This is an email I sent to Nintendo of America tonight, hoping beyond hope that they gain something from it. Please, don't bother pointing out any problems with my writing, because I just don't give a damn.
Hi, my name is Adam. I'm 17 years old, and have been playing video games since about the time i could wield a controller. I still have an old Atari somewhere around here, and i still play classics like Goldeneye and Ocarina of Time on my N64 (which was by far the most influential system i have ever owned.) Now, I own a Wii, and its terrific. Its fun, innovative, and easy to pick up. The only qualm that i have with the system is that i fear for its survival among this next generation of video game systems. Don't get me wrong, I am far from a graphics snob, but what worries me is the controls, particularly for FPSs. By far the most important aspect of the Wii console is its innovative and intuitive controller, but at the same time it could easily be its downfall. Take, for example, Red Steel. The idea of the game is great. The story line about a B+, and the graphics, in my opinion, are worthy of next-gen. But the controls, although extremely satisfying as it is to make a headshot by truly aiming, the overall controlling and movement of the character is definitely not better than standard controls. That being said, I don't believe that that means the Wii's controls will never be better. I believe whole-heartedly that they can. Take it or leave it, this is straight feedback from a hardcore gamer, telling you, Nintendo, his favorite company, how the controls should be for shooting games in order for the Wii to really succeed among hardcore gamers.
- (as a default but allow for customization) the reticule should be locked in the center of the screen.
- actual full body movement should be controlled by the joystick on the Nunchuk
- For certain 3rd person shooter games, such as was done for Resident Evil 4 on the Gamecube (second best game of all time), use the remote (in place of the second analog stick) to turn the character, and use the Z button on the Nunchuk to zoom in slightly and bring up a reticule on the screen.
- A "quick-turn" control for any shooter should also be a must-have, for example flicking the remote upwards when not targeting with Z or in conjunction with tapping the Z button, or pushing down on the D-pad, so that the character does a rapid 180 pinpoint turn.
- DO NOT make the scope for a rifle of any kind be controlled by moving TOWARDS the screen with the remote, such as it is in Red Steel. It quickly gets repetitive, annoying, and is just plain aggravating. It is not realistic and it adds nothing to the games depth, control wise or other. Instead, use the D-pad, or, if it must be motion-controlled, moving the remote backwards away from the screen would be a more natural and comfortable way of aiming zoomed in, because in real life one would move their gun back, towards them to steady their shot and bring the sights or scope closer to the eye.
These ideas and suggestions would drive the Wii far, instead of allowing it to die off quickly because most hardcore gamers believe the remote to be just a quirky gimmick that they will soon tire of. Immersing a gamer with tight controls rather than life-like graphics was the driving force behind the Wiis innovation, but it will be annihilated if these controls aren't truly Revolutionary. Spread word about these ideas to all your developers. Please. I BEG OF YOU. This comes from a true fan, and as a fan I do NOT want to see such a great opportunity for Nintendo be passed up like it was for the Gamecube. This truly can be a Wii revolution, but the controls have to be better than standard. They have to be more life-like and immersing, otherwise it really is just a gimmick and people will tire of it ridiculously fast.
Respectfully,
Adam
And now, let me here some feedback, and some other useful ideas for utilizing the Wii's new way to play!
Hi, my name is Adam. I'm 17 years old, and have been playing video games since about the time i could wield a controller. I still have an old Atari somewhere around here, and i still play classics like Goldeneye and Ocarina of Time on my N64 (which was by far the most influential system i have ever owned.) Now, I own a Wii, and its terrific. Its fun, innovative, and easy to pick up. The only qualm that i have with the system is that i fear for its survival among this next generation of video game systems. Don't get me wrong, I am far from a graphics snob, but what worries me is the controls, particularly for FPSs. By far the most important aspect of the Wii console is its innovative and intuitive controller, but at the same time it could easily be its downfall. Take, for example, Red Steel. The idea of the game is great. The story line about a B+, and the graphics, in my opinion, are worthy of next-gen. But the controls, although extremely satisfying as it is to make a headshot by truly aiming, the overall controlling and movement of the character is definitely not better than standard controls. That being said, I don't believe that that means the Wii's controls will never be better. I believe whole-heartedly that they can. Take it or leave it, this is straight feedback from a hardcore gamer, telling you, Nintendo, his favorite company, how the controls should be for shooting games in order for the Wii to really succeed among hardcore gamers.
- (as a default but allow for customization) the reticule should be locked in the center of the screen.
- actual full body movement should be controlled by the joystick on the Nunchuk
- For certain 3rd person shooter games, such as was done for Resident Evil 4 on the Gamecube (second best game of all time), use the remote (in place of the second analog stick) to turn the character, and use the Z button on the Nunchuk to zoom in slightly and bring up a reticule on the screen.
- A "quick-turn" control for any shooter should also be a must-have, for example flicking the remote upwards when not targeting with Z or in conjunction with tapping the Z button, or pushing down on the D-pad, so that the character does a rapid 180 pinpoint turn.
- DO NOT make the scope for a rifle of any kind be controlled by moving TOWARDS the screen with the remote, such as it is in Red Steel. It quickly gets repetitive, annoying, and is just plain aggravating. It is not realistic and it adds nothing to the games depth, control wise or other. Instead, use the D-pad, or, if it must be motion-controlled, moving the remote backwards away from the screen would be a more natural and comfortable way of aiming zoomed in, because in real life one would move their gun back, towards them to steady their shot and bring the sights or scope closer to the eye.
These ideas and suggestions would drive the Wii far, instead of allowing it to die off quickly because most hardcore gamers believe the remote to be just a quirky gimmick that they will soon tire of. Immersing a gamer with tight controls rather than life-like graphics was the driving force behind the Wiis innovation, but it will be annihilated if these controls aren't truly Revolutionary. Spread word about these ideas to all your developers. Please. I BEG OF YOU. This comes from a true fan, and as a fan I do NOT want to see such a great opportunity for Nintendo be passed up like it was for the Gamecube. This truly can be a Wii revolution, but the controls have to be better than standard. They have to be more life-like and immersing, otherwise it really is just a gimmick and people will tire of it ridiculously fast.
Respectfully,
Adam
And now, let me here some feedback, and some other useful ideas for utilizing the Wii's new way to play!
