Whee goes the Wii

I realize that all my previous topics, including my term paper topic, have related to the gaming industry. My interests lie in this particular area. When confronted with the idea of innovation, the first innovative product that I thought of was the new Nintendo Wii. In other posts, I mentioned that the Wii’s specifications were the weakest of the next generation consoles that were released recently. The Sony PS3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 all have vast processing powers that dwarf the Wii’s simple abilities. However, the difference between the Wii and these systems is that the Wii has changed how games at home are being played.

The platform that the Wii’s success has been built upon is its new nunchuk and remote style control. For those that have not played a Wii yet, the controller translates movement into movement on screen. To swing a racquet while playing tennis requires the player to actually swing the controller properly. It is taking interactivity in gaming to another level. Gamers have always enjoyed playing games that mimic the actual action. Duck Hunt and other shooters incorporated gaming pistols that were aimed at the screen to imitate the action of shooting objects/villains. As technology increased, more and more interactive games hit the market. Steering wheels allowed players to “drive” their cars around simulated tracks. There are games that allow players to bob and weave while they box like Ali did. Others allow players to create complex drum patterns and compose music. The Wii brought this gaming concept in the convenience of one’s own home. Previously these technologically advanced games were only found at the arcades on expensive machinery. Now though, Nintendo allows gamers to utilize motion and interactivity to change their gaming environment.

In addition to bringing this technology to the home, the Wii has allowed different demographics to enjoy the system instead of just the adolescent gamers that are typically associated with the stereotype of gamers. The interactivity allows moms to play tennis from home; dads can golf in the rain without getting wet. Parties can watch players box against each other. This has allowed the system to cross generational barriers and engage a multitude of people in the gaming world. While the others systems available have increased graphics capabilities and have enhanced features, it is the Wii’s innovative new design that has allowed it to completely dominate the new system market. The revolution that the Wii has brought to the gaming industry will further the innovations required by their competitors for their products. Consumers now require games to be interactive as well as appealing to their senses. The next generation of games and gaming systems will take their cues from the success of Nintendo and allow for a greater degree of interactivity as well as similarity to the actual events and actions taking place in the games. Nintendo has truly allowed the industry to change and grow into a much more robust and revitalized industry that provides entertainment to so many.