Nintendo at E3 2011

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by gekko

Which developers? I haven't seen this news.



Yes they have. People also tend to forget that while Gamecube had many 3rd party titles, many of those games were simply better on other platforms. PS3 had memory cards big enough to hold your Madden save, Xbox had a hard drive, better online, and the best graphics. It's the same thing with the Wii, are you really happy getting a COD4 port when everyone else is getting the sequel? Xbox owners are getting all COD DLC first, and they are playing on Live. The Wii may have it on paper, but you're using friend codes. Is that still considered "strong" 3rd party support?

I think the difference between the Wii and Wii U (can't speak of the Cube yet since we don't know the PS4/Xbox 3 stance) is that Nintendo is showing it up front.

Granted, all we got so far are a handful of ports, but they are getting titles that have never graced a Nintendo console like Tekken, Assassin's Creed, they are getting an enhanced version of Ninja Gaiden 3.

Then there is the middleware, we already know that the console will be supported by Unreal Engine 3, Crytek CryEngine 3, whatever Ubisoft calls their Assassin's Creed engine, and all signs point to it being supported by the Frostbite 3 engine.

So even when the PS4/xbox 3 comes out, developers will have the tools in place to continue supporting it even if just with down ports.

[thatmariolover]

Originally Posted by gekko

Which developers? I haven't seen this news.



Yes they have. People also tend to forget that while Gamecube had many 3rd party titles, many of those games were simply better on other platforms. PS3 had memory cards big enough to hold your Madden save, Xbox had a hard drive, better online, and the best graphics. It's the same thing with the Wii, are you really happy getting a COD4 port when everyone else is getting the sequel? Xbox owners are getting all COD DLC first, and they are playing on Live. The Wii may have it on paper, but you're using friend codes. Is that still considered "strong" 3rd party support?

Well, historically I would agree. With each passing generation Nintendo has crippled the system in some fashion that makes 3rd party devs jump ship. With the N64 it was expensive cartridges and complex programming requirements. With the Gamecube it was 1.5 GB discs, lack of storage, Friend codes, and a purple case. The Wii didn't go HD and never had a high quality, dedicated core controller.

I can't say it will be different this time. But the bottom line is that Nintendo has addressed most of the key problem areas. Friend Codes are going away for a new Online service more in line with Live. The graphics are HD, though we have yet to see specs. Supposedly it's heavy on the RAM, which is something devs will love.

My biggest concern at this point is the lack of a core dedicated controller. I'm looking for something wireless, in between the Gamecube and classic controller.

[magus113]

Originally Posted by thatmariolover

Well, historically I would agree. With each passing generation Nintendo has crippled the system in some fashion that makes 3rd party devs jump ship. With the N64 it was expensive cartridges and complex programming requirements. With the Gamecube it was 1.5 GB discs, lack of storage, Friend codes, and a purple case. The Wii didn't go HD and never had a high quality, dedicated core controller.

I can't say it will be different this time. But the bottom line is that Nintendo has addressed most of the key problem areas. Friend Codes are going away for a new Online service more in line with Live. The graphics are HD, though we have yet to see specs. Supposedly it's heavy on the RAM, which is something devs will love.

My biggest concern at this point is the lack of a core dedicated controller. I'm looking for something wireless, in between the Gamecube and classic controller.

Supposedly it's rocking the last gen Radeon card for the GPU, which can mean anything really if it's supposedly better than the PS3 or Xbox 360 (although I don't think we've found out for sure by how much).

I'm also concerned that it seems to have only the proprietary video out and HDMI out, but what about people like me that don't have HDMI receivers and they need a fiber optic cable for surround sound?

[gekko]

Originally Posted by thatmariolover

Well, historically I would agree. With each passing generation Nintendo has crippled the system in some fashion that makes 3rd party devs jump ship. With the N64 it was expensive cartridges and complex programming requirements. With the Gamecube it was 1.5 GB discs, lack of storage, Friend codes, and a purple case. The Wii didn't go HD and never had a high quality, dedicated core controller.

There's a lot more to consider than the consumer side. Developer tools, costs, developer support, etc. CodeWarrior alone is reason enough to not want to develop for Wii. On the opposite side, Microsoft's developer support and tools for Xbox are simply fantastic.

[thatmariolover]

Originally Posted by gekko

There's a lot more to consider than the consumer side. Developer tools, costs, developer support, etc. CodeWarrior alone is reason enough to not want to develop for Wii. On the opposite side, Microsoft's developer support and tools for Xbox are simply fantastic.

Well, you're using DirectX on Xbox so you've got a whole different toolbox to work with.

[Bube]

Originally Posted by manasecret

Please... PS3 and X360 are for casual, wannabe gamers. True hardcore gamers who are "serious" and "looking for pure gaming" play on the PC.

/sarcasm

The casual vs. hardcore gamers is endlessly brought out by elitist gamers as if it's a good argument.

To be honest, when I say casual and hardcore, I really mean the people who played games in the N64/PSX era, or started playing after that. The Gamecube kinda split the community when it got labeled as "kiddy", and I think gave birth to the gamer we now call "casual". Then with the Wii, gaming became a pastime for (almost) everybody who could hold a remote, and thus the profile of games changed.

Nintendo are trying to introduce it's Wii playing population to the other side of gaming, and trying to win them over with what got them hooked on the Wii in the first place - a gimmick.

[Angrist]

Why would you want another controller? You're afraid the U Pad will be too heavy or something?

[thatmariolover]

Originally Posted by Angrist

Why would you want another controller? You're afraid the U Pad will be too heavy or something?

I just think it's cumbersome. Even though it will probably be fine for a lot of games, I just don't see myself wanting to use it all of the time.

The other issue is that we don't know how many of the tablet controllers can be simultaneously connected to the WiiU. I'm not willing to put up with dongling a classic controller to a Wiimote every time I want to play a multiplayer game. And that will be your only choice, since you don't even have the option of using a Gamecube controller.

[Vampyr]

If you can only use one at once, I imagine the "standard" controller will be one you can purchase that is the same except without the screen in the middle.

Developers will need to develop around the Wii U controller's layout because that's what comes with the system.

[thatmariolover]

Originally Posted by Vampyr

If you can only use one at once, I imagine the "standard" controller will be one you can purchase that is the same except without the screen in the middle.

Developers will need to develop around the Wii U controller's layout because that's what comes with the system.

That's what I'm envisioning as well. But Nintendo's been mum on the topic, so I think it's worth a mention as a potential problem.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by thatmariolover

I just think it's cumbersome. Even though it will probably be fine for a lot of games, I just don't see myself wanting to use it all of the time.

The other issue is that we don't know how many of the tablet controllers can be simultaneously connected to the WiiU. I'm not willing to put up with dongling a classic controller to a Wiimote every time I want to play a multiplayer game. And that will be your only choice, since you don't even have the option of using a Gamecube controller.

Right now the streaming to a single controller is my biggest pet peeve with the console really.

I'm curious though if gamers are willing to take a hit in graphics to achieve 4 player streaming content.

That said, it seems currently Nintendo is positioning this as a one Wii U tab, 4 Wii-Mote controller set-up. Which has potential, but really I think 4 Wii Us has to be done at some point.

[Vampyr]

Originally Posted by BreakABone

That said, it seems currently Nintendo is positioning this as a one Wii U tab, 4 Wii-Mote controller set-up. Which has potential, but really I think 4 Wii Us has to be done at some point.

This seems like a really bad idea. There needs to be consistency with the controller setup. If you can't have 4 wii u's, you need 1 Wii U + 3 just without the screen. Make the Wii Mote setup optional.

[Angrist]

I remember reading talks about possibly 2 U Pads at once and that Nintendo just didn't know if people would want it.

So like they added motion control to the Nunchuck, I hope they'll add the option for multiple U Pads.

[Blix]

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has also confirmed that the Wii U will feature no backward compatibility with GameCube games or accessories. Considering the proprietary connector on GameCube controllers, that's not surprising. However, he did announce during Nintendo's press conference that the console will support all Wii games and accessories, including the Wii Remote and Classic Controller.

Does that put your mind at ease, Gecko? I don't remember exactly what you were saying about this and I've got no time to read atm.
source:

http://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-...t-203333.phtml

[magus113]

I kinda figured the Gamecube would get phased out soon at some point. It was nice having the compatibility with the Wii.

This really only sucks for people that trade in their consoles for new ones. I keep all of mine, or find replacement ones if mine are broken.