How is the Wii coming along?

[Gaffer]

Well folks, it's been well over a year since launch.
In fact, seeing as many people predict that Wii2 (WiiII?) is predicted to arrive in 2010, it means we're coming close to the halfway mark for the console (it was launched in Winter 2006).
Again, historically speaking it's about this time when the company is well on the way to creating the successor....in fact, it's been famously stated that Nintendo started work on the Wii on the launch day for the GC .

Rather than discuss a Wii2 (I think we still have LOTS of good stuff to come on the Wii), I thought I'd concentrate my ramblings on what you think Nintendo have done with the Wii so far? Particularly the ancillary services?

As a starter, let's get something out of the way now....

The online service

Come on, own up, we all dislike the 16 digit codes. I personally dislike the "brand new codes for each and every game" even more, but as time has gone by, I've gotten used to it more and more.
Fairy Nuff, I'd prefer Ninty to never ever venture down this path again, but seeing as we're stuck with it on the Wii, I think we just have to learn to live with it.
Then there is the appalling WiFi service in it's current state. What am I talking about? Well there is the limited current online capability. Why am I not worried about it? ....because they're all getting fixed .
Yes, some games have ridiculously slow server issues (Geometry Wars Galaxies can, for instance, take up to 10sec to download a simple list of leaderboard names), but others are perfectly fine and lag free (Endless Ocean maintains a solid fps rate and is brilliant online). I think the online aspect can only improve in the future.

"Ahh, but no voice chat is a PITA" I hear you say. Again, fixed (in the process of). Nintendo have confirmed they are close to bringing out a headset/mic system for the Wii. It has been known for some time that the Wiimote actually has the microchip responsible for controlling voice mics already installed.....but it's never been used up to this point. All Nintendo need is a plug in module to the mote (maybe with a through port for 'chuk when needed) and Robert's your Father's brother.
In fact, it all ties in with Ninty's original assertions that they're going to "slowly build up" the Wifi service over the time of this consoles life....rather than have everything ready at launch.
So we will soon have a WiFi service with friend codes we're all "used to" coupled to lag free servers and voice comms.

Still think the Wifi service will always be crap?

Wii Pay & Play? Well I firmly believe that this has got nothing to do with Nintendo themselves. I personally think this is being introduced purely at the behest of third party developers. Maybe the convo went like this:

3rd P Dev: Hmmmmm.....we need to maximise our profits on this runaway success.
Other 3rd P Dev: eh?
3rd P Dev: Well, think about it. Whenever we make a game for 360/PS3, we add online and can then charge for and get revenue for extra features.
Another 3rd P Dev: YEAH.....I agree. In fact, some of our games make more money via online in terms of revenue than they did in sales.
Yet another 3rd P Dev: Yeeeeehhaaaaaaaa.......I agree, let's get 'em.
Full 3rd P Mob: yeah.....burn them.....witches.......(running to a nearby mountain of cash)
Ninty: Er yes (peering out from mountain).....can I help you?
Full 3rd P Mob: Eye of newt and tongue of Bat, burn the Ninty kill them flat....
Ninty: ???....Pardon?
Full 3rd P Mob: Oh...er....um......can we have an addition to WiFi please?
Ninty: Why?
Full 3rd P Mob: We want to be able to charge for it....we want more money, or we'll stop making games for you....neh!
Ninty: Go on.
Full 3rd P Mob: At the very least add a parallel service that we "dip into" when we want if we see fit to add chargeable content. Call it "Weeeee Poo and Plop".
Ninty: Erm....we don't really need that, but if you want it won't hurt I suppose.
Full 3rd P Mob: Yaaaaayyy (turn around to leave)
Ninty: Hang on.....
Full 3rd P Mob: (look around) Yep?
Ninty: I think we'll call it "Wii Pay & play" instead.
Full 3rd P Mob: Wot'Evaaaaaaaaaa.

^^^Although, don't quote me on the specifics .

<-- before you ask, no it's not an official logo, just a quick ps knockup

So I have no "fear" of the orange boxed Wii Pay & Play system because I think it goes against the basic philosophy of Nintendo's. They have clearly stated that they wish to make games that anyone can pick up and play. They encourage games that do likewise. I think that they think that introduction of this pay service may well alienate certain casual gamers....even though as this will be the only console a "casual" will own (and they already pay for VC games) they may end up gaining revenue for themselves in certain games ("casuals" won't be deterred by comparisons to the other online services on PS3/360 as they won't be comparing in the first place.....they won't care or know what a PS3/360 is, the Wii is their only console). I'm thinking here in terms of "buying extra outfits for Mii Channel characters" or "extra items for Touch games like Animal Xing". Basically, if it adds minor aspects to the casual market, Nitendo may utilise it, otherwise all the more "hardcore" uses will be utilised by the 3rd Parties mainly....not Ninty themselves.

So I think the WiFi aspect is shaping up nicely for Nintendo.



The Graphics

Anyone still harping on about the graphics ? I think titles like Endless Ocean and Super Mario Galaxy have shown that good art direction reduces the need for uber high-end graphics considerably. Look at vids of Okami coming to the Wii. It looks gorgeous!
The caveat of this is that I think games like Metroid Prime 3 are the best of what the Wii can do.....which is no bad thing as that's PLENTY good enough for me. The argument that graphics ALWAYS improve over a console's life is not always true. Take the GC. Rogue Leader II was a launch title and (I believe) the best graphics on any GC game. Yes, sure, other games like F-Zero GX matched it, but I don't recall any/many games surpassing it.

There is one aspect that many would like improved with the Wii however and that's the anti-aliasing aspect (or lack thereof).
Anti-aliasing is effectively a way of blending/blurring edges slightly to make them appear less jagged:


untouched graphic


anti-aliased graphic

However, if the GPU is busy trying to anti-alias all the time, that's processing time that's not going to capturing a smooth frame rate, for instance. So heavy anti-aliasing will result in a 60fps game dropping frames. The Wii is clearly capable of anti-aliasing, it's just that most devs (Nintendo included) tend to prefer slightly jagged graphics with good art direction and a solid 60fps than the best graphics visually with framerate issues and poor gameplay.
I agree with them 100% in this, and to be honest, I really don't mind the odd jaggy here and there primarily because I don't notice them anymore. I'm sure if I looked I would, but that's the point, I'm not looking.....I'm too busy enjoying the game .



The Controllers

So what do we have so far? Games are being produce all the time that utilise all 4 control types:
'Mote on it's lonesome
'Mote + 'Chuk combo
Classic
Gamecube

...and we still have brand new control types on the horizon.....like the Wii Fit board.

There are even plastic shells that make it appear as though you're using a completely new controller (whereas in fact, it's just the Wiimote in a funny position ):
Wii Wheel
Zapper

Overall I think we're spoilt for choice on the Wii.......I can't wait for the Arcade Joystick and Simulator Flightstick to appear .



The Games
We've had some GREAT games so far haven't we?
Geo Wars Glx
Super Mario Galaxy
Heatseeker
Metroid Prime 3
MK Wii due soon
etc etc


....and we still have a whole wealth of franchises to plunder:
F-Zero
Pikmin
Pilot Wings
etc etc

Not to mention the brand new IP's that have been created for the Wii:
Zak & Wiki
etc

I certainly think that there's a helluva lot left in the young dog yet. I myself can't wait for them to produce a Star Wars Wii game with close to 1:1 mapping so that I can decimate some Rebel scum with my Sith blade (hopefully "Force Unleashed" will curb this hunger).

Then of course, there's the ever expanding world of VC titles. Rumour has it that C64 titles are coming over as well as the Sega Master System.



(cont...)

[Gaffer]

(...cont)

We also have a new WiiWare service launching that will allow us to buy games designed for the Wii online.....similar to Xbox's Live Marketplace or the PS Store. There have been multiple recent reports from devs who are at loggerheads with what they deem is MS being too greedy and overcharging for royalties....

Originally Posted by ex-xbl developer

Frankly, we're not looking at making games for Xbox Live Arcade because the service is full of sh1t.

...Nintendo has been trying to woo them with promises of even bigger slices of the pie if they come over to the Wii and start developing form WiiWare instead.
Coupled with the idea that development of games will be cheaper and easier too, the responses have so far been positive.
Full Story here.

We already have a few games announced too.....Pokemon Ranch, Star Soldier R and Final Fantasy, and the site is already live for Japan.




Conclusion

I could go on and on about ALL the other aspects of the Wii, but suffice it to say I think the main areas above are ALL doing really well wrt the Wii and it can only get better for 2008 and beyond .


So what do you think? Have we have a poor, average or good year for the Wii? Do you think it will get better in 2008 and beyond?


Answers on a postcard to......

P.S. R.I.P Arthur C Clarke .

[ed.kilverts]

I'm glad someone else out there is excited about the Wii for the next two years instead of looking towards the Wii2. I love the level of fun the wii offers - to me it can't be matched by any other console, and with PES/Wiifit/MK coming out this year alone, sod the graphics (they ARE good enough), the online isn't brilliant but it's (like the graphics) good enough for casual gamers like me.

One question I have from reading this. The mic attachment might plug in where the nunchuck plugs in. How would MoHH2 work with this?

Great blog by the way

[Gaffer]

Thanx .

You can read more about the mic chip here:
Nintendic » Secret microphone discovered in Wii Remote?

Basically, it's the controller that is present, so a mic could feasibly plug into the base. What it would then need is a "through port" for the 'chuk to plug into.

So it could be something like Wiimote <--- Mic/headset <--- nunchuk

.....or maybe it's all going to be via bluetooth/WiFi? Hopefully, Ninty will bring it out soon .

[TheKeyboardDemon]

Wow... what a great blog.

I didn't know about the Wii Pay & Play service, that was interesting to read about, and particularly the voice chat that should be coming up soon.

The thing I'm concerned about here is if I buy the voice chat module what will happen to all my pre-voice chat online games? Will Mario Kart and EO support this? The only thing I can think of is that they have hidden menus that are activated on installation of the module or a firmware update. Do you have any ideas about this?

[ed.kilverts]

Good point Gaff; the wiifit board (wiiboard?) is bluetooth, so why not headsets? Could this include my existing hands free kit? I doubt it, but the thought's there...

[Gaffer]

Well this is an interesting issue because i do clearly remember reading somewhere that devs say there is no reason why Nintendo WiFi can currently not support voice chat.....the "infrastructure" for it is already here, it's just the hardware is taking some time to perfect.

So all Ninty WiFi based games in future should have this capability included.
Existing games may well have hidden menu's, yes. Alternatively, maybe a firmware update to the Wii will allow the console itself to "manage" all voice comms, so the games will not need to be updated par se?

The problem is that Nintendo tends to be quite tight lipped this era, before they release anything. Chances are, we won't know anything about it until it's upon us.

Finally, as you said Ed, what about MoH? MoH doesn't use the Nintendo servers, it uses it's own US ones.
Harking back to that article I read somewhere, I'm pretty sure it hinted that ALL devs would be able to utilise the feature but again, without anything concrete it's all guesswork (damn my senility , I can't for the life of me find that article now).

I'm hoping the upcoming game event (E3?) will give us something more definitive to mull over.

[ed.kilverts]

Is that the July 11th one?

[Gaffer]

Yes, I think that's about the time.

[ynneBenny]

Great piece there Gaffer - it's a good read!! Some nice things coming on the horizon. I agree that there has been some great games out in the past 6 months (had mine since October), and already this year I've bought Battalion Wars 2 and MOHH2. Mario Kart is promising to be quality and although I'm not very interested in Wiifit, it looks good all the same.

I've been very much impressed with the Wii so far, and spend many an hour on it. It's also good because I keep going back to the games I bought a while a go like RE4, RE:UC, Links Crossbow Training, GW:G, Mario Galaxy, Mario and Sonic, Monkey Ball.....I should just list all the games I've got really!!!!!!

My brother Tom (25) has had so much fun playing that he went out and bought one! My other brothers are saving up (Bill, George and Adam) and my sister has even started to consider getting one. My Mum, who has never been interested in consoles enjoys the odd game of Tennis and Bowling......even my Dad has racked up a better score than me on Bowling!!!

It's a great console for all the family!!