Shingo Mukaitouge: Wiimote is the Inspiration for Elebits

Elebits is a game from Konami that fully integrates the unique Wiimote into gameplay. Also going by the same name are tiny, mischief-causing creatures that you’d have to capture in order to go far in the game. Using the Wiimote, players can push, pull, lift and throw anything they come across to discover secret hiding places and obstruct escape paths for the Elebits. The more Elebits you catch, the more options and opportunities open up for you in the game’s ever-changing environment.

Surprisingly, Shingo Mukaitouge, developer of Elebits was once a Wii skeptic. He was quoted as saying that he thought the controller would limit the Wii to sports and sword-fighting games. But after trying out the controller, he professes that he fell in love with it and served as the inspiration for this upcoming Wii title.

“We hammered out the game around the controller,” Mukaitouge said. “With traditional controllers, there has never been the [ability] to twist or pull…As we discussed this, we developed the idea of freely touching or moving objects in a room, such as twisting faucets or doorknobs and pulling open drawers.”

The overall objective of the game of finding hidden Elebits lead to some memories of childhood when we used to play hide and seek. Perhaps, the unconventional cuteness of the characters can also be attributed to this fact. He says they pitted 50 developers against each other to come up with this unique design.

As far as gameplay goes, he indicated that there will be something for everyone. A collection element will be incorporated to get hardcore gamers interested. Of course the simplicity of use of the Wiimote is a fool proof plan to get casual gamers playing.

Mukaitouge hopes the game will be ready around the same time as the Wii’s launch. He also hinted about more playable demos in the future. “We hope to create an opportunity for people to try out the game around autumn.”

Via plusd

Elebits is a game from Konami that fully integrates the unique Wiimote into gameplay. Also going by the same name are tiny, mischief-causing creatures that you’d have to capture in order to go far in the game. Using the Wiimote, players can push, pull, lift and throw anything they come across to discover secret hiding places and obstruct escape paths for the Elebits. The more Elebits you catch, the more options and opportunities open up for you in the game’s ever-changing environment.

Surprisingly, Shingo Mukaitouge, developer of Elebits was once a Wii skeptic. He was quoted as saying that he thought the controller would limit the Wii to sports and sword-fighting games. But after trying out the controller, he professes that he fell in love with it and served as the inspiration for this upcoming Wii title.

“We hammered out the game around the controller,” Mukaitouge said. “With traditional controllers, there has never been the [ability] to twist or pull…As we discussed this, we developed the idea of freely touching or moving objects in a room, such as twisting faucets or doorknobs and pulling open drawers.”

The overall objective of the game of finding hidden Elebits lead to some memories of childhood when we used to play hide and seek. Perhaps, the unconventional cuteness of the characters can also be attributed to this fact. He says they pitted 50 developers against each other to come up with this unique design.

As far as gameplay goes, he indicated that there will be something for everyone. A collection element will be incorporated to get hardcore gamers interested. Of course the simplicity of use of the Wiimote is a fool proof plan to get casual gamers playing.

Mukaitouge hopes the game will be ready around the same time as the Wii’s launch. He also hinted about more playable demos in the future. “We hope to create an opportunity for people to try out the game around autumn.”

Via plusd