Patent: Nintendo's Wii Football Controller

[Raidou]

Patent: Nintendo's Wii Football Controller
http://www.physorg.com/news171096232.html

Nintendo has come up with yet another idea for an accessory to add to its list of Wii peripherals. This time it's a soft football-shaped controller that is said to simulate the feel and touch of a real ball when playing football simulation games such as the NFL game, Madden.

The football controller is designed to simulate movements during football games, such as running, jumping and throwing. The football is moved quickly from side to side to dodge opponents, and raising the ball simulates a jump. Making jogging motions with the ball is supposed to determine the running speed. Other options are available on the Wii remote, which fits into a slot on the ball.

The football also simulates throwing, of course. The player grasps the ball and makes a throwing movement. The direction and power of the throw in the game are determined by the power, angle, force and pitch of the throwing motion. Fortunately, the football has a strap, which should (with any luck) stop players throwing the ball at the TV screen!

The football controller holds the Wii remote and another slot holds the nunchuk, which increases the sensitivity of the football. The device also has support for Wii Motion Plus, to improve the controller's recognition of movements, detect orientation and improve its accuracy.
At this stage, the football controller is only at the patent application stage and may not make it to the retail stores, but since there's already a Wii bowling ball and similar controllers, it may well become available in the near future.

More information: European Patent Office, Method and apparatus for simulating games involting a ball
via Siliconera

Wow! Check out the figures/ images/ early design sketches from the link.
Are you folks excited already? GoooooooooooooooooooooooooooOOOOooooooaaaaLLLLLL!! !!

[moogle]

Maybe it's just because I'm not a football fan, but I think that looks completely retarded.

[Trillian]

I think it's pretty dumb, but I can see why it would appeal to others. It would probably make a good Christmas present for a casual gamer who loves football.