Wii U Discussion

[Aeni]

Re: Wii U Discussion

Point and click isn't really all that different from drag and touch. Baldur's Gate would play out largely the same as it did before on a tablet.

Sonic the Hedgehog with a software D-pad and buttons, however, loses a great deal of its appeal. Need I even mention Capcom's recent Mega Man X iOS abominations?

Certain games that have very simple controls or games which require taking turns (e.g., strategy, RPG, board games) are quite viable on today's mobile platform. Games which requires a myriad variety of input commands in a stream of succession are not currently viable on mobile platforms. So, quite a bit of PC games out there aren't going to see a smooth port anytime and will likely see scratch-built titles instead.

Tactile input is also tricky in light of the fragility and response of today's touchscreens. This will likely improve but by how much? No, physical contact through tactile sensories are becoming more and more obsolete as they are simply a refinement of the age-old typewriter/keyboard system. Wait until advancements are made with neural devices/implants, motion and voice recognition - that is where the future of entertainment lies. Afterall, there is no bigger gaming platform than the 'net, and that's also where most of the money will be.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Wii U Discussion

Point and click isn't really all that different from drag and touch. Baldur's Gate would play out largely the same as it did before on a tablet.

Sonic the Hedgehog with a software D-pad and buttons, however, loses a great deal of its appeal. Need I even mention Capcom's recent Mega Man X iOS abominations?

[Armando]

Re: Wii U Discussion

The problem with those games are that the input system is very different from the system they were originally developed for. Sure, let's suppose that you can perfectly emulate the precision and speed of a gaming mouse (I highly doubt this is true now, but let's just go with this scenario) - you just can't emulate the keyboard command of hot buttons. Both your hands will end up in weird pretzels trying to "finesse" your gaming experience.

Agreed. I think the solution is to embrace the Bluetooth mouse and keyboard and provide the touchscreen as a fallback.

[Aeni]

Re: Wii U Discussion

Tablets and Smartphones also have that whole Star Trek appeal about them that that sort of tech has. You know the "I'm streaming a movie onto something that could fit into my jeans pocket" thing. You know, basically this:



The whole "It's cool" factor that Smartphones and Tablets have is also something you really can't ignore.

The problem with those games are that the input system is very different from the system they were originally developed for. Sure, let's suppose that you can perfectly emulate the precision and speed of a gaming mouse (I highly doubt this is true now, but let's just go with this scenario) - you just can't emulate the keyboard command of hot buttons. Both your hands will end up in weird pretzels trying to "finesse" your gaming experience.

So, obviously, it would only be supplement to existing technologies or technologies that have yet to become commercially available. Take Google Glasses, for example, with future prototypes interfacing directly into the human neural network, and coupled with a portable "Kinect" system. Of course, this doesn't take into account the societal ramifications regarding both the etiquette and the ethics of such devices in public, or even in some private settings.

[Malacite]

Re: Wii U Discussion

:O I'll take one, if it's cute girls onry.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Wii U Discussion

Ass monitors...

No thanks.

[Etra]

Re: Wii U Discussion

While I agree whole-heartedly . . .

I bet she'd like a big ass-monitor with no input lag... If you know what I mean, gurlfran.

[Yellow Mage]

Re: Wii U Discussion

As for me, get all that crap out of my fucking TV. I just want a big-ass monitor with no input lag.

While I agree whole-heartedly . . .

[Firewind]

Re: Wii U Discussion

Tablets and Smartphones also have that whole Star Trek appeal about them that that sort of tech has. You know the "I'm streaming a movie onto something that could fit into my jeans pocket" thing. You know, basically this:



The whole "It's cool" factor that Smartphones and Tablets have is also something you really can't ignore.

[Armando]

Re: Wii U Discussion

A Sony BRAVIA TV with the ability to play Uncharted would be very cool.

Problem is, to do that you've stopped making a Smart TV and you've turned it into an All-in-One PC.

[Firewind]

Re: Wii U Discussion

It does depend on the games though. A Sony BRAVIA TV with the ability to play Uncharted would be very cool. It probably won't happen but eh, as long as the games are fun it could be interesting. Sometimes the simplest games are the most fun.

[Armando]

Re: Wii U Discussion

A TV that's already got apps in it and games, along with everything else that does, is a threat I would not underestimate.

Having Netflix on a console gives added value but it's not THE reason to buy a console. This is the smartphone thing all over again. At the end of the day if you really want to play a console-exclusive game you'll need that console, and you're totally not gonna settle for playing Minesweeper on your TV.

As for me, get all that crap out of my fucking TV. I just want a big-ass monitor with no input lag.

[Icemage]

Re: Wii U Discussion

at this moment in time, there really isn't anything a Smart TV can do for me that a Digital/Freeview TV + PS3 won't already do for me besides costing more money.

Exactly.

Tablets are a threat because they offer portability as well as usefulness. Smart TVs, on the other hand, are stationary just like a traditional home console, and offer less functionality than a standard set-top box with a higher price premium.

For that matter, the Ouya is going to be an interesting case study, as it straddles that line between a traditional console and a tablet; it's portable (about the size of a Rubik's Cube) but lets you use a traditional controller. Whether it can offer enough compelling experiences with nothing more than a Tegra 3 chip, on the other hand, is an open question.


Icemage

[Firewind]

Re: Wii U Discussion

Sony and MS are going to go butt heads with Smart TVs while Nintendo knows it likely something they might not be able to compete with.

Actually it's more likely to be Sony and Samsung that are butting heads over it (unless Microsoft are suddenly making TVs now) for the top end of the Smart TV market. That said, one thing that Smart TVs will have to do is actually show us what they can offer that a console can't. It would be interesting to see how that can be handled given that at this moment in time, there really isn't anything a Smart TV can do for me that a Digital/Freeview TV + PS3 won't already do for me besides costing more money.

[Kailea]

Re: Wii U Discussion

I tend to follow my personal rule with new console releases:

Never buy a console until a year after release.

Why? It allows time for hardware issues to be ironed out and software I am actually interested in to be released. It also lets me see what the competition is coming up with.

I broke that rule with the 3DS and was highly disappointed with the console because of it. Even today I play far more DS games than 3DS games on it and the only 3DS game I still own on it is Harvest Moon Tale of Two Towns (but it's the DS version because there is literally no difference between the two versions). We might be getting Devil Survivor Overclocked some time next year but it's an Atlus game, the only time you can ever play a region locked Atlus game in Europe without having to wait for several years after release is to pirate it, then pray it might eventually come out.

Anyway, fanboy flailing about technical specifications aside, I have no plans to buy a Wii U until next year. While there are games coming out for it that I do like, I would just rather play the wait and see game with the next generation of consoles, especially since console gaming at the moment is really failing to hold my interest, especially compared to what Steam and iOS (for handheld gaming) is offering in the Indie market.

I have a similar policy, but I make exceptions for Nintendo stuff, ever since the SNES Nintendo has been day one buys for me, though I will admit after the 3DS they where getting one last chance on the Wii U with me, they are lucky they did not disappoint ;p