FunkyDealer
Banned
It could happen, but I don't think it'll cover the buttons if they produce it. Seems like expensive tech.
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Nintendo Patent Application - Handheld (or controller?) featuring a free-form display
- Thread starter Disorientator
- Start date
fredrancour
Member
Reaaally hoping the thing has some hardware face buttons if that's actually gonna be a product.
I think it'd look ultra-flashy though. It would definitely be an eye-grabber for people seeing it for the first time. I imagine games would still have to be balanced around stuff happening entirely in the area of a normal screen, with the peripherals as, well, peripherals, or just button labels and hud-like info with a static backdrop
I think they had the good sense to realize that it wasn't really a joke that would hold up well enough to become a running gag.
I think it'd look ultra-flashy though. It would definitely be an eye-grabber for people seeing it for the first time. I imagine games would still have to be balanced around stuff happening entirely in the area of a normal screen, with the peripherals as, well, peripherals, or just button labels and hud-like info with a static backdrop
I think they had the good sense to realize that it wasn't really a joke that would hold up well enough to become a running gag.
UnemployedVillain
Member
Me either. I was seriously expecting to see him somewhere. I could see a really badass (in a Nintendo sort of way, so quirky badass) action game starring NSAH
I constantly expect to see him pop up in the background of something like Game & Wario. Alas, he has been resigned to history after an all too brief moment of 'fame'.
Imperfected
Member
What kind of sick person pulls a .45 on an iguana, I ask you? Only Linkle.
This looks like something Nintendo would do and it is totally not for me.
It is a expensive gimmick (like 3D or second screen) which barely adds anything to the gaming experience. I would rather have them use the additional cost of the screen for more hardware power.
Nintendo hit lightning in a bottle twice with a gimmick which actually did offer something new (touchscreen and motion controls) but their ideas afterwards weren't good at all.
It is a expensive gimmick (like 3D or second screen) which barely adds anything to the gaming experience. I would rather have them use the additional cost of the screen for more hardware power.
Nintendo hit lightning in a bottle twice with a gimmick which actually did offer something new (touchscreen and motion controls) but their ideas afterwards weren't good at all.
Boy Wander
Member
I think such a leftfield concept has more chance of being a hit with the masses. People were talking about the Wiimote like it was some Harry Potter level shit but they just thought Meh, a tablet, with the gamepad. Releasing something that isn't overly expensive but looks fucking cool seems like a decent approach to get buy in from the public.
Disaster Nebraska
Banned
Very interesting, though I feel very uncomfortable with the circular screen. That missing screen space....
capylikesgames
Banned
Hm... I think this could work OK if they have transparent, round buttons on certain parts of the screen. That way, games just display what the buttons do underneath them. I'm not sure what this says about the NX, though. It looks like a controller with a screen on it. I was kind of hoping the NX would be a console/handheld hybrid, where the controller would also be a portable that could run NX games at a lower visual quality. Yeah, I know this was never stated anywhere by Nintendo, I just thought it would've been a cool idea, and worked with their concept of bringing the handheld and console Nintendo hardware together. Not to mention, they're skipping out on releasing their next handheld, and going straight to making a new console. Which is a bit peculiar in my opinion, considering their handhelds always sell better than their consoles.
30yearsofhurt
Member
Nintendo gonna Nintendo.
Just keep searching for that next useless, over-priced, gimmick.
Just keep searching for that next useless, over-priced, gimmick.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
Like Wii???
POWERSPHERE
Banned
This is exactly how its going to launch!
I don't remember them overpricing much except 3DS & WiiU. Wii certainly wasn't overpriced. Not was it useless imo...
People here want a traditional handheld gaming experience, but the market doesn't. Another Vita or 3DS like handheld simply wouldn't pull the numbers Nintendo needs. I'm all for innovation so looking forward to next year.
All of this physical vs. touchscreen button discussion surrounding this controller patent, got me thinking about these two pictures more critically in a way I don't think has been brought up yet:
Consider the lower image showing visual feedback for key selection while moving the slide-pad/joystick. What if the tactile "feel" for pressing buttons could be incorporated into the physical slider/joystick itself? Instead of having to move your thumb over the on-screen button to press, what if you moved the joystick towards that "button", then clicked it in to "press"? Imagine the physical action of your thumb moving between a traditional diamond-shaped ABXY button arrangement, and pressing keys. Now imagine that same exact "motion" being replicated my moving the slide-pad/joystick around and pressing in to get the tactile "click". Perhaps there could be four discrete "buttons" underneath the joystick so you could get a better discernment that you weren't clicking the same button.
I bet it could be done fairly elegantly, and give the expand-ability of the touch-screen, while retaining the tactile feel of pressing discrete buttons, all presented simply through a single slider/joystick.
Likely none of this is actually true.. But it got me super excited and way more open to the idea after thinking about it.
It's good to keep an open mind guys!
Consider the lower image showing visual feedback for key selection while moving the slide-pad/joystick. What if the tactile "feel" for pressing buttons could be incorporated into the physical slider/joystick itself? Instead of having to move your thumb over the on-screen button to press, what if you moved the joystick towards that "button", then clicked it in to "press"? Imagine the physical action of your thumb moving between a traditional diamond-shaped ABXY button arrangement, and pressing keys. Now imagine that same exact "motion" being replicated my moving the slide-pad/joystick around and pressing in to get the tactile "click". Perhaps there could be four discrete "buttons" underneath the joystick so you could get a better discernment that you weren't clicking the same button.
I bet it could be done fairly elegantly, and give the expand-ability of the touch-screen, while retaining the tactile feel of pressing discrete buttons, all presented simply through a single slider/joystick.
Likely none of this is actually true.. But it got me super excited and way more open to the idea after thinking about it.
It's good to keep an open mind guys!
Well I mean it's displayed that way on the figures.
And my issue is, that way you just have your fingers cover part of the screen. Seems pointless.
That's pretty cool.
Lonewulfeus
Member
Tag fishing? Lol
Metroid Prime NX confirmed.
Change Wii U GamePad to Pokken NX TouchStick whatever.
Pretty hilarious to think that a bunch of mobile manufactures are jumping on the VR bandwagon with this exact solution.
Technically, Nintendo could potentially pack-in an accessory with a game (ala Link's crossbow training) to do the same thing. it does have superior motion sensing capabilities to what is in most smart phones.
Yeah they need to be real.
If it's viable and gives a good tactile feeling, I could see it. Wii U gamepad is using 9-axis gyro which is incredibly accurate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM2ybJhVuFE
capylikesgames
Banned
I don't even think you'd need that. I've been playing with the Steam Controller, and it has this neat feature with the haptic feedback where you can have the controller "tick" every time you push the left analog stick into a certain area within its bounds. It works really well when it comes to replicating the response of a d-pad, and could probably work with this controller not only in that, but also in assigning buttons to directions on an analog stick. Plus, if Nintendo uses haptics with this controller, you'd also be able to get feedback for on-screen stuff, plus the obvious implementation of force feedback when something happens in a game.
You could say it feels more like a natural evolution of what they've been doing with touch based controls and buttons. It is definitely unique and has it's own flare though with what they're trying to accomplish.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
Seems more "cutting edge" than wacky.
Nintendo is already possibly on top of it.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=179179643&postcount=266
Nostremitus
Member
All of this physical vs. touchscreen button discussion surrounding this controller patent, got me thinking about these two pictures more critically in a way I don't think has been brought up yet:
Consider the lower image showing visual feedback for key selection while moving the slide-pad/joystick. What if the tactile "feel" for pressing buttons could be incorporated into the physical slider/joystick itself? Instead of having to move your thumb over the on-screen button to press, what if you moved the joystick towards that "button", then clicked it in to "press"? Imagine the physical action of your thumb moving between a traditional diamond-shaped ABXY button arrangement, and pressing keys. Now imagine that same exact "motion" being replicated my moving the slide-pad/joystick around and pressing in to get the tactile "click". Perhaps there could be four discrete "buttons" underneath the joystick so you could get a better discernment that you weren't clicking the same button.
I bet it could be done fairly elegantly, and give the expand-ability of the touch-screen, while retaining the tactile feel of pressing discrete buttons, all presented simply through a single slider/joystick.
Likely none of this is actually true.. But it got me super excited and way more open to the idea after thinking about it.
It's good to keep an open mind guys!
honestly, that sounds terrible... need to jump? Better start spinning to the right in order to press the button...
All of this physical vs. touchscreen button discussion surrounding this controller patent, got me thinking about these two pictures more critically in a way I don't think has been brought up yet:
Consider the lower image showing visual feedback for key selection while moving the slide-pad/joystick. What if the tactile "feel" for pressing buttons could be incorporated into the physical slider/joystick itself? Instead of having to move your thumb over the on-screen button to press, what if you moved the joystick towards that "button", then clicked it in to "press"? Imagine the physical action of your thumb moving between a traditional diamond-shaped ABXY button arrangement, and pressing keys. Now imagine that same exact "motion" being replicated my moving the slide-pad/joystick around and pressing in to get the tactile "click". Perhaps there could be four discrete "buttons" underneath the joystick so you could get a better discernment that you weren't clicking the same button.
I bet it could be done fairly elegantly, and give the expand-ability of the touch-screen, while retaining the tactile feel of pressing discrete buttons, all presented simply through a single slider/joystick.
Likely none of this is actually true.. But it got me super excited and way more open to the idea after thinking about it.
It's good to keep an open mind guys!
Like. Would buy.
That's a really neat idea, would be cool to see something like that fleshed out.
Edit: NVM, didn't think about FPS type controls!
CaptainLoveline
Member
I don't know what they are thinking with this, very risky for them to take a step backwards in one sense and forwards in another.
I know it's too early to say, but I hope to god this isn't just a touchscreen, two circle pads and two bumpers to control everything.
I know it's too early to say, but I hope to god this isn't just a touchscreen, two circle pads and two bumpers to control everything.
Disorientator
Member
A bit more info on Sharp's free-form display technology: (from CEATEC JAPAN 2015)
The "we can now put holes in the middle of our display" part, is precisely demonstrated in this Nintendo patent application for the control stick holes. (and I would guess for any other physical buttons)
Low(er) power consumption (compared to current displays?) sounds really interesting as well.
The "we can now put holes in the middle of our display" part, is precisely demonstrated in this Nintendo patent application for the control stick holes. (and I would guess for any other physical buttons)
Low(er) power consumption (compared to current displays?) sounds really interesting as well.
Tom Nook Sawyer
Member
More screen in less area
pinkurocket
Member
I think this could be really nice if it's implemented well. The patent images give us a bad insight on a potential final design. I wonder how Nintendo will bring this to life. It's gonna be very interesting to see that device. I can kinda see a point to having buttons on the display, there's also a lot of questions that pop up as to why one would do that, but hopefully Nintendo found the right answers.
Enter The 36 Chambers
Member
I think Nintendo should avoid the gimmicks simply because I doubt they can strike gold again and capture the mainstream smartphone audience. That crowd has moved on
Milly Osworth
Member
I dont want to look at the controller!! I want to look at the tv!!!!
I really hope Nintendo doesnt repeat the awful concept of the wii u. 😖
I really hope Nintendo doesnt repeat the awful concept of the wii u. 😖
Possumowner
Member
Certainly very interesting,Nintendo has always tried to advance the controller in some way possible, not sure I see here
Enter The 36 Chambers
Member
I do respect that Nintendo always try to innovate and try new things. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
On the little info we have here I'm not too impressed tho
On the little info we have here I'm not too impressed tho
Nintendo is not going to screw that up. The Gamecube controller button layout still stands out to me as Nintendo really fundamentally understanding what most modern 3D action games's input can be simplified down to, and most games still follow a similar format, a format that has basically been carried on since the NES
A - Main action button/context sensitive button (accept)
B - secondary action button (cancel/go back)
X/Y - supplementary buttons
Triggers - use depends on game type
etc.
Maybe the Wii remote button placement wasn't as elegant, but they still tried to keep to the idea of simplicity and scrolling through items for every separate action just because there aren't other buttons sounds very un-Nintendo.
I think it's more about possible options since the screen cues for functions is something that the Wii U Gamepad and even DS/3DS could have improved on to make on-screen buttons more intuitive and accessible as actual buttons rather than as a an afterthought of gameplay or for functions that aren't so crucial in the middle of gameplay.
Nintendo's patent for scroll wheel shoulder buttons could also serve a similar function, but that doesn't mean these ideas are the main ways they will be used.
Fourth Storm
Member
I'm sure this has been said, but from all the patents we've been seeing, it seems that Nintendo are thinking of making the controller less complex again. Honestly, I think this is a good idea. Sony/MS have the traditional control market covered, and that Xbox Elite controller is gonna be damn hard to beat.
I like the vertical orientation option as well. And bringing back direct touch (vs using the bottom screen like a touch pad/mouse) helps w/ the immersion that 3DS and Wii U to some extent lacked. Add in that vibration patent and perhaps the scroll wheel bumpers, and you have a very interesting input/output device.
I like the vertical orientation option as well. And bringing back direct touch (vs using the bottom screen like a touch pad/mouse) helps w/ the immersion that 3DS and Wii U to some extent lacked. Add in that vibration patent and perhaps the scroll wheel bumpers, and you have a very interesting input/output device.
Nostremitus
Member
I really hope Nintendo doesn't ditch the two screen concept. It brought us Mario Maker, the best Mass Effect control scheme, the most intuitive console UI, and single console dual fullscreen co-op.
Except the Gamecube controller didn't have enough buttons. It was a common complaint for developers and a reason some games weren't ported. When a game's controls are build around X number of buttons and your controller is missing several, it doesn't lend itself to porting.
Also, bringing up the Gamecube controller doesn't have anything to do with what you're responding to. How does using the right analogue stick to press buttons get mitigated by talking about Gamecube? You brought up something completely random as if it were a response. You didn't use the C-stick to press ABXY on Gamecube.
Milly Osworth
Member
How is looking back and forth between your hands and tv intuitive?
evilromero
Member
Just frame essential screen information within the portion that's not covered by your fingers. That's simple.
This is a fucking fantastic design. Developers can adjust controls best suited to the game.
I think they could still do it with buttons.
I'm imagining something like the Xbox Elite, sort of. You have left and right joystick and A & B on the face. On the back, you have X & Y for your middle finger. Top of the controller has your traditional L and R buttons and behind that is LR and ZR as scroll wheels.
You could still have touch screen cues like you see in the patent but underneath A and B (or above, I haven't determined how low or high A & B should be placed, but touch screen above my be better visually). This means all you have to do is shift a bit to tap it instead of reaching over like on the 3DS or Wii U gamepad. These could range from many things depending on the game, whether an action command or inventory which also frees up physical buttons to be used for more meaningful actions in a game. If you wanted to, a game could also highlight a button with a glow around or some visual effect.
My idea of this is to reduce overall screen clutter so that it's not forcing your thumbs so far towards the center of the screen.