Oh, Motion Controls Are Suddenly Cool Again Now?

— Nintendo Enthusiast:

Motion controls have existed longer than some may actually think. While the Wii managed to bring the technology into the mainstream, motion controls actually existed as far back as the 80s during the Atari era. Up until the Wii, motion controls were used in add-on experiences, while the actual system still had a traditional controller as its main option. The Wii did the opposite and instead made motion controls its primary focus. Many “hardcore gamers”, hated this.

There were constant complaints from the gaming community, urging developers to have titles that didn’t include any motion controls whatsoever (or at least not have it being mandatory). While there were non-motion games on the Wii, that always remained the focus. Fast-forward to now, and it’s obvious that motion controls are no longer at the center of attention, with traditional controllers once again reigning supreme. But, there’s a catch. Now we have virtual reality—which just so happens to use motion controls extensively. And low-and-behold, there’s a lot of hype surrounding it. So, what happened? Why is it suddenly cool again?

[PhoenixUp]

They're cool when they're not being forced down consumers throats.

[fattyuk]

also last time i checked ps move controllers are 1:1 whilst the wii controllers were just waggle about IR sensors,

"Oh, Motion Controls Are Suddenly Cool Again Now?"

Legitimately sounds like a sarcastic little child.

[deafdani]

To be fair, Wii Motion + is almost 1:1, and not dependent on IR at all. And pretty much all Wii Remotes have it included now and have had it for several years.

[AKR]

It's quite obvious you didn't read the article.

Last time I checked, Wii MotionPlus technology was released back in 2009, which brought 1:1 functionality to the controllers. Had you read the article and not replied "like a sarcastic little child", then this comment would have had no need to be written.

[fr0sty]

Considering that they become your hands when immersed fully into virtual worlds, rather than just being tacked on to games as control mechanisms that don't work as well as traditional controllers do... yes. Especially when they're more accurate than any Wiimote ever was.

[iceman06]

They were always pretty "cool", but many of the games for them weren't! They stopped getting creative and just raced to cash in...and the market responded. Now, with VR (as you highlighted), it becomes a very natural way to control games. Now, we wait for the new generation of power gloves!!!

[rainslacker]

They're cool when they make sense to the game, and the game is tailored to be good and use motion controls at the same time. Even the Wii, PSMove, and Kinect had their good motion control games. That doesn't make motion control cool for the main way to always control every game.

In this case though, they are kind of forced, although optional for a lot of games.

[Mystogan]

I don't remember anyone forcing me to buy a motion controller.

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

This guy sounds like a typical nintendo fanboy from IGN

VR is not the same as motion controls like the Wiimote. The probkem with the Wii was that the motion controls was forced. It was cool in the first years, but not anymore after.

Even if Sony tried to steal the thunder with theirs, they still provided games using the standard way to play games, while Nintendo didn't listen and tried the same forced gimmicks with the Wii U. How did that work out? Now we wait for NX...

[Z501]

These Nintendo guys are funny. Do these writers ever google?

"Up until the Wii, motion controls were used in add-on experiences, while the actual system still had a traditional controller as its main option"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...
Xavix - 2004
Wii - 2006
http://www.marnscda.com/Xav...

Basically, Nintendo didn't invent the console that primarily uses motion controls. Sorry Nintendo guys/gals.
Popularity is a different topic.

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

Haha where was that traditional controller for the wii?

[AKR]

Classic Controller, Classic Controller Pro, Gamecube Controller. You were saying?

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

Gamecube controller was not compatible with all games

Neither was classic controllers. The main way to play wqs holding that Wii mote

[AKR]

And please enlighten me as to how many people actually know about the console you mentioned? It's great that your knowledge of systems is so robust, but if you asked the average Joe if they've ever seen/heard of the Xavix, they'll probably look at you as if you were crazy.

The Wii managed to bring it to the forefront on a worldwide scale.

[Z501]

Quote:
"popularity is a different topic"

My original point:
"Up until the Wii" <--- NOT TRUE. FACT.

*Average Joe isn't really going to gaming sites. So you're left with people with some gaming knowledge, whether you want to acknowledge them or not is a personal issue.

[T2X]

Not so much being "Cool" Again as much as they are an integral part of the VR environment. They are required. Unt a great pair of VR gloves comes out anyway.

[UnHoly_One]

Which would still be motion controls, just "better" motion controls.

[zeuanimals]

Motion controls were only bad because the tech wasn't quite there (the Wiimote wasn't exactly high tech) and nobody could find a good use for it. With VR, it can get actual, good use.

[mogwaii]

Not required but great when implimented none the less.
Id love sony to come up with something similar to occulus touch....they look amazing.

[uth11]

All videogame tech seems to go through a "cool" phase, then a backlash phase and then a comeback phase where it sticks around

[zeuanimals]

Not all. Some were never cool and some will never come back and be cool again. Some tech is also outdated and won't make a comeback due to us having more elegant solutions now.

[rainslacker]

Yeah, I'm still waiting on a return of the power pad.

Although, I suppose that still has to go through it's initial "cool" phase.

[deafdani]

Dance Dance Revolution, brah. :P

[ninsigma]

The big flaw here (from what I read above) is that it doesn't mention that the motion controls for psvr are mostly optional. I haven't used motion controls yet with the vr.

[Amiga-guy]

They are optional, but I would highly recommend them, they make interaction in the VR world so much more natural and immersive.

[ninsigma]

I really wanna but mine were left uncharged for too long and now won't charged :(
I'll pick some up soon anyway! Some games will definitely work better with them :)

[Thegamer41]

@ninsigma

I had this problem and found out that using a wall outlet does not charge them. I plugged mine straight into my PS4 and they eventually did charge, though it did take a while since it has been years the last time I used them.
Also try finding the original charger, a lot of my cables did not charge them until I found the original ones.

[ninsigma]

Yeah I read that alright. Tried plugging into ps4 but no go. Might not have left them long enough. Unsure if I can find the original wire though :/
Did the charging light come on for you straight away?? They won't turn on for me at all unless they're plugged in.

[Thegamer41]

The light only comes on when charging for me and it took about 30mins initially.

[zeuanimals]

I think you can just buy new batteries. You'd have to open up the Move controller(s) but it'll save you money.

[AKR]

"All of the new gaming VR headsets feature motion control options" - Third paragraph.
" While there are a lot of VR titles that can be played with a standard controller, the most immersive experiences all require you to use a pair of motion controllers." - Seventh paragraph.

Next time try reading the full article and not the excerpt.

[ninsigma]

I'll read as much or as little as I like.

[Blastoise]

What a salty article

[AKR]

And where is the salt exactly? I wrote about it's obviously relevant. If you don't like it, good for you, but that doesn't change the fact that I stated nothing but the truth.

[_LarZen_]

That article was a waste of time reading. I just wanted to share that...carry on.

[AKR]

Your opinion, mate.
Doesn't affect my paycheck.

[mochachino]

Recently tried out Vive at a Microsoft Store. I'm certain that when done right, motion controls are very fast, a curate and with zero delay. Much better than a standard controller.

Having used both Wiimotes and Vive controllers, using a Wii mote is akin to writing with your non-dominant hand.

[ChronoJoe]

People disliked them in retrospect in games like Skyward sword because when looking back at those games they felt that the motion controls didn't really add anything to the experience. It's has some neat gimmicks but it's not a better Zelda game for them.

I don't think this really compares to how essential motion controls are to many of the VR games and experiences, like job simulator for instance, where the literal purpose of the game is to organically interact with the virtual environment. 3D tracked motion controls provide the best means of doing this. Did the Wii motion plus provide the best means of playing a Legend of Zelda game? I think many would argue no.

[DivineAssault]

I like having the option

[Chocoburger]

Motion controls were never really "cool". They were a novelty, a gimmick, and sometimes they worked out okay, while most of the time they failed to offer the precise input or speed traditional gamers were accustomed to since the NES.

I wouldn't call them "cool" now, but they make sense to use in PS VR since you have a split controller and can move each hand freely, as opposed to holding a dualshock 4 in both hands and making it harder to grab or manipulate items or objects in VR.

Kinect 2.0 was never "cool" and will never be "cool" for gaming purposes. PS Move is back once again, for good reason, and you seem jealous because of it.

[Hotabang]

its not "cool again" it was a gimmick and still is a gimmick