We know a lot about the upcoming NX based on the leaks/rumors from sources like Eurogamer. And I've been thinking (hoo boy)
Let's assume for a minute the games are made aware of when the system is either docked or in mobile mode (It's a fairly safe bet that it will). But take it a step further and assume games will actually cater to the fact you are in docked or handheld mode. What kind of gameplay innovations could we see from this? Right now the belief is that I pop out the system and take exactly what I was playing before on the go. Or vice versa just plop what I'm currently playing up on the big screen. While I'm certain this will be a possibility let's stop for a minute and think. Could games take on a slightly or even radically different form when you go from one mode to the other? This line of thought could lead to some Nintendo style innovations that people think just being a hybrid fails to have. The ones that people seem to believe are missing from the NX. The proverbial missing piece of the innovation/gimmick puzzle.
Here's an easy example:
Nintendogs NX. While at home you get all the basic functionality needed to take care of your dog on the big screen. But when you undock the system you go into walking mode. The system acts as a basic pedometer and you transition to seeing your dog on a leash maybe in a park. You get rewards based on how long your walk was and you can also pick up Streetpass content. You still can interact with your dog as at home but the system now acknowledges you are on the go and adjusts the content accordingly.
Or the reverse:
Let's say we have Mario Kart 9. The game works fine on the go with all the expected features but when the system is docked it unlocks splitscreen play as 4 player splitscreen doesn't exactly work on a handheld.
After this idea hit me I finally understood how the system could be used for a Nintendo style gameplay gimmick (no gimmick is not a bad word) and it got my mind spinning. I would like to believe that is what we've been missing. It also jives with a few leakers using wording like "play the Assassin's Creed mobile game out of your pocket"
Anyway just some random shower thoughts let me know what you think.
Let's assume for a minute the games are made aware of when the system is either docked or in mobile mode (It's a fairly safe bet that it will). But take it a step further and assume games will actually cater to the fact you are in docked or handheld mode. What kind of gameplay innovations could we see from this? Right now the belief is that I pop out the system and take exactly what I was playing before on the go. Or vice versa just plop what I'm currently playing up on the big screen. While I'm certain this will be a possibility let's stop for a minute and think. Could games take on a slightly or even radically different form when you go from one mode to the other? This line of thought could lead to some Nintendo style innovations that people think just being a hybrid fails to have. The ones that people seem to believe are missing from the NX. The proverbial missing piece of the innovation/gimmick puzzle.
Here's an easy example:
Nintendogs NX. While at home you get all the basic functionality needed to take care of your dog on the big screen. But when you undock the system you go into walking mode. The system acts as a basic pedometer and you transition to seeing your dog on a leash maybe in a park. You get rewards based on how long your walk was and you can also pick up Streetpass content. You still can interact with your dog as at home but the system now acknowledges you are on the go and adjusts the content accordingly.
Or the reverse:
Let's say we have Mario Kart 9. The game works fine on the go with all the expected features but when the system is docked it unlocks splitscreen play as 4 player splitscreen doesn't exactly work on a handheld.
After this idea hit me I finally understood how the system could be used for a Nintendo style gameplay gimmick (no gimmick is not a bad word) and it got my mind spinning. I would like to believe that is what we've been missing. It also jives with a few leakers using wording like "play the Assassin's Creed mobile game out of your pocket"
Anyway just some random shower thoughts let me know what you think.
