its a patent, its possible there is going to come exactly nothing out of this in the end.
But yes nintendo is doomed once again
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Nintendo Patent Application - Handheld (or controller?) featuring a free-form display
- Thread starter Disorientator
- Start date
its a patent, its possible there is going to come exactly nothing out of this in the end.
But yes nintendo is doomed once again
RocketDarkness
Member
Judging by how long the controller looks, I'd water that there'll be at least the normal 16:9 section of screen completely unobscured by buttons/hands. Think of the extra screen on the left and right as bonus real-estate that lets them put useful/stylish button labels (like arcade games, as demonstrated in the patent).
In that case, it seems really awesome. It could even clear up some of the screen, because things with button prompts and reminders would be moved from the main field of view off to be right on the buttons themselves. Imagine a traditional Zelda, except instead of showing what items/actions are mapped to the d-pad and secondary buttons on-screen, they're moved off to be shown directly next to the buttons themselves, leaving only a few minor UI elements onscreen (health, rupees).
In that case, it seems really awesome. It could even clear up some of the screen, because things with button prompts and reminders would be moved from the main field of view off to be right on the buttons themselves. Imagine a traditional Zelda, except instead of showing what items/actions are mapped to the d-pad and secondary buttons on-screen, they're moved off to be shown directly next to the buttons themselves, leaving only a few minor UI elements onscreen (health, rupees).
WhoaIsThatMars
Member
I think you mean motion controls instead of wireless controls.
Also, let's not kid ourselves. It sold well because of its accessibility and Wii Sports
DownGrader
Member
So, "if it works, don't change it"? Sounds awfully stale.
I like Nintendo having balls to innovate and to think of something new and exciting. People who are not shackled by prejudices and who are willing to try new things are grateful for it.
Tyreese Victoria
Banned
The NX is absolutely not their last shot.
jwillenn
Member
Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....
a gaming tablet with left/right sides designed to accept different controller attachments.
Simply remove the small rubbery covers on both sides to reveal its connection points, and bam! Users can attach Stick/Button sides or even attach the remodeled Wiimote & Chuk I've been wishing for since Wii era...
a gaming tablet with left/right sides designed to accept different controller attachments.
Simply remove the small rubbery covers on both sides to reveal its connection points, and bam! Users can attach Stick/Button sides or even attach the remodeled Wiimote & Chuk I've been wishing for since Wii era...
Mmmh, I didn't think the free-form displays would've been used for console gaming; more for the QOL devices. Eh, I just hope that this is a patent for a controller and not for a handheld with a controller-shaped shell, or better (probably I'm just jumping to conclusions here) I hope that's not a sign that their next handheld WON'T have a second screen. I'd miss it too much, honestly.
Still, did that patent actually mentions stereoscopic screens? Uh.
Still, did that patent actually mentions stereoscopic screens? Uh.
Zombie James
Banned
Shit, I hope so.
Spring-Loaded
Member
squat
UnemployedVillain
Member
This is by the most random explanation for the Wii's sales that I've EVER read
LizardKing
Member
Wii U gamepad is uncomfortable to play.
Talking about being out of touch...
Believe me it's not, I think I've read it all.
Heck there some explanation like it was released on sunday or some shit too.
The way I see it, the context sensitive touch icons aren't buttons but commands where you can push the stick in.
For example, if Mario is about to come to a ledge, the jump icon will appear and the player and press up to jump at that time. If that's the case, it'd be very interesting (I'm assuming you can also touch the screen as well.
I have to give it a more thorough reading, but I like it so far
For example, if Mario is about to come to a ledge, the jump icon will appear and the player and press up to jump at that time. If that's the case, it'd be very interesting (I'm assuming you can also touch the screen as well.
I have to give it a more thorough reading, but I like it so far
jhmtehgamr20xx
Banned
People say this all the time but do they realize that at one point, things like analog sticks, d-pads and shoulder buttons were also "gimmicky", or that stuff like switching the d-pad and LAS position was also a complete gimmick?
Nothing starts off without being a gimmick first; it's that those things prove themselves to work over time do they stop being labeled as a gimmick. So at least give these new control methods a chance to prove themselves like you have w/ prior ones. Any real gamer would do so.
outunderthestars
Banned
Another mockup I had made back when the freeform display thing was rumoured:
The idea is a screen form-fitted around a set of physical buttons that could be used for labeling/extra UI functions, which seems to be what Nintendo just patented.
I love the idea of putting a label around the buttons for what they do in a game.
Kenzodielocke
Banned
If this is true, I have no interest in this.
Pro controller ain't, it's a wash then. What's your point?
So were every single official controller released for the Playstation consoles until the PS4, and that didn't stop them, go figure. Gamepad is "uncomfortable" because of the weight, but at least it has good ergonomics.
There are buttons LITERALLY drawn in that application pictures.
DownGrader
Member
I play on this controller on daily basis and I disagree.
Besides, were people complaining mostly about the size of the thing? The controller on the patent sure looks like a normal-sized controller, unlike GamePad.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
It's not even heavy. My hands cramp every so often but they nailed the feel for its size.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Unless I'm reading it wrong, the specific implications of the patent really just imply the use of a free form touch display, which is a sensible evolution of the Wii U GamePad technology by more coherently blending the secondary screen with the controller layout. That, itself, really doesn't tell you much. It is essentially the Wii U as you know with the screen operating across a greater surface volume and localised around the physical inputs themselves. And obviously that means data on the screen could be more sensibly related to the physical inputs simply due to proximity (like notes/tabs appearing around the control sticks).
It doesn't really tell you just what kind of direction Nintendo would go in terms of physical inputs versus touch. I personally would be deterred by a controller that abandons almost all but sticks for digital touch buttons, tactile feedback is important to me, but the patent doesn't specify one direction or the other of a complete controller, simply that a free form touch display could be used for supplementing functions.
And yeah, it's basically a way to keep the GamePad idea (I think off-screen play would be a major factor in this) while combining it with traditional controller layouts in an effort to more elogantly hybridise the two instead of the GamePad's big ol shitty screen in the middle of two controller halves.
I personally don't give a shit about off screen play, since the benefits of a second screen are in supplementing the main display and/or bridging mechanics, so the patent doesn't say much to me beyond returning the GamePad idea souped up (and thats fine).
It doesn't really tell you just what kind of direction Nintendo would go in terms of physical inputs versus touch. I personally would be deterred by a controller that abandons almost all but sticks for digital touch buttons, tactile feedback is important to me, but the patent doesn't specify one direction or the other of a complete controller, simply that a free form touch display could be used for supplementing functions.
And yeah, it's basically a way to keep the GamePad idea (I think off-screen play would be a major factor in this) while combining it with traditional controller layouts in an effort to more elogantly hybridise the two instead of the GamePad's big ol shitty screen in the middle of two controller halves.
I personally don't give a shit about off screen play, since the benefits of a second screen are in supplementing the main display and/or bridging mechanics, so the patent doesn't say much to me beyond returning the GamePad idea souped up (and thats fine).
RayearthRob
Member
No, it's not.
R
Rösti
Unconfirmed Member
Very interesting find. Strange this didn't show up in my weekly search.
Another mockup I had made back when the freeform display thing was rumoured:
The idea is a screen form-fitted around a set of physical buttons that could be used for labeling/extra UI functions, which seems to be what Nintendo just patented.
looks very similar to what's being described. the goal of making the buttons usable while still not covering usable screen real estate will be interesting.
smh at everyone in this thread not reading the patents and saying "touchscreen control lol"
reading is fundamental. look at all of those words posted along with the pictures.......... I know the pictures are shiny.. but really.. look at the words also. :\
To be fair, it only makes mention of two buttons on top and the clickable analogs.
Ninja Scooter
Member
It seems like the whole point of this is to not have physical traditional button layouts though, and have game/context specific touch controls to supplement the two analog sticks. If they were just going to throw a bunch of buttons and sticks on it like a 3ds why have the screen?
In general this idea always seemed like a waste of screen real estate and probably battery to have a screen that will be covered by your hands.
Boy Wander
Member
What a load of utter bollocks. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that NX is their last shot. You don't even know what NX is. This kind of rhetoric was old in 2006.
There's just so much thought put into that patent in terms of how the thing would play that it really does have the feel of a strong potential handheld NX. Either that or something they've been experimenting with / testing for a long time.
One thing I'm unclear on - those two 'things' on the screen - are they buttons or trackpads?
You then have two shoulder buttons. If the sticks/pads are clickable that would be 4 buttons + virtual buttons. That's not enough for me, but Nintendo knows what they're doing when it comes to basic interactive feedback and controls.
What's interesting is the idea that the shape of the screen increases immersion as it would fit to a person's FOV. To me it seems more likely that that wouldn't happen, and you'd end up wasting a bunch of processing power rendering pixels that are going to be constantly covered by thumbs.
This is the kind of weird invention I'm expecting from Nintendo, though, for sure.
One thing I'm unclear on - those two 'things' on the screen - are they buttons or trackpads?
You then have two shoulder buttons. If the sticks/pads are clickable that would be 4 buttons + virtual buttons. That's not enough for me, but Nintendo knows what they're doing when it comes to basic interactive feedback and controls.
What's interesting is the idea that the shape of the screen increases immersion as it would fit to a person's FOV. To me it seems more likely that that wouldn't happen, and you'd end up wasting a bunch of processing power rendering pixels that are going to be constantly covered by thumbs.
This is the kind of weird invention I'm expecting from Nintendo, though, for sure.
That's how I read it too. We've had other patents show up too for controller/handheld use like the use of scroll wheels. There's no telling what the end product will look like.
No doubt there are physical buttons but it looks like they're leaning heavily on virtual layouts along the lines of smartphones...
In all honesty, virtual buttons are not that bad. I know it might turn some people off but I've been playing games on emulators through my smartphone for yearsand when you get used to them they're not actually that bad....and the customization is great.
I'm completely against touchscreen controls that detract from the view of the game, like most of us here. But this is Nintendo -- a lot of their games require precise controls for movement and directional input. They've been on point in regards to controls pretty much forever. If this is their next handheld iteration, they'll have a solution for precise controls. Nintendo does a lot of things wonky, but they won't mess up precision controls. Their flagship titles need them.
Yeah. I'm starting to think the virtual buttons are akin to a digital keyboard (think of what Apple said about physical keyboards when they unveiled the iPhone). By allowing the stick to move, be pressed in and whatever else, you can map actions from the touch screen to it to play. In theory, you wouldn't need anything more than that stick to play a game. The bonus would be if the stick were a 4 way directional pad and an analog stick somehow.
Yeah, I don't see a problem for games being playable / games being shared across a family of devices / whatever due to the free-form display here. I mean, if the controller is long enough, it can contain a 16:9 "screen-part" where the game is visualized, and the sides with buttons would be outside of the actions...but they could do some neat stuff with that, like customisable touch interface (adding touch buttons near analogues and real buttons, for easy usage), or, like already done in other mockups, indications of the actions related to a specific input near / around that specific input (labels around buttons). You could also customize the background behind buttons in several ways...and all of this wouldn't prevent games to be compatible between handhelds and home consoles, wouldn't require games to be specifically designed for that controller so much that they can't be brought on other devices, and they wouldn't mean hands cover the action on screen.
Thats not what this patent is about. The proposed inputs can be either physical or digital, but the patent isn't about the input control but how the haptic screen is incorporated in/around buttons and its integration with play.
Talking about buttons with regards to this patent is to not read or understand the patent.
Also, if they patent this thing as having two buttons and in the end they put the classic '4 button diamond' on the right side, as long as the tech remains the same the patent should still cover it. The patent doesn't mean it will have only two buttons on the front - it's about the fact that there ARE buttons on the screen.
I think some of the mockups here could be very close, but can't imagine a bezel-less screen. Add a bezel to a couple of those gifs and make them elliptical and we might be getting somewhere.
Exactly.
I think some of the mockups here could be very close, but can't imagine a bezel-less screen. Add a bezel to a couple of those gifs and make them elliptical and we might be getting somewhere.
Exactly.
TheLegendOfMart
Banned
How do you?
You still get 16:9 viewport you get on the TV but you get a wider view.
Like that, the hud fits to 16:9 but you get a wider field of view with 21:9.
LizardKing
Member
No it really doesn't. The ergonomics are terrible.
Pro controller is godly. Point is Nintendo made something uncomfortable to play in the gamepad. Something he implied Nintendo has never done. Of course opinions yadda yadda but a sizable amount of people find it uncomfortable.
AcademicSaucer
Member
This looks really cool, top tier patent drawings.