Revolutionary: Outside the Box
Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.
It's only natural to classify the Wiimote as a mere video game controller. That is how it's marketed, and Nintendo didn't intend for it to be used for anything other than controlling Wii games and applications. But even when we rebellious users pair it with something other than its mother console, our first thoughts often jump to controlling action on a screen. There's nothing wrong with that, and a lot of innovation can still be achieved this way, but this week we'll be taking a look at some examples of people thinking outside the box that is a television screen or monitor.
Instead of playing video games or mousing about in Windows, some very crafty folks have come up with ways to use the Wii Remote's unique inputs and outputs to control devices off-screen, and to stimulate more than just the visual senses. Of course, there is going to be a computer involved, and initially, the user is going to have to look at the screen to get the Remote connected or the applications started, but the action takes place in "the real world."
A few months ago, I was wracking my brain to think of a new script for something no one had ever seen done with the Wiimote -- something so off-the-wall that just the name of it would seed a hailstorm of fake-calling. What I came
up with was "Laser Tag." It's so naturally fitting and simple a concept that I thought, "Why hasn't anyone thought of this before?" Well, as it turns out, someone had. A few scripters were discussing the concept in a forum thread, and Carl Kenner, the creator of GlovePIE, whipped up a script for it. Two players attach Sensor Bars to their bodies (warning: using candles as a substitute here would be very bad), sync up their Remotes to the computer, start the script, then run for cover while the game counts down to the start of the match. Carl's script is far more elaborate than I would have imagined, including such details as weapon charging, rumble and audible hit feedback, and even score display through the Remote's own LEDs.
We never cease to be amazed by the ingenuity of independent Wii developers and fans. Whether it is uncovered through community discussion, fateful accident, or mind-wracking and determination, we will find that there are many potential uses for the Wii controllers that aren't readily apparent from looking at them, or what they were designed for.
Outside of gaming, music seems to be the most often explored territory for the Wiimote. Drums, guitars, DJ mixers, and even the Theremin have been tackled from multiple angles by music-loving geeks. Some have even found ways to incorporate waggle into stage performances in front of rhythm-intoxicated crowds.
DJ ! on the Wiimote 1s and 2s
If you like to think of the Wiimote as a Pick of Destiny, forged for the strumming of power chords on another Wiimote-augmented air guitar ... well, I won't be drinking any Kool-Aid you're passing around, but it would be cool to sit in on a gig, accompanying on the Wii Drums.
Perhaps you've fantasized about owning a battlemech that you could control from a distance while staying out of harm's way. Well, that's a pretty tall order (and I'm still not thirsting for that Kool-Aid you're passing around), but we're making progress! If you don't have access to a factory assembly line from which you could borrow parts for your own "Wiibot", there's a "WIFIBOT" that you can purchase and maneuver like a Mars Rover with your Wii Remote. The Remote signal goes to a computer, which sends commands to the robot through a wi-fi network. Apart from the Wii Remote, it can be controlled through a PDA or even a PSP and feed video back to their screens from an optional mounted camera. Slightly lower tech (and more affordable) than the WIFIBOT is the Wiimote-controlled car, which wouldn't exactly be ideal for use on the battlefield of your dreams, but it also wouldn't pose much of a danger to you when Skynet fights back.
I've spent this time expounding the realized fantasy uses of the Wiimote that other's have dreamt up, but we're interested in hearing what you would choose to conjure up with the Wiimote as your magic wand. Leave a comment to tell us how you'd like to be using your Wiimote away from the boob tube.
