The bottom line of this article is that no version of Game Maker, including Game Maker 7.0, supports is or capable of using the Wiimote. This article will tell you exactly why, how support might be achieved (in a vague sense) and what your alternatives are.

Game Maker 7.0 and the Wiimote

There is quite a bit of interest in using the Wiimote as a control device (read: controller) for use with games made with Game Maker. It seems to make perfect sense to some people as they believe the Wiimote to be a superior controller that also happens to be somewhat widely available. Secondly it is commonly believed that because Game Maker 7 is a relatively new update that it will have somehow

We at Game Design Novice hate to let you down, but chances are, Game Maker 7.0 (or any version of Game Maker) will probably never officially support the Wiimote.

Why, oh why?

Here's why :

• The Wiimote is based on proprietary technology owned by Nintendo. In other words, Nintendo owns the gizmos that make it work. And, as it goes, Nintendo isn't likely to share anytime soon. As a business, whose purpose is to make money, this can only be expected.

• There is a problem with interfacing the Wiimote with your computer. In other words, you can't just plug your Wiimote into your convenient front-mounted USB-port like it was a digital camera. Because you can't make Wii games with Game Maker, you can't do it the other way around either.

• Game Maker lacks the functions to deal with 3D input. In other words, all the dizzying motions you can make with the Wiimote only confuses Game Maker.

What Can (and Probably Will) Be Done About It

Game Maker will never officially support the Wiimote for the first reason unless the Game Maker Development Team pulls off a miracle and strikes a deal with Nintendo. You can wait until hell freezes over for this to happen.

However, there are things that will most likely happen that will lead to eventual ability to use the Wiimote with your Game Maker games. Both will probably happen at the same time :

Wiimote-like Standard

Before the PlayStation's double analog controller, no one used them. Afterwards, analog controllers became the standard for about a decade (maybe a bit more). Computer joysticks already had analog support and this was used to create support for PlayStation-like controllers.

This will almost certainly happen eventually with the Wiimote. You won't be using the Wiimote itself, but you will be able to buy a controller that can do essentially the same thing with different (or different enough) technology.

Once this happens and the technology becomes widespread, the Game Maker Development Team should be pressured into giving you the functions you need to write games to support these. However, you should take a look at joystick support now. Not many games support them because not that many people have them. The same will be the case when this happens.

The Interface Problem Solved

Because there is a demand for the capability to connect classic controllers to computers there are companies that specialize in creating these connection and interfaces (as well as other unusual gaming gear). Interfaces for everything from the classic Super NES controller to the Dance Dance Revolution Dance mat are already available. There's a good chance that one of the companies that manufactures these products will produce such an interface for the Wiimote soon.

When this happens you will be able to buy it and connect your Wiimote to your computer. Unfortunately, this kind of thing always lies on the fringe and will never be a popular option for your players. And it doesn't solve the problem that Game Maker itself lacks the interface to deal with a Wiimote. But don't worry, it will, but not officially.

Because Game Maker can be extended by the use of .DLLs and now even it's own extension interface, the creation of such a library is as inevitable as the aforementioned companies manufacturing an interface for your computer.