Ecofreak
07-15-2006, 05:32 AM
As reported by TheWiire.com from IGN
Media outlet IGN recently acquired developer documentation pertaining to Wii, bringing to light a number of new details regarding the Wii Remote, including the use of the SYNCHRO button, LED lights, and more.
As The Wiire reported exclusively during E3, the Wii controller will definitely utilize AA alkaline batteries for power. According to IGN, players can expect the Wii Remote to last 30-60 hours, depending on the extent by which the controller's functionality is used. As for how to guage the amount of battery power remaining, developer documentation states that upon boot up, the controller's four LEDs blink to show at least 75% is available; three LEDs blink to show 50% to 75% power; two LEDs blink indicate 25% to 50% power, and one LED blinks to illustrate less than 25% of battery life remaining.
In addition, the controller contains 6KB of "non-volatile" memory, according to IGN's sources. What purpose this extra memory serves is unknown, though acting as the storage for gamer profile information in order to 'personalize' each controller, a feature Game Designer Shigeru Miyamoto mentioned a few months ago would be somehow present, is a possibility.
It would also seem, according to IGN's report, that developers cannot currently interact with the controller's internal speaker, despite the functionality's presence in some first-party titles at E3 2006.
IGN's sources indicate that all buttons on the Wii Remote and Nunchuk are uniformly digital, rather than analog. To clarify, the GameCube's 'L' and 'R' shoulder buttons were analog, containing 256 'degrees' of sensitivity, while all other buttons were digital. Some analog sticks, such as ones found on the Xbox controller, are fully analog, being clickable. The supposed advantage to digital circuits is their relative lack of design difficulties and flexibility in data sending.
Recent images have revealed the SYNCHRO button, located in the Wii's front flap. According to IGN's obtained documentation, it is used to identity Wii controllers with the console. In order to commence synchronization, players will press the SYNCHRO button on the system, and then either press another SYNCHRO button located inside the Wii Remote's battery compartment, or hold down the '1' and '2' buttons simultaneously.
Additionally, Nintendo's documentation states the Wii Remote's built-in rumble motor can be turned on or off, though IGN's report is not clear about whether only developers are given the option, or if players can as well. Also of note is that the motor does not offer varying degrees of rumble sensitivity, but developers can apparently trigger more intense vibrations by programming the motor to rapidly switch on and off during gameplay.
Finally, IGN mentioned Nintendo will make the classic controller available to developers in early September. How this might affect support for Wii's Virtual Console - a service allowing players to download games from past Nintendo home consoles, SEGA Genesis and Hudson's TurboGrafx system, as well as potential original titles - cannot be determined at this time.
IGN's full report can be found here
The Wiire will have more on Wii's hardware as information becomes available.
Interesting that they didn`t choose built in rechargeable batteries. Maybe it`s to cut costs? But then again, 30-60 hours of gameplay is MIGHTY fine! How long can the 360 controller get on a single charge out of the box? And what about the Wavebird?
Here`s the link for the IGN article with much more goodies! http://wii.ign.com/articles/718/718946p1.html
Media outlet IGN recently acquired developer documentation pertaining to Wii, bringing to light a number of new details regarding the Wii Remote, including the use of the SYNCHRO button, LED lights, and more.
As The Wiire reported exclusively during E3, the Wii controller will definitely utilize AA alkaline batteries for power. According to IGN, players can expect the Wii Remote to last 30-60 hours, depending on the extent by which the controller's functionality is used. As for how to guage the amount of battery power remaining, developer documentation states that upon boot up, the controller's four LEDs blink to show at least 75% is available; three LEDs blink to show 50% to 75% power; two LEDs blink indicate 25% to 50% power, and one LED blinks to illustrate less than 25% of battery life remaining.
In addition, the controller contains 6KB of "non-volatile" memory, according to IGN's sources. What purpose this extra memory serves is unknown, though acting as the storage for gamer profile information in order to 'personalize' each controller, a feature Game Designer Shigeru Miyamoto mentioned a few months ago would be somehow present, is a possibility.
It would also seem, according to IGN's report, that developers cannot currently interact with the controller's internal speaker, despite the functionality's presence in some first-party titles at E3 2006.
IGN's sources indicate that all buttons on the Wii Remote and Nunchuk are uniformly digital, rather than analog. To clarify, the GameCube's 'L' and 'R' shoulder buttons were analog, containing 256 'degrees' of sensitivity, while all other buttons were digital. Some analog sticks, such as ones found on the Xbox controller, are fully analog, being clickable. The supposed advantage to digital circuits is their relative lack of design difficulties and flexibility in data sending.
Recent images have revealed the SYNCHRO button, located in the Wii's front flap. According to IGN's obtained documentation, it is used to identity Wii controllers with the console. In order to commence synchronization, players will press the SYNCHRO button on the system, and then either press another SYNCHRO button located inside the Wii Remote's battery compartment, or hold down the '1' and '2' buttons simultaneously.
Additionally, Nintendo's documentation states the Wii Remote's built-in rumble motor can be turned on or off, though IGN's report is not clear about whether only developers are given the option, or if players can as well. Also of note is that the motor does not offer varying degrees of rumble sensitivity, but developers can apparently trigger more intense vibrations by programming the motor to rapidly switch on and off during gameplay.
Finally, IGN mentioned Nintendo will make the classic controller available to developers in early September. How this might affect support for Wii's Virtual Console - a service allowing players to download games from past Nintendo home consoles, SEGA Genesis and Hudson's TurboGrafx system, as well as potential original titles - cannot be determined at this time.
IGN's full report can be found here
The Wiire will have more on Wii's hardware as information becomes available.
Interesting that they didn`t choose built in rechargeable batteries. Maybe it`s to cut costs? But then again, 30-60 hours of gameplay is MIGHTY fine! How long can the 360 controller get on a single charge out of the box? And what about the Wavebird?
Here`s the link for the IGN article with much more goodies! http://wii.ign.com/articles/718/718946p1.html