WiiCade
Encyclopedia
WiiCade is a website designed to provide users of the Wii
console with browser games tuned for use on the console systems. It was the first of many such websites to come into existence, as the "homebrew" community believes that online games through the Internet Channel are the only method of homebrewing that is currently sanctioned by Nintendo
.
The primary technology used by WiiCade is Adobe Flash
. However, the WiiCade games are limited to Flash version 7 due to limitations of the Internet Channel browser for the Wii. Plans have also been announced to provide greater support for Javascript gaming technology, though the primary use as of this writing is in an ancillary role to Flash.
Version 2.0 — Launched on January 19 of 2007, the second revision addressed many of the issues found after the Internet Channel was released. Besides updating the overall interface, a number of new features were added. These features included:
Version 3.0 — (Usually referred to as V3) Launched August 18 of 2007. The third revision of WiiCade's interface. Due to legal issues concerning WiiCade's resemblance to Nintendo's Wii menus, this update deviates to give the website an independent layout.
Some updates include:
This update also marks the beginning of a collaboration between WiiCade, WiiNode, and WiiMedia.
All new games go through a one week probation period; if they have a rating of less than 2.5 at the end of this period, they are discarded.
controller. Specifically, the API is capable of providing access to the Directional Pad
and the A, B, +, -, 1, and 2 buttons. Access to these buttons is not hampered by the default actions in the Opera Browser, and the game can be configured to allow or disallow the Opera zoom functionality. Furthermore, the API provides support for the use of the Wii Remote controller in a sideways configuration.
To provide compatibility with desktop browsers, the API automatically maps keyboard keys to the buttons on the remote. Pressing one of those keys will cause the API to register the corresponding button press as if it were pressed on the Wii Remote. This is particularly useful for testing as the WiiCade API requires components deployed on the WiiCade website in order to provide access to the Wii Remote controller.
Version 2.0 of the API provides increased functionality as well as multiplayer for up to four players with four Wiimotes.
The beta software that is downloadable from their website includes a server, APIs for ActionScript
and JavaScript
, and examples.
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
console with browser games tuned for use on the console systems. It was the first of many such websites to come into existence, as the "homebrew" community believes that online games through the Internet Channel are the only method of homebrewing that is currently sanctioned by Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
.
The primary technology used by WiiCade is Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
. However, the WiiCade games are limited to Flash version 7 due to limitations of the Internet Channel browser for the Wii. Plans have also been announced to provide greater support for Javascript gaming technology, though the primary use as of this writing is in an ancillary role to Flash.
History
Version 1.0 — Launched on November 19 of 2006, the first revision of the website was launched before the full capabilities of the Opera Web Browser for the Wii were known. As a result, the interface did not fit as well as hoped and many of the games required further refinement.- The ability to search the website for specific games.
- A standardized process for programmers to upload their games.
- A "probation" area that allows user to vote on which games will get added to WiiCade.
- Color coded borders used to signify a game's status.
- A set of icons for games, used to display specific features.
Version 3.0 — (Usually referred to as V3) Launched August 18 of 2007. The third revision of WiiCade's interface. Due to legal issues concerning WiiCade's resemblance to Nintendo's Wii menus, this update deviates to give the website an independent layout.
Some updates include:
- WiiCade API 2.0 — allows for local multiplayer and advanced axis registering.
- Ability to Edit and Upload and expand upon already existing games.
- A Videos section
- WiiCade Labs — research and resource central for Wii and WiiCade homebrew tools.
This update also marks the beginning of a collaboration between WiiCade, WiiNode, and WiiMedia.
Graphical Interface
The WiiCade graphical interface is optimized for the Wii's Opera browser. The default resolution for games on the site is 800x500 pixels. The interface allows users to log in to the forums, store a list of favorite games, search games, and upload new games. Games are surrounded with a coloured border to denote their status. Exclusive games are denoted with a red border, games in the probation period with a gray border, and all other games with a blue border. An icon beside the game also indicates whether the game requires keyboard functionality, contains adult content, or is exclusive.All new games go through a one week probation period; if they have a rating of less than 2.5 at the end of this period, they are discarded.
The WiiCade API
On February 27 of 2007, the WiiCade API was introduced to provide developers with the ability to access the buttons on the Wii RemoteWii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
controller. Specifically, the API is capable of providing access to the Directional Pad
D-pad
A D-pad is a flat, usually thumb-operated directional control with one button on each point, found on nearly all modern video game console gamepads, game controllers, on the remote control units of some television and DVD players, and smart phones...
and the A, B, +, -, 1, and 2 buttons. Access to these buttons is not hampered by the default actions in the Opera Browser, and the game can be configured to allow or disallow the Opera zoom functionality. Furthermore, the API provides support for the use of the Wii Remote controller in a sideways configuration.
To provide compatibility with desktop browsers, the API automatically maps keyboard keys to the buttons on the remote. Pressing one of those keys will cause the API to register the corresponding button press as if it were pressed on the Wii Remote. This is particularly useful for testing as the WiiCade API requires components deployed on the WiiCade website in order to provide access to the Wii Remote controller.
Version 2.0 of the API provides increased functionality as well as multiplayer for up to four players with four Wiimotes.
The WiiCade Multiplayer System
WiiCade is currently testing out a Multiplayer system specifically tailored to Flash games and the Nintendo Wii. It is being developed in Java, Javascript, and Flash, by Jerason Banes, the creator of the WiiCade API. Its homepage is located at the WiiCade Labs website.The beta software that is downloadable from their website includes a server, APIs for ActionScript
ActionScript
ActionScript is an object-oriented language originally developed by Macromedia Inc. . It is a dialect of ECMAScript , and is used primarily for the development of websites and software targeting the Adobe Flash Player platform, used on Web pages in the form of...
and JavaScript
JavaScript
JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....
, and examples.
External links
See also
- Internet Channel
- NewgroundsNewgroundsNewgrounds is an American entertainment and social media website. Founded on July 6, 1995 by Tom Fulp, the site primarily hosts Adobe Flash animations and games, but also features a music-oriented page, along with an art portal...
- Opera (web browser)Opera (web browser)Opera is a web browser and Internet suite developed by Opera Software with over 200 million users worldwide. The browser handles common Internet-related tasks such as displaying web sites, sending and receiving e-mail messages, managing contacts, chatting on IRC, downloading files via BitTorrent,...
- WiiWiiThe Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
- Wii homebrew