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Wii seems to be bringing a lot of joy to people everywhere (that and pain for those who still can't find a unit on sale…), although the machine has also accompanied some rather wider reaching consequences that stretch across at least part of videogaming's culture.


So here's a look at what Wii's growing success has brought to the industry – for better AND for worse.


1. Standardised And Efficient Motion Controls

This isn't quite universal yet, as Microsoft is doing a good job of feigning apathy at the moment (what's the bet we see an Xbox tilt controller in the next 2 years though?), but there's no doubt Wii has brought with it a glimpse of what videogame control will be like for the next generation and beyond. Sony came a little late to the party with its rather half-hearted SIXAXIS pad on PlayStation3, but it's a clear sign of things to come. Console manufactures run on a very strong principle of competition mimicry, and if one company is seen to have made a success of a new way to play games, every single other company out there will try and follow with tweaks and changes. I'm willing to go as far to say that both Sony and Microsoft are already looking on how to improve on the Wii remote's capabilities, although it's an obvious assumption that Nintendo is already working on the case too and has the advantage of an audience who already think the big N is the originator of the concept.

It's also a proven way to introduce new people to videogames, so an invaluable method of audience expansion. Again, something that cannot be ignored by any developer or publisher. Wii has given the game a new angle; now we'll be watching exactly how everyone else plays it.


2. A Head-Bangingly Frustrating Resistance To Online Gaming

It's almost painful that Nintendo is so damned stubborn about this, but after promises and declarations it still seems unwilling to welcome online gaming with open arms. There's a fair few titles around the corner that will be playable via the interweb, but even this is slightly soured by the inane friend code system that looks like forcing us into a new code for each game. No no no. This is not a friendly and intuitive format and as a result some companies (mostly third-parties) are shying away from putting online functions in their games, on top of Nintendo's apparent apathy towards the concept. While Sony and Microsoft are making great inroads, Nintendo has stalled things somewhat in a universal sense. Which is irritating, as it's made some good decisions in making online play free, implementing a fantastic browser and offering other goodies, such as the weather and news channels. The lack of force in the most important section, the gaming itself, means competitors can get away with more lethargy, simply though the fact Nintendo's efforts are so comparatively half-arsed.
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