Probably they packed all of the core functions into the right Joy-Con so they could sell left joy-cons (see: pictured D-pad model) without having to pack in that functionality, keeping costs down.
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Nintendo files multiple Nintendo Switch patents (controller, dock, architecture*)
Probably they packed all of the core functions into the right Joy-Con so they could sell left joy-cons (see: pictured D-pad model) without having to pack in that functionality, keeping costs down.
yeah it's cool that the option exists but 4-player split screen on one Switch sounds hilarious to me
Interesting that "Portable Mode" and "Console Mode" are defined separately in their flowchart from "Turn Display On" and "Turn Display Off".
And, if the screen is indeed a touchscreen, that basically confirms that the Joy-cons have to have pointer functionality. No other way to achieve feature parity between the two modes.
And, if the screen is indeed a touchscreen, that basically confirms that the Joy-cons have to have pointer functionality. No other way to achieve feature parity between the two modes.
sir_bumble_bee
Member
Hmmm that's a good point
I actually wonder how something like 8-Player Smash will work on this thing (unless it doesn't)
A (single) Joy-Con doesn't seem like a good fit for that game so a (single) person would need 2, meaning in a 8-player Smash, the Switch would have to be paired with 16 Joy-Cons simultaneously.
The patent only shows 4 so I wonder if that's the limit or they only used that to show the features and capabilities of the system without going into much detail.
Edit: actually, nvm. I completely forgot Wii Remotes work on their own, guess there's a chance lol
A (single) Joy-Con doesn't seem like a good fit for that game so a (single) person would need 2, meaning in a 8-player Smash, the Switch would have to be paired with 16 Joy-Cons simultaneously.
The patent only shows 4 so I wonder if that's the limit or they only used that to show the features and capabilities of the system without going into much detail.
Edit: actually, nvm. I completely forgot Wii Remotes work on their own, guess there's a chance lol
I think that gear Vr is the most successfull headset out there? Followed by the psvr (the least capable one )
People also said wii couldnt be satisfactory home console
Good point, the left is probably more likely to change than the right. Those Nintendo guys thought of everything.
User123456
Member
How isn't it a good fit? You've got your analog stick, your face buttons, one shoulder for shield and the other for grab.
Graphics Horse
Member
Oh, Good thinking!
If I can get a 720p/60 (downsampled from 1080p or higher) Metroid Prime VR, I'll be fucking stoked.
Rez ran at sub 1080p on standard PS4 PSVR and people praised that. I think 720p will be okay for certain games.
blu
Wants the largest console games publisher to avoid Nintendo's platforms.
First a big shout-out to Rosti - your services are most welcome.
So *rolls up sleeves*, re fig. 44 & 45, some of us had this discussion not long ago, where I was thinking aloud what would be the best M.O. for devs to handle the HH/dock switch, and whether nintendo have some guidelines/lotchecks there. Feel free to toss an opinion ; )
At much lower resolutions as well.
I mean split screen N64 is lower res than the original gameboy per person p:
Yeah, that's what I expected. It's interesting, though, as that patent was one of the first things that came to mind when I watched the reveal video, with the Switch's form-factor being seemingly perfect to accommodate the tech. The joycon grip would potentially even allow the use of the passive controllers while docked. But choosing not to include it in this patent would be an odd decision if they were actually going ahead with using the functionality in Switch.
It does introduce a couple of questions, though, as there is more going on on the sides of the Switch than the patent covers. It's difficult to see in most photos, but the lighting in this photo allows you to see a few regularly spaced marks down each side of the Switch:
Here's a zoomed version which I've brightened a bit to make it easier to see:
There's clearly a lot more going on here than you can see in the patent diagram:
Aside from the communication interface at the bottom, the only feature the patent shows along the side of the Switch is a single hole to allow the controller to lock into place. It's possible that what we're looking at is just additional grooves/holes/whatever to help guide the joycon into place and lock it there, but I don't really see the need for it.
Anyway, it'll be interesting to finally find all these things out come January.
There isn't much that wasn't leaked or that I speculated might be in there but it's still really impressive that they managed to cram in so much.
I'm most impressed by everything in the Joycon; Batteries in the both and the grip, motion control in both, nfc, IR pointer, shoulder buttons inside the slide connector, etc.
I'm most impressed by everything in the Joycon; Batteries in the both and the grip, motion control in both, nfc, IR pointer, shoulder buttons inside the slide connector, etc.
I feel like it's just future proofing for following revisions.
Starchasing
Member
Yeah, that's what I expected. It's interesting, though, as that patent was one of the first things that came to mind when I watched the reveal video, with the Switch's form-factor being seemingly perfect to accommodate the tech. The joycon grip would potentially even allow the use of the passive controllers while docked. But choosing not to include it in this patent would be an odd decision if they were actually going ahead with using the functionality in Switch.
It does introduce a couple of questions, though, as there is more going on on the sides of the Switch than the patent covers. It's difficult to see in most photos, but the lighting in this photo allows you to see a few regularly spaced marks down each side of the Switch:
Here's a zoomed version which I've brightened a bit to make it easier to see:
There's clearly a lot more going on here than you can see in the patent diagram:
Aside from the communication interface at the bottom, the only feature the patent shows along the side of the Switch is a single hole to allow the controller to lock into place. It's possible that what we're looking at is just additional grooves/holes/whatever to help guide the joycon into place and lock it there, but I don't really see the need for it.
Anyway, it'll be interesting to finally find all these things out come January.
My bet is that there is something else.... something related to the ir camera... maybe a projector to enable kinect like gestures.
Boy Wander
Member
I'm getting arthritis just looking at those local multiplayer shots. Looks as cramped and uncomfortable as fuck. And I've got the hands of a small child.
My guess is that since they know VR is possible with the thing, they patented how they'd do it. They may never do it.
Cool to hear about motion sensors, IR and joycon shoulder buttons. I still think it'll be weird having two minorly different joycon configs (lest vs. right) for joycon splitscreen, but maybe it won't matter too much. I'm also curious how accurate the motion control is without IR. Like, could you theoretically play left vs. right Wii Sports Tennis?
Cool to hear about motion sensors, IR and joycon shoulder buttons. I still think it'll be weird having two minorly different joycon configs (lest vs. right) for joycon splitscreen, but maybe it won't matter too much. I'm also curious how accurate the motion control is without IR. Like, could you theoretically play left vs. right Wii Sports Tennis?
But why would they make a revision that can do VR that their existing user base won't be able to take advantage of?
Either I think they have a solution to make it at least playable (see: PSVR's subpixels) or maybe this screen is 1080p.
The latter seems unlikely but it's going to be at least on-par with GearVR in terms of sensors and similar to Daydream/Move's motion control input. Considering the price could be low entry similar to smart phones, this could be one of the most supported/adopted VR devices, especially when you add Nintendo's own support and their experience with motion control development.
Could be future proofing, but I would think they wouldn't bother unless they could use it with a current Switch because all the tech would be in the Switch, not the HMD, and if they were to make a VR Switch, they could have designed a system much better suited for the HMD, similar to how the GearVR has some of the sensors needed built into the HMD.
IR wasn't used for motion control, mainly pointing and occasionally to help calibrate to the screen position. It isn't accurate enough to get Vive/Occulus Touch levels of accuracy, or even Move levels of positioning, but they seem to have the same tech as Wii Motion Plus.
AuthenticM
Member
longest OP ever
This is gonna be a nice lil system im so hyped
You know what, I didnt think about that, you dont have to buy a controller for VR, just a headset cradle and your set.
I can see some of the VR games thats on google phones coming to Switch and some indie type games, maybe Nintendo will work on a few.
MisterHero
Super Member
I'm in for Switch VR if it means Virtual Boy VC at the very minimum. 
It's just a patent. It does not guarantee the actual product we're getting in 2017 will be the same.
The same way they did with DSi and new 3DS, adding new functionality for a limited amount of software? It could be doable. If not, it could be future proofing for a Switch 2 if this one sells like hotcakes. It doesn't hurt adding some extra stuff to a patent.
brochiller
Member
It's nice that it can support 4 joy cons but can it support 8 is the question I have now. Mostly for more advanced 4 player gaming.
The amount of stuff that these patents portray is astounding. Even more than what I hoped for. Yes, it should be remembered that it's possible that specific aspects of the patents can miss from the final product (for example, I can see Nintendo not using the VR-like implementation for now), but this post from Matt makes me think that a good amount of what found here will be in the final product after all
Extremely excited honestly.
Extremely excited honestly.
Polioliolio
Member
Why why why aren't the joysticks and buttons centered, and the two controllers asymmetrical when they easily could have been?
This is important. I also need to know how two switch consoles can communicate with each other. Lots of questions that still need to be answered.
Nintendo has my trust when it comes to ergonomics.
forknknife
Banned
I don't think VR is meant for this version of the switch. Probably they will release a more powerful switch with a better screen suited for VR down the road.
Yes they could definitely release very simplistic arcade games in VR for cheap, nothing like Vive/Oculus experiences.I'm in for Switch VR if it means Virtual Boy VC at the very minimum.
With expectations in check, it would give me another reason to like what they did there. Switch is probably the very best move Nintendo could do, their vision is easy to comprehend. Now let's see if they are as good with execution.
Tom Nook Sawyer
Member
Someone posted a good summary earlier, but has there been more discoveries since?
If so, is there a good place to see everything?
If so, is there a good place to see everything?
MisterHero
Super Member
I'm almost fine with that because it could mean actual consumer-level VR, and not stuff that costs several hundred dollars and tethered to an also-expensive entertainment box.
Plus Nintendo can use their stable of IP to make exclusive experiences. VR may be the next path for Starfox, for example.
Well, there could have a WiFi-Connection. At least the trailer showed us, that up to eight Switch can interact with each other (since there were eight players in the Splatoon tournament).
TyMiles2012
Member
TAKE MY MONEY!
Nintendo has always had a way to wirelessly talk with their portables. Since DS, Nintendo has had a special wireless protocol they use for ad-hoc play. If they're modernizing so much, I personally hope they switch to using Wi-Fi Direct and standardize.
The excited posting and "720p screen? Nintendo is DOOMED" posting would both get to such great amounts that I don't think GAF would survive it.
Yeah good to get something as close to a confirmation as we can hope for now.
That's what the original Oculus Rift devkits were.
That, and I'm pretty sure you won't be able to put the Switch into the dock backwards in the first place.
That small indent right above the USB C Port might be there because of the dock having a possible small protrusion, preventing you from plugging the Switch in the wrong direction.
That indent might also allow the Switch to charge while on the stand and/or allow a battery pack to be added to the back of the Switch while portable.
I would love to see this
How exactly would right joycon users reach the L and R buttons then? The asymmetry was adopted ONLY to accommodate this fact. It's why people already assumed there could be buttons hidden in there.
If the sticks were symmetrical, you'd have to hold the right one upside down.