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[ugh_the_boot]

Phew, for a moment there I thought it might be something I would need to buy.

 

[Maxrunner]

Phew, for a moment there I thought it might be something I would need to buy.

? Só why u here?

 

[Aroll]

Using game cards is really smart and the perfect way to make the NX cross compatible with the portable, I'm liking this so far. I love my Gamepad so I'm happy the controller will have a screen but it also makes me nervous because they really need to be really careful to both name and brand this as differently as they can from Wii U. In line with that it'd be nice if they also make the system visually appealing and eye catching so it stands out better. Now, give me a solid launch with either enhanced Zelda U or SMG 3, a viable replacement for the VC, and some better Japanese third party (really hope DQ XI is localized) and I'm all set.

Edit: Also, I love the idea of "Nintendo Go" as a name. Dare I say it could be "the place you go" for great Nintendo content and updates straight from the source!

I concur on game carts. Isn't it amazing how we're now talking about going BACK in time as a positive? It does feel odd considering how cheap blu-ray discs are for how much they hold, but at the same time the world is really moving away from the disc medium. It will still exist for some time so long as people want to have the highest possible quality video without streaming.

Still, it's becoming almost archaic. Though "streaming" full AAA type experiences isn't really possible for most of the world, but downloading games is. For those that can't, you still have carts. The only problem I can see, well two problems, is the following:

1. Price. 64 gig cards run around $10 at retail. If we want to match dual layer, double that price. Obviously Nintendo can get a big discount at the manufacturing level to lower those costs (and they may not even be SD cards exactly, just as a basis here). It's pennies for a Blueray disc. This could potentially mean that say, Call of Duty for NX would need to be more expensive, because the price for the cart is more expensive. Nintendo would have to essentially offer to eat the manufacturing cost to get any third party support beyond the smaller/cheaper to make games intended for handheld. All about those profit margins and if games stay at $60, that cart is going to eat into that margin. This is on top of royalties and all that.

2. A different medium of delivery could equal less overall support. What I mean to say is, as mentioned above, carts cost more money, and some of that cost will likely fall onto publishers. Thus, the profit margins are lower to stay competitively priced, and it may drive 3rd parties away.

The counter offer to that is that your game is no longer "just for a home console" - you have a huge handheld market to serve to, so it should be worth it right? The only way this really works (to me), is if the control setup on the new handheld and the new console are virtually identical. Even then, you have to account as a developer for two different hardware out of Nintendo on a single cart.

I think the idea of carts is great. I think it will make Nintendo games shine. But I don't know that 3rd parties are really going to buy into it.

 

[Neoxon]

I concur on game carts. Isn't it amazing how we're now talking about going BACK in time as a positive? It does feel odd considering how cheap blu-ray discs are for how much they hold, but at the same time the world is really moving away from the disc medium. It will still exist for some time so long as people want to have the highest possible quality video without streaming.

Still, it's becoming almost archaic. Though "streaming" full AAA type experiences isn't really possible for most of the world, but downloading games is. For those that can't, you still have carts. The only problem I can see, well two problems, is the following:

1. Price. 64 gig cards run around $10 at retail. If we want to match dual layer, double that price. Obviously Nintendo can get a big discount at the manufacturing level to lower those costs (and they may not even be SD cards exactly, just as a basis here). It's pennies for a Blueray disc. This could potentially mean that say, Call of Duty for NX would need to be more expensive, because the price for the cart is more expensive. Nintendo would have to essentially offer to eat the manufacturing cost to get any third party support beyond the smaller/cheaper to make games intended for handheld. All about those profit margins and if games stay at $60, that cart is going to eat into that margin. This is on top of royalties and all that.

2. A different medium of delivery could equal less overall support. What I mean to say is, as mentioned above, carts cost more money, and some of that cost will likely fall onto publishers. Thus, the profit margins are lower to stay competitively priced, and it may drive 3rd parties away.

The counter offer to that is that your game is no longer "just for a home console" - you have a huge handheld market to serve to, so it should be worth it right? The only way this really works (to me), is if the control setup on the new handheld and the new console are virtually identical. Even then, you have to account as a developer for two different hardware out of Nintendo on a single cart.

I think the idea of carts is great. I think it will make Nintendo games shine. But I don't know that 3rd parties are really going to buy into it.

The Japanese will be fine with it, as they were with the 3DS. And it's not like Nintendo's getting back western third parties anytime soon outside of indies. If the NX Platform proves successful, maybe they'll change their tune. But for Day 1, they most likely won't give a shit. As such, I don't think Nintendo cares if the western third parties aren't fans of cartridges.

 

[ArchedThunder]

I honestly think the handheld will be a single screen.

 

[Aroll]

The Japanese will be fine with it, as they were with the 3DS. And it's not like Nintendo's getting back western third parties anytime soon outside of indies. If the NX Platform proves successful, maybe they'll change their tune. But for Day 1, they most likely won't give a shit. As such, I don't think Nintendo cares if the western third parties aren't fans of cartridges.

That would also mean they don't care about sales outside of Japan anymore too. Are we naive to think they don't care about the NA market when it's traditionally been their most profitable market?

One of the problems Nintendo has in the west is it doesn't have the western games. If you're going to be successful, you're going to need to get them on board. It's easy to say they should dismiss them, but as you said "Japan will be fine with it" - unfortunately, they are a world wide company and most of their money isn't made in Japan.

If they ignore the western market desires, this thing is going to die before it even gets started.

Keep in mind, they can still sell the idea to western devs, especially if they offer some lucrative contract situations. But, you have to have them on board with this idea or you might as well never release this thing outside of Japan. One positive is that reactions to this patent with the catridge stuff have been, for the most part, positive - and this is coming from western gamers. Whether or not a 3rd party feels the lower margins is worth the risk on a Nintendo console where it has no following yet is another story. As I said, Nintendo can easily pony up to make it happen. But I think they are reluctant to do these sort of things outside of Japan.

 

[Neoxon]

That would also mean they don't care about sales outside of Japan anymore too. Are we naive to think they don't care about the NA market when it's traditionally been their most profitable market?

One of the problems Nintendo has in the west is it doesn't have the western games. If you're going to be successful, you're going to need to get them on board. It's easy to say they should dismiss them, but as you said "Japan will be fine with it" - unfortunately, they are a world wide company and most of their money isn't made in Japan.

If they ignore the western market desires, this thing is going to die before it even gets started.

Keep in mind, they can still sell the idea to western devs, especially if they offer some lucrative contract situations. But, you have to have them on board with this idea or you might as well never release this thing outside of Japan. One positive is that reactions to this patent with the catridge stuff have been, for the most part, positive - and this is coming from western gamers. Whether or not a 3rd party feels the lower margins is worth the risk on a Nintendo console where it has no following yet is another story. As I said, Nintendo can easily pony up to make it happen. But I think they are reluctant to do these sort of things outside of Japan.

But the fact that the likes of Bethesda will never support Nintendo for the foreseeable future and companies like EA & Gearbox being hesitant to support Nintendo is pretty damning. Maybe Nintendo could pay off WB Games & Ubisoft, but that can only go so far.

 

[Startropic1]

Sd cards have been over 64GB for years now what are you talking about

Indeed. The capacity of a bluray disc is 50GB. Mind you, a 500GB version of bluray has been in the works. SD cards as an example I've seen go up to like 128GB, and outside of Sony's proprietary vita nonsense flash card media has been going down in price.

 

[Tregard]

I honestly think the handheld will be a single screen.

NX signalling the return of the Gameboy?

 

[weevles]

So cart-based console with single screen handheld that doubles as controller?

 

[radcliff]

But the fact that the likes of Bethesda will never support Nintendo for the foreseeable future and companies like EA & Gearbox being hesitant to support Nintendo is pretty damning. Maybe Nintendo could pay off WB Games & Ubisoft, but that can only go so far.

Why would Bethesda "never" support Nintendo? The company specifically said they were not putting their games on Wii U since the system couldn't handle their games, not because of some company doctrine to not support Nintendo. In fact, they said their goal is to put their games on all platforms that can support them. So, assuming they weren't lying, it would seem that if Nintendo had a system capable of running their games, Bethesda could be there at least intially (of course they could pull support if their games tank).

 

[Poyunch]

NX signalling the return of the Gameboy?

Game Boy NX. Pronounced Game Boy Next.

The Wii Brand is the DS/3DS Brand is messy. Time to use to nostalgia.

 

[Kyzer]

Game boy Nx would be killer.

 

[vagabondarts]

So cart-based console with single screen handheld that doubles as controller?

I'm ready. I'm so ready.
Ds has been great but its time to take portable Nintendo gaming back to one screen.

 

[StevieP]

Why would Bethesda "never" support Nintendo? The company specifically said they were not putting their games on Wii U since the system couldn't handle their games, not because of some company doctrine to not support Nintendo. In fact, they said their goal is to put their games on all platforms that can support them. So, assuming they weren't lying, it would seem that if Nintendo had a system capable of running their games, Bethesda could be there at least intially (of course they could pull support if their games tank).

There's no need to be naïve - there is no precedence for Bethesda and the demographics just don't match up for the ROI to be there.

I'm ready. I'm so ready.
Ds has been great but its time to take portable Nintendo gaming back to one screen.

Perhaps they could put a rear touchpad to ensure their handheld will be a success

 

[samar11]

yeah, lets be serious



SD cards can be absolutely huge. I don't think space is the problem there. Its more about production costs of the cards themselves. There are 32 GB sd cards for less than $20 and that's enough space to house maaaaaaaany of the games you buy today during this gen.

That's still very expensive compared to blu ray disks.

 

[vagabondarts]

There's no need to be naïve - there is no precedence for Bethesda and the demographics just don't match up for the ROI to be there.



Perhaps they could put a rear touchpad to ensure their handheld will be a success

To give it life

 

[ViciousDS]

Indeed. The capacity of a bluray disc is 50GB. Mind you, a 500GB version of bluray has been in the works. SD cards as an example I've seen go up to like 128GB, and outside of Sony's proprietary vita nonsense flash card media has been going down in price.

PNY makes SD cards up to 500GB, right now the 256 is even on sale for $82......if Sony just wouldn't have fucked up that proprietary storage shit the vita would have probably succeeded.

But yes SD cards are very affordable for good sizes. 64GB cards run like $30.....it's nice

But expensive compared to discs still

 

[Neoxon]

Why would Bethesda "never" support Nintendo? The company specifically said they were not putting their games on Wii U since the system couldn't handle their games, not because of some company doctrine to not support Nintendo. In fact, they said their goal is to put their games on all platforms that can support them. So, assuming they weren't lying, it would seem that if Nintendo had a system capable of running their games, Bethesda could be there at least intially (of course they could pull support if their games tank).

Because, as stated before, the audience for their games don't exist on Nintendo platforms. The Wii U was on the level of the PS3 & the 360, yet they refused to support the platform with even a late Skyrim port.

 

[ugh_the_boot]

? Só why u here?

Why not?

 

[10k]

if there is a screen in the controller, i think it will literally be the same for both form factors. it would save on costs to manufacture everything together (although the controller will be custom), and if it happens, it probably allows for wii u games to be played through the virtual console without reworking the games entirely.

Which is my theory as well. We won't have dual screen handhelds anymore but I have a feeling all sku's will have one screen on the controller.

 

[Gleethor]

Is it feasible to have a single handheld screen that can rotate 90 degrees to emulate the DS/3DS setup for BC or if devs want to program games to be played that way? The screen would be fairly wide of course.

 

[WiiRevolution1]

I honestly think the handheld will be a single screen.

I really don't see that having any chance at all. Dual screens is too good, even if it just unclutters the main screen. Plus some games like the Etrian Odyssey series would break without dual screens and EOV doesn't have a announced system...I wonder why?

Screen for the console controller is not really for off tv play, but a small low res screen to emulate NX Handheld Dual Screens since there cross compatible is my guess.

 

[Terrell]

We're still debating screens being in the NX console controller? I figured that was a no-brainer, at this point.

 

[Snakeyes]

Why would Bethesda "never" support Nintendo? The company specifically said they were not putting their games on Wii U since the system couldn't handle their games, not because of some company doctrine to not support Nintendo. In fact, they said their goal is to put their games on all platforms that can support them. So, assuming they weren't lying, it would seem that if Nintendo had a system capable of running their games, Bethesda could be there at least intially (of course they could pull support if their games tank).

It also (once again) has to do with Nintendo's lack of interest in getting third parties more involved in the development phase of their future hardware;

"If you're just going sort [of] deciding, 'we're going to make a box and this is how it works and you should make games for it'. Well, no. No is my answer," said Hines. "I'm going to focus on other ones that better support what it is we're trying to do."

[...]

Nintendo has done little in the way of courting major third-party development for the system. According to Hines, Nintendo should "do what Sony and Microsoft have done with [Bethesda] for a long time," in regards to keeping developers in the loop in regards to its console.

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/09/03/bethesda-nintendo-needs-better-support-for-third-party-devs


As for the audience, Nintendo has the perfect IP to draw in part of the Elder Scrolls crowd - Zelda. That is, of course, if they stop forcing cartoon Zelda down our throats and go back to the darker fantasy artstyle that the mass market actually wants to see.

 

[CaviarMeths]

As for the audience, Nintendo has the perfect IP to draw in part of the Elder Scrolls crowd - Zelda. That is, of course, if they stop forcing cartoon Zelda down our throats and go back to the darker fantasy artstyle that the mass market actually wants to see.

Yeah, no thanks.

 

[Terrell]

Yeah, no thanks.

Seconded. I see the Miyazaki-ish vibe from the new Zelda as a big breath of fresh air. High fantasy has a lot more room to play in than what many games, movies and books afford it. That's not to say I don't like such things as darker fantasy, but Zelda is a series in the fantasy realm that can really afford itself a lot of wiggle room, and it's good to see them take it, from what little we have seen so far. That was the problem with the Zelda games we've seen since Twilight Princess and Wind Waker, too much trying to find some elusive middle ground that will never exist like they did with Skyward Sword and rubber-stamping of the Wind Waker aesthetic. So long as they're made in thoughtful ways, I don't think there is any issue with a stylistic change.

 

[Oregano]

A possible solution to this would be if both screens feature touch functionality and the design takes cues from Xperia Play/PSP Go/the recently shown Vita prototype. Thus, by "closing" the device, you can still perfectly play mobile titles that support touch controls from the get go by being mobile titles. If you "open it", you get bottom screen functionalities.

And yes, I agree with Vena about bottom screen not possibly as large as the top one: while I thought it was possible before, I then realised how much bigger the device would have to be (in the case of two 4" screens even) in order to accomodate all the buttons and (above all) to be confortable to handle.

I think the issue with that is that slider is a weak point and it also limits how far buttons/sticks can protrude. It would also mean that games that use the big touch screen probably couldn't use buttons.

I don't think it would affect size that much of it's a 16:9 screen compared to a 4:3. The device would have to be longer but no longer than a single screen device.

 

[Tal]

How far along is this in the typical console pre-announcement cycle?

 

[AniHawk]

How far along is this in the typical console pre-announcement cycle?

similar to wii u/cafe and 3ds, way ahead of ds, way behind wii/revolution (i think they first started talking about it in 2004).

although iwata was talking about nx in january 2014. it just didn't have a codename until this year.

 

[ramparter]

Yeah, no thanks.

Yeah.

Also changing the Art Style won't make Zelda draw the Elder Scrolls fans. There's something in ES games that make them really addicting. In all their simplicity, and stupidity at times, it's just very rewarding to go out and keep fighting enemies and searching for loot. It's a mass friendly, easy to access, rpg like experience.

 

[Sandfox]

But the fact that the likes of Bethesda will never support Nintendo for the foreseeable future and companies like EA & Gearbox being hesitant to support Nintendo is pretty damning. Maybe Nintendo could pay off WB Games & Ubisoft, but that can only go so far.

That's a pretty strong statement.

It also (once again) has to do with Nintendo's lack of interest in getting third parties more involved in the development phase of their future hardware;



http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/09/03/bethesda-nintendo-needs-better-support-for-third-party-devs


As for the audience, Nintendo has the perfect IP to draw in part of the Elder Scrolls crowd - Zelda. That is, of course, if they stop forcing cartoon Zelda down our throats and go back to the darker fantasy artstyle that the mass market actually wants to see.

That kind of artstyle on Zelda does not sound appealing at all and just changing that wouldn't make the people who play Elder Scrolls like Zelda if they already don't.

 

[Isayas]

Zelda isn't even an RPG as a whole. The only RPG in that series was Zelda.

 

[The Giant]

So has there been anymore NX hints in the last few weeks?

 

[Annoying Old Party Man]

This will kind of make things easier for Nintendo, while allowing them to essentially sell 3 different bundles of hardware

- Wii (or whatever they decide to call it) Next
- Gameboy Next
- Bundle of Wii & Gameboy Next - Gameboy acts as a controller with screen or separate system.

I guess many others have mentioned it but I assume that by now it is clear, that NX probably means something like Nintendo X, where X is "crossing the streams" and creating the final form of a home/handheld console hybrid.

 

[Interceptor]

This will kind of make things easier for Nintendo, while allowing them to essentially sell 3 different bundles of hardware

- Wii (or whatever they decide to call it) Next
- Gameboy Next
- Bundle of Wii & Gameboy Next - Gameboy acts as a controller with screen or separate system.

I guess many others have mentioned it but I assume that by now it is clear, that NX probably means something like Nintendo X, where X is "crossing the streams" and creating the final form of a home/handheld console hybrid.

Come over here and let me hit you.

 

[disap.ed]

I just imagined a dual screen setup with roughly WiiU performance and a 5" 720p top and 3,5-4" 480p lower screen could run both 3DS and WiiU games. I guess something like a Snapdragon 620 would be sufficient for such a device.

 

[Neoxon]

It also (once again) has to do with Nintendo's lack of interest in getting third parties more involved in the development phase of their future hardware;



http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/09/03/bethesda-nintendo-needs-better-support-for-third-party-devs


As for the audience, Nintendo has the perfect IP to draw in part of the Elder Scrolls crowd - Zelda. That is, of course, if they stop forcing cartoon Zelda down our throats and go back to the darker fantasy artstyle that the mass market actually wants to see.

I'll pass

 

[……forgetit]

It also (once again) has to do with Nintendo's lack of interest in getting third parties more involved in the development phase of their future hardware;



http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/09/03/bethesda-nintendo-needs-better-support-for-third-party-devs


As for the audience, Nintendo has the perfect IP to draw in part of the Elder Scrolls crowd - Zelda. That is, of course, if they stop forcing cartoon Zelda down our throats and go back to the darker fantasy artstyle that the mass market actually wants to see.

Yeah....no I love the look of the new Zelda, tired dark fantasy setting be damned.

 

[Thoraxes]

3DS TV would be terrible. The resolution would make you want to claw your eyes out.

That's kinda why i'm looking towards the more mundane answer to the question rather than expecting everything to be NX all the time. Whenever we want it to be something so bad, it almost is never that at all. Seeing everyone think it's for the NX makes me think that it definitely won't be that, and would be a sidegrade dealie-o.

I doubt that 3D is going to be much of a factor with the NX.

Which is why I don't think this is the NX. It's a 2DS move to try and extend the life of the 3DS more, to a much lesser degree than the n3DS.

Yet again, this could even be something that may never see the light of day, too.

 

[The_Lump]

I might have missed some part of the discussion - but is there any evidence that it's using carts other than the fact it doesn't use an optical drive? Seems a bit of a leap to me otherwise.

 

[sinxtanx]

That's kinda why i'm looking towards the more mundane answer to the question rather than expecting everything to be NX all the time. Whenever we want it to be something so bad, it almost is never that at all. Seeing everyone think it's for the NX makes me think that it definitely won't be that, and would be a sidegrade dealie-o.
Which is why I don't think this is the NX. It's a 2DS move to try and extend the life of the 3DS more, to a much lesser degree than the n3DS.

Yet again, this could even be something that may never see the light of day, too.

One hundred percent confidence this is an NX device.

I might have missed some part of the discussion - but is there any evidence that it's using carts other than the fact it doesn't use an optical drive? Seems a bit of a leap to me otherwise.

Patent describes an SD card slot and gives an example of usage (updating system OS). It also mentions a potential NX device with a disc drive.

 

[sörine]

I just imagined a dual screen setup with roughly WiiU performance and a 5" 720p top and 3,5-4" 480p lower screen could run both 3DS and WiiU games. I guess something like a Snapdragon 620 would be sufficient for such a device.

This is almost what I'm expecting minus the Wii U compatibility. Then the console variant could be a small discrete box with 3-4x spec bump, upgradable HDD and a pad that's basically a wider Pro controller with a 3.5-4" 480p touchscreen in the upper middle and gyro/tilt sensors. Card media (4-32GB) for both with dual compatibility on all "handheld spec" titles with the option to do "console spec" exclusives in case the western AAA ever come back. The console could play DS/3DS games natively too.

Only thing that migrates directly from Wii U will probably be Virtual Console libraries.

 

[Run Jump Stomp]

What if they are selling Amiibo in the stores, the Amiibo unlocks your game for you, but if you want, you can just buy the game from the eShop without the Amiibo.

 

[The_Lump]

Patent describes an SD card slot and gives an example of usage (updating system OS). It also mentions a potential NX device with a disc drive.

...So no then. Doesn't mention using carts as a game medium anywhere.

IMO it will be D/L only unless you get the optical disc version.

 

[Bert]

If the control will have a screen, it needs to be the same size of the screen of the portable.

It's quite common for future patents to use existing tech as an example. Especially controllers. I wouldn't read too much into a Wii U being the basis for this.

You don't patent your entire console at once. You patent bits and pieces.

 

[heidern]

This patent just describes a Wii U with no optical drive and an internal hdd. The card slot is an SD memory card slot, not a game card. So nothing to do with NX, just a digital download only Wii U mini. Last year they launched Amiibo, they'll be busy trying to get their mobile initiative succeeding over this next year, I doubt they'll be able to get a new console with acceptable games out until 2017 or 2018.

 

[……forgetit]

This patent just describes a Wii U with no optical drive and an internal hdd. The card slot is an SD memory card slot, not a game card. So nothing to do with NX, just a digital download only Wii U mini. Last year they launched Amiibo, they'll be busy trying to get their mobile initiative succeeding over this next year, I doubt they'll be able to get a new console with acceptable games out until 2017 or 2018.

Well.....they ARE announcing a new console next year, they've said it many times, so 2018 is a pretty ridiculous suggestion.

 

[GustyGardens]

Gamenesia has posted a few more Nintendo patents including and in-game chat, adjustable power modes and sound sampling. In their article, they provide links to the actual patents. Not sure if these are new, but they certainly sound interesting.

http://www.gamnesia.com/news/ninten...-game-chat-low-power-operating-modes-and-more

They website posted the article yesterday, but I only know saw it through GoNintendo. And for the sake of not having to read through all the patents, I'll re-post the what GoNintendo wrote on their site.

In-game chat

• makes use of an external device
• includes off-screen chat interface

An exemplary game system includes a monitor for displaying a game image or a television program, and a terminal device having a camera, a microphone, and a loudspeaker. When a user is playing a game or viewing a television program by using the monitor, another user can have chat by using the terminal device.

Hardware system with multiple operating modes

• depends on the amount of power the user wants to consume
• includes a full-power mode, an eco-friendly mode, and a very low-power mode that disables all network features

An information processing system is capable of communicating with an external apparatus via a network. The information processing system is capable of operating in at least three operation modes including: a first mode; a second mode, which consumes less power than the first mode; and a third mode, which consumes less power than the second mode and where the communication via the network is not performed.

Real-time changes to the environment

• based on players' interactions with in-game hindrances
• shared over a network
• could involve scaling the difficulty of certain segments of a game based on how well/poorly the general playerbase is doing

Using sound as a sampling mechanism for reading compressed data

• particular data sequence could correspond to a particular audio signal
• small sampling of that audio signal would be enough to identify the data

 

[Snakeyes]

Yeah, no thanks.

I guess you guys wouldn't be down for something similar to this but with an even stronger art direction?