Of all the seventh generation game consoles we’ve seen explode around the world recently, the Nintendo Wii has probably made the most significant advancement in the form of its innovative control system.
This innovation has changed the way gamers immerse themselves in the virtual environment. Players now physically interact with the virtual world by manipulating it through digitally replicated actions of their own bodies.
Resembling a TV remote, this piece of technology has been imbued with chameleon-like abilities of transformation. Although it looks like a TV remote, it actually turns into a sword, tennis racket, golf club, bow and arrow (along with the secondary nunchuk controller), and even a lightsaber! Depending on the game you are playing.
As I said, this control system is probably the biggest advancement that has been made of all the 7th generation consoles. And I will support that claim by postulating this theory.
The theory is that with gaming technology advancing exponentially, it will soon reach a point of such graphics and gaming perfection that developers will have to look elsewhere to develop something truly new or advanced. This new realm that you will look at is virtual reality, the total immersion of the player within the 3d environment. Think helmets, body suits, and glove controllers. In fact, developments are already underway in this area and I think it will be the standard for home video games in the future. Where, by giving the suit, it will link you to the game through motion sensors, a projector helmet, and pressure and noise devices that activate when you take damage or are involved in rocky in-game activity.
The closest step to this from the seventh generation is definitely the Wii. While all three of the newly released consoles (the others being Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft’s X box 360) have made incredible leaps in the graphics and online gaming departments, only the Wii has made the move towards physical interaction with the game. gaming environment beyond touching the joystick. .
An interesting side effect that has come out of the physical interaction aspect of the Wii is that it actually induces increased cardiovascular activity which constitutes physical exercise. Of course, this depends on the game you are playing. Wii sports, which comes as part of the package when you buy a Wii, actually includes a Wii fitness program that assesses your skills and fitness level and compares it to a fitness age group chart. Wii boxing can be quite a workout!
On a more humorous side, the Internet is littered with incidents and YouTube videos of Wii Remote mishaps in which unprepared or overzealous users have caused damage to their TV screen, nearby windows, or fellow gamers, either that they were so caught up in the action of the game!
Have fun with your Wii, but watch your living room!