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What do a treadmill, bike tire, and Wiimote have in common?

Brooke Pilley — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Aion, Humor

ManaEnergyPotions.com has combined three seemingly unrelated inanimate objects into a dangerous contraption rivaling that of a medieval torture device: the Aion fitness machine! Okay, we'll admit that it's actually kind of cool even though we don't think there's a huge market for MMO-related exercise equipment just yet. (/munches on Cheetos and /sips Coke guilt-free, while /relaxing in comfy chair.)

In an experiment worthy of the pages of Popular Mechanics, these fellows interfaced a basic treadmill, road bicycle tire, and two modded Nintendo Wiimotes with a PC running NCsoft's newest MMO, Aion. It's really only one stick of gum and a few matchsticks short of Richard Dean Anderson material folks.

Anyway, running on the treadmill propels your character forward and flapping your arms while holding two Wii-motes makes your character fly. They also mapped various controller buttons to directional commands and use a mounted keyboard for combat. Take that Billy Blanks! Check out a video after the cut and head on over to Mana Energy Potion for the "system specs."

Continue reading What do a treadmill, bike tire, and Wiimote have in common?

What do a treadmill, bike tire, and Wiimote have in common? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Do we really ever want full immersion?

Shawn Schuster — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, Game mechanics, Opinion, Consoles, Casual

I've caught myself saying it too: I love this game because it's so immersive! Whether it's the graphics, animation, art style, accuracy of game play or whatever; immersion is a popular explanation as to why we enjoy certain games. But is this accurate anymore? Are we past that novelty?

A recent article at Gamasutra explores this topic and the whole psychology of immersion. Despite what some of the most vocal advocates of immersion might preach, the truth is that graphical realism in a game usually only applies to a niche market. For example, just look at the Nintendo Wii and its casual, yet enormous audience. One could argue that there is immersion in the motion control, yet none in the art style. This can also be carried a step further into World of Warcraft. While there are certainly strong opinions against the game's stylized graphics, 11 million people don't seem to mind.

So what are your thoughts on immersion? Are realistic graphics a requirement for you, or would you play a 2D MMO if the gameplay was perfect?

Do we really ever want full immersion? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E308: Animal Crossing Wii adds MMOG elements, but not an MMO

Krystalle Voecks — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Events, real-world, Opinion, Consoles, Casual, Virtual worlds

While nobody is entirely surprised that Nintendo decided to bring Animal Crossing to the Wii, the concepts behind this new title are curious from our viewpoint. Animal Crossing: City Folk appears to be an interesting combination of Wii gaming and MMOG/virtual world elements. Sadly this does not appear to be the MMO many were hoping for, but it is certainly a good first step towards that eventual end. In Animal Crossing: City Folk, there will be many elements familiar to MMO players: auction houses for player to player sales, in-game housing that others may visit, and the ability to send player mail not just in-game, but also to mobile phones -- even what appears to be some grindy trade-skills -- all in a perpetual-styled world. It does not have the massive elements, however, so it falls into multiplayer as opposed to massively muliplayer.

Sorry, Animal Crossing fans. Looks like we'll be waiting for a while to see if an Animal Crossing MMO (ever) hits. of course, as far as developing the potential to create such a game, this looks to be a really great first step. Well, after they ditch the friend codes.

E308: Animal Crossing Wii adds MMOG elements, but not an MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo uninterested in MMOs

Michael Zenke — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, Consoles, Casual

Despite the hopes and well-wishes of Nintendo console owners everwhere, the big N has reaffirmed that they basically have zero interest in a Massively Multiplayer game right now. A Gamespot interview with company president Satoru Iwata clarifies that, in order for Nintendo to get involved such a game would have to be appealing for everyone aged '5 to 95'. That certainly explains why Square/Enix expressed no interest in porting Final Fantasy XI to the Wii console shortly after its launch.

Iwata goes on to say that the Mii customization system is about as complicated as they want to make an interface right now. Further, they're not interested in competing with the virtual world services on the market right now. If they were to enter the markplace, they'd "focus on doing things that nobody else would do ... We'd be sure to make it something that nobody would call it a product similar to another company's offering." There have been persistent stories about companies developing an MMO for the DS, though. Perhaps the handheld's unique nature would allow them to go outside their comfort zone a bit more?

How sweet would a Massive game on the Wii be though, eh?

[Via Eurogamer]

Nintendo uninterested in MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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