaming experience," said Steven Spielberg. "We know families and friends really enjoyed playing the original BOOM BLOX together, so we designed more explosive multiplayer experiences with BOOM BLOX Bash Party."

BOOM BLOX Bash Party is even more fun to play with friends and family, featuring twice as many multiplayer challenges as the original, and now offers team-based challenges! Players can play with or against friends, solo or in teams, knocking down blocks, destroying towers, slinging and launching blocks and characters, for tons of high-energy, family-friendly fun!

BOOM BLOX Bash Party is packed with tons of new features that are sure to get the party started! The game showcases new block types, including: virus and conveyor blox, new blox shapes, such as: cylinders and wedges, and new tools that will make for even more destructive fun. Players will find twists on BOOM BLOX game play favorites like throwing and grabbing. Players now can also sling, launch, and blow the competition away with new cannon, paint ball and slingshot tools.

Even the characters are in on the action as BOOM BLOX Bash Party features a new cast of wacky blox characters. This time they don’t just cheer you on, they are now blox themselves and you can throw, stack or even launch them, utilizing them to create even more madness and mayhem!

The fun continues online as BOOM BLOX Bash Party enables players to download even more new levels via the Internet. With the press of a button, players will be able to grab, play and rate new levels from EA as well as levels created by members of the BOOM BLOX Bash Party community. Using the game’s easy-to-use Create Mode, players now have the power to share the levels they built with friends, or submit their masterpiece to be shared with the world! The expanded Create Mode lets players build and create like never before, giving them access to the same tool set the EA development team used to create each and every level in the game!

"In BOOM BLOX Bash Party we are taking the game elements to the extreme," said Amir Rahimi, Senior Producer. "In the original BOOM BLOX, we really focused on perfecting the game’s physics so now we can push the boundaries of physics, offering exciting new challenges and completely new ways to play."

Developed by the EA Casual Studios, BOOM BLOX Bash Party will be available in North America and Europe in Spring 2009.

Talkback

ShyGuyJanuary 29, 2009

too soon? long tail amputation?

TanookisuitJanuary 29, 2009

Hey, if they put head-tracking in this one, I'll buy it.

Michael8983January 29, 2009

Such a great game, I'm glad its getting a sequel and hopefully this one will get the recognition it deserves.
They really need to drop the price of the original at this time. I think A LOT more people would give it a shot if it were 30 or under.

Spak-SpangJanuary 29, 2009

I think this is only great news.

I believed the first Boom Blox was rushed and you could tell from the lack of balance and slight control issues.  I do wish that EA would have waited for Wiimotion Plus, but perhaps it still may use it...EA could have access to the device.

As for it being too early, I don't think so.  The first game was critically acclaimed but a new IP that nobody knew...the sequel will come into the market recognizing it is a quality concept and game, and will be more ready to buy it.

Also, it is not like the game needed tons more development time for a sequel, it just needs tighter control, more thought out multiplayer options, and more puzzles.

I am excited about this game and will buy it day one.

AVJanuary 29, 2009

Quote from: Tanookisuit

Hey, if they put head-tracking in this one, I'll buy it.

Don't forget to include the IR 3d glasses. I'm not making one of those things.

Ian SaneJanuary 29, 2009

Quote:

They really need to drop the price of the original at this time. I think A LOT more people would give it a shot if it were 30 or under.

Agreed.  I would buy it for a lower price.  It sounds like a cool concept I want to try out but I don't want to risk full price for something I figure I MIGHT like.

I question the name for this.  "Party" is kind of a ruined word in videogames these days.  I tend to associate that word with shovelware junk.  Ever since Mario Party became a hit everyone has made their own party game but most of them are not very good.  And even Mario Party itself has been milked so hard that it's labeled as shovelware.  So if I don't follow videogame news and I see a game called "Boom Blox Bash Party" I'm going to assume it's a party game... made by EA.  And then I'm going to associate it with all the shovelware junk surrounding it on the shelf.  Hell even if I own the original Boom Blox I might see the "Bash Party" part and assume it's some party game based spinoff of Boom Blox.  What's wrong with "Boom Blox 2"?

PlugabugzJanuary 29, 2009

I agree with Ian (HEAVENS SAVE ME!). When i saw the name i thought instantly "ugh why is it a spin off?" until i read the article which clarified that.

The game is good enough to stand on its own. EA should be finding ways to make it stand out more rather than sit nicely in the field of parteh games.

Spak-SpangJanuary 29, 2009

The name if fine...the casuals are going to see Party mean it has multiplayer modes...and enhanced online play.

The traditional gamer will still do enough research to know enough about the game.

EA: A Winner Is You!

Day one purchase for me.  Boom Blox is a work of genius.

Ian SaneJanuary 29, 2009

Quote:

The traditional gamer will still do enough research to know enough about the game.

I wouldn't say all traditional gamers do research about games.  Those of us who are on game forums and such are the exception.  And everyone who isn't is not a non-gamer.  Most traditional gamers likely just know the really big titles, frequently get burned by lousy games that have cool box art or good advertising or have great graphics, and aren't very interested in kids games or non-games.  They're the gamers that would probably enjoy Boom Blox but would pass it up because it looked some dull party game.

I think that's an issue in general with third party Wii games.  Zack & Wiki, de Blob and Boom Blox don't really stand out on the shelf.  The name, the packaging and the possibly the graphics style blend in a lot with the Wii junk titles.  They need a way to stand out on a shelf of crap as a good game.  Nintendo's games are able to do that.  Ever look at the shelf of a system you're not that familiar with?  Certain games pop out at you and you assume that they're probably pretty good while other games just have something in the box art and the name that makes you just instinctively ignore them.  I don't know what that formula is to make a game look like a good title on the shelf but there is something.  Boom Blox doesn't say "I'm a great game, play me!"

You call a game "Zack & Wiki" and expect it to become a huge runaway hit?  It won't.  It sounds like a generic platformer made by THQ.

Spak-SpangJanuary 29, 2009

I will agree with that Ian, but is that the names fault, or is that lacking of good advertising?

Also, the 3 games you mentioned were new IPs, unfortunately, new franchises have an even harder time capturing the eye of consumers on the shelf, which goes back to advertising.

But, if sequels were made then they would have easier time catching the consumers eye and gaining support...because most people believe bad games do not get sequels...whether that is true or not does not matter....but also the fans that already supported the game will be there from the beginning to help support the sequel more.

GoldenPhoenixJanuary 29, 2009

I think most of us can agree, even if the name is kind of lame, the game will more then likely be great just like the first!

Spak-SpangJanuary 29, 2009

GP being PC...wow.

j/k

GoldenPhoenixJanuary 29, 2009

Quote from: Spak-Spang

GP being PC...wow.

j/k

Yes I like playing games on my PC. :P

It's worth noting that Party is the only word in the title that does NOT start with a B. It was clearly a conscious choice on the part of EA to emphasize the game's multiplayer modes.

Well, the first Boom Blox is already one of the best multiplayer games on Wii.  I'm interested to see how they try to improve upon that aspect.  I think the obvious areas for improvement are single-player, the level editor, and online features.

Spak-SpangJanuary 29, 2009

BOOM BLOX BASH!!!  Would have been a great name to keep BBB

or

BOOM BLOX BLAST!!! 

or

BOOM BLOXS BLAST BASH!!!

or

BOOM BLOXS BLAST BASH PARTY!!!

(I perfer the last one.)

Spak-SpangJanuary 29, 2009

PlaySavvy: Players love Boom Blox, what feature are you adding that those fans have been asking for?
Amir Rahimi: Boom Blox Bash Party is going to feature about twice as much multiplayer content so we really wanted to blow that out. Another feature that players really loved was the create mode and we wanted to let those share their creations with as many people as possible. With Boom Blox Bash Party, people can upload their own levels to EA and EA will broadcast those to the world. What this means for the average player is that they can go into go into any game mode and within one click, download more levels of that type.

And players really loved creating in Boom Blox. If you go onto YouTube and search for Boom Blox and you'll see tons of levels that might not offer a lot of gameplay but look like pixel art pieces. So they can submit more levels like that or levels with real rules, name the level and then categorize it by game mode. Players can also rate those levels, sort by most popular, search by keyword and more.

PlaySavvy: Under water and space levels? How will the physics work?
Amir Rahimi: As we were getting ready to put the original Boom Blox in a box, Steven Spielberg and his team were chock full of ideas for what to do with the second version of the game. One of the ideas that Steven had was, "What if we took the game into outer space and what would happen if we took it under water?" So we got our physics expert on the case and we were able to nail down those phsyics. In outer space, as you would imagine, you wouldn't have any gravity so blocks would move differently and the characters would float around in space. And under water, you have all sorts of "floaty-ness" and drag that you would imagine as things float around.

PlaySavvy: Are you developing the game or any modes for use with Nintendo's MotionPlus accessory?
Amir Rahimi: No, we are not.

Bad news there...but most of the interview had positive information.

EA spend extra time on the game and get Wiimotion Plus working...it will make the game better.

http://www.gamedaily.com/games/boom-blox/wii/game-features/interview-ea-shares-new-boom-blox-details/

Ian SaneJanuary 29, 2009

Quote:

But, if sequels were made then they would have easier time catching the consumers eye and gaining support...because most people believe bad games do not get sequels

Obvious solution: call all your games _______ 2 to give the impression that a new IP is actually part of a series. ;)

That actually probably could work.  When Street Fighter II was all the rage I didn't know ANYONE who had ever played, seen or even heard of the original Street Fighter.  Well all except that pathlogical liar kid every class has who once claimed his sister's eyeballs fell out and had to be glued back in by a doctor and that if you entered the right code in Mortal Kombat it turned into Street Fighter II.  But for all we knew no Street Fighter I ever existed.

To be sneaky you could make some really lousy browser game as the "first game" in the series so technically the considerably more advanced "sequel" isn't false advertising.

GoldenPhoenixJanuary 29, 2009

Does the game even need Wii Motion plus though? It read acceleration just fine with the original.

AVJanuary 29, 2009

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

Does the game even need Wii Motion plus though? It read acceleration just fine with the original.

it might work fine, but why not wait and update with it. Will people really cry if the game comes out in August instead of April ?

GoldenPhoenixJanuary 29, 2009

Quote from: Mr.

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

Does the game even need Wii Motion plus though? It read acceleration just fine with the original.

it might work fine, but why not wait and update with it. Will people really cry if the game comes out in August instead of April ?

Seemed pretty solid to me. My point is that it really doesn't need Wii Motion plus. The only thing you use motion for is throwing.

They probably decided that they didn't need it. You know, why fix it if it ain't broken? People seemed to respond to the first game's controls pretty decently. Also, keep costs down.

Spak-SpangJanuary 29, 2009

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

Quote from: Mr.

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

Does the game even need Wii Motion plus though? It read acceleration just fine with the original.

it might work fine, but why not wait and update with it. Will people really cry if the game comes out in August instead of April ?

Seemed pretty solid to me. My point is that it really doesn't need Wii Motion plus. The only thing you use motion for is throwing.

Boom Blox is one of those games that could totally use Wii Motion Plus.  The game was very hard on novice players specially in the Jenga style levels....I think Wii Motion Plus would provide much better accuracy for those levels...which needed more precision in the controls.

I agree, if they start working on it now, I bet they can get Wii Motion Plus control in for a June or July launch.  Seriously...it should not be that much harder.  After all the original game tried to innovate and push the control system why shouldn't the sequel.

D_AverageJanuary 29, 2009

My only request is a new art style as those block monkeys are LAME!

Aiming in Boom Blox is locked in with the pointer before the throw, Motion Plus wouldn't improve accuracy. It's totally unnecessary unless they completely change the throwing mechanic.

GoldenPhoenixJanuary 29, 2009

Quote from: Spak-Spang

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

Quote from: Mr.

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

Does the game even need Wii Motion plus though? It read acceleration just fine with the original.

it might work fine, but why not wait and update with it. Will people really cry if the game comes out in August instead of April ?

Seemed pretty solid to me. My point is that it really doesn't need Wii Motion plus. The only thing you use motion for is throwing.

Boom Blox is one of those games that could totally use Wii Motion Plus.  The game was very hard on novice players specially in the Jenga style levels....I think Wii Motion Plus would provide much better accuracy for those levels...which needed more precision in the controls.

I agree, if they start working on it now, I bet they can get Wii Motion Plus control in for a June or July launch.  Seriously...it should not be that much harder.  After all the original game tried to innovate and push the control system why shouldn't the sequel.

The Jenga levels use the IR though, it does not use motion controls which would not be helped with Motion Plus (at least I think they were all IR been awhile). I don't recall Boom Blox having any motion controls.

Spak-SpangJanuary 30, 2009

It totally uses motion control.  You have to PULL or LIFT the pieces out.  If you flick up, down, left, right it will mess it up...Motion Control Plus would make this more accurate and allow you to do some crazy fancy maneuvers...

I honestly don't know how the grab/pull mechanic works... but it does seem to be more about IR than motion controls.  Throwing is very much about motion controls, but it only uses the acceleration of your throwing motion -- knowing the true rotation (from Wii MotionPlus) wouldn't make any difference.  So, I think MotionPlus might make a difference for grabbing, depending on how it is implemented, but it wouldn't affect the primary (throwing) part of the game.

Michael8983January 31, 2009

I think a third Boom Blox built around the enhanced motion+ controls would be a great idea but I'd rather see them improve upon the original formula first. The original worked so well because it was designed with all the Wiimote's limitations in mind. They'd have to go back and change the core gameplay to use the motion+ to its fullest potential.

Mop it upFebruary 02, 2009

I'm not a fan of the original game, I thought it was pretty mediocre and had numerous little problems which all added up to larger problems. I ended up selling it.

However, the game certainly has potential so I'm glad to hear there is a sequel in the works. If they polish up/remove the components which didn't work very well, such as the shooting levels, it could become something great. Oh, and axe those mop-awful characters, they were exasperating beyond belief.

If they added Wii Motion+ to this game then I hope it is optional. That accessory shouldn't be used for multiplayer-focused games; how many people are honestly going to have four of them lying around?

GoldenPhoenixFebruary 02, 2009

Quote:

Oh, and axe those mop-awful characters

Coming from mop-it-up. Sorry found that funny (don't know why!).

I actually liked the characters in Boom Blox, they were goofy and fun. The shooting games do need to go though, that is the ONLY part of the game I disliked. In regards to Wii Motion plus, I sure hope companies don't limit their games to optional use of it. That would stifle creativity and design in games. Personally I do not think it will be a problem, just like the nunchuck is sometimes required in multiplayer games.

Mop it upFebruary 02, 2009

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

Quote:

Oh, and axe those mop-awful characters

Coming from mop-it-up. Sorry found that funny (don't know why!).

I use "mop" in the place of "god". Nobody can be offended by such use of the almighty... cleaning tool.

Anyways, as for Wii Motion Plus: imagine the controller monstrosity of the Wiimote, Wii Motion Plus, and Nunchuk. That's an $80 piece of equipment that you wave around recklessly. Now, the Wii comes with a Wiimote and a Nunchuk, but if you want four complete controllers for games then you'll need to spend an additional $260. That's more than the price of the system. Nintendo passes off the Wii as an affordable system but then they tack on accessories like the Wii Motion Plus, which add hidden costs. $60 for a Wiimote and a Nunchuk is already a bit pricey, adding another $20 is ridiculous.

Nunchuk is a little different. You get one with your system. It existed when the system first launched, many people already have more than one, lots of games use it so it's something which is worth having. The game which Wii Motion Plus comes with may be something which lots of people are likely to buy, but you still get just one. People with no interest in that game will have to purchase the accessory (up to four of them!) separately if they want to play any game which requires it, and by the looks of it, not many will. Wiimote + Nunchuk is expensive enough, adding more to that is just going to make things worse.

Wii Motion Plus seems like one of those things which should either:
1. Have been included in the Wiimote in the first place, or
2. Have been held off for a few years when the successor to Wii is released.

GoldenPhoenixFebruary 02, 2009

I actually think it is VERY likely it will come standard built into the Wii remote. In regards to the cost, that is true but still I"d hate to see games being dumbed down for standard Wiimote controls. The Wii Motion Plus opens up so many opportunities that I think it would be a travesty for it to be "optional" in games. Maybe Nintendo will allow 3rd parties to pack in with their games along with some other Nintendo games that could include it.

Mop it upFebruary 02, 2009

I truly hope that they do intricate it into the Wiimote, and keep the $40 price point. I guess they could do that rather than dropping the price. Packaging it with multiple games is definitely a good idea, as then it would be easier for people with older Wiimotes to get the device (or two or three). Having them be extremely cheap/free would also be nice. Most profits come from the sale of games, and people would be more likely to buy the Wii Motion + games if everyone actually had one... for free no less.

Also, I don't really know much about the Wii Motion Plus so I'm not sure how it can open up gaming possibilities that the standard Wiimote couldn't do at all. It's just a more accurate motion sensor, right? If so, then it seems all it results in is more accurate detection of movement, which would just make games easier to play with less errors.

If the Wiimote had two motion sensors, does that mean a game could finally contain... baton twirling? I'd love that! :)

KDR_11kFebruary 02, 2009

Quote from: Mop_it_up

I use "mop" in the place of "god". Nobody can be offended by such use of the almighty... cleaning tool.

May you be cleaned by his brushy appendage?

GoldenPhoenixFebruary 02, 2009

Well from what I understand it basically has more gyroscopes in it. In regards to games, pretty much any game that involves sword fighting would benefit greatly with it. Also I'd think games with more complex motion controls could be quite innovative. I see Wii Motion Plus as what Wii SHOULD have been in regards to interaction with games.

KDR_11kFebruary 02, 2009

The regular Wiimote has no gyros at all, it can't reliably track rotation (especially when it's being moved fast so it can't sense the gravity to determine "down" anymore). The reason it wasn't built into the wiimote right away was cost, these devices would have cost something like 10$ a piece back when the Wii launched, they've come down in cost by now.

GoldenPhoenixFebruary 02, 2009

Quote from: KDR_11k

The regular Wiimote has no gyros at all, it can't reliably track rotation (especially when it's being moved fast so it can't sense the gravity to determine "down" anymore). The reason it wasn't built into the wiimote right away was cost, these devices would have cost something like 10$ a piece back when the Wii launched, they've come down in cost by now.

Thanks for clearing that up. All I know is that with Wii Motion plus you can almost get 1 to 1 control.

Mop it upFebruary 02, 2009

Quote from: KDR_11k

The reason it wasn't built into the wiimote right away was cost, these devices would have cost something like 10$ a piece back when the Wii launched, they've come down in cost by now.

I forgot, Nintendo likes to make a profit on every single product they sell. It isn't like they are making more money than any other game company so there's no way they could have afforded to sell one of their products at cost, or even a slight loss, nor would the cost of manufacture ever reduce to the point where it would have been profitable.

By the sound of it, the Wiimote can already do everything that the Wii Motion Plus can do, it just can't do it as well. As such, I see no reason why games which utilize the Wii Motion Plus can't also offer the option of being controlled with the regular Wiimote. Sure, the game wouldn't function as well, but people who don't have the accessory (or more than one for multiplayer games) probably wouldn't care. Since this isn't something which everyone will have (or have multiples of), requiring the use of it will likely result in less sales for that particular game.

NinGurl69 *hugglesFebruary 02, 2009

Motion Plus allows the capability to track the Remote's location in space.  The Remote by itself absolutely does not do this, and software intending to use Motion Plus for that purpose will either not support the plain Remote by itself or just disable the "bonus" functionaity in Motion Plus' absence.

Wii Sports Resort, non-plus version?  Not happening.  Get real.

Wii Play still sells.  Resort will sell.

Mop it upFebruary 02, 2009

Wii Sports Resort comes with a Wii Motion Plus so there's no need for the option to use just a Wiimote in that game. Then again, you'll need four of the devices if you want to play multiplayer so maybe it is a good idea to include such an option. If the device makes the game better compared to the regular Wiimote maybe people would be impressed by it and go out and buy some.

Any single-player game which requires the device should probaby come with one or include an option for the regular Wiimote if they want the game to sell better.

Spak-SpangFebruary 03, 2009

I hope Nintendo is smart enough to pack 2 Wii Motion Plus devices with Wii Sports Resort. 

GoldenPhoenixFebruary 03, 2009

Quote from: Spak-Spang

I hope Nintendo is smart enough to pack 2 Wii Motion Plus devices with Wii Sports Resort. 

Do you think Nintendo is made of money or something? :P

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterFebruary 03, 2009

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

Quote from: Spak-Spang

I hope Nintendo is smart enough to pack 2 Wii Motion Plus devices with Wii Sports Resort. 

Do you think Nintendo is made of money or something? :P

If they can pack a 90 dollar board and convince people to buy it I think they can pack two motion plus devices.

Mop it upFebruary 03, 2009

What if they offered two different bundle deals? You could get the game with one Wii Motion Plus for $50 or you could get the game with four of the accessories for $70-80. I might actually consider that if it were offered up.

Spak-SpangFebruary 03, 2009

Mop it Up:  I like your bundle idea, but realistically  Nintendo will NOT be doing that. 

The most likely thing is Nintendo will package it with a single Wii Motion Plus, but might have a preorder bonus somewhere for a second one free.

I would even settle for them allowing me to buy the game and buy extra Wii Motion Plus devices for half price when you buy them with the game. 

UltimatePartyBearFebruary 03, 2009

Quote from: Mop_it_up

Quote from: KDR_11k

The reason it wasn't built into the wiimote right away was cost, these devices would have cost something like 10$ a piece back when the Wii launched, they've come down in cost by now.

I forgot, Nintendo likes to make a profit on every single product they sell. It isn't like they are making more money than any other game company so there's no way they could have afforded to sell one of their products at cost, or even a slight loss, nor would the cost of manufacture ever reduce to the point where it would have been profitable.

I think KDR_11k may be underestimating the cost a bit, but it's been a while since I read much about it.  The Wikipedia article claims they were $30 in 2007, but the linked source doesn't actually mention any price.  Still, most applications for MEMS gyroscopes are far more expensive than Wii remotes (such as cars), so I wouldn't be surprised.  Also keep in mind that that price is for a single component.

Quote:

By the sound of it, the Wiimote can already do everything that the Wii Motion Plus can do, it just can't do it as well. As such, I see no reason why games which utilize the Wii Motion Plus can't also offer the option of being controlled with the regular Wiimote. Sure, the game wouldn't function as well, but people who don't have the accessory (or more than one for multiplayer games) probably wouldn't care. Since this isn't something which everyone will have (or have multiples of), requiring the use of it will likely result in less sales for that particular game.

There are two big things Motion Plus means for controls.  The first is obviously accurate tilt sensing.  Currently, that's done by the accelerometer sensing the pull of gravity or the IR sensor watching the LEDs on the sensor bar turn.  The former is a little slow and unreliable because it can't tell gravity apart from any other movement.  The latter only works on one axis and requires that you point at the sensor bar.  Technically, it's true that this is just an improvement on what the remote already does.  However, that leads to the second, bigger big thing, which is enabling more accuracy to be gleaned from the accelerometer.  With the tilt sensor telling you which way is up, you can predict how gravity will affect readings from the accelerometer, which makes it easier to differentiate one motion from another.  This also makes it possible to predict exactly where the controller is relative to where it started (though I still think you can overwhelm the accelerometer with excessive gs, so it will require setting a home position regularly, as demonstrated in the Wii Sports Resort demos), a.k.a. one to one controls.

Quote from: Spak-Spang

Mop it Up:  I like your bundle idea, but realistically  Nintendo will NOT be doing that. 

The most likely thing is Nintendo will package it with a single Wii Motion Plus, but might have a preorder bonus somewhere for a second one free.

I would even settle for them allowing me to buy the game and buy extra Wii Motion Plus devices for half price when you buy them with the game. 

Nintendo giving a discount.  Thanks for the laugh.  :D

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorFebruary 03, 2009

Here's the best idea ever...
Buy Wii Sports Resort, get one Wii Motion Plus packed in.
Then, Individual Wii Motion Plus units will have an MSRP of $9.99.  Most retailers will sell them at $15.

There will be three different Wii Motion Plus packages.  Each one will come with a download code (a la Wii Speak Channel) for a free Wii Ware download of a WiiPlay-esque mini-game that uses the Wii Motion Plus.  You'll be able to tell which free game is "included" in your Wii Motion Plus package, as each one will have different packages.  "Wii Motion Plus Fishing", "Wii Motion Plus Fencing", "Wii Motion Plus Something or another, I dunno....".

This will encourage retailers to keep three times as much stock on hand (who knows which version customers will want?) and will help to cause one particular version to sell out anyway and creating yet-another "must have" item, but without just flat out losing sales because you can't find it *anywhere* (a la WiiFit/Mario Kart).

GoldenPhoenixFebruary 03, 2009

Quote from: UncleBob

Here's the best idea ever...
Buy Wii Sports Resort, get one Wii Motion Plus packed in.
Then, Individual Wii Motion Plus units will have an MSRP of $9.99.  Most retailers will sell them at $15.

There will be three different Wii Motion Plus packages.  Each one will come with a download code (a la Wii Speak Channel) for a free Wii Ware download of a WiiPlay-esque mini-game that uses the Wii Motion Plus.  You'll be able to tell which free game is "included" in your Wii Motion Plus package, as each one will have different packages.  "Wii Motion Plus Fishing", "Wii Motion Plus Fencing", "Wii Motion Plus Something or another, I dunno....".

This will encourage retailers to keep three times as much stock on hand (who knows which version customers will want?) and will help to cause one particular version to sell out anyway and creating yet-another "must have" item, but without just flat out losing sales because you can't find it *anywhere* (a la WiiFit/Mario Kart).

Good idea, unfortunately I don't think Nintendo will ever do something like that.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorFebruary 03, 2009

Oh, forgot to note - this would also still encourage people to buy Wii Motion Plus attachments even though they won't be able to find Wii Sports Resort for the first three years.  At least they'll still get *some* use out of the attachments. ;)

GoldenPhoenixFebruary 03, 2009

Quote from: UncleBob

Oh, forgot to note - this would also still encourage people to buy Wii Motion Plus attachments even though they won't be able to find Wii Sports Resort for the first three years.  At least they'll still get *some* use out of the attachments. ;)

I think UncleBob should quit Walmart and wrestle Reggie for his job.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorFebruary 03, 2009

I just want to be Reggie's assistant.  I'll clean up the mess after he's done kicking ass.

Wow, now that's an idea!

vuduFebruary 03, 2009

Quote from: Kairon

Wow, now that's an idea!

Yes is it.  A horrible idea.

Retailers (including Wal-Mart) are already complaining about multiple SKUS for the same product.  They're not going to want to stock three separate versions of what is essentially the same product.

Maybe tone the idea down a bit and offer a single package give the consumer the option of which game he or she wants to download.

KDR_11kFebruary 03, 2009

Quote from: NinGurl69

Motion Plus allows the capability to track the Remote's location in space.

It's a gyroscope. It tracks rotation (even horizontal which wopuld usually not register because gravity still goes in the same direction), not position.

NinGurl69 *hugglesFebruary 03, 2009

With all the crap working together it can fudge a position by fudging the translation by interpreting the rotation and accelerations.

I didn't say Lotion Puss did it all by itself.

The Wii Sports Resort demo asked players to aim the Remote at the TV before throwing the frisbee... as a home position?

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterFebruary 03, 2009

Quote from: vudu

Quote from: Kairon

Wow, now that's an idea!

Yes is it.  A horrible idea.

Retailers (including Wal-Mart) are already complaining about multiple SKUS for the same product.  They're not going to want to stock three separate versions of what is essentially the same product.

Maybe tone the idea down a bit and offer a single package give the consumer the option of which game he or she wants to download.

You are just upset because Unclebob of all people thought of it first ;) .

Never fear the man nipples of smart ideas :D .

Uncle BobFebruary 03, 2009

I was thinking the SKUs would come in an assortment - like a case of six with two of each type of pack similar to how the colored Wii Remote gloves or, say, action figures come in. Retailers would devote the same amout of shelf space for the assortment as they would the individual item.

Spak-SpangFebruary 03, 2009

UncleBob that is a great idea...but you know you could easily do that with one package and give you a code that once you input it in gives you a choice of one of the three games.  Simple, and once you buy 3 you get all three games. 

Quote from: Spak-Spang

UncleBob that is a great idea...but you know you could easily do that with one package and give you a code that once you input it in gives you a choice of one of the three games.  Simple, and once you buy 3 you get all three games. 

... even... BETTER!

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorFebruary 04, 2009

Quote from: Spak-Spang

UncleBob that is a great idea...but you know you could easily do that with one package and give you a code that once you input it in gives you a choice of one of the three games.  Simple, and once you buy 3 you get all three games.

I'm not against this idea by any means, I'm just not sure what the back end programming would involve.  Also, the package for the individual "Wii Motion Plus One Game" could look a lot more cool than some kind of combo package...

Spak-SpangFebruary 04, 2009

Quote from: UncleBob

Quote from: Spak-Spang

UncleBob that is a great idea...but you know you could easily do that with one package and give you a code that once you input it in gives you a choice of one of the three games.  Simple, and once you buy 3 you get all three games.

I'm not against this idea by any means, I'm just not sure what the back end programming would involve.  Also, the package for the individual "Wii Motion Plus One Game" could look a lot more cool than some kind of combo package...

Why wouldn't the back end programing work?  The Virtual Console channel already allowed you to download the Wii Speak channel from a code you got from the game.  In fact the promotional code link for the Wii channel should still be there waiting. 

I do like your box idea of saying Wii Motion + Fishing or other game...but they can still do a similar concept.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorFebruary 04, 2009

I don't know how difficult it would be to program a code that lets you choose one of three titles to download.  We already know a system is in place where you're given a code and allowed to download a specific title though, which is why I suggested that...

It's not like any of this is going to happen anyway. :(

UltimatePartyBearFebruary 04, 2009

It wouldn't be difficult at all to program that, but it would negate the collectible draw that different packages would have.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorFebruary 04, 2009

Quote from: UltimatePartyBear

It wouldn't be difficult at all to program that, but it would negate the collectible draw that different packages would have.

Remember, Nintendo + Online = Epic Fail.  I picked a safe, proven method for the distribution - anything else might be too difficult for Nintendo. ;)

UltimatePartyBearFebruary 04, 2009

You're worried entering the code would be laggy?

KDR_11kFebruary 04, 2009

More like a significant part of the userbase doesn't have broadband internet.

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