I'm not panicking either... yet. I think my main problem right now is that I can see them following this through to the end. It's true, a lot of aptents get filed mainly to state claim to an idea before someone else does, but no one goes through with it.
It's just with the amount of gadgets...
You can see the actual patent file here on the European Patent Office website.
http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=EP&NR=2080538A1&KC=A1&FT=D&date=20090722&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP
There's a whole 28 page documentation that they submitted, drawings of it, detailed descriptions...
The only problem is IGN picked up this story from another website. They were not the first to post about it. Also, the IGN Nintendo team has stated a number of times that they will not report rumours without solid facts to back them up.
I know what you mean though, anything on the net should...
Yes, you read the title right. Evidently Nintendo has gone and patented a controller you sit on and ride to simulate horseback riding. This peripheral joins the line of Wii motion controllers and Wii peripherals from the original Wiimote and Nunchuck to the Wii Wheel, the Zapper, the Balance...