Fils-Aime talks up Wii Vitality Sensor

By GamesIndustry International Published 10 July, 2009

The next balance board, says US boss.

Nintendo's North American president and chief operating officer Reggie Fils-Aime has said people's reactions to the Wii Vitality Sensor are as doubtful as when the company first unveiled DS, the Wii controller and the Balance Board, but that once they play the games, they'll "get it".

"If I told you that you would be standing on an oversized bathroom scale, and having fun doing it, you probably would have said, 'Reggie, I don't get it.' And yet here we are with the balance board arguably as the third largest development platform across the globe," Fils-Aime told Fast Company.

"All I can tell you is, with the game developers that we have, we will bring forth an experience that you will say, 'Wow, I get it'. Until you have that software, it's tough to understand."

On the unveiling by Sony and Microsoft of motion controlling devices at E3, he said that both platform holders have now seen the opportunity that Nintendo saw when they launched Wii. However, he claimed Nintendo will be one step ahead by the time both devices have entered the marketplace.

"Our next advance in precision control [the Wii Motion Plus peripheral], launches on Monday," Fils-Aime said. "I'm not sure when their products will come to the market, but I can tell you by the time that happens, we will have continued to move on, to drive more and more immersion on the part of the consumer."

Nintendo will continue to serve its loyal users, as well as "continue to fill the bucket" with new gamers, according to Fils-Aime, which is why the company is unveiling games such as Metroid Prime alongside ones like Style Savvy. The former is "gamer-centric" while the latter is for the audience Fils-Aime refers to as "new core".

"These are girls who have bought a DS or DSi, and maybe have played something like Nintendogs or maybe have played new Super Mario Brothers for DS. This is another step in the journey for them, and then also to showcase Wii Fit Plus, and then to showcase the Vitality Sensor.

"There are a 150 million consumers in the markets that we do business, that say they'd be interested in videogames if they had the right content, but today don't play," Fils-Aime concluded. "Those are the consumers that we believe something like the Vitality Sensor with the right software could compel to get in the game."

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Comments (54) Latest comment 3 years ago

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  • penhalion #1 3 years ago

    yep this will be as successful as the amazing Wii Music was......

  • insincere_dave #2 3 years ago

    Sounds like an im-pulse buy.

  • serpantdarius #3 3 years ago

    That was poor, very poor

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #4 3 years ago

    If I told you that you would be standing on an oversized bathroom scale, and having fun doing it, you probably would have said, 'Reggie, I don't get it.

    That's not true. The appeal of Wii Fit was very easy to see, it is, in effect a scaled up tilt sensor, as has been used in gameboy cartidges for years, and mobile phones and such before wii fit came out. Plus it looks kind of similar tp the likes of those Sega and Namco skiiing and skateboarding arcade games of long ago.

    A pulse sensor, though? I don't see how that can make a game fun.

  • JahB #5 3 years ago

    And yet here we are with the balance board arguably as the third largest development platform across the globe

    i lol'd hard.

  • the_dudefather #6 3 years ago

    heres how it works, you shows us games/actual uses for the sensor, then we can get super excited, don't just show it and hope we give you unconditional love for it

    HOLY SHIT A VITALITY SENSOR THIS IS GOING TO BE AWESOME I PREORDERED 20 DESPITE NOT KNOWING HOW IT WILL BE USED
    Edited by the_dudefather at 10/07/09 @ 11:17

  • Burkey123 #7 3 years ago

    ''Sounds like an im-pulse buy.''

    Oh dear God! That was horrible.

  • Toothball #8 3 years ago

    Third biggest? I thought it was larger than the PS3. Must have been a trick of the light.

  • Mkwone #9 3 years ago

    'On the unveiling by Sony and Microsoft of motion controlling devices at E3, he said that both platform holders have now seen the opportunity that Nintendo saw when they launched Wii.'

    Eyetoy brought motion control to the masses well before the Wii.

    Anyway i can't say i'm partically fond of the balance board, it's been a huge success with many sales, but i wonder how many consider it a break through gaming device. Sure it could be, but it seems to me that Nintendo would rather keep releasing new projects instead of improving on their existing ones. Make this tech more appealing to the keaner gamers and who knows in a few years i'll be using a balance board to duck and lean aound buildings firing guns in the latest Call of Duty game.
    Edited by Mkwone at 10/07/09 @ 11:28

  • kangarootoo #10 3 years ago

    "And yet here we are with the balance board arguably as the third largest development platform across the globe

    i lol'd hard."

    Why? Do you know how many balance boards they have sold so far?

  • JahB #11 3 years ago

    Why? Do you know how many balance boards they have sold so far?

    yeah, millions and millions. now, since i've answered your question, answer me this: how many games have been developed for the wii fit board?

    there are very few games for the peripheral (the large majority of which are undeniably shovelware), so it might have the third biggest install base, but i doubt that in terms of actual game development it's anywhere close to wii/360/ps3/pc.

  • Plewt #12 3 years ago

    "... to drive more and more immersion on the part of the consumer."

    Yes, having to recalibrate WMP every other minute sure is immersive.
    Edited by Plewt at 10/07/09 @ 11:24

  • Bremenacht #13 3 years ago

    A pulse sensor, though? I don't see how that can make a game fun.

    In spite of what Fils-Aime says, I don't think this is intended for games as we know them. I don't dislike Nintendo at all, but I think they're due a good slap in the face with regard to their quest to find new products/gimmicks to sell to their 'new core'. I also think they're mistaken if they think that their new customer base will be as loyal to them as the old one they won over all those years ago.

  • DonnieDarko333 #14 3 years ago

    Well perhaps you should have announced a game alongside the unveiling of this new Vitality Sensor so you didn't have to waste your time stating all this stuff we've already heard Reggie say about 50 times already!? That kinda helps people 'get it more' then talking about the hardware for 3 minutes and moving on...
    Edited by DonnieDarko333 at 10/07/09 @ 11:44

  • moggsy #15 3 years ago

    @JahB

    Konami are about to release a killer app for the balance board. You heard it here first.

  • GingerNathan #16 3 years ago

    "yep this will be as successful as the amazing Wii Music was...... "

    Which went on to sell 2.5 million units worldwide. You really you shouldn't confuse crap with successful.

  • JahB #17 3 years ago

    @moggsy

    I stand corrected. please excuse me now, i'm off to get a balance board and pre-order that game

  • sneetch #18 3 years ago

    @JahB

    You're right to call him on that, it's like saying that the mouse is the worlds largest development platform, followed by keyboard. It's not a development platform - the wii is still the development platform - it's a peripheral. The fact that it's a highly successful peripheral doesn't change its nature in any way.

    Unless he meant development platform in the literal sense, as in a platform you stand on whilst "developing" yourself. ;)

  • GundamJehutyKai #19 3 years ago

    So it'll be used for one product which people will buy and then forget about very quickly, leaving it to simply gather dust?

  • RexRunti #20 3 years ago

    To be fair the balance board has only really been sold on the back of one game. This is despite a lot of people and developers seeing merit in the idea. The problem with a pulse sensor is that it's not even a control mechinism, the balance board, natal, the wand, eye toy, wii mote, standard controller, guitars, drums, stylus pads, microphones all require some intention by the user to use. I can not raise and lower my pulse at will. This essentially means the only feedback you'll get we'll be informative only so pretty much any game that uses it could be played just as easily and enjoyably with out the device.

    Also any game that wanted any sort of pulse sensor to use with the game (like a fitness game for example) could easily add it to the box for less than a fiver anyway.

  • GingerNathan #21 3 years ago

    "So it'll be used for one product which people will buy and then forget about very quickly, leaving it to simply gather dust? "

    I do like the thought of it being used for horror/psychological games where the game monitors your heart rate and reacts accordingly. But you probably right, it's potential (if any) will undoubtedly not be realised.

  • Mkwone #22 3 years ago

    could be cool for a horror like game, where by reading the pulse it tried to alter the game by making it as intense as possible.

    It'll probably do the opposite though, automatically turning of the game when your streesed and dumping you in a white room to do some Yoga and Bonsai pruning.

  • Xerx3s #23 3 years ago

    "heres how it works, you shows us games/actual uses for the sensor, then we can get super excited, don't just show it and hope we give you unconditional love for it "

    Why not, it has worked so far.

  • Plewt #24 3 years ago

    In another effort to protect us helpless players Nintendo will force their new "demo-play" as soon as your pulse starts to rise due to any sort of emotion or excitement you might be getting from playing a game.

    And remember kids, always use the wrist strap and take at least a 15 minute break every hour!

  • sneetch #25 3 years ago

    @Mkwone
    could be cool for a horror like game, where by reading the pulse it tried to alter the game by making it as intense as possible.

    It definitely has potential, especially in horror/survival games where it could watch for periods when you're relaxing or getting complacent and then "rarr!" the zombie jumps out of the cupboard and eats your branez!1!!2

    However, one thing I thought about with the vitality sensor is that it is seriously clunky and would make using the buttons on the nunchuk damn near impossible, mind you as it takes up the nunchuk port I guess that's largely irrelevant. Surely building it into a nunchuk would be as good an idea. The tightness of your grip on the nunchuk would also be useful bio feedback.

    It'll probably do the opposite though, automatically turning of the game when your streesed and dumping you in a white room to do some Yoga and Bonsai pruning.

    LOL

    "You seem stressed, have you considered playing Wii Music?"

  • MightyMouse #26 3 years ago

    If it's used in conjunction with a proper fitness game it could be incredible. Serious training was revolutionised by heart rate monitors.

  • Ornithophobe #27 3 years ago

    Wouldn't work in horror games, you'd just need to strap a gerbil to it and the game would get really easy. If that doesn't work scream at the gerbil, if that doesn't work hang the gerbil by the vitality sensor in front of a cat, if that doesn't work ring Richard Gere.

  • Plewt #28 3 years ago

    "However, one thing I thought about with the vitality sensor is that it is seriously clunky"

    It also seemed to me like it would connect to the remote instead of the nunchuck which would seriously limit the games you could use it for. Looks like they can't do anything these days which isn't flawed in some way or another.

  • Sonic_D #29 3 years ago

    Look Ninty, just make sure M+ is supported with decent games that have decent controls and I'll be happy. Yes, it should have worked like this from the beginning, but it didn't. Now it does don't fuck it up. Wii Sports Resort shows the potential on M+, help developers gain proper in depth controls. Sod the damn Vitality sensor.

  • JahB #30 3 years ago

    Wouldn't work in horror games, you'd just need to strap a gerbil to it and the game would get really easy.

    i'll buy any game that allows me to strap a gerbil to it.

  • makeamazing #31 3 years ago

    I dont think this will be used in games at all, but a new range of fitness products, why, because thats what sells for them. Does it matter that they are selling stuff that will not be that appropriate to gamers, I'm not sure, I think in the short term they are making lots of money, but its going to be difficult to sell the same old stuff to the same users (e.g Wii2). It wil be interesting to see what they do next..

  • schnide #32 3 years ago

    "new core"

    Complete with new bullshit!

  • kangarootoo #33 3 years ago

    @JahB

    "yeah, millions and millions. now, since i've answered your question, answer me this: how many games have been developed for the wii fit board? "

    What has that got to do with anything?

    He didn't say it had the most games for it did he, he said it was arguably the 3rd biggest platform for development. Maybe you are unclear as to what "platform for development" means.

  • JahB #34 3 years ago

    He didn't say it had the most games for it did he, he said it was arguably the 3rd biggest platform for development. Maybe you are unclear as to what "platform for development" means.

    what sneetch said.

  • sneetch #35 3 years ago

    @JahB and @kanga

    /looks guilty

    Oh crap! ;)

    Perhaps we're splitting hairs with the definition of development platform but I don't believe the Wii balance board is a development platform, the Wii is yes, the balance board is a part of that development platform, but is not a development platform itself any more than the keyboard, mouse or other contollers are.

    However, even if it were (and I don't think it is) I would love to know what the other two more popular development platforms are according to Reggie. The PS3, 360, PSP, DS and PC would all seem to be larger development platforms to me.

    I wonder what Reggie's definition of development platform is. Could just be a non-techie who likes the sound of a term and applied his own interpretation to it. Happens around here (the office I'm in) all the time.

  • septimus #36 3 years ago

    So while you waggle it monitors your heart rate.... mmmm immersive! You go Reggie!

  • Ranger101 #37 3 years ago

    "yep this will be as successful as the amazing Wii Music was...... "
    They released wii music? Was it a success?

    This pulse thing... does it just read someone's pulse and return in back to the system?

    Like an excercise bike at a gym? Can Nintendo please stop releasing nonesense and actually make good on the Wii itself by making it live up to it's potential?

  • kangarootoo #38 3 years ago

    @sneetch

    I think it is indeed splitting hairs. A platform could arguably be whatever combination of hardware you want it to be. A lot of consumers out there see the Wii plus balance board (it was optionally bundled remember) as "the Wii". Much in the way many people saw the DS + braintraining as "the DS".

    Any developer wanting to make a Wii game knows that if they target the Wii + bb "platform", they are guaranteed a sizeable installed base of users that will likely purchase their title. If the same dev made a more general Wii game, many of the installed base of balance board users would siomply not view the title in the same light.

    Regardless, my key point was that lol'ing about Fils-Aime's comments because there are not yet very many balance board games, is mixing issues. A developer making a new title cares about how many people own the board, not how many other games there are for it (if anything, a dev would prefer the lack of competition). From a business pov, the balance board is one of the best opportunitiers out there for any dev.

  • Nithron #39 3 years ago

    Nintendo seem to be gradually turning into one of those companies that sells highly dubious health products at the back of women's magazines.

    First fitness software with an "exercise system" that consists of.. well, some gyroscopes on a scale, and now a "Vitality sensor" which... monitors your pulse?

    I'm guessing the next step will employ the inherent cosmic energy of crystals. Or pure, homeopathically diluted Mario.

  • sneetch #40 3 years ago

    @kangarootoo

    To further split hairs, the development platform is more the software and APIs than the hardware. Now, obviously the software has to run on hardware but in general people mean Software Development Platform when they say development platform, hence my comment that it may be buzzworditis on Reggie's part. Mind you, that might just be the people around me in my software company, YMMV.

    My issue is not with the viability of the balance board for developers but rather with the accuracy of his statement, I've been a software engineer/analyst/architect for almost 15 years now (yikes, frightening to see it written down) as a day to day part of my job I've become tuned towards understanding and interpreting peoples statements and part of that is detecting inaccuracies and inconsistencies in what they say. He called it "the third largest development platform across the globe" but it's not really one, it's an optional part of one, sure, but not one in itself. That jars for me. Also, what are the other two?

    We're basically arguing the interpretation of a fairly vague statement of a fairly open technical term as used by a man who's not really a techie and may be unintentionally misusing it.

    I suspect we agree with the spirit here: that the BB has a large enough install base that it's viable to develop games that depend on it.

    I'm just too damn old and grumpy to not comment on what I see as terminology abuse. Not on my watch, Reggie! ;)

  • kangarootoo #41 3 years ago

    "We're basically arguing the interpretation of a fairly vague statement of a fairly open technical term as used by a man who's not really a techie and may be unintentionally misusing it."

    This is very true. Sorry JahB, I was a bit over stroppy there (but only a bit :) ).

    I figure Reggie is commenting purely about games platforms. One a wider scale, no games platform is the largest development platform.

  • JahB #42 3 years ago

    @kang

    no worries :) it's been a long day at the office here too

  • chicknstu #43 3 years ago

    It's a sensor that measures peoples vital signs....

    Could they not reverse engineer it so we can actually manipulate peoples vital signs? So we can do things like make people actually fatigued after running, or stop peoples hearts when they are killed in-game?

  • Plewt #44 3 years ago

    "or stop peoples hearts when they are killed in-game?"

    Fatality Sensor!

    Thank you sir, I've been trying to find a good excuse to write that all day.

  • smelly #45 3 years ago

    >yep this will be as successful as the amazing Wii Music was......

    You ARE aware at how successful wii music was arent you?

    And it WAS amazing for it's target audience.. but fanboys on forums seem to think that all games should be aimed towards them (i.e. the 12 year old kid market)

  • Domovoi #46 3 years ago

    I don't get why everybody thinks it is going to be great for horror games. I want a horror game to lull me into comfort and then raise my pulse with terror regardless of how fast my pulse is already going at the time. I want the game to influence my pulse, not have my pulse influence the game.
    Edited by Domovoi at 10/07/09 @ 18:20

  • KDR_11k #47 3 years ago

    If he wants to convince us that it's a great peripherial he should show us the GAMES it's for. The balance board didn't become the megaseller because people loved the concept of balancing on a scale, it became a megaseller because people wanted Wii Fit! The vitality sensor was announced without any games despite Nintendo itself pointing out how games are what matters, not hardware. The whole thing was a complete disaster at E3 because it had no games.

    The Wii isn't lacking in hardware so much as software. Make more GAMES and make ones that actually show us why the Wii has a motion controller instead of making Gamecube 1.5 games! Galaxy 2? WTF?

  • carrotcake #48 3 years ago

    I for one wasn't doubtful about the balance board or anything else that ended up selling well. This thing though, has much less potential. When I saw it, I was like, they've run out of good ideas for the Wii.

  • wellzy4eva #49 3 years ago

    God I hate it when promo guys have to use buzz words...

  • smelly #50 3 years ago

    >Galaxy 2? WTF?

    Yes you're right... A sequel to one of the best games this gen.. WTF indeed.. what on earth were they thinking?!?

    *sigh*

  • Genji #51 3 years ago

    I don't think they've run out of good ideas for the Wii, but I'm just not seeing the potential for the Vitality Sensor. With the balance board, yeah, sure - it was easy to see the stuff it could be used for. Not with this, though. I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

  • Kilroy #52 3 years ago

    @Smelly: Well, he does have a point, doesn't he? SMG didn't showcase the motion detection of the Wii.

  • Plewt #53 3 years ago

    It kind of does, in that it should be largely avoided. ;p

  • smelly #54 3 years ago

    >SMG didn't showcase the motion detection of the Wii.

    why should it? HD is the 360's "gimmick", and it's best selling game - halo 3 didnt showcase the hidef on that did it? (didnt even run in 720p)



    As for the vitality sensor - i have no idea of the purpose of it, or what use it'll serve. but i wont say its "crap" like a lot of you are, until i've seen what they're planning on doing with it.