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moep · Jul 14, 2008, 02:48 PM

... is the name of a new device that connects to the current Wii Controllers and enhances their 3D-Motion tracking.
Nintendo just announced these today. Online lightsaber duels here we come!

NINTENDO INTRODUCES THE WII™ MOTIONPLUS
July 14, 2008
Nintendo's upcoming Wii™ MotionPlus accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote™ controller again redefines game control, by more quickly and accurately reflecting motions in a 3-D space. The Wii MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player's arm position and orientation, providing players with an unmatched level of precision and immersion. Every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their game play. The Wii MotionPlus accessory reconfirms Nintendo's commitment to making games intuitive and accessible for everyone. Nintendo will reveal more details about the Wii MotionPlus accessory and other topics Tuesday morning at its E3 media briefing.

source: kotaku

jokell82 · Jul 14, 2008, 03:17 PM

Comment #3 on Kotaku hit the nail on the head:
"I'm not too sure I understand what that is for. Is Nintendo saying "Our Wiimotes suck at doing what it's suppose to do, so if you give us some more money, we'll send out this fix which plugs into your Wiimote and adds unnecessary bulk"?"

analogue SPRINKLES · Jul 14, 2008, 03:21 PM

Wiimote: $45 + Nunchuck: $25 + "ENHANCED Motion add on": ? Close to $100 a remote for a "Cheap casual gamer controller".

sek929 · Jul 14, 2008, 03:24 PM

"Innovative" indeed.

Give us more money so your Wiimote can perform the way it's supposed to.

analogue SPRINKLES · Jul 14, 2008, 03:38 PM

I'm not paying a dime for this thing and if anything it has pissed me off enough to want to get rid of the wii now before they come out with a new version with this controller built in and then a year after that an HD version.

I sure as hell hope no games require this add on.

moep · 03:59 PM

I think it will come bundled with a blockbuster game for little to no additional charge. That's the only reasonable explanation to me.

similar to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_Pak

jokell82 · Jul 14, 2008, 03:49 PM

My guess is that Lucasarts will bundle it with their Force Unleashed if anyone does.

Or maybe Wii Play 2?

analogue SPRINKLES · Jul 14, 2008, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by moep

I think it will come bundled with a blockbuster game for little to no additional charge. That's the only reasonable explanation to me.

So it is a "free" $50 add on then.

I wouldn't be caught dead playing a light saber game.

analogue SPRINKLES · Jul 14, 2008, 04:03 PM

Double.

jokell82 · Jul 14, 2008, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

So it is a "free" $50 add on then.

I wouldn't be caught dead playing a light saber game.

Kind of like the memory add on for the N64 that came with Rogue Squadron.

sek929 · Jul 14, 2008, 04:19 PM

RS was a sweet-ass game.

analogue SPRINKLES · Jul 14, 2008, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by sek929

RS was a sweet-ass game.

It was but I remember it was a bit pricey also.

angelmb · Jul 14, 2008, 04:44 PM

I want Apple to bring a fixed Mighty Mouse NOW, mine is most time like original poster Location, upside down to clean the scroll ball.

moep · Jul 14, 2008, 04:56 PM

If this thing really catches on and gets support from major games it's really just a matter of time until we see an updated Wii-Controller. Having that rather large dongle on your controller makes no sense, particularly because the weight and size of a Wii-controller is critical.

analogue SPRINKLES · Jul 14, 2008, 05:01 PM

I guess we can trash all the wii peripherals we got.