Nintendo revolution info.

[neorichieb1971]

From Game informer.

Of course, the final piece to the puzzle that may change the entire landscape for both Microsoft and Sony is Nintendo. However, Nintendo may have to pull a rabbit out of its hat to become a major player in the next generation.


That rabbit, Game Informer has learned, is a touch screen. A source at a major development studio recently revealed to us details regarding Nintendo's development kit for the Revolution and the various guidelines Nintendo is providing to the publishing community regarding its new machine.


The most shocking is that the Revolution uses a touch screen as its controller. There is no analog stick or shoulder buttons. The touch screen on the face of the controller is designed to be fully customizable. So, the developer can configure the buttons any way they see fit, or in other cases not use buttons at all, instead opting for virtual levers or other stylus-related inputs. While an intriguing design idea, it's tough to imagine pressing buttons or directing your onscreen persona without the tactile feedback you get from a standard controller.


This also limits a publisher's ability to simply port games created for the other platforms quickly and easily to the Revolution. In fact, our source states that Nintendo is actually requiring developers to take advantage of unique touch screen aspects if it wants to get approval for release.


There are some exciting gameplay possibilities that this design can fecilitate, namely control panels for flight games, or a wide assortment of customized inputs for specific genres, like the ability to target in an FPS by simply moving your finger across the face of the controller. However, leaving behind the familiar controller layout that gamers have become accustomed to could alienate some of Nintendo's audience.


All other technical data on the Revolution at this time is scarce. So, how the machine will match up against Sony and Microsoft's next generation hardware is difficult to determine. However, in our talks with various publishers, many are skeptical of how well it will fare in the market. Which may once again leave Nintendo supporting its own console, hopefully with unique and compelling games from its always-outstanding first party development studios'


Why would a proffesional video game company say they have sources with information about Rev's controller and print it in their mag saying its official if it wasn't true?

[Specineff]

No. I don't like it. No. This has "GIMMICK" written all over it, and makes me feel the DS was nothing like bait to use gamers as guinea pigs. No, no and a thousand times, no.

[TWITCHDOCTOR]

www.howstuffworks.com
has some "preview like" info there on the first page of their site.

I think the future of videogames is bleak...especially for Nintendo. (they want to change the way you play)
Sorry, but I can't get all excited about touching the screen and "rubbing" the controller!!
Some games might actually work well this way(i.e gimmicky ones), but you can forget about more classic/traditional types playing well, if at all.

[Thunder Force]

The rumor I heard was that the Revolution was going to be a tactile gyroscope and tilt-sensor mechanism inside the new system's control pad. Removing the need for an analog stick for manual camera control, you can naturally keep your character viewed from whatever angle you want, and just control play with a traditional single joystick to make 3D games more simple for casual gamers. (the gyroscope would give you tangible feedback of what angle you are holding it, without needing to look down at your hand.)

[jp]

Good God, its April people. Any "earth shattering mind numbingly crazy news" should be taken with the hugest grain of salt you can find.

[BulletMagnet]

In fact, our source states that Nintendo is actually requiring developers to take advantage of unique touch screen aspects if it wants to get approval for release.

One would think that Nintendo's at enough of a disadvantage as it is when it comes to third-party developers...apparently it still hasn't learned its lesson, if the above is true. And even if this touch screen thing is "ahead of its time," and other companies start using stuff like it in the future, Nintendo ought to remember that being "ahead" of the competition on the hardware end didn't help Sega...or Atari.

[jp]

*sigh*



If this isn't a retarded April Fools joke, here's my 2 cents:


1. I love the DS. Its my favorite handheld ever. I think it takes the very essence of what handhelds SHOULD do and takes it to the highest level it can go. I commend Nintendo on this.

2. The DS is a handheld, and thus I only pick it up on the go while I'm board. The touch screen is great for lazying back and just goofing off without getting too involved. This is great for 30 minutes-an hour of gaming.

3. The Revolution is NOT a handheld (as far as I know), and consoles SHOULD NOT have the primary focus be "pick up for 15 minutes and laze about", at least in my opinion.


"BUT JP! You're on shmups.com!!! Blah blah blah!!! Moo moo moo!!! Cat, I'm a kitty cat, and I dance dance dance... dance dance dance!"


When was the last time you didn't get heavily involved in a shmup? (I say this on the basis that I assume everybody, or at least, most everybody, posting on these forums take shmups somewhat seriously). Obviously, I'm not referring to fun "pick up and play" stuff in the same vein as beat 'em ups, 2D fighters, shmups, etc., but rather something much more simpler than that (i.e. the majority of the DS's lineup).

[neorichieb1971]

For a start, all "revolution" games should use a traditional pad design.

Now if Revolution does have a touch screen it could be used very well imo.


It could turn into a keyboard, it could be used to open a safe in a game turning the dials etc. It could be used to smash a window in a game.

As long as its in tandem with traditional gaming methods, it should be considered "in addition" to conventional gaming. Not as a alternative.


The main concern for Nintendo is 3rd party support. Nintendo are stating that if 3rd parties do not use the features of the console, it will not give them rights to publish on it.

Secondly, games made for PS3 and Xenon (XB2) will be very hard to convert to revolution due to the additional requirements of Nintendo and obviously, the weird controller.


I have heard rumors that the traditional controller that is compatible with Revolution will only have 2 buttons. This is Nintendo's stance to make games more easier for the unpro gamer.

[GaijinPunch]

Good God, its April people. Any "earth shattering mind numbingly crazy news" should be taken with the hugest grain of salt you can find.

A shaker even.

[LoneSage]

This has "GIMMICK" written all over it

Depends on your def of a gimmick.

[neorichieb1971]

From Iwata of NCL.

A goal of ours with Revolution is to expand the target market for games. The current consoles are are constantly getting more complicated. The number of buttons on Joypads has been increasing steadily in recent years, for instance. Hardcore players can still manage, but for inexperienced people and beginners the degree of complexity is too big of a barrier.

In order to reach these people and to motivate them to play games, Revolution will have a "User Interface" that everyone can manage. However, Iwata cannot yet discuss exact details.

[Ganelon]

Meh, it's alright I think as long as that touchpad is really, really sturdy yet smooth, strong enough that the constant rubbing won't wear it out in a matter of months yet smooth enough that performing d-pad motions on it won't feel impossible.

The potential is there. However, default templates are probably necessary since I doubt all developers want to create and make use of a unique touchscreen interface for their games.

[Thunder Force]

Iwata also announced that Revolution would feature backward compatibility with GameCube, which means that consumers will be able to play GCN software on the next console.

Since native VGA (and/or DVI output?) was already announced for the Revolution console... this probably means we'll be able to play our GC shmups with ultra clarity very soon, without 3rd party adapters. Imports might be a problem though...

[TWITCHDOCTOR]

As far as "getting used to" the new technology...well, I really don't want to remind everyone at how aweful the "Turbo-Touch 360" control pad worked out.
The only thing cool about that thing, was back in the day you could impress your friends by controlling the planes in UN Squadron with your tounge!!!
I didn't like the control at all, and I returned it...tounge juice and all.

[Super Laydock]

For a start, all "revolution" games should use a traditional pad design.

Now if Revolution does have a touch screen it could be used very well imo.


It could turn into a keyboard, it could be used to open a safe in a game turning the dials etc. It could be used to smash a window in a game.

As long as its in tandem with traditional gaming methods, it should be considered "in addition" to conventional gaming. Not as a alternative.


The main concern for Nintendo is 3rd party support. Nintendo are stating that if 3rd parties do not use the features of the console, it will not give them rights to publish on it.

Secondly, games made for PS3 and Xenon (XB2) will be very hard to convert to revolution due to the additional requirements of Nintendo and obviously, the weird controller.


I have heard rumors that the traditional controller that is compatible with Revolution will only have 2 buttons. This is Nintendo's stance to make games more easier for the unpro gamer.

Well, since the revolution will be backwards compatible with the Gamecube, it should defenitely should support at least the gamecube controller. I would bet a significant ammount of money though on a new revised controller speciffically for the Revolution from Nintendo.
Just to complement the "revolutionary" features and to don't enstrange the whole previous Nintendo gaming generations.
Whether this will be bundled with the basic console pack remains to be seen though.

[FatCobra]

So wait a minute, Nintendo's new console has a touchscreen instead of a controller?!?

Innovation is one thing, but alienating your fans is another thing.

Nintendo has really gone downhill since the N64 days.....

[Super Laydock]

So wait a minute, Nintendo's new console has a touchscreen instead of a controller?!?

Innovation is one thing, but alienating your fans is another thing.

Nintendo has really gone downhill since the N64 days.....

Nothing conclusive can be said about the console besides that it will feature an alternative control method (likely using some sort of Gyroscope technology...).

Just wait till E3 before concluding anything... It will at least be DIFFERENT, which could be either "a seriously bad idea alienating fans, third parties, etc."
or an indeed revoltutionary great new idea bringing them fortune and more fame.
I'd bet my money on the latter... (then again I am known to be careless with money...)

[Dylan1CC]

I posted this GI story in TNL board hope that's OK. Here is my 2 cents:

This sounds bad. Iwata and Miyamotos' collective egos are outta control, they will not survuve unless they get off this contrived art house trip of theirs and make a system that is hospitible AT LEAST the amount of somewhat-healthy 3rd party support they have/had with GC. An almost entirely touch based screen (hey, at least the DS also has a SNES-based control scheme) oughta toss their butts outta the hardware industry real fast. This has Virtual Boy written all over it. Nintendo has said they are tired of "exploring the planet known as video games." Well, keep it up guys, you're well on your way. And this is from a satisfied DS owner. This may also explain why we haven't heard any major Revolution support still. For now, a big grain 'O salt and let's hope like heck it's all because we're getting close to April.

[alpha5099]

Fine. Nintendo, do your thing. I think it's a horrible idea, and I think Nintendo will suffer the consequences if any of this is true. And maybe Nintendo will go bankrupt and it'll only be Sony and Microsoft left. Yes, that'd suck. But I could think of worse fates.

As it goes now, it looks like Nintendo is hellbent on going out in a blaze of glory. If the Revolution is the last nail in the coffin, then dammit, we're gonna fucking remember this nail. We're going to be telling our grandchildren about the nail.

I would much rather see Nintendo crash and burn, trying to do things new and different in a video game market that seems to thrive on conformity and not taking risks. I want Nintendo to take the risk. Maybe it'll be a gigantic failure. But at least they didn't just settle for cranking out the same old, same old.

[Nuke]

If they crash 'n burn, I hope it'll be another Dreamcast.....

[BUHA]

I'm glad you guys see it as a horrible idea, as well. sure, it could have potential, but it just sounds like they're trying to impress little kids with gimmicks and make the games "more accessible for less experienced players" which means they want to make a bunch of baby games on a baby console.

fuck nintendo. i'm sick of their shit

[Dylan1CC]

BUHA has a point. Miyamoto and EAD have all kinds of great ideas but then they always water them down to make them more accessible for younger players. This worked in games with brilliant control schemes like Mario 64 and Zelda TOoT but the "universal age" ideal Miyamoto and Tezuki subscribe to killed some games like Yoshi's Story which was fun but a pathetic preschooler game compared to Yoshi's Island.

But now they want to design the controller with the same idea which could be disastrous. I thought the GC's pad was a wonderful mix of simplicity and intuitive design but still worked well for "mature" games like Prime. IIRC Miyamoto wanted NO digital pad on the GC controller but it was kept at the last minute, no doubt at the urgent request of folks like Retro and 3rd parties. Can you imagine switching through the visors in Metroid Prime with no digital pad? Yikes.

If you're going to make a system that's "Revolutionary" you have to go all out. Miyamoto's neverending "We want this game/hardware to be as easy to play for a 6 year old as a 40 year old" has got to stop. You can't have it both ways. If they dumb down the controller, system and games as a touch-gyro pad toy which "a 6 year old or 40 year old can use," it will kill the system. As I said before it is already worrying no major publishers have announced support so far as Matt from IGNCube has mentioned.

[BrianC]

BUHA has a point. Miyamoto and EAD have all kinds of great ideas but then they always water them down to make them more accessible for younger players. This worked in games with brilliant control schemes like Mario 64 and Zelda TOoT but the "universal age" ideal Miyamoto and Tezuki subscribe to killed some games like Yoshi's Story which was fun but a pathetic preschooler game compared to Yoshi's Island.

But now they want to design the controller with the same idea which could be disastrous. I thought the GC's pad was a wonderful mix of simplicity and intuitive design but still worked well for "mature" games like Prime. IIRC Miyamoto wanted NO digital pad on the GC controller but it was kept at the last minute, no doubt at the urgent request of folks like Retro and 3rd parties. Can you imagine switching through the visors in Metroid Prime with no digital pad? Yikes.

If you're going to make a system that's "Revolutionary" you have to go all out. Miyamoto's neverending "We want this game/hardware to be as easy to play for a 6 year old as a 40 year old" has got to stop. You can't have it both ways. If they dumb down the controller, system and games as a touch-gyro pad toy which "a 6 year old or 40 year old can use," it will kill the system. As I said before it is already worrying no major publishers have announced support so far as Matt from IGNCube has mentioned.

What point? It's just the same old stuff I heard from game magazines and sites like IGN and Nintendojo. Nintendo always gets labelled as "kiddy" no matter what they do. However, I am skpetical about the info given about the controller.

[username]

I just can't see a controller that is just a touchpad working under any circumstances. If there is one thing we learned from the Dreamcast and its VMUs, it is that one doesn't have the chance to look at the screen on the controller much while actually playing a game, as you can only concentrate on one screen at a time. If you use a touch screen for the controls, and the touch screen is a smooth flat surface, then you won't be able to feel what you are pressing or doing. It just wouldn't work, and I have to believe that Nintendo knows this.

The gyroscope technology seems more likely, although I fail to see how it would really offer much new to the experience. While I'm sure there would be some interesting uses for it, having to worry about keeping the controller perfectly level while not trying to use it would be a hassle.

[silvery wings]

The gyroscope technology seems more likely, although I fail to see how it would really offer much new to the experience. While I'm sure there would be some interesting uses for it, having to worry about keeping the controller perfectly level while not trying to use it would be a hassle.

Thats not exactly how the gyroscope stuff works. I have one of the gyroscope mice by gyration, which I believe is the company that nintendo is licensing the technology from. The gyroscope doesnt sense its current tilt angle, but rather, changes in its tilt angle. You wouldnt have to hold the controller level to indicate no input, you would just have to hold it still. Also, the gyro mouse i have has a trigger like button that must be pressed and held in order to utilize the gyroscope, as it is also a standard wireless optical mouse.

The mouse offers a really interesting control experience in first person shooters on my pc, and I could definately see some useful applications for it in console gaming.

[Thunder Force]

I have one of the gyroscope mice by gyration, which I believe is the company that nintendo is licensing the technology from. The gyroscope doesnt sense its current tilt angle, but rather, changes in its tilt angle. You wouldnt have to hold the controller level to indicate no input, you would just have to hold it still. Also, the gyro mouse i have has a trigger like button that must be pressed and held in order to utilize the gyroscope, as it is also a standard wireless optical mouse.

The mouse offers a really interesting control experience in first person shooters on my pc, and I could definately see some useful applications for it in console gaming.

Sounds neat. Have you tried playing a mouse-compatible pc shmup with it yet?

[Specineff]

I'm sorry. But with all this stuff about touch screen and gyroscopes, and all the talk the Nintendo guys gave, I still feel like Nintendo is concentrating more on gimmicks than making a kick ass system with good games. Remember the Activator, Menacer, Super Scope, SNES mouse, ROB, Super Game Boy, Pokemon Pinball and such? Gimmicks, I tell you. I'm sad because Nintendo seems to think people will go running to buy their next system in droves just because of their incredible doohickey.

[neorichieb1971]

Nintendo get away with gimmicks because they know that Mario and Zelda (and spin offs) will sell the system to the masses.

All they have to do is make sure the gimmicky bits play some part in those franchises. Its like selling a gimmick on a "sure thing".



The next Zelda has the non cell shaded look. So I am definately sure they are listening somewhere in their heavens.

[Super Laydock]

...because Nintendo seems to think people will go running to buy their next system in droves just because of their incredible doohickey.

I may not be forming a drove by myself alone but I would consider running for it... I still love my gamecube dispite all the negative you can say about it... and I paid full price for it. I have faith in the Nintendo philosophy.
It may not be perfect (I mean where are the shmups???? ).
But in my eyes they are the only of the 3 major console builders interested in more than making more and more profit alone (which they want too ofcourse!). I really believe they care for the games industry and I cannot say the same thing about Sony or Microsoft.

And in NO way I can be cosidered or feel myself a Nintendo fanboy so please do NOT attack me on that. I just am a sucker for their philosophy. Even when they were virtually monopolists they still cared for the quality of their games and I respect that!.

I am more interested in the Revolution than I am in the other 2 offerings atm. I am very curious about what Gyroscope technology can mean for us gamers and would be VERY dissapointed if the touchscreen controller rumors are true (I believe they are false though...).

[Specineff]

I never said anything about the Cube. I can't stand the button placement, but I think it's one fine system.