Iwata Asks: Wii Motion+

[noname2200]

http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/wiimotionplus/vol1_page1.jsp

An incredibly fascinating read, if you're even the least bit interested in the tech behind our games. I recommend reading the whole thing, but for those who are in a rush, here are a few highlights:

-The idea for the Motion+ didn't begin until early 2008 (which is why the Remote Jacket doesn't accomodate it)

-The original Wii Remote can only detect motion in straight lines (horizontal, vertical, thrusting). This is why it can't detect hooked/sliced shots)

-Motion+ detects motion along six axes

-Not in original Remote due to cost and space, advances in camcorder technology made it small+affordable enough

-Had to increase sensitivity of gyros from the 300 degrees per second used in camcorders to 1600 degrees per second (must now do four and a half complete circles in one second before the Wii stops tracking all your movements)

-Motion+ has two modes: one for detecting fast motions, and one for detecting very slow ones

-Temperature and humidity can throw off the gyros; used software and an accelerometer to compensate

-Motion+ was originally rounder, but the skirt was added to prevent it from slipping out of your hand

-The holes at the bottom of the Remote:

were not originally meant to hold something as securely as Motion+ needs to be (to prevent small movements): original design involved twisting Motion+ in.

-This design needed the player to shake the Remote thousands of times before the connection became completely secure: one designer skinned his palm because of this

-Next bought some Pokemotion metronomes and used those to do further tests.

-Steel hooks were used, but they were too strong, and broke the Remote.

-Even a small amount of moisture getting into Motion+ would make it stop working, and it would get moist with use, so they decided to introduce moisture from the beginning in a controlled manner. By boiling it.

-Pressure cookers were tried, but an assembly line that used pressure cookers would not have been practical. Also tried the steamers that make steamed buns.

-Ultimately settled on humidifiers and temperature rooms, but each Motion+ has to "cook" for two days

-It's still tricky to attach Motion+ the first few times: Resort comes with a video showing how to do it properly