Nintendo’s first attempt at ushering in a new world of motion-controlled gaming was spearheaded by a sports title, Wii Sports, so I suppose it’s only fitting that round two, MotionPlus, will receive similar treatment. Funny thing is, it’s not going to be Nintendo that’s pushing the new peripheral into people’s homes. At least, not at first.
Instead, the mantle has fallen on EA, as we’ve detailed already with Tiger Woods 10. More recently, as in today, EA was again spreading the word about MotionPlus, this time in regard to Grand Slam Tennis.
“Wii MotionPlus is something that will appeal to the masses because it is innovative technology that takes the Wii experience to new heights. People don’t need to know how to play video games,” said Grand Slam producer Thomas Singleton. “They just need to know how to perform real-life sports motions to enjoy the Grand Slam Tennis experience.”
Let’s be cautious though, as EA (and Nintendo) have a lot invested in this little piece of white plastic. They want (Nintendo) and need (EA) for this tech to succeed. The previews look sharp, however, and we’ll know for sure this June. And with Wii Sports Resort set to drop in July, this could very well be Nintendo (and EA’s) summer to lose.
I'm pretty excited about this game in particular and the peripheral in general but I'm a little worried about what the game review community will do with it, even though their response is getting less relevant. If this game is based on motion and a bunch of utterly un-athletic reviewers get their hands on it, the scores will certainly suffer amidst cries of broken controls and waggle mechanics. And maybe it will be true, but I can see a scenario where the controls work fine but reviewers are forced to actually get up and move and they resent the game for it, even if subconsciously.
Sega Virtua Tennis 2009 will be the first Wii Motion Plus enabled game released.
Used Cisco: best point made all day. I'll be watching reviews for this game for that very reason.
You guys do realize that it's a tennis game right? I want a Wii Plus Ping Pong game first, that would be so perfect.
I'm less interested in Wii Motion Plus "appealing to the masses" and making games more accessible than I am in finally being able to slice a guy in half with a sword the way it should be.
The WMP has huge potential, let's hope it's seen and not just bogged down by sports and minigames. I probably won't buy day one (meaning I'll most likely get VT:2009 and wait). I need to see more support before I buy the peripheral. A Red Steel 2 is being teased and tossed around. That would satisfy me.
To EA: Please, please release a bundle with this game and motion plus in America. I'd buy it right away.