Reply With QuoteHey Dynamo, what games are you getting? So far I got Zelda, Trauma Center, and Metal Slug on reserve, and Im thinking of getting the new Rayman game as well.
Glad to hear it.Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia
What about Santa???
Sadly, you can't divorce emotion from a toyline based on nostalgia.
Got Man-E-Faces, give 'em Whiplash when I Battle-Cats
Hey Dynamo, what games are you getting? So far I got Zelda, Trauma Center, and Metal Slug on reserve, and Im thinking of getting the new Rayman game as well.
Thank you Mario, but our Princess is in another castle.
Mario is NOT a launch title, right?
Zelda is the only one for me I guess.
I got to my Gamestop too late
I'm kinda upset.
-Brett
Who really wants a Wii, but needs to keep his job too.
={+}=
I plan on getting Zelda and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for sure, and have a mild interest in Avatar.
I don't think I'll have a problem getting a system or the games, so I'm not pre-ordering anything (maybe if I was getting a PS3 . . .).
My name is Pan . . . and I am the Man.
I am going crazy, I can't decide whether to pre-order or not...I was just going to get up early and wait at Best Buy the day it comes out...I didn't think I would have any problems getting one but if there are lines just for pre-orders, I don't know. Anybody want to give suggestions? Think I'll have a problem getting one on launch day without a pre-order?
R.I.P.
Ronald Henry Schwartz
June 29 1935 - June 23 2005
I miss you Dad!
Thanks!
Oh, you know, about how he used to give out presents until one day a bad little elf started using Santa's sleigh and presents as a cover-up of an internation drug ring, and when this was discovered, Santa got caught up in the mess, and the courts banned him from delivering gifts to anyone ever again.What about Santa???
I reserved Zelda, Metal Slug, and Red Steel. That's pretty much all I am planning on getting at launch. It just gets to be too expensive if I get too much more. Plus, I am planning on getting the new Sonic the Hedgehog game for Xbox 360, and that comes out pretty close to the Wii launch. I figure the price of the system, those four games (which includes the 360 Sonic title), and the cost of the extra Wii-mote + Nunchuck is more cash than I should be spending anyway.
Plus, if Shigsy is right about needing the external SD memory cards for game saves, then that's a few bucks more that I will need to spend (I hope the internal memory will work with game saves... It doesn't make sense to me why it wouldn't, and while it may not be a ton of memory, it should be enough to keep me going with these 3 games for a while. I'm not planning on using the virtual console anytime soon anyways).
D-Day, do you know if anyone else from the Horde reserved a Wii?
I also need to see what games my sis is gonna want (I got a list today from Gamestop of all of the games they are coming out with for launch, so I can show her and see what sounds interesting to her), and make sure we get those reserved as well.
Technically, my mom and step-dad will be giving her the system for Christmas. They just don't know much about these kinds of things or where to begin in getting reservations, etc, so I'm helping get things arranged, picking it up, etc. I will be simply charging it to be credit card, and they are paying me back the money. Though, I do plan to get her some games and/or accessories for it. So, I want to find out which ones she wants to lock them in (Her BIG one is going to be Sonic Secret Rings, because she is a Sonic fanatic, but that's not out for a while, so we need to find at least one launch title to keep her going for the time being).
That SUCKS man! I feel for you.I got to my Gamestop too late
I'm kinda upset.
-Brett
Who really wants a Wii, but needs to keep his job too.
={+}=
In all honesty, I was very lucky. I have a supervisor who is cool and understanding, and I have a job with some degree of flexibility. I do have a pretty much set schedule, but it's flexible enough that I was able to take lunch early to get the Wii. I often adjust my schedule when necessary, even for work related reasons (i.e. there's some time specific task that has to be done either before or after the times of my normal shift, so I will adjust to meet the needs, etc).
However, if I wasn't so lucky, I'd pretty much be in the same boat as you are now. There are other positions in the company that are more rigid in terms of what your hours are and when you can take your lunch. Adjustments like the one I made just wouldn't be possible in those cases.
Well, I guess I would have had the FYE reservation, but then that would have only covered me and not my sis (though, worse case scenario, I have my mom put in a reservation).
Speaking of which, Brett, do you have any stores in your area like FYE or something similar? Meaning, something like a store inside of a mall or something that primarily sells CDs and/or DVDs, but maybe also has a small video game section? If so, they may be taking reservations. Like I said, for my sister, I reserved one for her just earlier today (well, I guess its technically yesterday now since its after midnight) and I was only 9th on the list. Places like that won't have as rigid of reserve limits as Gamestop, and they aren't as obvious as retails that sell video games as their primary product (hence why so few people reserve there).
If that's something that is possible, you may want to look into it. I mean, the worst case scenario is that you are no worse off than you already are.
Anyway, good luck to you and anyone else still on the hunt for a Wii (or PS3 for that matter).
Well, it's hard to say. I mean, yeah, the reservations at places like Gamestop and EB are going fast. However, generally speaking, stores like Best Buy, Target, Wal-mart, etc are probably going to get in the largest supplies of the systems, and they don't take reservations. It all depends on how the supply and demand works out.
On the one hand, Nintendo is releasing A LOT of Wii's (much more than what PS3 will launch with or what Xbox 360 launched with last year), and Nintendo has been the significant underdog for quite some time. And so it may be as simple as walking into a store on the 19th and casually buying one.
At the same time, there is a lot of buzz surounding the Wii. A guy who works at a Gamestop local to me said the other day that they've been getting many more questions about it than the PS3. So, it could sell out quick in those other stores.
Here is my advice to you...
Odds are if there are any Gamestops or EB Games around you, they are most likely already out of preorders. However, if there are any other stores still taking preorders, you could always check with them.
You could put in a reservation for the system with them. Also, you could reserve a couple of games there as well. Generally speaking, in most places that do take reservations for the Wii, its a $50 deposit for the system and $5 for each game (this could always vary depending on the retailer, but this has been pretty standard thus far). Assuming that their policies are anything like Gamestop's, if it turns out that you are further down the list and you won't be getting the system that day, you could always try a place like Best Buy, Wal-mart, etc.
In the event that you manage to get a system from one of those non-reserve stores, most likely the store that you reserved the system at will allow you to cancel the reservation, and simply transfer the money you deposited towards paying for the games that you have reserved (and the games are usually in greater supply than the systems). Odds are they won't have a problem selling the system to somebody else (plus, if they have a waiting list, it can go to the next person on the list), and you pretty much break even on the whole thing. The biggest inconvenience for you is having to go to two separate stores to get the system and games, but if that's the worst thing that you have to worry about, then you are making out great in this scenario.
If you decide to go this route, I would advise asking the store you are reserving the system at about their policies in that regard prior to putting any cash down on anything. Don't just assume that they would handle something of that nature like Gamestop, only to find out that their policies are different (While I doubt that would happen, you never know for sure).
To summarize, this is basically the best way to ensure that you get a system as soon as possible. If the store you reserve it at gets yours in on launch day, then you are all set. If they don't, you could always try to non-reserve retailer and possibly get one there, in which case you still get one on launch day (and you can then use the reserve money towards games at the other store). And if that still doesn't pan out, you may not get one on launch day, but you still have your reservation in place to guarantee that you get on ASAP.
But, that's the best advice I can offer. I hope it helps.
Last edited by Dynamo of Eternia; October 15, 2006 at 02:44am.
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Im not sure if anyone from the Horde reserved a Wii.
Thank you Mario, but our Princess is in another castle.
Well, I have a very flexible job, but I had a meeting that I needed to be at Firday morning. It didn't finish until 10:45. That sucked.
That SUCKS man! I feel for you.
In all honesty, I was very lucky. I have a supervisor who is cool and understanding, and I have a job with some degree of flexibility. I do have a pretty much set schedule, but it's flexible enough that I was able to take lunch early to get the Wii. I often adjust my schedule when necessary, even for work related reasons (i.e. there's some time specific task that has to be done either before or after the times of my normal shift, so I will adjust to meet the needs, etc).
However, if I wasn't so lucky, I'd pretty much be in the same boat as you are now. There are other positions in the company that are more rigid in terms of what your hours are and when you can take your lunch. Adjustments like the one I made just wouldn't be possible in those cases.
Well, I guess I would have had the FYE reservation, but then that would have only covered me and not my sis (though, worse case scenario, I have my mom put in a reservation).
Speaking of which, Brett, do you have any stores in your area like FYE or something similar? Meaning, something like a store inside of a mall or something that primarily sells CDs and/or DVDs, but maybe also has a small video game section? If so, they may be taking reservations. Like I said, for my sister, I reserved one for her just earlier today (well, I guess its technically yesterday now since its after midnight) and I was only 9th on the list. Places like that won't have as rigid of reserve limits as Gamestop, and they aren't as obvious as retails that sell video games as their primary product (hence why so few people reserve there).
If that's something that is possible, you may want to look into it. I mean, the worst case scenario is that you are no worse off than you already are.
Anyway, good luck to you and anyone else still on the hunt for a Wii (or PS3 for that matter).
Yeah, we have lots of places like that. (I live right next to the Mall of America!) Does anyone know if Sam GOody is getting Wii? I'll probably just wait in line at Best Buy or something on launch day. *sigh*
-Brett
Who is set to launch.
={+}=
i decided not to preorder nor will i sit in line for a wii. i have a feeling there's going to be enough on launch day for me to go in slightly later that day.
I got up early on Friday and stood in line outside of Gamestop. I was sixth in line and had to wait for about an hour.
I pre-ordered the Wii, an extra Wii-mote, an extra nunchuck, Super Monkey Ball, and Zelda.
I might have to pre-order Red Steel as well.
SUPERHEMANMIKE
"It tasted good..." - Gwildor
I just sold my 360.
One of the reasons is how much Microsoft is holding back until they get some real competition. Word is now they won't be doing all games backwards compatabile, and they've slowed from one month to two for updates. Plus mine had a bug or two. there's other reasons, but these are the actual 360 related ones.
It's still a great machine, but with my tendonitis and wallet size, the Wii is looking very attractive.
This may have been asked already, but does anyone have a full launch title list? Or do you know where I can get one? Thanks.
Sadly, you can't divorce emotion from a toyline based on nostalgia.
Got Man-E-Faces, give 'em Whiplash when I Battle-Cats
I dont know of a full launch title list, but ebgames.com has a lot of stuff listed in their Wii section. Its basically games, accesories, etc. All of the games have shipping dates that vary however. You also might want to check ign.com or gamespot.com
Thank you Mario, but our Princess is in another castle.
Howdy
I don't think one has been officially released. According to Reggie "30 games will be released in the launch window, 15 of those being launch titles". Which of those 30 are the launch games though is unsure.
Chris M
I have been honing my movie knowledge while I have been away and watching a lot. Best Picture winners left to watch: NONE. Films left to watch in Empire's 500 greatest films list: ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN
The 360 is the only real immersive gaming experience.
Ok so this doesn't have anything to do with the 360 yet although they would be the first to jump at it. With the Keyboard/webcam/flight stick in the picture. This is an actual product from Toshiba though. I can't believe someone would think gamers would wear that thing.
Howdy
My Very Own Wiimote
With the DS, Nintendo turned its back on our Japanese overlords, opting to release the system first in America. The Wii may be on its way to becoming the next Nintendo system to launch first in America, but at least the Japanese (and Japanese correspondents) can boast one thing: a first shot at owning their very own Wiimote.
And by that, I mean an actual Wiimote. Not a Wii controller that's being cleverly called "Wiimote." I'm talking an actual television remote control that was designed to look like a Wii controller.
Platinum members in Nintendo Japan's Club Nintendo rewards program were given two bonus gifts this year: a monthly wall calendar featuring artwork from Nintendo's biggest franchises, and a promise. The promise was that Nintendo would ship out a special Wii-themed bonus once the Wii (then the Revolution) was closer to its release.
The time has come, and the bonus is a Wiimote that's used not for controlling Wii games, but for controlling a television.
The Wii Television Remote Control, as the product is officially known (and will likely be listed on Ebay as) looks and feels like a standard Wiimote, aside from a few insignia designed to assist in navigating the controls on your television. Like the real thing, it's small, compact and light -- so small that it makes older controllers look almost scary.
The Wiimote is smaller than the latest portable game systems, like the PlayStation Portable and the DS Lite. It's even smaller than actual remotes!
Functionally, the remote is capable of the most basic television operations. Up, Down and A are used to shift channels, with left and right used for volume. Minus button is used to switch between inputs, with plus used for muting. Power turns the television on and off. Press any of these buttons, and the left player lamp lights up.
The Wiimote can be set up for use with sets from the following television makers: Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Victor, Sanyo, Aiwa, Sharp, NEC, Fujitsu General, Pioneer, Phillips, Samsung, LG and Orion. Setting the remote to work with your particular set takes just four button presses.
So I inserted the two supplied AA batteries, set the remote to work with my Hitachi LCD, powered on the set, flipped through the channels a few times, adjusted the volume, switched to mute mode, then turned off the television.
A remote control that looks like a Wii controller is cool. For exactly ten seconds. Now it's going back in the box for safe keeping while I wait for the real thing to arrive (first in America, then in Japan).
IGN Link
Pretty cool me thinks
Here are the comparison pics:
DS against Wiimote
Gamecube controller against Wiimote
Mixed controllers against Wiimote
Close up Wiimote
TV controllers against Wiimote
360 against Wiimote
Exposed back Wiimote
Wiimote in hand
PSP against Wiimote
Long shot Wiimote
Wiimote in box
Wiimote with box
Close Wiimote 2
PS2 Pad against Wiimote
Wiimote in hand 2
Close back Wiimote
Sorry long post:
A Look Into LiveMove
Within the last few days there's been a ton of talk about the newest development tool to hit the Wii: LiveMove. Developed by technology company Ailive, LiveMove is a program made to help potential Wii developers by enabling the Wii-mote controller to learn and recognize specific motions with ease, making programming for the Wii console a bit more manageable for development teams of all sizes and abilities, rather than requiring gargantuan groups of programmers with a masters in calculus.
There's been a ton of hype around the product so far, but since 99% of our industry has never had to personally program a Wii game, there's some definite questions being brought up about what this system can really do, how easy it is to work with, and how it truly (and realistically) can be used to make Wii gaming better. Well a few of us here at IGN have had a chance to work with the development side of gaming, and of course we're on a first name basis with the pros responsible for making the Wii-motes work, so what better way to use our dark jedi powers but to get you all some answers, or at the very least, clarify what it is LiveMove is all about.
The Current Wii-mote:
There's of course a good deal to talk about, and rather than going over anyone's head with technical mumbo-jumbo only our IGN Gear EIC Gerry Block can understand (props man, props), we'll try to keep the technical assessment of the Wii-mote pretty basic for all to enjoy. The current setup for the Wii-mote is actually pretty simple, though we'll admit that the amount of technology in the remote itself might be a bit baffling to anyone who hasn't been reading up on what exactly it can and can't do.
With LiveMove, swordplay may never be the same.
For starters, we have the sensor bar. The Wii sensor bar interacts with the Wii-mote to locate a specific on-screen coordinate, which is determined by the sensor and the Wii-mote in tandem. If, for example, you wanted to point at one specific spot on your television in Red Steel, allowing for a head shot, you'd need to be using the IR sensor bar to do so.
What LiveMove will help do, however, has nothing to do specifically with the sensor bar, as it works with the motion control itself, making use of tilts and gestures instead. As it stands right now, the Wii-mote can recognize motion that is then turned into a move on-screen. What's interesting, and a bit worrisome as well, is that the Wii-mote positioning ability is based purely on the accelerometers, which don't offer coordinate-based positioning, but only simulate direct gestures by interpreting acceleration points with the remote. In a game like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, for example, you'd use a sweeping motion either left or right to pull off a specific move in the game. Since everyone "sweeps" at a different speed, or will change the XYZ position of the controller differently, the gesture may not be recognized. As a simple example, lets say Shaq is playing Marvel with son or daughter. Both players have a starting point, but Shaq's arm length will allow for a larger sweep than his child. In addition, the kid may swipe at an angle or at a slower rate than their Dad, making all of the input information amazingly different.
A game like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance uses five key gestures. This may sound like a small amount to an unsuspecting gamer, but when you factor in the difference in data for dozens (much less the thousands that will be playing the game), you'll find that each gesture requires an insane amount of info to be recognized. From talking with Vicarious at the New York event just a month ago, they stated that there are hundreds of thousands of different gesture data to have the Wii recognize even one single gesture from the game. Simply insane. Factor that out for the five total gestures in the game, or look at Red Steel, which has even more sword movements and context-sensitive gestures, and the amount of work boarders on the masochistic. It's true that the big idea may win out of the big budget for Wii, but saying that the system is far more friendly for smaller development teams may not be entirely true.
As a final few notes about the Wii-mote data, developers have talked with us on multiple occasions about a few annoying aspects of the current Wii-mote gesture recognition. Since the Wii-mote works off acceleration, programmers have to be well-versed in calculus to program speed and point recognition into an actual in-game move. On top of that, if the player's movement stays at exactly the same meters per second rate, the remote could actually miss the change in direction. Taking Zelda as an example, a player could actually move the Wii-mote left and right to do continuing sword swipes. If, however, the movement is done at precisely the same rate (or based on the programmer's coding, is displayed at the same rate) the Wii-mote accelerometers won't recognize a change in direction at all. Obviously developers that have a strong programming team won't have a problem working around this issue, as their movement code would be optimized to show even the slightest natural speed change in player movement, but it's still an issue that could come up in less optimized code. The list of strange nuances in the Wii-mote goes on and on, but rather than addressing these issues, let's talk about the solution to them.
LiveMove: The Solution?
So along comes Ailive with its motion sensing tool, claming to be the end-all be-all of Wii gesture programming. But before you buy into it entirely, you need to know how it works, right? LiveMove is essentially a program that does all the dirty work that Wii programmers have been doing freehand in the initial launch run of games. Using complex formulas, programmers have been creating starting points, ending points, speed, distance, and acceleration (speed change over time) all on their own with only the Wii-mote data to help. With LiveMove, developers can simply set up the software to record motions on the fly. Simply boot up the program, label your move, grab the Wii-mote and go. The software uses the B trigger as the record button. If, for example, you want to do a Z pattern, you'd simply hold the trigger, get in position, hold down the B trigger, do the motion, and name it. From there, the program will attempt to read your future motions. Simple, right?
Here's the catch. Remember how games like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance needed a huge amount of data to make sure every gamer can get the proper gesture recognition? That's how LiveMove works as well. While the amount of recording doesn't have to go into the hundreds of thousands, the more data you give LiveMove, the better it will work. For less complex global actions such as a large circle or casting motion, it may only take a few actions. For more intricate motions, developers may still spend a good chunk of time laying down the same motions over and over using different players, helping the program narrow down what is and isn't classified as an acceptable gesture. That being said, LiveMove definitely helps take out a ton of the initial grunt work, and developers that we've talked with that are already using the program are finding that it helps get demos up and running amazingly fast, and works as a great starting point for Wii development. More moves. More gestures. More immersion. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2?
LiveMove: The Possibilities:
With a program like LiveMove, anything is possible. Imagine that we had the ability to use this gesture recognition earlier on for the Wii launch games, for example, and we may have seen a game like Red Steel offering hundreds of sword swipes, allowing the game to stay as a gesture-recognition formula, but still giving the feeling of a true one-to-one sword duel. Imagine a game like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance that offers different gestures for every character, each representing the intended mutant in a totally unique way.
And when it comes to accuracy and user-interaction, LiveMove may be the program that enables true immersion. Image a game that allows total user calibration, asking you to perform moves one initially booting up to ensure that your actions (and only your actions) are used for on-screen actions. There wouldn't be a need to learn what can and can't be done with the controller, rather you could step on the pitchers mound, grab your baseball, and tell the Wii controller how you personally throw a fast-ball, change-up, screwball, slider, and curveball. Imagine a boxing game that allows for character creation, letting you select moves and input them how you'd actually do them. Who cares if your right hook doesn't look like Ali's right hook. The Wii-mote would know and recognize your style, ensuring for accurate motion recognition that otherwise wouldn't be available. Multiple users per system? Just select which profile you use, and rather than saving your control scheme, it would save a log of your gestures instead.
When we first saw Wii, the possibilities seemed entirely endless. Now that we've had a chance to go hands-on with nearly every launch game over and over again, it is becoming apparent that innovation of this level takes serious time, amazing commitment, and a certain amount of evolution to do it right. Will we see a perfect first-person shooter? Someday, yes. Will we see immersive adventure games that perfectly translate your movement onto the screen? We believe that with enough time you could. LiveMove, while not a miracle tool, is definitely a necessity for any developer, as it helps ensure that gestures are accurate and quick, using less processing power, less initial work for developers, and less development time in general (something that any developer will tell you is as important as the game's budget itself). LiveMove is an amazing tool, though we're sure it's just the beginning for true gesture recognition on the Wii console and beyond, and when gameplay is as important as it is on Wii, LiveMove is a true blessing for developers.
To get a better look at how LiveMove works, be sure to check a video demo of the program in action at http://ailive.net under the LiveMove section. LiveMove is already available, and can be purchased via Ailive's web site.
IGN Link
Chris M
Last edited by shigsy2003; October 16, 2006 at 04:12pm.
I have been honing my movie knowledge while I have been away and watching a lot. Best Picture winners left to watch: NONE. Films left to watch in Empire's 500 greatest films list: ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN
man shigsy2003 just post the links... i read that stuff like a week ago.
I know that the Wii will have a special retro controller available for playing the old school games...
Does anybody know if the Gamecube controllers (wavebird) will work with the retro games instead?
Also, is the retro controller wireless? Does it connect to the Wii-mote or the console?
SUPERHEMANMIKE
"It tasted good..." - Gwildor
i think i read somewhre that the classic controller connects to the wii-mote then it's (technically) wireless.
^I believe that is the case.
As far as I know you cannot use a GameCube controller for Virtual Console games
Yes it does connect to the Wii-mote.
Yes you can use the GC contoller to play VC games.
Howdy
Yes you have but that isn't to say everyone did.
I post both the link and the news as if some people are like they don't want to actually use the link provided. I prefer to read it on here.
I already apologised for the large post.
Chris M
I have been honing my movie knowledge while I have been away and watching a lot. Best Picture winners left to watch: NONE. Films left to watch in Empire's 500 greatest films list: ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN
Thanks for the info on the controller.
I was hoping I wouldn't have to shell out $20 for a controller to play the virtual console stuff.
....although that controller does look sweet...
SUPERHEMANMIKE
"It tasted good..." - Gwildor
Can you use the new Virtual Console Controller to play GC games? (not that I am planning on doing this, but I am just wondering).
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