Behind the scenes: Wii game testers
With the new, innovative control scheme presented by the Wii, no doubt game testers and QA folks are getting a work out. Not only are they now charged with pushing buttons, but must also add in the spectrum of movement with the Wiimote. How does a fast swipe react in-game compared to that of a slow, long swipe? How about thrusting? Clearly, it's a tough job that even rocket scientists request no part of.
In the behind the scenes article, associate designer Mike Chrzanowski commented that initially his game, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, had around 20 different gestures translating into in-game actions. This caused a lot more harm than help, however, which then dropped the 20 down to a more modest and manageable 5. Obviously, including more gesture-based gameplay leaves a larger possibility for error, so in cutting it down to 5 the player need not worry that when Spidey is supposed to do a web swing, he instead does another signature, albeit less-popular, maneuver in the patented getting beaten to death by multiple thugs move.
[Via Joystiq]
