Wii Speak

Infobox Video game system
title = Wii Speak



caption = Wii Speak was revealed during Nintendo's E3 2008 press conference.
manufacturer = Nintendo
type = Microphone
lifespan = vgrelease|NA=November 16, 2008cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=26623257 |title=Nintendo reveals UK dates for Wii Speak, Animal Crossing |accessdate=2008-10-07 |date=2008-10-07 |publisher=GameSpot UK ] |EU=December 5, 2008

"Wii Speak" is a microphone accessory for Nintendo's Wii video game console. Connected to the console via USB, the device can be placed near the video display, allowing voice chat to be conducted with the entire room.cite web |url=http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/07/how-nintendos-w.html |title=How Nintendo's WiiSpeak Mic Works |accessdate=2008-08-02 |last=Kohler |first=Chris |authorlink=Chris Kohler |date=2008-07-24 |work=Game!Life |publisher=Wired |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] The device features an LED to indicate when the microphone is active. Wii Speak was announced at Nintendo's 2008 E3 media briefing on July 15, 2008, and is planned for release in 2008. [Cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/889/889633p1.html |title=E3 2008: Nintendo Announces WiiSpeak |first=Jimmy |last=Thang |publisher=IGN |date=2008-07-15 |accessdate=2008-07-15]

Design

According to Miyamoto, the microphone is designed to "clearly capture many different voices being spoken in a room at the same time and convey that over the Internet." Addressing concerns over background noise due to the placement of the microphone near a television set, "Animal Crossing: City Folk" producer Katsuya Eguchi states that the device is designed to filter out video game sound from the audio speakers. Miyamoto notes that the quality of the noise filtering functionality in the Wii Speak is "very good", which may be contributing to the cost of the device.

oftware

Wii Speak will be sold as a separate device. At E3, when asked why the device would not be bundled with "City Folk", Nintendo senior managing director Shigeru Miyamoto replied that cost was the factor behind the decision, adding that some users may prefer playing the game without a microphone, and that others may want to use Wii Speak who are not interested in buying "City Folk".cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/890/890133p1.html |title=E3 2008: Miyamoto Talks WiiSpeak |accessdate=2008-08-02 |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |authorlink=Matt Casamassina |date=2008-07-15 |work=IGN Wii |publisher=IGN Entertainment |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] According to inside reports at a GameStop manager conference, Nintendo revealed that Wii Speak and "City Folk" will be sold in a bundle, as well as separately, in contrast with previous statements. [cite web |url=http://gonintendo.com/?p=55122 |title=Nintendo to offer Animal Crossing City Folk/Wii Speak bundle |accessdate=2008-09-09 |date=2008-07-15 |publisher=GoNintendo |date=2008-09-07]

Wii Speak Channel

On October 2, 2008, Nintendo announced that Wii Speak will have its own Wii Channel. The Wii Speak Channel is unlocked for download by a code included with the Wii Speak package upon purchase. The Wii Speak Channel will launch on November 16, 2008.cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/915/915632p1.html |title=WiiSpeak Gets a Dedicated Channel |accessdate=2008-10-02 |date=2008-10-02 |last=DeVries |first=Jack |publisher=IGN ]

The channel allows users to chat in one of four rooms with other Wii Speak users online. There is no limit to the number of people that can be in each room. Each user will be represented by their Mii, which will lip sync to their spoken words. In addition, users will also be able to leave audio messages for other users, as well as make audio captions for their stored photos. Users can also share photo slideshows and comment on them.cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/915/915864p1.html |title=Interview: Cammie Dunaway |author=Matt Casamassina |publisher=IGN |date=2008-10-02 |accessdate=2008-10-02]

Compatible games

Wii Speak compatible games in development include social simulation game ""Cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/889/889629p1.html |title=E3 2008: Animal Crossing Coming to Wii |first=Jack |last=DeVries |publisher=IGN |date=2008-07-15 |accessdate=2008-07-15] and first-person shooter "The Conduit". [cite web |url=http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2008/07/16/e308-the-conduit-will-use-wiispeak/ |title = E308: The Conduit will use WiiSpeak |first=Alisha |last=Karabinus |publisher=Nintendo Wii Fanboy |date=2008-07-16 |accessdate=2008-07-16]

References