First, let me say that I'm happy that Nintendo keeps evolving their motion control technology. I'm not even angry that they didn't include Motion Plus from the start - Iwata said that the idea and technology just didn't exist when they launched the Wii.
But the way they introduced it is somewhat worrying. They didn't inform the third parties, and they're not planning to make it the new standard - just a pack in with several games. That means there will be hardly any third party support for the Motion Plus, because no third party will be willing to develop for a peripheral with a small user base.
Psychologically, it's not a smart move either: The current Wiimote suddenly seems like the second best solution. Who feels like buying outdated technology? Nintendo need to realize that there's a difference between traditional peripherals like the Zapper or Wii Wheel and Motion Plus: A light gun or a steering wheel add some additional functionality you only need for certain games - shooters and racers, in that case. Motion Plus, on the other hand, doesn't really offer any NEW functionality - it's just much BETTER. You cannot simply show that to the people and then take it away again! Who'd feel like buying Dragon Swords or the upcoming Sonic swordfighting game, when suddenly they became aware that swordfighting won't really work as well as it could?
Nintendo just made life even harder for the third parties. Not good. They should:
1. announce an updated Wiimote Plus with integrated M.P. technology, in addition to the add-on M.P. they already presented (which should be available unbundled, too)
2. work closely with third parties to give them a chance to include M.P. tech as soon as possible
3. announce that M.P. will be the new standard for Wii controls. Otherwise I don't see how there will be more than a few games supporting it - which would be a shame, because I think most every game would benefit from tighter 1:1 controls! Think about Zack & Wiki 2, for example.
What do you think?
Currently playing: NSMB (Wii)
