Ubisoft totally hearts MotionPlus

by Chris Greenhough { Aug 18th 2008 at 5:30PM }

Nintendo kept the Wii MotionPlus a secret from everybody for as long as possible, a move that resulted in grumbling from certain third-party developers.

That hasn't diminshed enthusiasm for the tiny add-on, however. During an interview with Gamasutra, Ubisoft Montreal CEO Yannis Mallat couldn't praise the MotionPlus enough (even though he admitted having some doubts at first), enthusing about how the peripheral would make gaming feel "seamless," and arguing that it could only lead to a more immersive experience. "It's one thing to have your brain interpolating what you're doing," gushed Mallat, "[but ] it's another thing to not need that interpolation work."

Elsewhere in the interview, Mallat expressed his view that Shaun White Snowboarding was a "must-try" and described developing Dogz as "psychologically very exciting." Hmm.

Gallery: Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip

Tags: accessory, motion-control, motionplus, shaun-white, shaun-white-snowboarding, third-party, ubisoft, wii-motionplus, wii-remote, wiimote, yannis-mallat

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Matthew @ Aug 18th 2008 5:52PM

As strange as this is to say, I'm not that big of a fan of Wii Motion Plus. Reason being, I can find myself immersed in a game already dependent on the story and presentation, games such as No More Heroes, Metroid etc hit the spot for me. However, in No More Heroes, I found myself struggling with the final battle because my arm was becoming tired of the sword clashes with the circle spinny thing (those who played know what i'm talking about). Anyways, my point is adding even more motion is going to get me tired, I'm a fit person but I must admit if it's going to get to a ridiculous point where you're having to flail in numerous motions it could be a problem >.

Hamster @ Aug 18th 2008 6:41PM

I agree with you that too much motion-control can get tiresome and annoying, particularly when it's just horrible waggle, but in defense of MotionPlus (which is unusual for me as I'm somewhat against it), I don't think it's about more motion, rather it's about more accurate and intricate motion. Though we shall see. Unfortunately it will probably be abused and turn into another tacky gimmick.

I remember once an interviewer asked Reggie about disabled people being alienated by the Wii's motion-controls and he said that it was something they were aware of and had researched and hence would try not to ever over-do the motion-controls.

I have often found some of the motion-controls very tiresome and irritating and really take you out of the game, rather than immerse you in it, especially when they don't actually work until like the third or fourth try! I love the pointing/aiming capabilites, but the contrived "waggle" and "gestures"? No thanks.

On a side note; So one of Ubisoft's monkeys finds developing Dogz "psychologically very exciting." Right, as in the psychology of "exploiting little children". The fact that more Ubisoft Wii games are on the way is very grim news indeed.