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Nintendo Patent Application - Handheld (or controller?) featuring a free-form display
- Thread starter Disorientator
- Start date
jhmtehgamr20xx
Banned
TBF there are a lot of people making uninformed conclusions in thinking it's just another touch-screen tablet setup when even the OP clearly says it's more about possible free-form display technology.
People should probably read the OP more concisely before posting. I think that's a reasonable expectation, personally.
Let's pretend the layout actually looked like the diagrams:
Think of holding a Vita, thumbs on the analog sticks. Think how you are perfectly happy with the rectangular screen. Now think about if there was an extra bit of screen above and below your thumbs, adding to the peripheral display. I can't see how that's a negative.
DownGrader
Member
It's giving them a shape and allowing for holes and cutouts. It may seem insignificant, but it's rather a technological advancement.
Besides, the point of this patent is not to show the final controller/buttons layout but rather to show a combination of sticks/buttons with free-form display like showing UI elements and button prompts right near the buttons or even around them - with an additional benefit of touch controls.
yanipheonu
Member
I demand that Non-descript Game Character in Smash.
Can we stop for a moment to talk about this guy?
He wanders, squats, jumps, takes cover, shoots the dinosaur (which causes the dino to explode) and plays soccer.
He should be the mascot of NX.
Quick! someone copyright/patent this character, then nintendo will have to pay YOU to use it!
Pft, that guy is last gen, he was used for the Wii U announcement!
It's all about Patent man now!
DownGrader
Member
RobotMoses
Member
Very interesting. Can't wait to see what becomes of this. And I'd say "relax". Nintendo isn't going to remove any buttons. (Hello, GAF!)
Agent Unknown
Member
This.
MatrixMan.EXE
Member
Touchscreen buttons, not even once. I can't see Nintendo doing this, when precision of controls is so vital to their games. I just can't.
The argumentation is strong in this one.
Yeah, I'm not disputing that the free form screen stuff is amazing, but that's not what I want on a video game console. It doesn't differentiate enough from games on current touch screen devices. Prove me wrong Nintendo.
IT'S A WASTE OF SCREEN REAL STATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or so I've been told. Apparently people like their rectangular screens.
Maybe they will. Y'know, when we actually see some games they make for it. Or what "it" actually is...
The over reaction in this thread is unbearable. It's just a damn patent. Save the drama for the actual thing if doesn't have the things you want.
The thing I want to point out the whole Guide Image thing. I find it pretty interesting. Im guessing what Nintendo wants to do is help convert and get casual mobile fans adapt to console games. Or maybe there's a genre (let's say fighters) that someone is not really good at and probably the Guide Image will give them a hand on that.
I don't know how it'll actually function and whether it will be in the final product. But it is pretty interesting.
The thing I want to point out the whole Guide Image thing. I find it pretty interesting. Im guessing what Nintendo wants to do is help convert and get casual mobile fans adapt to console games. Or maybe there's a genre (let's say fighters) that someone is not really good at and probably the Guide Image will give them a hand on that.
I don't know how it'll actually function and whether it will be in the final product. But it is pretty interesting.
FlashFlooder
Member
Touchdscrern controls? Effectively eliminates the one advantage a dedicated handheld has over smartphones.
"Dammit Nintendo, stop blocking that bit of screen I want on the extra bit of screen I'd never have if you didn't make the extra bit of screen. FFS."
Or something like that.
I wonder how a freeform screen is going to affect processing power.
Does an image need to be rendered rectangular, then cut down for the display? I have no idea how a non-rectangular image would be rendered.
If the display was say, elongated rectangular so allow more central screen real-estate, wouldn't that also affect processing power? Since you're effectively rendering more of an image, and much of that image is going to be obscured by the fingers?
Without all the answers its intriguing, but it sort of looks like an interesting screen design that creates more problems than it solves.
Does an image need to be rendered rectangular, then cut down for the display? I have no idea how a non-rectangular image would be rendered.
If the display was say, elongated rectangular so allow more central screen real-estate, wouldn't that also affect processing power? Since you're effectively rendering more of an image, and much of that image is going to be obscured by the fingers?
Without all the answers its intriguing, but it sort of looks like an interesting screen design that creates more problems than it solves.
ZeroMaverick
Member
Man, this is kind of insane. I think I'm more excited about finding out what the NX is than I was for the PS4!
Davey Cakes
Member
Me too.
Probably because PS4 and XB1 were very obviously just going to be stronger versions of their predecessors with some added bells and whistles.
NX, from what's been hinted so far, seems like a departure from the traditional in more ways than one.
Yep. Even the local cloud device has me interested a whole lot. Extra computational power through a supplemental device but also allows for online too like P2P stuff.
It's really cool.
DownGrader
Member
March of the Crabs
Member
This thread is like a character study on who actually reads an OP and who just sees a picture and comments.
This has buttons. It looks cool. I'm intrigued. NX reveal will be crazy.
This has buttons. It looks cool. I'm intrigued. NX reveal will be crazy.
finalflame
Gold Member
Have Nintendo patent applications been indicative of upcoming hardware/consoles in the past? Did we get leaks of stuff related to the GamePad before WiiU announcement?
SinCityAssassin
Member
Can we stop for a moment to talk about this guy?
He wanders, squats, jumps, takes cover, shoots the dinosaur (which causes the dino to explode) and plays soccer.
He should be the mascot of NX.
His time to shine again.
Tom Nook Sawyer
Member
Seems like we may finally be getting a capacitive touchscreen on a Nintendo system. About time
Fourth Storm
Member
Wow! I knew those rumors sounded legit! I have some catching up to do, but these possible NX patents sure are fascinating.
March of the Crabs
Member
Can we stop for a moment to talk about this guy?
He wanders, squats, jumps, takes cover, shoots the dinosaur (which causes the dino to explode) and plays soccer.
He should be the mascot of NX.
Wandering Dino Soccer Man for Smash!!!
Mechanized
Member
Buttons or fingers obstructing any part of a game image is pure trash. Have to wait and see what this actually is I guess. Color me initially disgusted.
DownGrader
Member
If Nintendo is going to make a jump from resistive touch panels, this is how it should be made.
Resistive touch panels on borderless screens (like those on "iPhone killers" of past) are awful enough to be dismissed by Nintendo. This one... this one just can't be done at all with Palm era technology.
I like the mockup someone on gaf did for the last time this kind of patent was discussed. It may seem trivial but I think it really gives off a futuristic vibe. i recently saw a smartphone that is completely a screen on its front with no edge or emboss. Damn it looked sweet and just fresh compared to basically all other phones. I'm sure Nintendo could come up with some good uses for this as well.
Boy Wander
Member
The next stage will come at the reveal. People who haven't been within a 2000 mile radius of the device, let alone held it and interacted with it will be queuing up to tell you how shit it is.
finalflame
Gold Member
Well then, color me excited. This and the cloud cluster system seems like really out of left field innovation, and I can't wait to see how it materializes.
Me too. Sounds cliche but I really am glad (it seems like) Nintendo aren't just going to try and compete directly with the big boys. Maybe they'll fail spectacularly in sales, maybe they'll hit the jackpot - but I'll always get excited for something different and something inventive. For better or worse I do love me some crazy-ass Nintendo.