View Full Version : E3 2011
Next week isn't just WWDC — it's also E3, the greatest (gaming) show on earth. We'll see Wii 2 details from Nintendo and NGP details from Sony, and that's just what has been announced. But of course, the news cycle starts before the event does in earnest, as companies try to beat the onslaught by hosting pre-events. Here's what we know slash I feel like posting so far:
The new Uncharted game on the NGP is called Uncharted: Golden Abyss. It is an original game (not a remake!) that takes place before Drake's Fortune. It's being developed by Sony Bend, right here in Oregon. :D Naughty Dog is overseeing development, just as Insomniac did for Bend's well-received Resistance: Retribution.
Also, Sony announced a collector's edition of Uncharted 3 that includes Drake's Deception, Drake's belt buckle, Drake's necklace thing, and a statue of...Nathan Drake. All in a steelcase box, and all for the low low price of $99! Uncharted 3 hits 11/1/11. Pictures! (http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/06/02/uncharted-3-drakes-deception-pre-order-bonuses-special-edition-and-a-sneak-peak-at-the-explorer-edition/)
Also, Konami is releasing a trilogy pack of Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker in HD for the PS3. They're also re-releasing HD two-packs of Silent Hill 2 and 3 and both Zone of the Enders games (!!!).
Also, Level-5 has trademarked Professor Layton and the Last Specter in North America, seemingly confirming that the fourth Layton mystery will come to the US (the fifth, for the 3DS, is already out in Japan, so).
Also, I can't start a paragraph without "Also."
Also, Microsoft's and Sony's press events will be on Monday, and Nintendo's is on Tuesday, so there will be way way way more news to come!
Nikkei is now confirming (http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/nikkei-wii-successor-has-touchscreen-controller-will-arrive-in/) that the Wii 2 will have a 6" touchscreen controller.
So it's pretty much official.
Robo I've been meaning to ask you this: is the next Nintendo system going to have decent graphics/HD video/a controller I work with my thumbs and not my wrists? I just want my Mario and Zelda games as, ya know, normal video games and I'm sick of this Wii bullshit. Kids. Lawn. Off. That kind of thing.
Robo I've been meaning to ask you this: is the next Nintendo system going to have decent graphics/HD video/a controller I work with my thumbs and not my wrists? I just want my Mario and Zelda games as, ya know, normal video games and I'm sick of this Wii bullshit. Kids. Lawn. Off. That kind of thing.
My best guess is this:
The new controller will be a very low-end (low-res, resistive) game tablet. Everybody making mockups of like a Gamecube controller with a little touchscreen in the middle are way off, in scale if nothing else; the size of the screen will necessitate a flatter, squarer controller (think something that "matches" the current Wii Remote). It will have a d-pad on one side and ABXY buttons on the other, but probably no analog sticks. This "Wii Pad" will be both a controller for the Wii and a stand-alone device that will play games exclusively from Nintendo's eShop. It will form the lowest-end prong of Nintendo's hardware portfolio. The Wii 2 will come with one, and additional Wii Pads will probably cost about $129, making them much cheaper than the 3DS or NGP.
I say "new controller" because I think the Wii 2 will still use the Wii Remote for some games, especially multiplayer-focused titles, where requiring players to own four Wii Pads would be prohibitively expensive. Current Wii Remotes will work, as long as they're Wii Remote Plus models or have a MotionPlus attachment, which will become standard for Wii 2 games.
Basically, the Wii Pad will be a new attention-getting feature to keep the Wii 2 from being "just" as Wii HD, since apparently every Nintendo console has to have a revolutionary controller now; also, it will (as a stand-alone device) help them in the fight against Apple in mobile gaming. It will be a new control option, sort of like the Balance Board was, although it should be supported by many more games.
The Wii 2 will be HD, though. It won't use blue-laser discs, and it probably still won't play DVDs, but it'll have Netflix and maybe a video store.
Pricing won't be announced at E3, but I don't believe the rumors that the Wii 2 will cost $400+ or whatever. It will probably be ~$299 upon launch next year.
Just my guesses. I'll probably look totally wrong on Tuesday, but hey :D
Just my guesses. I'll probably look totally wrong on Tuesday, but hey :D
Your guesses are better than mine. So what you're staying is that I'm still going to have to swing my arms around to play a modern Zelda game? I enjoyed Twilight Princess and all but unlike OoT and MM I had no desire to replay them ad nauseam because I felt like an idiot shaking the Wiimote every time I needed to kill a Stalfos :\
I should have just bought it for GameCube... I miss my GameCube... It was purple and everything! I mean I get that Nintendo is making buckets of money with this whole casual gaming trend, but it really sucks for all the longtime Zelda fans, among others.
The NGP will apparently be called the "PSVITA," which is a stupid fucking name.
An Xbox.com leak has confirmed Halo 4, Dance Central 2, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, and a "cinematic, action-packed Kinect experience" called Ryse. via Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/xbox-com-leaks-e3-secrets-early-voice-search-and-a-new-look-f/)
Wow, the Star Wars: The Old Republic intro cinematic (http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/star-wars-the-old-republic-intro-cinematic-is-more-like-it/) is bad ass. Get's me very excited to build a rig and get into MMORPGs, but I also hope that TOR has a strong story line (like promised).
The PlayStation Vita will cost $249 for the WiFi model and $299 for the AT&T 3G model.
That's pretty crazy, since that's, you know, the same price as the 3DS.
Available this holiday season worldwide.
torifile
2011-06-06, 21:15
What? Sony is doing something right with price with its first attempt? :err: :lol: That's a compelling price point if it's as good as it looked back when they first showed it. Of course, the games are going to cost $50-60. I'll stick with my iPhone but at least they're bringing it on price.
Sony followed-up last year's PlayStation-branded soundbar by introducing a PlayStation-branded 3DTV and PlayStation-branded 3D glasses in a bid to lower the cost of entry to their "3D world." The TV is a 24-inch, LED edge-lit, 1080p active 3D screen with integrated subwoofer and will be available in a bundle with one pair of glasses, Resistance 3, and an HDMI cable for just $499. The glasses themselves will cost just $69 and will work with TVs of several brands, not just Bravias.
torifile
2011-06-06, 22:58
Does it come with a PS3 to play that copy of Resistance 3(D)?
Does it come with a PS3 to play that copy of Resistance 3(D)?
Nope. (That would be super crazy!)
dmegatool
2011-06-07, 09:47
Watching yesterday's Ubi conference. Just saw RockSmith (http://rocksmith.ubi.com/rocksmith/en-US/home/), sounds great. It's like rockband but without buying a 300$ guitar, you can use your own. Looking forward to see how well it works.
dmegatool
2011-06-07, 11:07
Nintendo conference is starting right now. They're showing a Zelda reel with music played by an orchestra... kind of awesome :)
dmegatool
2011-06-07, 12:15
So it's Wii U. Looks like a psp with a dpad, 2 joystick, 4 buttons and 4 triggers, camera, mic, and a touchscreen. It streams video from the Wii U so you can play your game without using the TV. There's a lot of things that were shown like using it to aim, pointing at the game in the TV, display UI, etc.
alcimedes
2011-06-07, 12:18
Wii U gameplay/controller video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z98ASI_TlOQ
dmegatool
2011-06-07, 12:32
It's almost on par with PS3 and 360 on the graphic side... Without being better for sure. Not with all the new games that were presented at the E3. I was hoping for better... Again, they'll get crushed when other launch their new consoles.
On the positive side. They showed a lot of games franchise actually on the other consoles. Like Dirt, Ghost Recon, Teken, Assassin's Creed, Ninga Gaiden...
Wii U! Controller looks like a squared-off tablet, can play games independently of the console...it does have analog sticks, though.
I like the Wii U name and logo.
Day one purchase! 2012...
torifile
2011-06-07, 13:12
Sorry Robo, but that just seems ridiculous. Nintendo is nuts.
alcimedes
2011-06-07, 13:54
Ha ha ha, everyone said they were nuts with the Wii as well. Then they sold a billion units. I for one am willing to see how it all actually works before writing them off. They do seem to take "leisurely" gamers into account better than MS and Sony, which to be frank is where I'm at these days.
I'd like to see the price point they're planning to sell that at before we write them off. The Wii sold in bucketloads partially because it was cheap. That thing looks...expensive.
But then Apple sell the iPhone for $199, and it looks expensive too. I guess we'll see.
torifile
2011-06-07, 14:43
Ha ha ha, everyone said they were nuts with the Wii as well. Then they sold a billion units. I for one am willing to see how it all actually works before writing them off. They do seem to take "leisurely" gamers into account better than MS and Sony, which to be frank is where I'm at these days.
I think that leisure games are moving to where people are - namely, in mobile. The Wii sold big time because it was leisure and cheap. Now, with mobile, the Wii isn't cheap any more. Nor is it quite so leisurely. It's a big pain the ass to have to deal with that sensor, make sure batteries are charged and switch the inputs on your TV.
I've gotten more playing time on a $.99 game like Tiny Wings than I did in Zelda or Wii Sports and it was 2% of the price.
I'd like to see the price point they're planning to sell that at before we write them off. The Wii sold in bucketloads partially because it was cheap. That thing looks...expensive.
But then Apple sell the iPhone for $199, and it looks expensive too. I guess we'll see.
The difference is that the iPhone actually *is* expensive and people know it. It's just sold inexpensively. The Wii, OTOH, is cheap. There's a big difference. :)
dmegatool
2011-06-07, 15:26
Geez Tori are gonna plug Tiny Wings in all of your post ? :p
I like the Wii U, at least, initially, I think it is a strong concept, it is a little awkward in terms of its relationship to the Wii, where it partially seems like just an add-on, but it is in fact a completely new system that is Wii compatible. I like the idea of playing hot-seat 4/5 player games where one player has the Screenmote and everyone else has wiimotes/nunchuks. I think there is a lot of potential there for really fun co-operative and competitive gaming, hybridizing the fun of a LAN party and a regular video game party.
I'm amazed that people are still so adamant about specs. If the time period between 2006 and 2011 hasn't convinced you that specs don't make the device, you're a lost cause. We've just seen too many examples of not only incredibly successful, but very fun, innovative, useful...etc. tech toys that deemphasis specs. But even more incredible is how people are so angry about specs when really, outside of being HD, we really don't know anything about them at this point.
Looks like it could be a neat system with a lot of potential for convenient multipurpose use.
The last thing that comes to mind is that everyone thought the DS was kind of a dumb idea when it was first revealed, how could you focus on two screens at once sort of thing. The DS ended up being one of the best gaming systems ever made. The Wii U, I think, is essentially the 'desktop' version of the DS. Having two screens is already a proven interface method, and while it is a bit different spread across a living room, I don't imagine it would be dramatically so.
Should be good.
Anyone who thought that the Wii U would be a generation ahead of the PS3 and 360 was crazy. Nintendo doesn't work that way. It's catching up, that's it. 360/PS3 games will be able to also be ported to the Wii U, that's really all that matters.
Ready for potential buzzkill? Nintendo's suspiciously silent on whether or not the Wii U console will be able to support multiple tablets, saying only that the tablet controller will provide "a player" with a unique experience. So it's probably not going to be the dream of the GameCube-Game Boy Advance cable being finally realized.
I guess they have to save something for the Wii U2. I still haven't found what I'm looking for, but it'll be a beautiful day when it arrives. ;)
Sorry Robo, but that just seems ridiculous. Nintendo is nuts.
Really? At first blush this is a more obvious improvement to me than motion controls were.
Think of all the multiplayer options that open up when one player can see things that the others can't. Or think of game like Zelda, where you're constantly switching equipment. Instead of pausing the game and cycling through equipment screens, you'll be able to equip items with just a touch. At the very least, most HUDs would be able to move to the controller, allowing interaction (think about, say, maps) and making the presentation more cinematic.
Unlike motion controls, which are really only good for certain sorts of games, I could see this being good for both casual and core games. It could reduce complexity for the casual audience *and* give the core audience new experiences. I really want to play Zelda and RPGs on it, which is more than I could say about the Wii Remote (or, god, the Kinect).
So yes, I will be that dumb shit who waits in line to buy it on day one even though there's no good games, just like I did for the Game Boy Advance and Wii. :)
torifile
2011-06-07, 22:31
Geez Tori are gonna plug Tiny Wings in all of your post ? :p
Damned game is maddening and addicting and satisfying all at the same time.
I chose not to restore my iPhone from a backup when I upgraded to iOS 5 just so I could quit playing. :lol:
torifile
2011-06-07, 22:54
How are you going to look down at the controller and look up at the screen at the same time? Maybe I'm not getting it. :confused:
WUT.
Vanillaware (Odin Sphere, Muramasa) is making a spiritual successor to Princess Crown. For the PS3. And PS Vita.
WUT.
If we had one of those super-annoying jaw-dropping smileys I would totally use one right now.
It's called Dragon's Crown, (http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/dragons-crown-announced-as-vanillawares-next-project-coming-t/) and it features online four-player co-op. *jaw drop* And of course, super-gorgeous hand-drawn art. In HD. *jaw drop*
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/06/dce302-1307500323.jpg
Sorry for the humongopic, but damn.
How are you going to look down at the controller and look up at the screen at the same time? Maybe I'm not getting it. :confused:
Same basic way that you do it with the DS I'd imagine. Most of the time you are completely focused on one screen, but the secondary screen contains some pertinent game information, a minimap, your inventory, contextual menus...etc. A lot of DS games really don't 'use' the second screen for anything interesting at all, and the majority of the action takes place entirely on one screen, but having that second screen there does give you some flexibility with the types of things you can do.
dmegatool
2011-06-08, 00:08
Skyrim new footage : http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=/&gl=CA#/watch?v=C9mW-9VnbDU
My social life ends 11-11-11
dmegatool
2011-06-08, 00:11
The DS focus on one screen at the time mostly due to it's limitating hardware too. I think you can't display 3D object on both screen at the same time. Wii U seems more flexible in the utilisation of 2 screens...
LIke, here:
http://e3.nintendo.com/_ui/img/hw/playstyle/2.jpg
That. That is what I want.
And that is probably the least exciting of the possibilities, haha.
Hmm. I don't know yet. Whatever else the wiimote was, it sure as hell made Zelda a lot of fun to play because it felt like you were swinging Link's sword. This is going back to the more standard control scheme, but with a 6" inventory palette built in. :)
Part of the attraction of the wiimote + nunchuck was that they were independent of each other, within the limitations of the cable that attached them. So you could kind of position your hands and forearms in whichever way was most comfortable to you. This is back to locking you into fixed hand positions. But hey, I don't have a problem with it on the PS3 so it's not really as big deal I guess. Just an observation.
I will need a lot more info before deciding whether to get this or not.
That. That is what I want.
http://i.imgur.com/TltXV.jpg
That. That is what I want.
No, not the controller. The controller scheme is retarded. I mean taking out Reggie from the next building. :lol:
Whatever else the wiimote was, it sure as hell made Zelda a lot of fun to play because it felt like you were swinging Link's sword.
I guess I never really felt that way. It will probably be that way in Skyward Sword, because that game was actually designed for the Wiimote and uses the MotionPlus and everything, but in Twilight Princess it felt sort of tacked on to me. Like, swinging the Wiimote was basically a gesture-activated button-press.
But I'm pretty picky. :p
In any case, I'm still more excited for the touchscreen. I mean, look at how much junk Skyward Sword has onscreen at all times, holy crap. :lol: I can't imagine playing that game in not-widescreen. You wouldn't be able to see anything! :D
The controller scheme is retarded.
Seriously, am I the only person who likes this? :confused: It's like a Gamecube controller (<3) without having to bring up a menu to switch equipment every two seconds. That alone sells me on the concept. :p
And you know just know that there will be lots of crazy ideas that use the two-screen pairing that we aren't even thinking of yet. Probably a lot of garbage that doesn't really take advantage of it, too, but hey, it's still got buttons.
I mean, I'd play Minecraft with it, which is more than I can say about Kinect (or any other console controller, tbh).
Give me MineCraft for the Wii (or PS3) and I'm in there!
Seriously, am I the only person who likes this? :confused: It's like a Gamecube controller (<3) without having to bring up a menu to switch equipment every two seconds. That alone sells me on the concept. :p
I absolutely love the idea. :) I'm iffy on the execution and may to need be "sold" on it in person.
edit: I started to enumerate all my concerns here, but really it all boils down to ergonomic issues (lots of those) and technical capabilities/limitations (not as many of those).
but hey, it's still got buttons.
That's one thing that puts the Wii U controller light years ahead of any iPad for gaming, at least!
I'd hate to die because I was looking down at the inventory on my controller. D'oh! :lol:
Seriously, am I the only person who likes this? :confused: It's like a Gamecube controller (<3) without having to bring up a menu to switch equipment every two seconds. That alone sells me on the concept. :p
Big difference between the Screenmote and the GC controller(which itself is spiritually similar to the Xbox controller). It is the analog stick arrangement. Having both analog sticks on the same horizontal plane is kind of weird. It makes more sense to have them offset with buttons above the right analog stick as it is with the GC and the Xbox. I mean, I know the PS3 does it that way, and the PS2 did as well. But I never really liked it there either, but at least reaching up towards the buttons felt pretty comfortable.
I mean, maybe it could work, but I just really don't like the idea of reaching down for buttons.
I also don't like how small all of those buttons look, and the analog sticks themselves look kind of like 'slider' sticks, like what you'd see on a PSP or 3DS, also kind of a weird compromise.
Don't get me wrong here, I think the controller is great for the most part and combined with a ~PS3 caliber system should produce some really top notch games. But, the way the controller is designed does make it look like the buttons were kind of tacked on, and the touchscreen is what they want you to focus on/care about.
dmegatool
2011-06-09, 08:28
The joystick seems indeed the worst of all. Everybody loves the dualshock but I think Microsoft wins hands down when it comes to joystick.
Wonder what's the weight of that huge controller... And how does it feel in hand. I mean, people complained about the first Xbox controller to be too big. This one is like 3x bigger.
torifile
2011-06-09, 08:29
The dual screen handhelds work, IMHO, because of the proximity of the screens to one another. You don't have to move your eyes to see the other screen, only shift your attention. Your head doesn't need to move, etc. It's all right there but you're not attending to it. This thing? You'll have to move your head/eyes, orient yourself, do what you're wanting to do then move your head/eyes, orient yourself again on the larger screen. It's the definition of breaking the mood of a game.
macinations
2011-06-09, 10:53
that looks ridiculously amazing
Wonder what's the weight of that huge controller... And how does it feel in hand.
According to Thisismynext, "It’s very comfortable to hold, with nice contours on the back that seem made for our hands, and it’s lighter than it looks."
I mean, people complained about the first Xbox controller to be too big. This one is like 3x bigger.
The problem with the Xbox controller wasn't its width as much as the wide spread of the buttons across the face of the device, requiring players with smaller hands to sort of palm it like a basketball and make uncomfortably wide thumb movements to reach everything.* I mean, the PSP is wider than the original Xbox controller, but no one complains about that feeling uncomfortably wide (if anything, the PSP has the exact opposite problem, forcing the player to cradle it in their fingertips rather than grip it). So I think it's a bit of a stretch to suggest that the "Wii Pad" will fall victim to the same ergonomic issues as the Xbox controller simply because of its width. The buttons don't seem too spread out.
I mean, look down at your hands the next time you're playing a game with the Wii Remote and Nunchuck. You're almost certainly holding them further apart than the two sides of the Xbox controller, but nobody complains about that feeling huge because the buttons are still right there (holding them closer together while still holding them straight ahead would actually require uncomfortable wrist angles). Put a screen between that Wii Remote and Nunchuck. There you go! That's this.
You'd have a point if Nintendo expected all players to be able to reach the center of their touchscreen with their thumbs, for example, but every PR photo I've seen shows the player gripping the controller with one hand while touching the screen with an index finger on (or a stylus held in) the other. Any "thumbable" options will almost certainly be at the edges of the screen; pressing those looks like it would require only about as much travel as pressing Select or Start on a DualShock. (The Wii U's Select/Start/Home buttons are obviously further out of the way, but I don't see that as being a huge issue.)
This isn't the first time Nintendo's made a wide controller; there was a Gamecube controller with an integrated keyboard as well. It was wider than the original Xbox controller but it was just as comfortable as the regular Gamecube controller because the buttons were still in their same position under your thumbs; the two sides were just further apart. That's what this reminds me of.
*) An equally large but less well-remembered problem with the original Xbox controller was the small, hard, oval, and uncomfortably domed action buttons, but that's neither here nor there.
I absolutely love the idea. :) I'm iffy on the execution and may to need be "sold" on it in person.
I'm not saying I don't have reservations. I mean, we don't really know how the whole thing works, do we? I would like to think that the "Wii Pad" is essentially a low-power standalone tablet, but that doesn't seem to be the case; it's sounding more and more like the Wii U console does all the rendering and pushes the graphics out to the tablet using something akin to WiDi (which is why it seems like...there can only be one :p). I can understand the desire to keep the tablet(s) from having to wirelessly "load" the game program from the Wii U console, but I think they're missing a pretty huge opportunity there. (What is it with Nintendo and crippling their hardware because of their fear of load times?) And let's be real, they really could include an actual low-power standalone tablet with the console for $250-300 in late 2012; the new Nook has a higher-resolution 6" display using more expensive E Ink display technology and more expensive IR touch technology and that's $139 now. They just want to make gobs of money on it, just like they're making gobs of money by selling the 3DS for the same price as the freaking PS Vita.
So yes, I do fear that — just as with the Wii Remote — they're going to touch upon (ho-ho!) a great idea, but they'll shoot themselves in the foot by doing it on the cheap and doing it sort of backwards, making it not quite as cool as everyone thought it would be and leaving it for their competitors to do it right.
But I still think it'll be better than the Wii, just because I'm not sure there's a touchscreen equivalent for "shipping with only an accelerometer while selling people on the concept of slick gyro-based 1:1 control, thus disappointing everyone by delivering only loose waggle gestures." ;)
That's one thing that puts the Wii U controller light years ahead of any iPad for gaming, at least!
You'll laugh at me, but even though I love my iPad and think the 9.7"/4:3 form factor is better for general use tablets, I would love a 7" widescreen "game tablet" with buttons for games. Basically like a Nook Color only instead of being "The Reader's Tablet™" it would be the gamers' tablet. In fact, while I generally think getting even remotely close to competing with Apple is business suicide, if I "Had Money" I would develop and market just such a device, when I wasn't building electric trucks and simpler set top boxes, that is. I think there's room in the market for tablets that target specific segments at sizes and price points that Apple will never hit. And Apple will certainly never make a tablet with buttons. ;)
The U controller reminds me of the Dreamcast, too.
dmegatool
2011-06-09, 11:41
According to Thisismynext, "It’s very comfortable to hold, with nice contours on the back that seem made for our hands, and it’s lighter than it looks."
The problem with the Xbox controller wasn't its width as much as the wide spread of the buttons across the face of the device, requiring players with smaller hands to sort of palm it like a basketball and make uncomfortably wide thumb movements to reach everything.*
Good point. I never got the complains about the xBox controller. In fact, I liked it better the the revised model (minus the black and white buttons). I guess I have some big hands :) I didn't think people complained about the buttons being hard to reach. I thought the size/weight was mostly the problem.
According to Thisismynext, "It’s very comfortable to hold, with nice contours on the back that seem made for our hands, and it’s lighter than it looks."
Which review are you reading? I just checked thisismynext.com, and not being a regular reader, it looks like they are less enthusiastic (http://thisismynext.com/2011/06/08/nintendo-wii-preview-specs-games-video/):
"As light as the hardware is, the size (10.5 x 6.8 inches) feels overly cumbersome."
Also,
"the lack of multi-touch is pretty disappointing"
"the top triggers are awkward to reach"
"The controller still feels beta to me"
And one item that really bothered me when I saw video and pictures of the controller:
"the right joystick, which itself is more of a multi-direction slider with a smooth top. I didn’t feel like I was battling drones in Ghost Recon Online — more so, I felt like my thumb was fighting the controller to aim where I wanted it to. I’m not sure why these were chosen over other joystick options — the Vita has great sticks, and they don’t stick out obnoxiously at all."
"Paul didn't have as much of a problem as I did, but I found it really hard to grip my thumb on it. Especially irksome during the Ghost Recon demo, trying to aim and fighting by proxy with the multi-directional slider."
"The dual analog sticks aren't the best" (Paul)
This one! (http://thisismynext.com/2011/06/08/nintendo-wii-preview-specs-games-video/) I quoted from the first paragraph in the "Hardware" section.
Paul Miller seems to like it. Ross Miller (no relation) doesn't. So far nobody seems to be in love with the dual "circle pads" though. :\
As for the rest, anyone expecting capacitive multitouch on a controller from Nintendo is crazy. The $250 3DS doesn't even have it on its tiny 3" screen! And the Wii Pad is beta hardware, so.
The dual screen handhelds work, IMHO, because of the proximity of the screens to one another. You don't have to move your eyes to see the other screen, only shift your attention. Your head doesn't need to move, etc. It's all right there but you're not attending to it. This thing? You'll have to move your head/eyes, orient yourself, do what you're wanting to do then move your head/eyes, orient yourself again on the larger screen. It's the definition of breaking the mood of a game.
Still though, when I play DS games, my focus is so completely dominated by one screen or the other, the second screen might as well not be there most of the time(save for, of course, the games that actively use both screens in tandem). Also, I really don't think in terms of field of vision that if you are reclining with the screenmote perched in front of you, that it will feel like a major distance/space leap to put your eyes up and focus on the main screen. In terms of forced perspective, the two will be right on top of each other.
The other thing to consider about the validity of this method of input is the fact that high-end home theater systems have used controllers like this for ages. Large, touchscreen enabled + buttons, outside of their usually having piss poor interfaces and sharp learning curves, the whole 'trying to look at two screens at once' problem just doesn't really come up, at least, not in my experience.
The biggest problem I have with the screenmote so far is that it doesn't have analog sticks, it has analog nubs. I hate nubs. I guess they're acceptable on portable hardware but for a console controller? No sticks is a dealbreaker.
The biggest problem I have with the screenmote so far is that it doesn't have analog sticks, it has analog nubs. I hate nubs. I guess they're acceptable on portable hardware but for a console controller? No sticks is a dealbreaker.
The "circle pads" certainly seem to be the least popular aspect of the controller. I haven't had a chance to use a 3DS yet; from what I've heard its circle pad is tighter and more comfortable than the PSP's analog nub, but it's still no analog stick. Why they wouldn't just use analog sticks is admittedly a little puzzling.
But the hardware is still over a year out yet, so there's potential for changes. The Wii Remote that hit stores in 2006 had some changes from the version that was unveiled at TGS 2005, so...there's hope.
Nintendo's stock has taken a tumble. I don't think that's because investors just hate the Wii U; I think they're probably disappointed Nintendo did not more directly address the threat from Cupertino. I mean, let's be real, the Wii U is probably no different than it would have been if Apple's massively successful iOS products had never happened.
let's be real, the Wii U is probably no different than it would have been if Apple's massively successful iOS products had never happened.
Which is an interesting observation that further peddles the idea that Nintendo is the Apple of video games. Sure, Apple is liable to respond directly to competition and add features/specs to match their rivals from time to time, but their default behavior is decidedly marching to their own beat. Nintendo is much the same way. They have a 'vision' or an ideal of what gaming should be that they have arguably held for going on 30 years now(acknowledging that Nintendo is technically an extremely old company), the technology has not always been there to accommodate, but as the pieces fall into place, I think the presentation of what the Wii U can be, in conjunction with what the DS became, paints a pretty strong picture of what they have been gearing towards for a while.
But, as you pointed out. This could potentially be a failing/undoing, since video games are just inherently more niche than consumer electronics/phones/computers. Apple can get away with doing their own thing, becoming ludicrously successful and not have to really face the risk of the bottom falling out because their dominant sectors are so much more inclusive. Nintendo(And Sony and MS as well to a lesser degree) are constantly vying for attention against so many other potent modern distraction devices, some of which didn't even really try at first to be game systems but end up sort of effortlessly becoming serious contenders(such as the iPod Touch and iPhone).
The dumbest thing ever. (http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/xbox-360-wireless-speed-wheel-hands-on/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/06/wiiuside.jpg
The Wii U looks longer than the Wii, no?
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/06/wiiuback.jpg
Wooo HDMI.
Also, Level-5's White Knight Chronicles 2, which just came out in Europe, is coming to America on August 2. It includes the original White Knight Chronicles, for free! Level-5 is all about the unbeatable value, like Target.
No word yet on if the US release of Level-5's Professor Layton and the Last Specter will come with the 100-hour London Life RPG that the Japanese release came with for free. It better!
Biggest E3 disappointments, anyone?
Still no word on an English release for the Level-5/Studio Ghibli masterpiece Ni no Kuni (The Another World). It got 38/40 from Famitsu! It was the most pre-ordered Level-5 game ever! It really needs to see a wider release.
No word on a North American release for White Knight Chronicles: Origins, even though it's already out in Europe.
No word on an English release for Hironobu Sakaguchi's The Last Story, which also received a 38/40 from Famitsu.
Also, the North American release of Xenoblade Chronicles appears to be cancelled.
WTH, Nintendo? The Wii U doesn't come out until (likely late) next year. You're going to need some Wii games to ship in the 18 months until then. I mean, last holiday season wasn't that great, for the Wii, and this holiday has Zelda and that's pretty much it, as far as AAA titles go. And the new console is a year away!
Successful consoles aren't supposed to lose steam like that. The PS1 didn't. The PS2 didn't. And you have the games, Nintendo. They're done. Just released them stateside, FFS.
Biggest disappointment: Not enough (good) TOR news. Where are the in-depths on the Force-using classes? Like I get that shooting is other peoples' thing but I want to hear about the Sith Warrior because I want to fuck shit up with a lightsaber, where is my news?! Where's the beta announcements, nevermind the goddamned release date? If they're really aiming for Q2/Q3 shit should be announced man. Also, SYSREQS NOW.
May 2011 was the worst month for console sales since October 2006, which was, of course, the month before the both Wii and PlayStation 3 came out.
So sales were really dreadful, in other words.
What's disconcerting about this is that the Kinect just turned six months old in early June. But we haven't really seen much additional software for it, past that launch rush, have we? We'll see another big push this holiday, too, but big holiday pushes do not a sustainable platform make. :\
dmegatool
2011-06-14, 22:55
I guess the PSN blackout didn't help ;)
bassplayinMacFiend
2011-06-15, 08:08
Hmm, I bought LA Noire and Lego Pirates of the Caribbean in May so don't blame the shortfall on me! :D
I did just finish the good karma track on inFAMOUS last night. Thanks for the freebie, Sony.
That thing looks...expensive.
How expensive is it? So expensive that Nintendo won't even be selling it independently of the console. (http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/18/nintendo-says-one-wii-u-controller-per-console-robs-player-two/)
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