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 Who feels like buying outdated technology?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?

I just thought of something. Wasn't the argument that if Sony or MS implimented a motion controller that they wouldn't come with the consoles and there would be so many consoles that were already out without them that the controller would most definitely fail. Doesn't that work against Ninty in this situation, where MotionPlus really hos no chance to become the new standard since their path is already set.

Plus if you are on offline co-op you will either need one for everybody or it will be unfair, meaning most will only be used to single player unless you dish out the cash.

I think that will be somewhat though not completely nuetralized by the fact that Wii's focus already is motion controls.  Hence Wii-Fit and the Balance Board doing ok... and Balance Board games looking like they might do well.

You make some good points, although there are counterpoints as well. I believe they're looking into integrating the Motion Plus into future wiimotes (although it doesn't sound like they've made up their minds), and they'll definitely be offering some outside of a bundle.

I wouldn't doubt that they're working with third-parties now that E3's over. My guess is that either the technology has just become feasible (remember that it's coming out with a game that doesn't release until next year, which goes against their new announcing strategy, and that the game in question isn't more than a few ideas at this point) or that their paranoia struck again, and they waited until the other two unveiled their motion controllers so that this tech wouldn't be stolen (whoops!).

As for making it the new standard, that may not be as wise as you'd think. Sure, some games would benefit from it, but not only would it make programming all Wii games a little tougher in the future, but it realistically doesn't go with every game. Most people suck at sports as it is: making them do a perfect tennis serve in a virtual reality realm will only add to the difficulty. It's better for some games to maintain the illusion that I can, in fact, pitch a fastball, because if I actually had to do so every time I reach the mound I'd be hopeless.

Yeah, they really need to push it if it's supposed to become the new standard. Packing it in with Wii Sports 2 is definitely a good idea, because that game is going to sell millions in a very short time. But that's not enough: The add-on needs to be really cheap, and they need to replace the standard Wiimote with the Wiimote+ a.s.a.p.!
I really hope they won't let this opportunity pass.

BTW, it doesn't matter if they didn't tell third parties before E3. It's not coming out for about a year. That's what Nintendo said. That would give developers time to catch up with upcoming games.

It did seem like the announcement was rushed out a little bit.

That's a good guess, probably; but they really should have kept quiet and given the 3rd parties dev kits so that they don't feel "annoyed and betrayed" (I just read the GameInformer report).

I think it will be interesting to see how developers react to Wii MotionPlus ...

I'm personally expecting many/most developers to take advantage of it as an optional attachment to increase the accuracy of their existing motion controlls; and those that use it at the exclusion of standard Wiimote controlls will (mostly) have a high quality use for it.