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Nintendo files for foam football add-on

Wii maker's latest patent application details a pigskin peripheral to enhance the realism of sports games on its best-selling system.

Nintendo has been playing around with a lot of different input methods for its best-selling Wii of late, including an inflatable, vibrating, air-filled cushion that would simulate horseback riding. The publisher also seems to be testing the waters with a more practical bicycle peripheral, which would integrate with an unannounced Wii biking game and cost $89.99, should it see the light of day.

Now, yet another peripheral has surfaced for the Wii, this time in the online database of the European Patent Office. As originally spotted by Siliconera, the patent application in question seeks to enhance the realism of sports games by introducing a ball-shaped peripheral. As a representative example, the filing details a way in which a Wii Remote can be affixed to a "foam, sponge, or plastic" football.

"The ball can be an accessory that comprises a model of a football that is provided with a depression which snugly accepts and retains the handheld controller," reads the filing. "The handheld controller may sense motion, position and/or orientation of the ball model and provide inputs wirelessly or via wires to a video game system. The video game system may process such inputs to provide a simulated sports action game play on a video display."

Running with the football example, the filing details a way in which the faux pigskin would be attached via strap to the player's hand, with the Wii Remote being positioned near where a real ball's laces would be. From there, the device would recognize natural movements made by the player, such as sensing the body's up-and-down motion to judge running speed or arm movement to approximate passes.

Nintendo had not responded to requests for comment concerning the peripheral as of press time.

99 Comments

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Aug 31, 2009 2:06 am GMT

    Blimey, I wonder what they patent next?

  • necronaux

    Posted Aug 28, 2009 8:46 am GMT

    Really bad idea. Don't think that the 'foam' will really make it any safer, because (throwing a spiral) there are still hard components that can damage the TV.

    And a bicycle? And an inflatable horse? Are women next (for the older, lonley guys)?

  • Thunderstorm025

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 7:09 pm GMT

    Hey guys stop saying this is a bad idea.

    making a kickable football peripheal that bounces around the living room breaking family posssesions (and other people) is pure GENIUS!

  • frogloe

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 11:24 am GMT

    Jesus people it's just a patent. It's not reality... yet.

  • Miyuki-Chan

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 3:35 am GMT

    Can't wait for the balance bike motion sensing horse riding football game.

  • monson21502

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 8:48 pm GMT

    its funny to see nintendo making a patent on all these things. when we can just scan a real football or what ever on project natal. im sure sony is working on a scanner too

  • monson21502

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 8:45 pm GMT

    no way. ive seen it all now. patent on the ol pigskin. =(

  • StuDevo

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 6:33 pm GMT

    wtf

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 6:25 pm GMT

    :'(

  • Desulated

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 3:59 pm GMT

    Oh my lord, the world is truly coming to an end.

  • FreshTillDeath

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 3:36 pm GMT

    *facepalm*

  • Foggel

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 1:59 pm GMT

    I hope this doesn't mean that the horse is cancelled...

  • Adziboy

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 1:05 pm GMT

    @Jelley0:
    "It's a patent. Clearly NO ONE knows what that is. They will probably decide not to sell it. They are just claiming it so no one else can steal the idea, not meaning they are going to use it. That's basically what a patent is." Yes, but one of the reasons for a patent is so they can make an original game before anyone else. Yeah, they might not use it, but both Microsoft nor Sony have motion controls which allow the use of a controller attached to a football, so all they have to do to make a motion control football game is file a patent with different wording. Nintendo know that so obviously have plans to use this, or at least have deep thinking about it.

  • Adziboy

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 1:02 pm GMT

    I don't think anyone that works for nintendo have friends. I mean, I don't play football a lot, but at least if I want to I can gather some mates up and have a kick around - having MORE fun and MORE exercise at the same time, as well as being cheaper.

    Even if I did want to play, I want to play a game where I can be awesome, playing as top, world class players and scoring amazing goals. If I wanted to play by using my feet and hands, like I said, I'd play real football.

    Nintendo and Activision are making bad names for themselves.

  • mightychir

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 11:40 am GMT

    Oh lord...no...

  • Darkman2007

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 11:11 am GMT

    and again, Nintendo and their peripherals and add ons.

    the same company who makes a million add ons for their system, used to make fun of sega during the 90s for all their add ons.

    wow how things have changed.....

    Id rather play real football, and even if not, a normal controller works very well

  • Marccee4

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 10:49 am GMT

    Nintendo getting weirder and weirder!

  • GondorMage

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 10:44 am GMT

    why not make games with frisbee in it? frisbee is cool

  • 07pops07

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 10:43 am GMT

    lol nintendo....shakes head*

  • feliscele

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 10:38 am GMT

    Why spend 50 bucks or so on this peripheral when you can spend ten bucks on an actual ball and play an actual game of football outside? This is kind of creeping me out....

  • smbius

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 10:35 am GMT

    I'd rather play outside.

  • smbius

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 10:35 am GMT

    It's a patent. Nothing else.

  • ASG_

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 10:26 am GMT

    @Sharhan96
    Sonic is one of Sega's characters.

  • -Celeste-

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 9:27 am GMT

    They are probably filing this because of that bowling ball addon. The only thing is, that bowling ball is actually made better then this patent. Stick that controller on the inside; having it on the outside is just going to create problems because the ends will stick out.

  • Jelley0

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 9:14 am GMT

    It's a patent. Clearly NO ONE knows what that is. They will probably decide not to sell it. They are just claiming it so no one else can steal the idea, not meaning they are going to use it. That's basically what a patent is.

  • jjdomo

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 9:13 am GMT

    @svaubel:

    you are missing the point completely. the success of the Wii has been based on the motions and realism involved in playing the games. the wii-mote peripherals enhance that. this is not supposed to supplant people throwing real footballs, its supposed to enhance the game play experience. i'm tired of all these people who keep saying that people who want real exercise or to play a real sport should just go out and do that. the wii does not take the place of the real thing, it's a simulation of it!

  • svaubel

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 9:09 am GMT

    A Wii Football... well it better come with a wrist strap so people are not 'accidentially' throwing it through their TVs or a window.

    Seriously Nintendo get back to making games instead of turning into a peripheral company. Trust me normal sports balls are not very expensive and if people wanted to throw balls they would go outside and play the sport.

  • Mortal_Medic

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 9:00 am GMT

    Well this certainly isn't going to evolve the gaming industry.

  • fkbwii

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 8:55 am GMT

    Nintendo = More and more casual

  • facistinabag

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 8:44 am GMT

    More crap from Nintendo = Wii still collecting dust.

    @CyleM

    JUST starting to look like a gimmick console?

  • toastisgood

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 8:44 am GMT

    Nintendo needs to stop making peripherals and start making GAMES.Balance board?wii motion plus?vitality sensor?Have people gotten so lazy that they need to get excercise from video games?

  • angelGP32

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 8:32 am GMT

    @nirdbird: "Ninty, there's people like me out there that miss how hardcore you were about video games"
    Look back at Nintendo's history. What from Nintendo themselves is HardCore? Maybe some Zelda's and Metroid? That's it. All of the games that made the NES and SNES great came from 3rd party devs. Like Contra, Mega Man, Castlevania. When you think about it, Nintendo was always kiddie, F-Zero was great, but it's racing, I think the closest they ever got was Killer Instinct, but even that was not completely them.

  • Linkman0714

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 7:47 am GMT

    another really stupid idea from nintendo...hey guys how about some games we actually want to play

  • CyleM

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 7:25 am GMT

    I'm getting pretty tired of Nintendo always making more peripherals for the Wii... It is starting to look more and more like just a gimmick console...

  • dzimm

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 7:01 am GMT

    Harerazer:
    Exactly. Just because Nintendo files a patent doesn't mean they're actually going to release it to the mass market. I'll tell you what, if any of these raving fanboys were in charge of Nintendo, the company would be bankrupt inside of six-months.

  • Mr_Tweedy

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 6:10 am GMT

    Hey, Nintendo, here's a an idea: Why don't skip the foam footballs and inflatable saddles and focus on getting GAMES on your system.

    *scoffs*

  • Harerazer

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 5:57 am GMT

    Yeah, Sony and Microsoft come out with their own motion control solutions three years later (neither will hit stores til next year) and I recall everyone saying it was a gimmick. And "game quality" is probably the one category Nin owns outright (see: top selling franchises of all time).

    These patents are usually industry related and not meant for conusmers anyway. Stuff like this is made for military training, Govt simulators, hospital use, etc. There are tons of patents filed by all the game (as well as other) companies that are also done just to prevent someone else from doing it. Don't get your panties in a bunch.

  • drumbreak1

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 5:52 am GMT

    i'll be surprised the wii is still able to sell this type of accesorie with a profit

  • NirdBerd

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 5:37 am GMT

    This is crazy. I miss the GameCube days. The Wii have their share of decent and amazing games but I'll pass on a "football" (more like a rugby ball considering where I'm from ).

    I still have faith in Nintendo because I haven't sold my Wii. Definitely dusting it off for New SMB. Wii, Other M and Darkside Chronicles though. The Wii motion plus is great, and I guess the Balance Board is acceptable, but this is going a bit too far..., I thought the Wii Motion Plus was gonna stop shells like this for video games.

    Anyway, this doesn't alter my faith in Nintendo, it just shows me that their expanding to a wider audience, and that's fine, but, just remember Ninty, there's people like me out there that miss how hardcore you were about video games.

    In their defense they would mention the games they announced at E3, but that's a very small amount of things compared to everything Nintendo is doing for the "casual" audience.

    I'm done moaning, bubbai

  • angelGP32 posted Aug 26, 2009 5:32 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    angelGP32

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 5:32 am GMT (hide)

    it's just a scramble now for Nintendo. I don't know when they filed the patents, but with the PS3 slim and the ever dropping price of the 360, Nintendo just can't compete when it comes to game quality. They can't. That's not a matter of opinion. They can't sell software unless it's bundled with something, so of course, to make money, they have to figure out new bundles. And when Sony and MS's camera based motion tech comes out, it will be game over for Wii, you think they don't realize that their obsolete at launch system, will also have an obsolete control scheme within probably the next year?

  • TTDog

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 5:29 am GMT

    And the insanity continues...

  • melty3219

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 5:19 am GMT

    Screw nintendo and all thier crap! i am so glad i never got a wii but a PS3 and 360 instead

  • CowboyHiphop

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 4:59 am GMT

    Wow, another patent filing throws people into hysterics. I like the sweeping comments on how Nintendo should run it's business because darn it, Nintendo has no idea on how to be successful. I guess trying to legally protect an idea outweighs decades of achievement in some people's opinion of a company.

  • mathew952

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 4:59 am GMT

    This is so dumb. Ok, fine, you can use the foot ball to play madden, when you're actually playing foot ball, but what about when you're trying to pass? How do you select anyone? How do you pick a play? How do you do team management? Am I really going to pay 40 dollars for a Nerf football with a hole in it? No.

  • Xmortis87

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 4:54 am GMT

    *Shakes head at the Nintendo Gimmick department*

  • cozmo13000

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 4:34 am GMT

    football is overboard but biking....BIKING WTF!!

  • WithoutGraceXII

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 4:18 am GMT

    now that's just silly

  • XenoLair

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 4:01 am GMT

    Haha why a football? xD Does nintendo want us to throw a ball around the house? Wouldnt it be just better to go outside and do that? They are going a little overboard with this...

  • Mr_Versipellis

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 3:43 am GMT

    Yet ANOTHER perepheral!!!!!!????

  • mpeg3s

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 3:06 am GMT

    This is crazy.

    EA owns football! They hope that EA will support?

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