Wii Speak

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. The device features an LED to indicate when the microphone is active. Wii Speak was announced at Nintendo's 2008 E3 media briefing. It was released separately and bundled with Animal Crossing: City Folk on November 16, 2008, in North America, and was released on December 5, 2008, in Europe.

The Wii Speak accessory is succeeded by the embedded microphone on the Wii U's GamePad controller. Nevertheless, the Wii Speak hardware is still compatible with the Wii U.

Design

According to Shigeru 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. A switch was originally planned, but the microphone now turns on only when a compatible game wants access to it.

Wii (video game series)

The Wii game series is a series of fifteen physical simulation video games for the Wii and Wii U consoles. These games feature a common design theme, especially in their casual gameplay style and Mii integration. The series features control schemes that simulate real life activities with various combinations of the Wii Remote, the Wii U GamePad, and the Wii Balance Board.

Gameplay

The Wii uses motion sensors in the game controllers to allow gameplay that incorporates physical movements by the player to control action within the game. For example, in the Baseball game included in Wii Sports, the player holds the controller like a baseball bat and swings it in order to hit the ball in the on-screen game.

Games

The Wii series has become one of the best-selling video game franchises, with each game in the Wii series selling millions of copies. Wii Sports in particular is regarded as the best-selling video game of all time.Wii Fit, within 18 months by June 2009, helped the health game genre generate collective revenues of $2 billion, most of which was grossed by Wii Fit's 18.22 million sales at the time. The largest subset of the franchise is the Wii Sports sub-series.

Wii MotionPlus

The Wii MotionPlus (Wiiモーションプラス) is an expansion device for the Wii Remote video game controller for the Wii that allows it to capture complex motion more accurately. According to Nintendo, the sensor in the device supplements the accelerometer and Sensor Bar capabilities of the Wii Remote to enable actions to be rendered identically on the screen in real time.

The Wii's successor console, the Wii U, supports the Wii MotionPlus and its peripherals in games where use of its touchscreen-built-in primary controller is not necessary.

History

The Wii MotionPlus was announced by Nintendo in a press release on July 14, 2008, and revealed the next day at a press conference at the E3 Media & Business Summit. It was released in June 2009. On May 3, 2010, Nintendo announced that starting May 9, 2010, the company will include its Wii Sports Resort game and MotionPlus controller with new consoles with no price increase.

Development

The Wii MotionPlus was developed by Nintendo in collaboration with game development tool company AiLive. The sensor used is an InvenSense IDG-600 or IDG-650 in later units, designed in accordance to Nintendo's specification; with a high dynamic range, high mechanical shock tolerance, high temperature and humidity resistance, and small physical size.

Wii Sports Club

Wii Sports Club (Japanese: Wiiスポーツ クラブ, Hepburn: Wī Supōtsu Kurabu) is a sports video game from Nintendo released as downloadable software for the Wii U. It consists of HD remakes of the individual sports from the 2006 Wii launch title, Wii Sports, which can be purchased individually or rented for a period of time. The first set of sports, bowling and tennis, were released in Japan on 30 October 2013, in Europe and North America on 7 November 2013, and in Australia and New Zealand on 8 November 2013. Golf was later released following a Nintendo Direct presentation on 18 December 2013. Baseball and Boxing was released at the end of June 2014.

A disc version was released in all regions in July 2014. It includes all five sports and doesn't require a pass to play them.

Gameplay

Similarly to Wii Sports, players use the Wii Remote to mimic movements made during various sports, including tennis, bowling, baseball, golf, and boxing. However, the game requires the use of Wii MotionPlus, unlike the original but similarly to its sequel Wii Sports Resort, in order to refine the controls and enhance the gameplay. Players are able to join different 'clubs' representing various regions across the world, and compete online with other members of the club. Players are locked into their chosen club for 24 hours, in order to create a closer sense of community. Players are ranked within their clubs, and clubs are able to compete with and be ranked against other clubs. Miiverse communication is also supported, and players can communicate in-game using pre-set messages and drawings from the Wii U GamePad. Some of the sports also feature ideas from a concept video shown at E3 2011 when the Wii U was first unveiled. During golf, the GamePad can be placed on the floor to display the ball on the ground, using a Wii Remote to swing over it. Baseball also allows the players to use the GamePad to aim their pitches.

Speak!

Anthony Negrete (born February 25, 1986) better known by his stage name SPEAK!, is an American rapper from Moreno Valley, California. He is known for having co-written the 2011 song Gucci Gucci performed by Kreayshawn and collaborating with various Odd Future members such as Mike G and Syd Tha Kyd, who recorded his 2011 album Inside Out Boy

Discography

Albums

EPs

Guest Appearances

References

Speak!!!

Speak!!! is the fourth album from The Mad Capsule Markets. The album was recorded in England. Two songs were featured from the original Berrie recording. The album displayed a more experimental and darker side to their music, evident in the closing song "Kachiku". It was also their first album to have a full English song ("Solid State Survivor", originally by YMO).

Track listing

Speak (No-Man album)

Speak is a compilation album consisting of previously obscure material by British Art rock band No-Man. Originally, recorded between 1988 and 1989, the songs were re-mixed and re-sung in 1999 (during the band's sessions for Returning Jesus). The songs had only been released on compact cassette earlier in the band's history.

Snapper Music's 2005 reissue of Speak adds the bonus track "The Hidden Art of Man Ray" (an untreated improvisation from 1988). The track also appears as a second disc on the limited edition of Tonefloat's vinyl release of Speak.

"Pink Moon" is a Nick Drake cover from his album of the same name.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Tim Bowness and Steven Wilson, except where noted. 

Musicians

References