Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

[Aeni]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

Yes you'll wear it out if you handle it like a hyperactive seven year-old. I've seen what some people can do to a DS or iPhone. Some folks actually take care of thier stuff. God knows a Vita won't breathe outside of its pouch when I have one not in use.

A tournament player is not a good litmus test for practical application.

That's not the real issue here. Have you played any game on the iPhone that was very much like Diablo 3? I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the answer is a resounding NO. Not even close. Now, if anyone can make a durable product, it will be Nintendo, but let's take a step back and really look at the technology that is available. A touch screen device that needs to be sensitive enough to register after 3 years of "normal" use but not so sensitive as to render it too fragile to handle. And I'm going to guess that is the bulk of the cost of those controllers, I'm also going to assume that Nintendo isn't going to make very much money on them unless they decide to go with the less optimal option: a trashy product. It'll remain to be seen if they can deliver a durable, high quality product far cheaper than what Apple could get with their iPad partners.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

It doesn't matter how durable you make something; there'll always be at least one idiot that'll break it.

This.

I don't know how someone gets a Wii that DREs unless they are a chain smoker or some twit that leaves the console on the carpet to suck up dust, lint or whatever else. I've seen DSes broken off the hinges for a lack of knowing better.

But grown ups with tablets and smartphones? Old enough to know better and take precautions. Protective stickers, protective casing... Oh, and treating it like its over $500 might help, too..

[Aeni]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

But grown ups with tablets and smartphones?

And we're talking about the Wii U here. That's why I said that the product Nintendo is going to make will be durable, but the sensitivity and response of the product, that remains to be seen. I doubt they are going to market the touchpad controller alone at $200 or more. Nintendo knows that, for the full package, no one is going to drop $600+ if the PS4 and Microsoft's next Xbox offering will also sell for that much and more than likely come with 10x the bells and whistles (and a more inclusive network and expansive library of titles)

I'm not arguing for a product that should withstand someone "spiking" the controller after a touchdown in Madden Football, but it sure as hell needs to be "alive" for more than 5 minutes in the hands of an 8 year old child and it should withstand a marathon session of intensive "Diablo 3 in Inferno mode".

[Malacite]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

Wait, people do marathon sessions of Inferno? I swear D3 even on Nightmare is more infuriating than IWBTG.

[Icemage]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

I'm fairly sure Nintendo knows that they're marketing the Wii U to children as much as adults and will (as they always do) make something sturdy. That said, I've seen DS screens become heavily scratched from stylus use (it is just plastic, after all), and there's always the controller-drop factor to consider as well. It remains to be seen whether or not the new controller will stand up to atypical abuse, but I'm willing to give Nintendo the benefit of the doubt there; they've been at this a very long time. The price of replacing a controller if it DOES end up malfunctioning, however, could be a serious turn-off.


Icemage

[Armando]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

The price of replacing a controller if it DOES end up malfunctioning, however, could be a serious turn-off.

I would expect Nintendo to be pretty proactive about replacing controllers that haven't been run over by cars or submerged in water. I've heard their customer service is pretty good and they can probably repair it.

[cidbahamut]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

I would expect Nintendo to be pretty proactive about replacing controllers that haven't been run over by cars or submerged in water. I've heard their customer service is pretty good and they can probably repair it.

This is of course assuming the customer knows that they can get a replacement controller direct from Nintendo. Lots of people wouldn't even think to do that and would simply go to the store to pick up a replacement(and then rage at the price).

[Armando]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

This is of course assuming the customer knows that they can get a replacement controller direct from Nintendo. Lots of people wouldn't even think to do that and would simply go to the store to pick up a replacement(and then rage at the price).

If they can't be bothered to check for warranties or replacement policies then they deserve to lose their money.

[Firewind]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

Again, I have my doubts as Aeni pointed out you're likely to wear out the shit out of the thing, to say nothing of having to look at two different screens at once.

You don't even have to look at the Koreans to see why it wouldn't jive well; just the more known NA folks like Destiny or European players like Strelok can show you that you'd destroy the scree within months of playing the game (if that). Other RTS games that are less intensive, yah I can see it working but not SC2 - way too much shit going on all at once. There's no way you can do blink micro, warp cycles and manage your economy etc. simultaneously with just a touch screen it's not happening.

I'm going to point you back to my post again. I'm not in any way saying that Starcraft would be better with a touch pad. I'm saying you can have a perfectly workable version of the game on one. It won't be optimal sure but it would still be functional. That is what I'm arguing (not sure about BBQ).

Look at the fighting game genre for example. They work perfectly fine with regular pads but all the serious tournament players will opt for dedicated peripherals because it's more optimal. It is the same with racing games and other games that use and/or support dedicated peripherals.

It is why I find myself frustrated with the current control scheme for Diablo. Sure it works with how it is but I constantly get the feeling that it would be more efficient to use a pad or WASD for movement and a mouse to control facing/aiming. To me sticking with the D1/D2 system... It feels archaic and outdated. Especially when you can only face the direction you are going to move in. Honestly I personally feel that the Wiimote would give a far more responsive and efficient method of control for Diablo III then the current "mouse and 6 buttons does everything" setup.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

Nintendo customer service, in my experience, tends to bend over backwards to make the customer happy. So long as you register your products and are within warranty, they'll do everything they can to replace a defective unit. If you're beyond warranty, they may still help you as I've gotten a replacement DSi for practically no cost beyond shipping.

The only difficulty I've had was getting content transferred from one DSi to the other, but I even got that with enough inquiries. If someone tells you they "can't" on that one there usually someone else that can. Seems to be a non-issue at this point since content transfer systems are in place and even planned for Wii to Wii U.

The only place I can think of that might be more helpful is the Apple Stores.

[Armando]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

Nintendo customer service, in my experience, tends to bend over backwards to make the customer happy.

I know this is a long time ago but Nintendo sent me a replacement Virtual Boy stand for free 'cuz mine broke.

[Aeni]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

That said, I've seen DS screens become heavily scratched from stylus use (it is just plastic, after all), and there's always the controller-drop factor to consider as well.

Icemage

My oldest daughter has had her original DS for about 2 years and the protective screen was marred to the point where the stylus pressure wouldn't register (on some areas) And she's a light touch and very, very careful with her DSs (She now owns a DSi and a 3DS) It's human to drop a controller every once and a while and I've been guilty of that much more than my daughter.

That said, Nintendo has made a name for itself with their quality products, like the original Gameboy. I remember someone at Ars Technica posting a picture of a GB that he accidentally drove his car over (his son carelessly left it in the driveway) and despite the fact that it was pretty mangled, it still operated just fine. LOL

[Armando]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

My oldest daughter has had her original DS for about 2 years and the protective screen was marred to the point where the stylus pressure wouldn't register (on some areas) And she's a light touch and very, very careful with her DSs (She now owns a DSi and a 3DS) It's human to drop a controller every once and a while and I've been guilty of that much more than my daughter.

That's very odd. I played the shit out of Kirby's Canvas Curse and while it eventually left light marks on the screen, it was nothing you would call a scratch.

I remember someone at Ars Technica posting a picture of a GB that he accidentally drove his car over (his son carelessly left it in the driveway) and despite the fact that it was pretty mangled, it still operated just fine. LOL

I know someone who was in the army took his GameCube to Afghanistan. It came back full of sand but it still worked.

Speaking of Game Boys...


I also remember an Iwata Asks interview where they were talking about the PokeWalker pedometer that came with HeartGold and SoulSilver. Someone lost a prototype and found it days later in a puddle. The thing still worked, even though it's only meant to be "splashproof" and not actually submergible.

[Firewind]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

"Splashproof" is one of those vague terms really that means anything from "any sort of moisture will render this device inoperable" to "Poseidon himself could use it".

Nintendo stuff falls under the latter though that said I do keep getting the feeling that my 3DS is pretty fragile for a Nintendo product. So it would probably survive a wild animal attack but not an explosion.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Spike TV/Gametrailers E3 Schedule

The 3DS I have now survived two consecutive bounces on concrete, popped open and slid across that same on oth screens.

No scratches. Chipped the metallic finish supporting the hinge.but no damage other wise. Total accident. But no functions lost.