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Forums - Nintendo - Iwata Asks: Wii Motion+

noname2200 on 04 June 2009

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


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disolitude on 04 June 2009

Quite cool.

Im kinda sad that this thing isnt backwards supported with all wii software.

Remember when Gameboy went form mono to color...remember how all gameboy had color...like nintendo knew that all gameboy games will need to have color 5 years later.



Makepeacefox on 04 June 2009

Thanks for that info and link noname. I've just been reading the original interview after clicking on your link and it's fascinating :)



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