Dumbass Wii users break things, hurt people

Dominus Atheos · Post by **Dominus Atheos** » 2006-12-08 11:54pm

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Nintendo Co. Ltd. (7974.OS: Quote, NEWS , Research) has some cautionary advice for players of its Wii video game console: when waving the controller, use the wrist strap, keep your palms dry and, whatever you do, don't let go.

The Wii has been pitched as a cheap alternative to pricier machines from Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile , Research) and Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, NEWS , Research), but some gamers complain they are facing unexpected costs after losing their grip on the console's remote control and smashing their televisions and other appliances.

Wii games are played with a motion-sensing controller that is waved, swung and twisted to direct the on-screen action.

Although the controller comes with a wrist strap, reports of damage caused by snapping straps have been cropping up on video game Web sites.

There is even one site, Wiihaveaproblem.com, dedicated to chronicling tales of Wii-related carnage. On Wednesday, the site's damage toll included reports of 13 broken straps, 7 televisions and 2 laptop computers.

In an e-mail sent to Wii customers and posted on various Web sites on Wednesday, Nintendo said extreme motion could snap the strap by causing players to lose their grip on the remote.

Copies of the e-mail were posted on sites such as Joystiq.com, and a company spokesman confirmed it was authentic.

"Hold the remote securely and avoid excessive motion during game play. If your hands become moist, stop and dry your hands," the company recommended.

Nintendo also cautioned players to stay at least 3 feet away from the TV and to make sure people and objects were safely outside their range of motion.

Last week, Nintendo America chief Reggie Fils-Aime told Reuters that many gamers were using big, sweeping motions where smaller ones would do.

"We literally have consumers letting go of the remote like you do a bowling ball. You can't do that!" Fils-Aime said of a bowling game in its "Wii Sports" title.

Nintendo also gives tips on safe gameplay on its Web site, at http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/wiisafety.jsp.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-12-08 11:59pm

There was an article in an AU paper about this too. Some people are just fucking stupid, and are apparently not reading the copious safety documentation and letting six-year olds play with it without instruction.

Then again, I already know someone who broke his wrist strap. He's an angry, angry man, so I guess he's really swinging the remote, but why the fuck would you ever let it go?

Hilariously, all the problems related to Sports (the pack-in title) and Sports has constant onscreen reminders about safety and how to play the game. It's for idiots.

The sweaty palms thing is funny shit. Who the fuck sweats so much they can't hold a remote?

atg · Post by **atg** » 2006-12-09 12:33am

I find it extremely difficult to have the controller 'slip' from the hands whilst in use. It hasn't happened to me and I tend to get right into the games.

Ravencrow · Post by **Ravencrow** » 2006-12-09 12:41am

I'd believed it if they threw it out of frustration.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-12-09 12:42am

Ravencrow wrote:I'd believed it if they threw it out of frustration.

My old mate Tim broke the wrist strap. I've swung the thing around like a psycho, and I've never even let the thing slip enough to put TENSION on the strap, let alone tear it. Some people are just WAY overcompensating.

Just to repeat, who the fuck even lets go?

bilateralrope · Post by **bilateralrope** » 2006-12-09 12:43am

Whats the surface of the Wii's controller like ?

From the pictures I've seen it appears to be a smooth plastic.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-12-09 12:51am

The top surface is smooth plastic, the underside is standard controller-stuff. It's not as grippy as the stuff they use on 360 controllers, though.

Superman · Post by **Superman** » 2006-12-09 01:09am

Damn, my mom was right. Playing video games IS hazardous to my health...

Post by **Vympel** » 2006-12-09 02:03am

I don't understand how it's possible to break the fucking wrist strap. What the hell are they doing with their machines? Wanking?

Davis 51 · Post by **Davis 51** » 2006-12-09 02:18am

Vympel wrote:I don't understand how it's possible to break the fucking wrist strap. What the hell are they doing with their machines? Wanking?

People will always be fucking idiots. I want to see a video of someone's remote flying out of someones wrist, so I can slow it down and zoom in on the part where he LETS GO.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-12-09 02:27am

I've held my remote all kinds of nonstandard ways (boxing is easier if you just use the square part, for pitching I hold it sideways, etc) and I've never even SLIPPED, let alone actually let it go.

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2006-12-09 03:19am

I can imagine hurting someone while playing Wii Boxing, because I go fucking nuts wailling on my smiling opponent. However, I still don't see how people can break the wrist strap unless going totally freaking nuts and swinging it round by the strap - I've never even come close to letting it go, and I get medieval on that thing.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2006-12-09 03:40am

From the annecdotes I've been keeping track of since the US launch, more then often it's because some morons are literally swinging the things as hard as they possibly can, which then usually involves them either losing their grip or actually letting go.

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2006-12-09 05:14am

I've given it some welly when pitching in baseball. But I have a strong grip.

I've also given the lanyard a fair old yank, and they don't snap that easily.

wautd · Post by **wautd** » 2006-12-09 05:29am

Why stop there? Put razorblades in front of the controller for twice the fun

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2006-12-09 11:08am

The worst damage I've done to my Wiimote is a high swing in an area with a lot ceiling...

I've never lost my grip in it or dropped it or anything. I don't know how people are managing it.

Ubiquitous · Post by **Ubiquitous** » 2006-12-09 11:43am

Can you actually perform different types of pitches on Wii baseball, and does your arm speed affect the speed of the delivery? If so, that is awesome.

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2006-12-09 12:54pm

You can do different pitches, but it's by holding a button as you throw.

You can also get quite fast balls with a quick flick of the wrist, but where's the fun in that?

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2006-12-09 01:34pm

Apparently Nintendo has also been shipping new, stronger wrist straps as well.

Tolya · Post by **Tolya** » 2006-12-09 02:48pm

"We literally have consumers letting go of the remote like you do a bowling ball. You can't do that!" Fils-Aime said of a bowling game in its "Wii Sports" title.

U-Uuk?</Wii idiot>

Ubiquitous · Post by **Ubiquitous** » 2006-12-09 03:32pm

Vendetta wrote:You can do different pitches, but it's by holding a button as you throw.

You can also get quite fast balls with a quick flick of the wrist, but where's the fun in that?

Realism? I want to be able to punch out A-Rod with a 103 mph fastball, al la Joel Zumaya.

I hope an Official baseball game will be released with real rosters. I have never played a Wii, but if what I have read is accurate, you could make the ultimate baseball sim ever to grace a console.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2006-12-09 04:20pm

Oh, for people that get sweaty palms, there's something rock climbers use that can help. It's called an EcoBall. Basically, it's just a fabric ball that has a drying agent inside. Can be found anywhere climbing equipment is sold, pretty much (REI et al).

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2006-12-09 07:32pm

The naturally greasy could also go for a controller grip, or even some griptape on the battery compartment (the stuff for tennis racquets, not skateboards).

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-12-09 07:34pm

Such things are all over the shop in Japan and on the net. I'd hate to see the diet of someone that greasy, though.

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2006-12-09 07:36pm

Either that, or you could, y'know, wash more often or something.