Skittzo0413
Member
I've floated this around a few placed but I finally have some time to present this is a nice OP. So:
We all know Skyrim has been announced for Switch, and is coming in Fall 2017. I was a bit confused why it would take so long to port Skyrim SE to Switch, especially considering this had been confirmed as far back as October, but then I remembered a quote from Todd Howard:
The mention of an N.D.A. seemed pretty suspect here, so when the next question was posed:
That seemed like he was walking something back. When you compare the way he described this demo: "I love it. I got to play it. I will tell you – well, maybe that's an N.D.A. thing. One of the best demos I've ever seen. Probably the best demo I've ever seen." to the way people have described the HD rumble demo from 1, 2, Switch:
It sure paints a picture that Todd Howard was talking about the HD rumble when he said "best demo I've ever seen". I can't really imagine what else about the Switch could be considered the best someone's ever seen, especially when the HD rumble was called mind-blowing.
EDIT2: It seems that Nintendo confirmed he was showed the 1, 2, Switch HD rumble demo earlier this year, which heavily suggests this is indeed what he was talking about- https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2017/170203.pdf -answer 3 here talks about them showing 1, 2, Switch to developers like Todd Howard who were impressed:
This leads me to believe that Skyrim is not releasing until fall on the Switch because Bethesda will be implementing HD rumble support into this game.
And if you think about it, Skyrim is probably the perfect showcase for how this HD rumble tech can be implemented in a more "core" focused title. Think about it- combat in Skryim consists of readying abilities or items in each of your two hands. These abilities and items all have distinct forms and feels in the game world, so replicating those tactile sensations with the HD rumble would add an incredible amount of immersion to this game.
For example-
etc.
All of these sensations will enhance the player's immersion in the game world, even if attacking still consists of just pressing a trigger button. If Bethesda has been working on Skyrim for VR (and since they love milking Skyrim, this wouldn't surprise me at all) then I also might expect optional motion control with the joycons. However, that's a fairly big if.
HD rumble though seems very likely from my perspective. This would explain the delay to Fall, and would also explain why Skyrim for Switch does not yet have a subtitle. Instead of Special Edition, it would likely have a different subtitle to showcase the fact that it has this HD rumble.
Anyway, that's my theory. Please discuss or ignore at your leisure.
EDIT: I should note that HD rumble and motion controls are completely separate mechanics. The pro controller includes HD rumble in fact. Playing this game with the normal control scheme, just hitting the triggers to attack/defend would still benefit greatly from the immersion presented by HD rumble.
We all know Skyrim has been announced for Switch, and is coming in Fall 2017. I was a bit confused why it would take so long to port Skyrim SE to Switch, especially considering this had been confirmed as far back as October, but then I remembered a quote from Todd Howard:
The mention of an N.D.A. seemed pretty suspect here, so when the next question was posed:
That seemed like he was walking something back. When you compare the way he described this demo: "I love it. I got to play it. I will tell you – well, maybe that's an N.D.A. thing. One of the best demos I've ever seen. Probably the best demo I've ever seen." to the way people have described the HD rumble demo from 1, 2, Switch:
It sure paints a picture that Todd Howard was talking about the HD rumble when he said "best demo I've ever seen". I can't really imagine what else about the Switch could be considered the best someone's ever seen, especially when the HD rumble was called mind-blowing.
EDIT2: It seems that Nintendo confirmed he was showed the 1, 2, Switch HD rumble demo earlier this year, which heavily suggests this is indeed what he was talking about- https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2017/170203.pdf -answer 3 here talks about them showing 1, 2, Switch to developers like Todd Howard who were impressed:
Google Translate said:
This leads me to believe that Skyrim is not releasing until fall on the Switch because Bethesda will be implementing HD rumble support into this game.
And if you think about it, Skyrim is probably the perfect showcase for how this HD rumble tech can be implemented in a more "core" focused title. Think about it- combat in Skryim consists of readying abilities or items in each of your two hands. These abilities and items all have distinct forms and feels in the game world, so replicating those tactile sensations with the HD rumble would add an incredible amount of immersion to this game.
For example-
- Shock spell: HD rumble tingles your hands as if you are experiencing mild static shocks
- Frost spell: HD rumble simulates "cracking" of ice
- Fire spell: HD rumble simulates crackling flames, like at a camp fire
- Weapons: swords, axes, maces all have different feelings when being swung/hitting an object
- Shields: metal and wood will have different feelings when blocking an attack
etc.
All of these sensations will enhance the player's immersion in the game world, even if attacking still consists of just pressing a trigger button. If Bethesda has been working on Skyrim for VR (and since they love milking Skyrim, this wouldn't surprise me at all) then I also might expect optional motion control with the joycons. However, that's a fairly big if.
HD rumble though seems very likely from my perspective. This would explain the delay to Fall, and would also explain why Skyrim for Switch does not yet have a subtitle. Instead of Special Edition, it would likely have a different subtitle to showcase the fact that it has this HD rumble.
Anyway, that's my theory. Please discuss or ignore at your leisure.
EDIT: I should note that HD rumble and motion controls are completely separate mechanics. The pro controller includes HD rumble in fact. Playing this game with the normal control scheme, just hitting the triggers to attack/defend would still benefit greatly from the immersion presented by HD rumble.
