In a post-E3 interview with Nintendo developer, Shigeru Miyamoto, Mercury News got the inventor of Mario chatting about all things Wii, from the use of peripherals to the talk of inventing gaming characters - Miyamoto even hinted at the possibility of a new intellectual property “in the same way we came up with Pikmin when we introduced the GameCube” from Nintendo sometime next year.

Miyamoto explained Nintendo’s strategy with the many Nintendo Wii add-ons in comparison to that of its rivals:

Q: It is interesting that your accessories here are all very simple and inexpensive. The contrast between your wheel and Microsoft’s wheel at $149 are very stark. Is that a deliberate strategy?

A: It is definitely deliberate. There are a few different philosophies behind it. Nintendo always wants to provide the most intuitive device and one that is easy for anyone to pick up and play whether they are a hardcore gamer, a young child or an adult. The devices need to be inviting. The other thing is that we focused all of the technology in the Wii Remote when we designed it. We wanted to create it in a way where it would have expansion possibilities but even in the expansions, all of the technology would still be contained in the Wii Remote. The Zapper and the Wii Wheel – while I wouldn’t call them cheap – we’re able to produce them in an inexpensive manner. They have a straightforward interface, they look inviting to people. Because there is no real technology in them, we can slip the Wii Remote in and they are ready to go in a way that is affordable for the mass market. Because of that, we’ll be able to provide new and unique peripherals that match new and specific play styles in different games.

Is Nintendo’s back to basics approach to accessories the way forward?

…And also how the Wii remote and its peripherals have opened gaming up to become a more natural experience for experienced players and newcomers alike.

Q: Is it at all surprising that it looks like accessories are the things making games more accessible to people? I would include the Wii controller in that. Guitar Hero.

A: It makes sense because the peripherals show the consumer immediately what they are supposed to do. You can play the guitar right away. And with Mario Kart, you could use the Wii Remote alone and steer with it. But the Wii Wheel to go with that, it’s more intuitive and makes you feel as if you have a better grip on the game anyway. Up until now, the video game has required you to put your two hands on one controller. Every experience has been the same. Now with the Wii Remote, you can go from that to steering, or moving your hands and aiming. Or with your hands separated with the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk. Separating your hands makes your entire experience feel fresh.

Talking about Electronic Arts’ approach to the Wii in which they are creating original games, Mercury News asked:

Q: What was interesting to me is that they had about four or so original Wii games. They were original and creative. I expected more of that from Nintendo. You instead have a lot of games based on existing characters or previously known games. I was looking for more next-generation Wii games. Or a second wave of original Wii games. My question along with that is why aren’t you interesting more brand new characters?

A: I guess I don’t necessarily see my job as creating new characters as it is creating new experiences. Recently, Wii Fit is creating the concept and the idea and the feeling behind the game. That has been one of my new creations. For characters, we came up with the concept of the Miis and that allows people to come up with their own characters. Maybe next year sometime, we may have new characters in the same way we came up with Pikmin when we introduced the GameCube.
Q: It’s seems a different approach from what other game publishers say. They usually look at the start of a new generation of consoles to introduce some new intellectual property.

Head over to Mercury News for the full interview.