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Nintendo Patent Application - Handheld (or controller?) featuring a free-form display
- Thread starter Disorientator
- Start date
Sheriff_Battlesnake
Banned
I'm in the same boat... waiting on buttons.
The issue with touchscreen buttons though is that the buttons are placed on vital parts of the game screen, like in tons of cases you can cover an enemy with your own thumb; what would be necessary is a larger screen and that seems to be what they are going with. If there's enough screen space between your thumb and what you see of the game, this should be no issue.
How people are even begin to make a purchase decision based on 2D shitty drawn patents is beyond me, lol; probably wouldn't have bought it in the first case
How people are even begin to make a purchase decision based on 2D shitty drawn patents is beyond me, lol; probably wouldn't have bought it in the first case
That's very similar to the form i'd expect from the NX controller, given that they want a display on there but they can't make another giant tablet because no one likes it and isn't exactly as comfortable to hold as a normal controller, while this would be the best of both worlds (comfortable and with a display for extra functions). It's pretty cool, but what about buttons?
Obliterator
Member
Found the gif. I'd be down for something like this (more buttons and bigger screen)
While something like this looks cool, its not practical for gaming at all. The buttons block off huge chunks of what you are seeing and could negatively impact gameplay.
Look at the patent, the buttons, while still looking like being part of the screen, never block the action.
Edit: Actually looking at it again there are a couple that do block gameplay. I'm not sure I'm ok with that AT ALL
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
Hybrid!!!!!
pirateluigi
Member
Oh that looks really cool. Very interesting indeed.
Wait. I'm totally wrong-ish. I see 20a. There are shoulder buttons. Okay. So we have physical shoulder buttons, touch buttons, and dual sticks.
Fixed that for you, the word gimmick needs to sorely die a slow painful death around here...
Found the gif. I'd be down for something like this (more buttons and bigger screen)
This would only work if you have invisible hands.
Found the gif. I'd be down for something like this (more buttons and bigger screen)
That seems super impressive, but wouldn't you realistically need borders around the buttons, dpad, etc.? And the edge of the screen?
Sora the Cat
Member
UnemployedVillain
Member
Well they could just have borders on the ends of the screen that the game doesn't use and you'd have a normal handheld configuration (screen in the middle, buttons on either side)
outunderthestars
Banned
I think of it like those projectors that expand the image/colors on the walls around your tv. the actual content is between the buttons but there is unimportant imagery that continues on to the edge of the screen.
For gaming? No. For an interactive map(X/Splatoon/Zelda/MK etc)/inventory(Zelda/Metroid/RPGs)/editor(SMM) and other extra functions? Sure.
blu
Wants the largest console games publisher to avoid Nintendo's platforms.
This is a fan-made mockup. A professional dev would put touch controls in the obscured areas since those are easily-reachable by your thumbs.
Herpes Reasons
Banned
Will be DOA once again because of a lack of third party support.
No physical buttons - buttons appears on need at that moment of game, button can be moved by user to suit left/right hand use
On the game screen 100 shown in FIG. 11(A), by touching the item image 120, an item can be used. Since the item image 120 is thus displayed near the first operation stick 18a and the second operation stick 18b, it is possible to use an item by selecting a desired item by a touch input and depressing the first operation stick 18a or the second operation stick 18b near the item, for example. This is an example and should not be limited. When instructing the use of an item, the first operation stick 18a or the second operation stick 18b should just be pushed.
has twin physical sticks
On the game screen 100 shown in FIG. 11(A), by touching the item image 120, an item can be used. Since the item image 120 is thus displayed near the first operation stick 18a and the second operation stick 18b, it is possible to use an item by selecting a desired item by a touch input and depressing the first operation stick 18a or the second operation stick 18b near the item, for example. This is an example and should not be limited. When instructing the use of an item, the first operation stick 18a or the second operation stick 18b should just be pushed.
has twin physical sticks
VendettaRed07
Member
Ok
Hopefully the final result looks nothing like this
Hopefully the final result looks nothing like this
Obliterator
Member
It needs to work like this, it can't have gameplay bleed over into the buttons area. It would block your view potentially from important info. Imagine playing Smash on this. There are areas you would literally not be able to see your opponents.
Man, I just want a traditional controller. No more gimmicks..And just put out a decently powered console, beef up the online components to actually offer what Sony/Microsoft has, and put out first party games at a decent/consistent pace. I'd even adk for robust 3rd party support but I'll be "realistic" and say that probably won't happen or fall through at some point of the console's life.
Amazing. Just 2 pages.
This, like many of Nintendo's past innovations/gimmicks (pick the word you like!) is pretty risky but interesting. If we actually see all of these ideas incorporated into the NX platform, there are exciting times ahead.
tearsintherain
Member
touch is the thing I absolutely hated about the vita and all mobile games, sigh
I guess the NX is gonna be a small form factor device with a wireless touchpad controller that probably can roam and download games to itself and play detached, like a 3DS. So for one price you get a home console (TV) and a portable device (controller) and mix and match as you please.
Not super surprising but not sure something the market really wants, and not sure something third parties are going to do anything with.
If its 100% BC with Wii U and 3DS then that would be cool though, not sure how it would translate either systems unique aspects though. gamepad isn't too hard, but dual screens?
I guess the NX is gonna be a small form factor device with a wireless touchpad controller that probably can roam and download games to itself and play detached, like a 3DS. So for one price you get a home console (TV) and a portable device (controller) and mix and match as you please.
Not super surprising but not sure something the market really wants, and not sure something third parties are going to do anything with.
If its 100% BC with Wii U and 3DS then that would be cool though, not sure how it would translate either systems unique aspects though. gamepad isn't too hard, but dual screens?
J
Jotamide
Unconfirmed Member
Interest piqued. I hope we get an NX reveal on 2016.
Wii did just fine.
The crux of the issue is if this controller or "gimmick" can capture audiences the way the Wii Remote did. If it's another hit, Nintendo isn't going to need third party support to be successful.
jhmtehgamr20xx
Banned
Holy snap this would be incredible if it turns out to be an any way a part of the NX. I read the card slot part at first and just pictured an expansion of Dreamcast's VMU system, but the image field display and the way the buttons line up for that is very novel and unexpected even. That could effectively make a handheld that can function as a controller and hopefully be priced more like a controller ($60-$70) instead of up around the DS or especially 3DS/Vita ballparks.
Though, that would mean it has very little internal visual/sound processing capabilities of its own, which then begs the question if Nintendo could just release a PCB module to insert in the controller to give it internal processing to be used more like a dedicated handheld (haven't combed through the docs in OP yet, but hey you never know).
Though, that would mean it has very little internal visual/sound processing capabilities of its own, which then begs the question if Nintendo could just release a PCB module to insert in the controller to give it internal processing to be used more like a dedicated handheld (haven't combed through the docs in OP yet, but hey you never know).
KratosEnergyDrink
Member
Looks interesting. Really looking forward to the next E3.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
Found the gif. I'd be down for something like this (more buttons and bigger screen)
I wouldn't want this at all.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
Reggie a ways back when asked about smartphones stressed how important physical buttons were. I doubt that mindset has changed.
If it's anything like this, count me out.Found the gif. I'd be down for something like this (more buttons and bigger screen)
A few things hopefully everyone will keep in mind:
- Artwork for patents is usually represented in the most simple way possible in order to make the patent was wide-reaching as possible. This usually results in ugly art and is not indicative of the actual shape of the controller/handheld.
- It will be pretty easy for developers to avoid having your thumbs block important things like HUD elements and buttons by simply not placing them in the wrong areas.
That said, my curiosity is piqued and I'll wait to see what this leads to. It could be really cool, or it could end up like those televisions that shine ambient light around their edges (it's an interesting gimmick, but nothing outside the actual viewable area really matters).
I'm not so worried about the button situation. Nintendo knows people need real buttons. And when they do put buttons on the DS/3DS touch screen, usually it's not for precision actions (like jumping and attacking). Of course, exceptions exist.
- Artwork for patents is usually represented in the most simple way possible in order to make the patent was wide-reaching as possible. This usually results in ugly art and is not indicative of the actual shape of the controller/handheld.
- It will be pretty easy for developers to avoid having your thumbs block important things like HUD elements and buttons by simply not placing them in the wrong areas.
That said, my curiosity is piqued and I'll wait to see what this leads to. It could be really cool, or it could end up like those televisions that shine ambient light around their edges (it's an interesting gimmick, but nothing outside the actual viewable area really matters).
I'm not so worried about the button situation. Nintendo knows people need real buttons. And when they do put buttons on the DS/3DS touch screen, usually it's not for precision actions (like jumping and attacking). Of course, exceptions exist.
Shadow Hog
Member
Huh. So it does. I wonder if that means anything?Reminds me a lot of the Pokken Tournament arcade controller...
gunstarhero
Member
I just want another F-Zero. I don't care if I have to play it on a rhombus.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
Fascinating.
That and ease of control has always been important to Nintendo. I don't see them abandoning physical buttons in favor of on-screen buttons anytime soon.
In any case I don't think there's any way this will be the only option. NX is supposedly meant to be a family of systems, and Iwata even stated the number of form factors might increase from what we have now. So even IF this design was real and you don't like it, there's probably nothing to worry about.
We know we will, i just hope it will be very soon. Like february/march.
I really want some leaks like right now though rotfl
I don't think Nintendo is playing much of a risk this time around. From everything i've seen and heard so far it seems like third parties are their goal.
Zombie James
Banned
Touchscreen buttons would make this DOA for a lot of people, I'd imagine.