Chris Kohler from Wired.com (who actually got to try the Revolution controller) just got back from Japan and was nice enough to answer people's questions about it in another forum. Since a lot of the same questions have been brought up here I thought I'd reprint some of his answers here:

I really really think that 90% of the games for Revolution will be meant to be played like he describes it here. That video with everybody swinging the controller around wildly was probably more for show, since they had no actual software to show they had to show something, and a video of people just making slight inflictions of their wrists wouldn't be exciting at all, now would it?

Bolded, underlined, and enlarged for extreme emphesis. I keep reading posts where people assume this controller won't be accurate enough for FPS or anything that requires precision aiming. BS! Go back and read the impressions from IGN, GameSpot, and Wired. They all say the conroller is VERY accurate, and would most likely be at least as good if not better than playing with a mouse. Which brings us to the next quote:

Well there you go...for those of you wondering how you would turn around in a FPS, Nintendo's got it all figured out already.

That is exactly what I was afraid of. The last thing we need is another non-centering joystick - even if its controlled by my arm movement. Has history taught us nothing? I think I'll stick with the Wavebird if I pick up a Rev.

-notrolls-

How did you ever learn to use a mouse?

Edit: Let me be more clear. I use quick, short sideways movement. If I want to turn left, I move left a very short distance with my mouse, pick it up, place it back down and do it again until I'm turned to my satisfaction. Not sure how you could do such a thing with the remote.

You are forgoing my point. The new controller apparently works similar to a mouse in that you must return it to a centering postion your self. No, a mouse will not spin endlessly if you go outside a field view, but as far as general movement it is the same.

It has always been my understanding that a mouse provide superior accuracy for FPS games compared to a controller, I must have misunderstood the hundreds of posts stating that console controllers suck. My bad...

strafing should be no problem, and actually should be more intuitive. What they have done is give the developer the option to put WASD on the left analog stick control, and the right hand (with the motion sensor controller) will act as a "virtual mouse," only more precise because you will be aiming at what you are shooting in 3 dimensions (supposedly), not to mention it has a Z button for firing.

Which is a moot point as you didn't buy an N64 or Gamecube, and said there's pretty much little more than a snowball's chance in hell you'll ever buy another Nintendo console.

Glad you have faith in Nintendo to put out something that would excite as much as the NES and SNES did.

My concern lies with the amount of movement necessary to make a turn. I can lift up a mouse so that the full range of motion is minimal, but you can't lift up the remote, can you? If I hold my mouse to the left, it takes much longer than if I make short, quick movements to the left (returning the center by lifting the mouse). Would something like this be possible with the remote?

Why don't you wait until more details are released before bashing it?

Seems like all the new consoles are getting bashed in some way or another, I think you guys should lighten up and be less defensive, there's going to be tons of negative opinions about this revolutionary new controller between now and launch and afterward. As long as it's not trolling, it's game.

If it is game, then why wasn't the Foreman PS3 game? That got locked down pretty quick. At least that was funny. Anywho...

Bungie liked it? I gotta see a link for that one. That would be hilarious.

I think I see what you are saying now that you took the time to explain what you mean. To address your issue I would assume the trigger button on the remote could be setup "block out" any movements while being held down, allowing you to reset the remote back to its center, exactly like you picking up your mouse. Not hard to implement at all. Does this make sense to what you are saying?

I guess I see your point, and this is a "revolutionary" controller, but there has not been a controller that I am aware of that has ever been on a console that required 2 main ports in order for one player to play one game. If I am mistaken, please correct me, but I do not see this happening, even with this new style controller.

I'd assume for that kind of game they'd make an attachment (that plugs into the main controller like the analog stick attachment) that was another motion sensitive controller so you could have one in each hand for drumsticks or whatever.

Sure, that makes sense. But then what would you use for shooting? From what pictures I have seen of the remote, it appears while holding it for trigger use, you only have access to 2 buttons and the D-pad. The trigger would be for main weapon firing, and the large A button would be used for either jumping or aux weapon fire or something like that. Then the D-pad would be used to switch weapon or stance. I saying, it is possible what you suggest, but I believe you would have to sacrifise some functionality in order to do it. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

And Michael, I'm sure that you are referring to this thread which was open for 8 days. Not "locked down pretty quick" as you suggested.

Using the trigger to "reset", I would then map the fire button to "A" or a button on the attachment. For jumping and crouching I would map that to "flicking" the controller up and holding down respectfully.

The only question I have, is what about your suggestion the New consoles thread.


Not that I care, as the ignore user function works wonders for the most part in not seeing the saming bashign from the same members all the time (damn the people that have to quote them though ).

I was just curious on what the current stance was on that issue.

I've seen tons of negative opinions on the 360 and even some on the PS3. My comments in that thread were suggestions coming from me as a member, not a moderator. Obviously no one listened and pandora's box is opened. Just don't troll.

I don't understand what the big deal about auto centering is. The revolution controller isn't a joystick or a mouse, it's an extension of your hand. You don't hear people at a small arms firing range complaining about how their handgun doesn't auto center, because they simply aim where they want to shoot. The same goes for the revolution controller. The only difference is that when you twist your wrist to the edge of its range of motion in either direction, the view continues to rotate. In this case you don't need the controller to auto center because the tendons and muscles in your wrist will do it for you once you relax them.

Basically, the "remote" controller will not suffice independantly for FPS games, using the analog attachement allows what you are describing, meets Joshd's concerns, and should be very accurate from all accounts. Now all we need is the games! That's where the true test will come, for now though, the joystick offers a world of possabilities never seen before. That's a lot to live up to, I hope developers and consumers give it the chance it seemingly deserves.

Right. My analogy does suffice, though, because you, or at least I, don't run around while at a firing range

It would be like any type of Lethal Enforcer game. No auto centering present or necessary.

I agree, I see no issue with no auto centering.

It's just like a mouse, you move with the keyboard and free look with the non-centering mouse. The Revolution will be the same set up. Move around with the analog stick and free look with the remote controller.

Should work fine, they wouldn't make this the main control set up if the controller didn't work extremely well. And all impressions from those who've used it say it is extremely responsive and intuitive.

The bashers should try to reserve judgement until trying it. I was skeptical of playing a platforming type game with bongo drums, and ended up loving Donkey Kong Jungle beat. As such, I learned to reserve judgement on new control schemes until giving them a try. Hell, that game totally opened me up to new schemes and not playing with a traditional controller was a blast for me.

The z-buttons are on the analog stick right?

Whatever, dude! My handgun auto-centers itself all the time. All I do is stop, lift my arm and center it.

Seriously, though, this sounds much easier than even a mouse. As stated before Josh almost contradicts himself. With the remote all you have to do is flick your wrist to the sides then flick back to wherever your aiming. The mouse has to be lifted and placed back everytime you run out of room or out of your comfort zone.