Is Nintendo Facing a RSI Lawsuit Because Of The Wii?
A lot of stories are appearing on the net of Nintendo Wii users complaining of sore shoulders and stiff necks as a result of having to swing the Wiimote around.
I wonder if these stories are starting to concern Nintendo yet, or if they’ve considered the risk of gamers suing them for causing Repititive Strain Injuries ‘RSI’. I’m pretty certain that a controller that requires users to go put their bodies through un-natural movements, while they are sitting incorrectly at a desk or on a sofa is going to cause some gamers problems.
I’m guessing that in user testing, Nintendo didn’t run sessions of the length that some gamers can play for, or the same frequency i.e. everyday.
Nintendo’s response to the issues so far has been shocking:
If people are finding themselves sore, they may need to exercise more
I think there’s a class action out there just waiting to happen, unless Nintendo start putting some sort of disclaimer on the remotes.
Maybe, I should buy a Wii so I can pickup my compensation cheque next year.
More: Kotaku
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Comment by Kyle on 6 December 2006:
I think Nintendo’s answer was a good one. No one is making these people play the games. They are no more responsible for the gamers as is PC keyboard makers for carpal tunnel syndrome. A lawsuit is just stupid in this case. And chances are that if these people would get more exercise they would be less sore. Just another example of lazy Americans complaining that something is too hard or someone elses responsibility for thier actions.
Comment by Saul on 9 December 2006:
You sir, are seriously one of the most stupid people I have ever noticed being online.
A - Nintendo don’t need disclaimers for people using the Wii becoming strained due to excessive play time.
B - Are their warnings on other things…Soccer for example, “Don’t play Soccer for to long, due to strains within the body” I don’t sue anyone due to strains from playing Soccer to much.
What a load of bias slander bullcrap.
Comment by Azapcap on 10 December 2006:
When I first got the Wii, I played Legend of Zelda 9 hours straight, skipping breakfast and lunch. I didn’t feel tired at all. Probably because I didn’t over exaggerate my movements; eg. I just shook the controller for attacking. :P. I’m getting more tired now (as in typing this) then playing the Wii for 9 hours