Nov 27, 03:58 PM

Wii Motions

There have been a few articles over the past week about how the Wii is encouraging a more active gaming experience.

I would like to provide another view. Because the left and right hands are separated when holding the controller, it allows for a more comfortable body position while gaming. Since this is more comfortable, it allows you to stay in these positions for a lot longer period without having to move at all.

For example, if I’m using an Xbox controller, I am forced to hold both hands forward in front of my body. In addition, the 360 controller is shaped in such a way that you have to pretty much sit up and hold it horizontal to the ground to play for any extended period.

With the Wii remote, however, this is not necessary. I can lay flat on my bed, half comatose, with my arms at my sides, and play comfortably. Or I can lay on my side, prop my head up with the nunchuk hand, and keep the remote hand free to point or slash or whatever.

I played 9 hours of Zelda like this yesterday, which is obviously not healthy. But surprisingly, today I don’t feel any sort of strain at all. An interesting unintended consequence of the Wii control scheme: the features that make it good for a more active and free-motion experience also make it good for even more sedentary and couch-potato gaming.

A Wii Workout: When Video Games Hurt [WSJ via Next Generation ]

-Jon
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  1. I dunno, I think it depends on the game. Playing Wii Sports for a while actually made me short of breath once I got into it.

    When I play my Wii, I can’t sit and play. I need to be standing, otherwise I’m uncomfortable. So I think the degree to which someone becomes a couch-potato while using the Wii depends on how they play, and the game they’re playing.

    — Andrew    Nov 27, 04:11 PM    #

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