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Designing the Nintendo Wii |  |
April 19, 2007
by Alayna Buckner
Design Programs Columnist
With the "Wii", Nintendo hopes to challenge traditional gaming, so that gameplay and innovation trump expensive technology in video game design. Nintendo's talented video game designers were given the job of expanding the gaming market by enticing casual gamers and even non-gamers to the Wii–in addition to impressing and retaining serious gamers.
The Challenge: Nintendo's video game designers were given the job of creating a controller that is accessible to people of all ages and all abilities. They had to make it both inviting and sophisticated.
The Solution: Nintendo doesn't give their video game design jobs to just anyone-their designers rose to the challenge by combining the familiarity of a remote control with the sophistication of motion-sensing technology to create the Wii remote.
The Video Game's Design
The Wii remote can be a racket in a tennis game, a steering wheel in a racing game, and a weapon in a combat game. The Wii Remote also includes a speaker, a vibration feature called "rumble", and an expansion port for additional inputs, like the Nunchuk.
The Nunchuk is an extra devise, used with the Wii Remote to increase gaming options. It detects motion and simulates character movement. For example, players will use the Nunchuk to make characters run down a football field, and then pass a football with the Wii Remote.
Ambidextrous Video Game Design
An important innovation of the Wii design is that gamers can hold both the remote and Nunchuck in whichever hand is most comfortable for them. This further achieves Ninendo's goal of accessibility, since such ambidextrous features are rare game controllers.
If a video game design job like this appeals to you, consider a training class today.
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About the Author
Alayna Buckner graduated from Stanford University in June 2006, with a degree in Public Policy. She now lives and works in Washington, DC. She prefers a good dart game on the Nintendo Wii to real darts any day -it's a good bit less dangerous for all involved.
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