Nintendo+Wii

toc =Wii=

Wii is the latest game console from Japanese hardware and software developer Nintendo. Its most innovative and notable feature is its motion-sensing remote. The remote functions as a freehand pointing device as well a three-dimensional mouse. It detects tilt, motion, and acceleration by means of an accelerometer inside of the remote. It also measures depth (distance from the television) by means of a sensor bar which is installed near the user's display.


 * Wii Console Unit:**


 * Wii Remote and Nunchaku Attachment:**

=The Name=

While in development, Wii was codenamed "Revolution", a name which was well-known and widely accepted as a suitable descriptor of the console's "revolutionary" control methods. In April of 2006 Nintendo announced the official name for its next generation console: Wii (pronounced "We"). The name was initially met with much dissaproval and scrutiny from mass media, software developers, and video game fans alike. Nintendo explained the rationale behind the name on their website stating, "Wii sounds like "we," which emphasizes the console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.//"// [ 1 ] The logo and the two "i"s in the logo are meant to represent two people, as well as two Wii remotes. Over time the name has become more accepted for its unmistakable quality.

=Strategy=

Nintendo's focus with Wii is one centred on innovative gameplay rather than graphical prowess. For this reason, Wii's graphical hardware is slightly underpowered in comparison to competing consoles such as the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Nintendo has instead focused on providing revolutionary technology within the console's method of input, the remote, while offering the console at a cheaper price (currently $279.99 CDN). Nintendo's intention with this strategy is to penetrate an audience outside the industry's current main demographic of teenage and young adult males.

=Technical Features=

> >
 * Can interface with up to four remotes simultaneously
 * 512 mb of internal flash memory for game information storage
 * Expandable storage through use of an SD slot
 * Wireless IEEE 802.11b/g connectivity
 * Ability to view picture and video files

=Virtual Console=

Connecting Wii to the internet allows users to download customizable content. These save on the Wii in the form of "channels" which make up the console's main interface. One such channel is the shopping channel, where users can access the "virtual console". The vitual console offers classic games for download from past systems like the NES, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, and Turbografx-16. These game are playable with a GameCube controller or the newly-released "Classic Controller".


 * Wii Classic Controller**:

=Design Principles=

Wii assessed according to Norman's design principles from //The Design Of Everyday Things// [ 2 ] and Preece's usability and user experience goals:


 * **Mapping:** Mapping is the "relationship between controls and their effects in the world." [ 3 ] Wii's remote and Nintendo's central goal with the console is to improve video game control mapping. Rather than arbitrarily assigning tasks to button inputs, the Wii inputs are gesture-focused. Users make an action, or "gesture", while holding the remote which translates into a similar action on the screen. This provides a more natural mapping between the user's input and in-game results. This is conducive to Nintendo's strategy of appealing to a wider audience. While it may not be as efficient as traditional controllers in some game genres, it does result in a higher degree of interaction and a more engaging experience. In pleasure contexts it can sometimes be interesting to design systems that are not efficient or easy to use, or that encourage greater activity. Wii is entertaining based on this principle."Interacting with a virtual representation using a physical device (e.g., banging a plastic hammer to hit a virtual nail represented on the computer screen) compared with using a more efficient way to do the same thing (e.g., selecting an option using command keys) may require more //effort// but could, conversely, result in a more enjoyable and fun experience." [ 3 ]

=Purchasing the Wii=

The Nintendo Wii is is bringing Nintendo back into competition with rivals Sony and Microsoft. With the release of the Microsoft XBox 360 as well as the Sony Playstation 3, many people thought that the release Nintendo Wii would be over shadowed. However, the Wii's originality in it's design as well as well as function and it's very affordable price of CDN$279.95 and games going for around USD$50, is finding the Wii in demand and high competition with its recently more successful competitors.

=References=

 1. Casamassina, Matt. "Introducing Nintendo Wii." __IGN__. 27 Apr. 2006. IGN. 6 Dec. 2006 <[|http://wii.ign.com/articles/703/703502p1.html>]  2. Norman, Donald A. __The Design of Everyday Things__. New York: Basic Books, 1988.  3. Preece, Jennifer., Rogers, Yvonne., & Sharp, Helen., (2002). __Interaction Design__., New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 4. Wikipedia "Wii." __Wikipedia__. 2006. 8 Dec. 2006 

Image Sources:
1. http://www.techlivingspot.com/files/2006-05-wii-white.png 2. http://i.walmart.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/wii_revknow_screen004.jpg 3. http://www.nintendo.com/wiilarge?gallery=overview&currentNo=3