February 19th, 2007
Houston, Wii have a problem!
Does Nintendo’s new Wii gaming platform bring a whole new meaning to video game violence or are Wii related accidents a sign that people just aren’t used to any kind of physical activity?
I have to be honest. When I first read details of the Wii, one of my first thoughts was “someone’s gonna put that remote through a TV screen.” Guess what happened within days of the Wii being released? Someone put the remote through a TV. But people have now come up with some really creative ways to hurt themselves and others using the Wiimote, not to mention create all kinds of mayhem.
Over on Wii Have a Problem users have submitted evidence of the kind of damage that owners have caused while getting caught up playing with their Wii. On the front today there’s a guy who punched the ceiling, another guy who hit his girlfriend in the eye with the Wiimote, another guy whacks his girlfriend in the elbow with the remote, someone else smacks their hand on a door frame. Forget Doom or Grand Theft Auto, this is real game violence!
All this damage and destruction raises two questions. First off, did Nintendo foresee such problems and decide that a certain amount of collateral damage was acceptable, or are they surprised as to how much pain, injury and financial loss that people can do with a small piece of plastic?
Secondly, why are people causing so much damage with a Wii? Is it that they’re not used to such physical activity within the confines of their homes or is it that the average video gamer doesn’t play much sport normally? Seeing what these guys can do with a Wiimote, I wouldn’t like to put a baseball bat in their hands.
Is this a case of random accidental damage or is the Wii a flawed idea?
Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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| 02/19/07
