Support NeoGAF

[Doc Holliday]

Except that image would be confusing for someone who doesn't know anything about the console. Is it a new handheld? It's it a Wii controller?

I think you're agreeing with me

 

[bgassassin]

Seriously, I read that article and now I'm at least 7 different kinds of confused. It's basically drawing the same conclusion we got to after the initial PR from IBM (Nintendo will be using a 45nm IBM CPU that is from the same family of chip as the ones used for Watson's computational muscle) but doing it in a tone that suggests stripping it down for a console usage is a bad thing. If I were to hazard a guess, the choice of 45nm wasn't because they couldn't/didn't want to get it any smaller but because they weren't sure whether or not there would be enough stock to meet their requirements for launch.

I won't lie and say that a lot of the stuff Nintendo did this year at E3 didn't come off as vague at best/"wat.son" at worst, but call a spade a spade until we actually have this thing in front of us or locked console specs for all to see.

I agree, but I'm going back even further for my basis. When the Cafe information first came out, this is what we knew about the CPU.

Like the Xbox 360, the system's CPU will be a custom-built triple-core IBM PowerPC chipset, but the clocking speeds will be faster.

This was all that we got and most of the talk on the board was about the GPU anyway. Now he's acting like people were saying it was going to be better than what the article said, when in reality I think a good amount were pleasantly surprised at the info (though general) from IBM. But I see he's been trolling anyway so it's whatever.

As for the topic itself I'm not going to really say anything that hasn't been said. Iwata broke tradition by not pulling the console out from some part of his clothes. All they had to do was show the console first and they would have only needed to show it long enough for the photo op. Then from there they could have done the controller video. I think Nintendo relied too much on the "leak" and announcement during the investors meeting. Attention spans are too short these days with all the information being dumped on us and they should have just taken the one small step of showing the console first. But hindsight is 20/20.

I think this E3 was easily the worst in some time.

 

[Kintaco]

I think you're agreeing with me

Ugh damn finals week is frying my brain!

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

If you're concerned about the U and how it may not appear to be a next-gen system, man... you are going to be downright crying when MS and Sony reveal theirs (unless they use CG... again). Diminishing returns has kicked in, my friend. Samaritan, running on 3 580s, should've taught you that already.

I fail to see your logic.

MS and Sony can certainly make a system far more powerful than their current systems at their same typical loss-leader status based on hardware trends.

I'd be happy if the next gen consoles can do what a 3 year old gaming PC can do with games like Crysis.. I do not think we are seeing that here with the Wii U.

So no, I don't think I'm going to be "downright crying".. you mistake me for someone with ridiculous expectations, or a lack of knowledge of gaming hardware.

I think it's POSSIBLE Nintendo can make their typical low-cost system with today's hardware and blow away PS3/Xbox (in my opinion).. but I have concerns they won't.. partly because of their typical way of business.. partly because they have to fit the cost of that controller in alongisde that typical way of business.. and partly because they basically said to expect it to be on par with, and have said nothing about it blowing away or even being better than the 360/PS3 in any way graphically.

All we've basically seen are some somewhat excited dev comments.. as far as performance.. we saw the Darksiders II dev claim games would look better on Wii-U.. that's great and all.. but it also got that developer and their game in the news.. so I have to take that with a grain of salt.

We have absolutely no info on what devs even know about the hardware. It just confuses me.. if Nintendo has a graphical beast on their hands.. what do they gain by keeping tight lipped about it? Perhaps just waiting a couple more months?

Seems like they'd want to take the wind out of the Xbox 360's sails this holiday season.. I don't think at this point the info is going to disuade potentual purchasers from saying "Well I'll wait for Wii-U".

 

[StevieP]

I fail to see your logic.

MS and Sony can certainly make a system far more powerful than their current systems at their same typical loss-leader status based on hardware trends.

I'd be happy if the next gen consoles can do what a 3 year old gaming PC can do with games like Crysis.. I do not think we are seeing that here with the Wii.

So no, I don't think I'm going to be "downright crying".. you mistake me for someone with ridiculous expectations, or a lack of knowledge of gaming hardware.

I'm primarily a PC gamer, have a beastly rig, and even I know when diminishing returns is in full swing. Unless you can bend the laws of physics in about a year (when MS/Sony have their consoles taped out) or can convince them to create 500w consoles and sell them for NOT $599 while losing $300... you're going to be disappointed with the upcoming console generation that Nintendo is kicking off.

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

I'm primarily a PC gamer, have a beastly rig, and even I know when diminishing returns is in full swing. Unless you can bend the laws of physics in about a year (when MS/Sony have their consoles taped out) or can convince them to create 500w consoles and sell them for NOT $599 while losing $300... you're going to be disappointed with the upcoming console generation that Nintendo is kicking off.

So you are saying that the next gen MS and Sony systems won't be capable of running a game like Crysis?

I don't think Sony is going to repeat the same mistake again.. but I also don't think they'll have the added expense of trying to hype a new disk format with fairly expensive production costs early on.

Take that out of the equation and both companies seem willing to lose several hundred dollars.. say they launch at $400.. you think a $700 cost system can't blow me away? Especially a console designed from the start for solely gaming? Actually.. you can't answer that question.. because we don't know what parts will have a $700 cost years down the road when those systems launch.

I understand diminishing returns.. which is why my PC still has a GTX295 and I'm still happy with it.. I sometimes sit with shopping cards full of new parts at newegg.com about ready to hit "buy" then I realize that I'm going to be dissapointed.

But like I said.. if Xbox 3 and PS4 can do Crysis.. I'm happy.. so I don't think I'll be disappointed.

I remember everyone WAY over-hyping the 360 before launch.. I was that guy on forums telling everyone to calm down because it was quite obvious people had too high of expectations.

Power and heat are a concern.. they were a concern when the 360/PS3 were designed as well.. things have still improved since then.. maybe not as dramatically as some expect, but I don't have such dramatic expectations.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

It's a new console.. it's what SOME people care about.. in fact, large amounts of people do. There are some decently promising comments from SOME devs on the hardware.. but you HONESTLY can't really take that as fact.

I'm more apt to take that as fact before someone random on the internet with no supporting documentation or developers license from Nintendo drawing conclusions from a specs sheet.

 

[megashock5]

HDMI -> Receiver -> TV.

They should include optical for those w/o HDMI receivers.. but that's by far my favorite way to do things.

A lot of TVs with HDMI ports have an optical audio out.

I have an HDMI receiver with my 55", so I plug everything into the receiver then go HDMI out to the TV.

The receiver with my 47" in the basement doesn't have HDMI, so I plug everything into the TV and then send the sound from the optical out on the TV to the receiver.

Kind of backwards but it works.

 

[Medalion]

They should've explained it better yes, but I also think they didn't have much to show off in reality

 

[PeakPointMatrix]

I thought it was explained just fine. It's a box!

 

[Penguin]

The other factor is that it just looks way too intimidating to the Wii customer. The Wiimote worked so well because it looks like a remote (one of the most commonly known apparatuses to mankind). Wiimote MIMICKED a hugely common device.

WiiU pad? It KINDA looks like an iPad but it looks far more complicated. I asked my sister what she thought about the Wii U once I explained it to her and she said it sounds really complicated.

She was once a Wii customer....

See, I think Nintendo is smart in this regard since they allow for full use of previous Wii-tech.

So you can have an experienced gamer use the Wii Tab, and have 3-4 others using the Wii-mote to ease them into the experience.

Something like Chase Mii seems like the perfect introduction into the console for Wii-owners. A way to use something they are comfortable with, but in a new way with the Wii-Tablet, and then perhaps ease them into trying/using the tablet.

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

I'm more apt to take that as fact before someone random on the internet with no supporting documentation or developers license from Nintendo drawing conclusions from a specs sheet.

OK. Who has drawn conclusions?

I haven't.. I just don't know the "Darksiders 2" developers from a hole in the wall.. and sorry.. considering I didn't know the game existed before they commented.. and now I do.. I can't be entirely sure they weren't just grabbing a headline.

Nor do we have ANY data on what devs have actually been shown or given.. and in fact have seen comments suggesting that they have no hardware spec sheet or dev kits in hand..

"We are interested" is a lot of the comments.. that doesn't indicate much at all. And in fact comments from people like Ken Levine make it seem like very few in the industry know what the actual hardware specs are.. so why does the Darksiders 2 dev "know this"?

Either way.. I hope the thing blows the 360 away.. I want it to.. so don't mistake me for some anti-Nintendo fanboy or something.

 

[wsippel]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-ibm-teases-on-wii-u-cpu

The specs are constantly being overshoot by GAF and the backslash will be stupid because of this..

Terrible article. Same tech as Watson obviously doesn't mean Wii U would have 2880 cores. Everyone on GAF and probably even GameFAQs knew that. More knowledgeable people also never assumed an off-the-shelf Power7. It's not only huge and very expensive, it also makes no sense. Not for WiiU, not for PS4, not for Xbox720. Not for consoles in general, regardless of the price. Power7 has a large amount execution units that simply make no sense for consoles. It has four double precision FPUs, one VSX unit and one decimal floating point unit. That's a complete waste of transistors, power and money. It was always obvious that the chip had to be custom and massively stripped down if it's even remotely based on Power7.

The next big thing is the process. Power7 simply is 45nm. It was 45nm when it was introduced in 2010. It's only available in 45nm. The chip was designed on and for 45nm. 45nm is proven technology at this point, with great, predictable yields, which makes it cheap. The power savings going from 45 to 32 or 28nm aren't all that impressive, and the cost savings might get eaten up by increased development costs and worse yields. Digital Foundry's implication that the CPU is somehow outdated because it's based on a tried and true process, instead of some bleeding edge process that offers little benefit at this point, is all kinds of hilarious.

 

[Host Samurai]

Mistakes

1) Show console first so it does not confuse people that this is not an accessory

2) Show some more Nintendo games in HD glory first. I thought that NSMBWii, that was released 2 years ago was shown. Would have been great if they opened the segment with a Mario 3DS HD style Mario in the vein of Super Mario World. Would not have hurt if they have shown a Star Fox, Metroid and other series as well.

3) Should have not made it seem like a "me too" console showing off mostly games that will be released on consoles that people already have.

4) Would have been cool if they showed off some 3DS compatibility of some sort.

That being said I think it looks rad. Day 1.

 

[Gahiggidy]

I don't know man. I understand the current trend is touch pads, but it seems like after all that talk of "big complicated controllers coming between players and the game" 6 years ago, that Nintendo is taking a step back from their previous vision, with this huge controller.

I would even go as far to say that MS Kinect could be the reason for that, seeing as it pretty much took their Wii philosophy to the extreem and Nintendo doesn't tend to copy or even expand on the competition's ideas. Maybe they were forced to go in another direction.

I think the average person that inexperienced with videogames will fond the u controller easy to understand. The layout of the face buttons and sticks are super simple, even to the point of sacraficing hardcore gameplay. Most importantly, the touchscreen is something most everyoone has experience with by now... They are very easy to operate as long as the interface is made right. A biiiiig hangup with controls for newbs us going in and out of menus. The screen makes this part of game control easy peasy.

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

A lot of TVs with HDMI ports have an optical audio out.

And a LOT of these TV's only pass surround data via optical if the SOURCE of that data isn't HDMI.

I have 2 TV's like that. Never tested my newer TV, because I refuse to even take the chance and use an HDMI switching reciever.

My 2 other TV's? Both high end Samsung models.. neither will pass 5.1 audio out via optical if the source is HDMI.. HDMI handshake rules and whatnot.

The only time I got it to pass full surround data was with my OTA HD antenna.. because the source has no copy protection.

 

[Bert]

I fail to see your logic.

MS and Sony can certainly make a system far more powerful than their current systems at their same typical loss-leader status based on hardware trends.

Except I doubt they will. MS have basically been buying their way into the market. 360 has been enough of a success that they don't need to now. MS makes money as much as anything else, they've never been a leading edge or innovative company, they do whatever makes the money. I think they'll go for profit from day 1.

Sony had Mad Ken at the helm and the PS3 was his baby. While the NGP suggests a similar level of craziness they are still trying to buy into the handheld space to some extent. The PS3 has been a financial disaster and Sony is a company that needs to be turning a profit right now, if they can get away with not breaking the bank they will. Also, there is no need to crowbar a new media format into PS4 like there was for the last few consoles.

I'd be very surprised if we see losses in the hundreds of dollars, if at all from any of the big 3 next gen.

 

[mj1108]

Yes they should have and I'm glad to see they know it. I'm sure they will take what they learned here and apply it to the advertising.

Fortunately for Nintendo they have time to fix this, which I am sure they will.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

OK. Who has drawn conclusions?

I'm not saying people have. I'm just saying that I take stock in those developer comments more than random internet people even if Nintendo would release a full and detailed spec sheet.

I mean, Nintendo didn't release a full 3DS spec sheet that I know of, yet we can see developers are pushing the system and outputting some good looking games on a technical level.

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

Except I doubt they will. MS have basically been buying their way into the market. 360 has been enough of a success that they don't need to now. MS makes money as much as anything else, they've never been a leading edge or innovative company, they do whatever makes the money. I think they'll go for profit from day 1.

Sony had Mad Ken at the helm and the PS3 was his baby. While the NGP suggests a similar level of craziness they are still trying to buy into the handheld space to some extent. The PS3 has been a financial disaster and Sony is a company that needs to be turning a profit right now, if they can get away with not breaking the bank they will. Also, there is no need to crowbar a new media format into PS4 like there was for the last few consoles.

I'd be very surprised if we see losses in the hundreds of dollars, if at all from any of the big 3 next gen.

It's certainly possible.. but MS already did cut back with the 360 on losses.. they talked about it in business meetings from the beginning.

If it weren't for RROD the 360 would have been profitable very fast... unlike the Xbox.

I can see them doing the same thing, and still offering an improvement in graphics that satisfies me. Especially since I personally think we won't be seeing Xbox 3 for at least 2 more years.

PS4? I really have no clue or prediction.. I'm glad Sony has pushed the envelope in the past.. and I HOPE they do it again.. but they are in all kinds of financial turmoil right now.

 

[wsippel]

And a LOT of these TV's only pass surround data via optical if the SOURCE of that data isn't HDMI.

I have 2 TV's like that. Never tested my newer TV, because I refuse to even take the chance and use an HDMI switching reciever.

My 2 other TV's? Both high end Samsung models.. neither will pass 5.1 audio out via optical if the source is HDMI.. HDMI handshake rules and whatnot.

The only time I got it to pass full surround data was with my OTA HD antenna.. because the source has no copy protection.

WiiU won't play Blu-rays, so if we're lucky, they won't implement HDCP. I guess it might/ should work then.

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

I'm not saying people have. I'm just saying that I take stock in those developer comments more than random internet people even if Nintendo would release a full and detailed spec sheet.

I can understand that.. and not putting you down for it.. it's just not how I see things.

If it was someone like Carmack chiming in.. or really any modern "engine developer" for instance.. I'd take it with less of a grain of salt.

I just wonder why the developer of "Darksiders" seems to know more than people like Mark Rein or Ken Levine for instance.. hope that makes sense.. not trying to really argue with you, just explain why myself and others aren't as optimistic as others.

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

WiiU won't play Blu-rays, so if we're lucky, they won't implement HDCP. I guess it might/ should work then.

Very good point.

So yeah.. should be fairly meaningless.. if your TV has HDMI, it likely has an optical out..

But it's still not the BEST setup.. HD Netflix content would have HDCP flagged wouldn't it?

 

[Zeal]

this is damage control, and blaming the press is not the answer.

Iwata is starting to look like he has no idea wtf he's talking about.

 

[UberTag]

I just wonder why the developer of "Darksiders" seems to know more than people like Mark Rein or Ken Levine for instance.. hope that makes sense.. not trying to really argue with you, just explain why myself and others aren't as optimistic as others.

Perhaps the developer of Darksiders is just better at pulling off PR BS whereas Mark Rein and Ken Levine have a track record of telling it to us straight.
Nintendo really needed Peter Molyneux and Milo to demonstrate Wii U tech to everyone.

 

[comedy bomb]

Nintendo really took one on the chin this E3. Hopefully they can turn it around at a different show in the future.

 

[wsippel]

I just wonder why the developer of "Darksiders" seems to know more than people like Mark Rein or Ken Levine for instance.. hope that makes sense.. not trying to really argue with you, just explain why myself and others aren't as optimistic as others.

What's with Rein? According to Cliffy B, he's quite excited about UE3 running on WiiU. His tweet shortly after the reveal left a similar impression.

 

[Bert]

Mistakes

1) Show console first so it does not confuse people that this is not an accessory

2) Show some more Nintendo games in HD glory first. I thought that NSMBWii, that was released 2 years ago was shown. Would have been great if they opened the segment with a Mario 3DS HD style Mario in the vein of Super Mario World. Would not have hurt if they have shown a Star Fox, Metroid and other series as well.

3) Should have not made it seem like a "me too" console showing off mostly games that will be released on consoles that people already have.

4) Would have been cool if they showed off some 3DS compatibility of some sort.

That being said I think it looks rad. Day 1.

Yeah, it reeked of being shown too early.

IMO, the launch should have gone like this:

- 3DS Stuff
- Some random Wii stuff
- "Hey we hear you've heard we've got a console"
- "Here's what it looks like"
- "Here's our awesome new controller, and some ideas for how it could be used in games"
- "Don't worry you won't have to throw out all those Wii peripherals you've accumulated"
- "Here's some dev comments"
- "Tune in later for full details"

No game reel of 360 footage, no playable on show floor, no pre-alpha screenshots. Then proper reveal when they had 4 or 5 games that showcase the power of the system.

 

[Vinci]

I just wonder why the developer of "Darksiders" seems to know more than people like Mark Rein or Ken Levine for instance.. hope that makes sense.. not trying to really argue with you, just explain why myself and others aren't as optimistic as others.

Mark Rein, based on his Twitter post, plans to support the system engine-wise. As for Levine, what did he say that was derogatory about it?

 

[wsippel]

Mark Rein, based on his Twitter post, plans to support the system engine-wise. As for Levine, what did he say that was derogatory about it?

Epic knew about the system for a while and most certainly supports it already, given that half the games announced and at least one demoed behind closed doors run on their engine.

 

[Plinko]

My mom has a Wii. She swings the wiimote and enjoys wii sports and cooking mama. When I used to try to get her to pick up a traditional controller and play something like Bomberman or Mario Kart she'd say "I can't do that, I don't have the coordination" and mimic holding a controller and pressing buttons. This is a huge contributor to Wii's success; it's no secret.

Controllers are intimidating to non/light gamers. Swinging a baton or your arms is not.

If we're working with anecdotal evidence, why don't we talk about my wife who uses the Wii as well. She doesn't like traditional video games for the same reason as your Mom.

Yet, she uses the iPhone and plays games on there all the time. She uses the touchscreen and motion controls easily. The Wii U tablet is the exact same thing. The traditional controls are there but you can bet many games will be there that take advantage of the touchscreen/gyro controls. She is the typical audience the Wii went after. They're not going anywhere. They'll be buying this system as well.

 

[Terrell]

I can understand that.. and not putting you down for it.. it's just not how I see things.

If it was someone like Carmack chiming in.. or really any modern "engine developer" for instance.. I'd take it with less of a grain of salt.

I just wonder why the developer of "Darksiders" seems to know more than people like Mark Rein or Ken Levine for instance.. hope that makes sense.. not trying to really argue with you, just explain why myself and others aren't as optimistic as others.

Darksiders developer has used the hardware for a considerable amount of time. Ken Levine admits he hasn't used the dev kit yet fully (to his own admission) and neither has Mark Rein. Seems pretty straightforward as to why the Darksiders devs have more knowledge to me.

 

[CoffeeJanitor]

Perhaps the developer of Darksiders is just better at pulling off PR BS whereas Mark Rein and Ken Levine have a track record of telling it to us straight.
Nintendo really needed Peter Molyneux and Milo to demonstrate Wii U tech to everyone.

Molyneux would have been the cherry on top

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

Darksiders developer has used the hardware for a considerable amount of time. Ken Levine admits he hasn't used the dev kit yet fully (to his own admission) and neither has Mark Rein. Seems pretty straightforward as to why the Darksiders devs have more knowledge to me.

I didn't see them actually say that though.. are you assuming, or did they actual talk about having dev kits or hardware?

That's sort of my point.. it seems like if anyone has an actual dev kit or solid hardware info it wouldn't be Darksiders dev.. it would be people like Mark Rein.

 

[Luckyman]

Digital Foundry's implication that the CPU is somehow outdated because it's based on a tried and true process, instead of some bleeding edge process that offers little benefit at this point, is all kinds of hilarious.

You clearly lack reading comprehension. If you dont understand that then lulz again.

 

[Bert]

It's certainly possible.. but MS already did cut back with the 360 on losses.. they talked about it in business meetings from the beginning.

If it weren't for RROD the 360 would have been profitable very fast... unlike the Xbox.

I can see them doing the same thing, and still offering an improvement in graphics that satisfies me. Especially since I personally think we won't be seeing Xbox 3 for at least 2 more years.

PS4? I really have no clue or prediction.. I'm glad Sony has pushed the envelope in the past.. and I HOPE they do it again.. but they are in all kinds of financial turmoil right now.

Not sure off the top of my head what the loss was on a launch 360, the only article I can find on my slow ass connection seems to back you up.

The other thing (and this is more a personal thing) is I don't trust MS's intentions with Xbox, I think they see it as another service to eventually integrate into the Windows ecosystem. I think NextBox will be closer to things like the Roku or Boxee boxes with Kinect and a controller. Throw in a wireless KB/touchpad and IE10 for a bit of basic document editing, maybe a simple photo and video editing system and you've got a great all purpose box. Maybe even go all out and run Windows 8 on it. Have Xbox be more of a standard that is refreshed every few years rather than an outright console and merge it with GFW.

XBL is the real brand that they are building and they've already launched it in WinMo7 and announced it'll be "deeply integrated" into Win8. I think they may well be heading down a different road to Nintendo. Probably a more successful one long term, but I'm not sure it'll produce a console dedicated to pleasing hardcore gamers on the power front.

 

[Stumpokapow]

I didn't see them actually say that though.. are you assuming, or did they actual talk about having dev kits or hardware?

They have the game running on Wii U. They've already ported it.

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

Mark Rein, based on his Twitter post, plans to support the system engine-wise. As for Levine, what did he say that was derogatory about it?

My point wasn't that they said derogatory things.. but that neither appeared to know anything more than the general public.

The one comment I have seen that actually claimed anything concrete.. like "games will look better", was the Darksiders dev.

I haven't seen Ubisoft, who appear to have some of the most "insider access" to Wii-U make such comments for instance..

Has Ubi-soft or the Ghost Recon team commented on the graphical power?

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

They have the game running on Wii U. They've already ported it.

Ahh.. cool.

That makes me even more curious!!

Why don't we know more about the damn hardware Nintendo?

Guess we'll wait for their big conference coming up.

 

[CoffeeJanitor]

I'm confused about all of the graphics stuff--Will the system be supporting 3D visuals?

 

[Snakeyes]

Has Ubi-soft or the Ghost Recon team commented on the graphical power?

From my understanding, they're not allowed to talk about it yet.

 

[unrenowned]

Yes, Nintendo botched the unveiling.

First of all to even bring it up and say something like "but we'll talk about it later".

Then they put way too much emphasis on the Wii part of the name. Don't announce a new console by explaining the name of the old one ffs! This by itself implies that the Wii U is related to the actual Wii console.

And for the love of god don't showcase the new console by running software from the prior generation. Backwards compatibility is great but I think we all know about the Wii lineup by now.

Also try announcing some first party games to go along with the new console (like Pikmin switching over to the U).

All we saw was a new controller running Wii games while interacting with Wii accessories, of course people will be confused.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

All we saw was a new controller running Wii games while interacting with Wii accessories, of course people will be confused.

Did you miss the bird demo, Zelda HD or the third party reel? Because people keep stating that without acknowledging the non-Mii/proof of concept stuff too.

 

[marc^o^]

Mistakes

1) Show console first so it does not confuse people that this is not an accessory

2) Show some more Nintendo games in HD glory first. I thought that NSMBWii, that was released 2 years ago was shown. Would have been great if they opened the segment with a Mario 3DS HD style Mario in the vein of Super Mario World. Would not have hurt if they have shown a Star Fox, Metroid and other series as well.

3) Should have not made it seem like a "me too" console showing off mostly games that will be released on consoles that people already have.

4) Would have been cool if they showed off some 3DS compatibility of some sort.

That being said I think it looks rad. Day 1.

I think Nintendo's marketing idea was first to attract wii's audience through familiar images. They thought the best way to show how different the new controller is, was to put it in situations/games wii owners know by heart.

Beyond the familarity chord, they wanted to say all existing peripheral investments would still work on the new system.

More importantly, they had a strategic need, which was to give 3rd party developpers the impression Wii U is their sandbox. No Nintendo games shown, only demos to give them ideas. I think they have been extremely successful with this 2nd point.

Too bad for the conference and for us, I would have loved to see a Wave Race or FZero trailer. Nintendo just felt they should avoid positioning Wii U as a Nintendo game platform. They desperately need 3rd party support.

Few days later, after extensive thoughts, I love this new streaming machine. Adding a mobile second screen to videogames is a god send for creativity. Touchscreen, embedded camera on a fully equiped controller is cherry on the cake.

I know what to expect from high end PC games, but they won't make Wii U games obsolete anytime soon. Creativity is key in entertainment, and with these new controller abilities, with this second screen, I have dozens of ideas of enhancements for each genre I like.

Nintendo thought out of the box/out of the TV, and the result is a technology that is extremely attractive. Pure win from a concept point of view. 3rd party support confirms it already.

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

The other thing (and this is more a personal thing) is I don't trust MS's intentions with Xbox, I think they see it as another service to eventually integrate into the Windows ecosystem.

Yeah.. but.. I dunno.

They also created one of the most successful products in the history of products with the Halo games... created Xbox Live, etc. All extremely focused on a certain type of gamer.. the type of gamer that demands hardware.

And these gamers are by and large, the people buying into their "set top box" idea as well.. using Netflix.. ESPN3, etc. All paying yearly for it as well.

The Xbox in general has been one of their most successful consumer products outside of their core software offerings.. perhaps their most successful?

Even if they continue to go in the same direction (less losses on hardware at launch) I still think they aren't so stupid to think that they can get away with bringing out an Xbox 3 that isn't significantly more powerful than Xbox 2.

I mean.. they did just announce 3 Halo games.. probably not going to get done releasing those until what.. 2016?

You think Halo 5, which might be a Xbox 3 launch title, isn't going to look significantly better than Reach or Halo 4?

I don't think MS is abandoning their core gaming audience.. they are just outsourcing that support while focusing on expanding into a more casual audience.

I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see them release some sort of non-gaming set-top box.. or continue working with Comcast and other cable companies to integrate Microsoft stuff into DVR's and whatnot.. but I don't think they are abondoning the "hardcore gamer" that became profitable for them.. even before Kinetic was launched.

 

[Plinko]

I'm confused about all of the graphics stuff--Will the system be supporting 3D visuals?

Doubtful, but who knows. A rumor/report came out a couple months ago saying it would easily be capable but Nintendo isn't going to push it.

 

[AceBandage]

Of course it'll be capable of 3D, but I doubt many games will use it, simply because it's such a niche market.

 

[Vinci]

They also created one of the most successful products in the history of products with the Halo games...

This is such a massive exaggeration, it boggles the mind. I'm assuming you're exaggerating.

EDIT: Nintendo has included 3D support into each of its prior two or three consoles, IIRC. I have no reason to believe they won't include it for the Wii U. Whether they'll use it, or allow others to use it, is another question.

 

[nVidiot_Whore]

This is such a massive exaggeration, it boggles the mind. I'm assuming you're exaggerating.

I meant to type entertainment products. But sure.. perhaps an exaggeration. I'm referring to them repeatedly breaking sales records.. of course games have the advantage of costing $60.. so it's all a bit exagerated.. and now toppled by COD..

But my point being one of their core products pretty much fails if they don't put out decent gaming hardware next gen.

There aren't THAT many entertainment products that can produce billions in revenue over a single decade. It's no Harry Potter, but it is still a pretty big success.

 

[Vinci]

X-Box Live is significantly more valuable than Halo is, which should be clear based on MS's massive continued investment in its evolution. It's the one area neither Sony nor Nintendo will ever beat them.

But my point being one of their core products pretty much fails if they don't put out decent gaming hardware next gen.

Why would it fail? Of course they'll bring out decent gaming hardware.