E308: WiiSpeak peripheral coming
by Candace Savino 
{ Jul 15th 2008 at 12:40PM }
In Nintendo's expected announcement of Animal Crossing Wii, the company added something unexpected: players will be able to use a peripheral known as WiiSpeak to communicate (non-locally, of course) during the game.
The video demonstration briefly showed four players playing Animal Crossing on the Wii while "WiiSpeaking" to each other. We think it's about time that Nintendo got on the voice chat train, and we'll let you know more about the peripheral and how it works as details arise.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ng0zT @ Jul 15th 2008 12:39PM
plz post pictures!!!
il_duce620 @ Jul 15th 2008 12:47PM
I seriously hope they can integrate this in with other games, 'cause I need it for Mario Kart, SSBB and MoH: Heroes 2...
Mike @ Jul 15th 2008 1:25PM
Agreed. It needs to be usable across the board.
PunchyMcJunk @ Jul 15th 2008 1:34PM
It would be great if it could be integrated in a convenient game overlay (a la Steam on the PC) through the Wii Home in-game menu system or something.
Yeah, there's going to be smack talking in competitive games, but with the focus of a lot of online gaming getting into cooperative modes, this can be a huge boost to the online component for the Wii.
Mike @ Jul 15th 2008 1:40PM
I'm more than willing to talk a little smack during WiiFanboy's Game Nights. :)
Disco Ball @ Jul 15th 2008 12:50PM
If it works well this is great news!
Oneiroi @ Jul 15th 2008 1:02PM
I thought they were avoiding this because they were scared people would say bad words or something?
It would be great if this could be included in brawl and mario kart and such.
AWade @ Jul 15th 2008 1:13PM
Ugh...are people really so lonely they need to listen to other people yak in their living rooms?
Sorry, voice chat is so useless IMHO - I don't need to hear someone smack talk because I just pwn'd them in a game.
This is one Wii accessory I will stay far, far away from.
RUTHLOOSE @ Jul 15th 2008 1:20PM
You do know you can um... use this for games that involve teamwork. Like say, Mario Kart.
Sisyphus @ Jul 15th 2008 1:20PM
I definately agree. I was enjoying games not having voice chat. Crap talking should be reserved for schoolyards.
omghaha @ Jul 15th 2008 1:45PM
well i want to talk to friends who got a wii not to everyone.
iambob98 @ Jul 15th 2008 1:15PM
the conduit here we come!!!!
LongshotX @ Jul 15th 2008 1:15PM
Lame.
Conda @ Jul 15th 2008 1:18PM
set the microphone aside, what was the other USB device that was in the summary of the keynote, when they were recapping the microphone? it looked suspiciously like an external hard drive
Ferco @ Jul 15th 2008 1:31PM
I thought it was a part of the WiiSpeak. I would be weird if they forgot to talk about it.
Espiox @ Jul 15th 2008 1:36PM
Just a unit that the Mic connects to (which is attached to the console via USB). Sorry, no HDD this time.
iofthestorm @ Jul 15th 2008 1:49PM
Where? Please, I need something to make this conference less meh.
Nate @ Jul 15th 2008 1:22PM
It would be great for something like a tactical FPS or an MMO. And personally, I'd love it for Brawl or MKWii (won't happen for Brawl for sure though)
adolson @ Jul 15th 2008 1:39PM
non-locally? Haha, it'd be hillarious if Nintendo announced a microphone peripheral enabling local voice chat. "nobody speaks unless he holds the conch-er, I mean, the WiiSpeak!" lol
Shaq-Fu @ Jul 15th 2008 2:25PM
Will it work for HAWX Wii though? Thats the real question
tmntman @ Jul 15th 2008 2:48PM
I'm in the camp that hasn't really missed voice chatting in games up to this point. However, I can see where it would be quite useful in some areas. For instance, in Guitar Hero or Rock Band it would be nice to be able to discuss which songs to pick while playing online. And of course there are games with cooperative multi-player modes. I just hope they include the option to disable it when needed.
TomSkib @ Jul 15th 2008 3:35PM
AMEN.
Alvin @ Jul 15th 2008 5:00PM
its confirmed that this game will be released on Nov. 16th!!!
and the Wii Speak will be sold separately and cost $29.99
http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/ocz--Co1ctoYQiDXSdIMe5sNloaAk0O8
seetrapp @ Jul 15th 2008 5:25PM
SO can a third party use the technology to make a headset?
TheOverlord#2 can has Animals Crossing? @ Jul 15th 2008 6:05PM
I was excited enough for AC:CF but when they unveiled Voice chat would be coming to the Wii...I was so happy.
Can't wait to finally use this on Nov. 16...and when The Conduit comes out...Game Night will never be the same. :P
Joe Cart @ Jul 18th 2008 2:59PM
f*ck... yes, MADDEN 09 BABY! No more stupid pre-made sentences like "whos up for a ranked game" or "you need more practice playing" or my favorite "HE COULD GO ALL THE WAY"
But yea, its about freakin time they came out with this. This will definitly expand the online play on wii. 3rd party companies better be working on headsets or something.