Revolution Details By End of Year

Reuters is reporting that Nintendo will announce the price, launch date, and further details about their next generation console by the end of this year. Their tight-lipped attitude this E3 is apparently an attempt to ensure they don't tip their hand to rivals. From the article: "Some gamers and industry analysts had criticized Nintendo for providing sparse details on the new machine, comparing it to Sony and Microsoft's unveiling of slicker, graphic-intense next-generation machines...Iwata said the new console is aimed at customers who hate clutter and find current games and the controllers used to play them to be confusing and difficult."

Comments

User Interface

[Nytewynd]

...Iwata said the new console is aimed at customers who hate clutter and find current games and the controllers used to play them to be confusing and difficult." To combat this problem, the next generation console's controller will consist of a single giant, red button. Users will rapidly push this button until the game is beaten.

Re:User Interface

[MindStalker]

And this is different from Tekken how?

Re:User Interface

[NanoGator]

"To combat this problem, the next generation console's controller will consist of a single giant, red button."

Sony, on the other hand, has a lot of faith in the hand-eye coordination of its customers. It will have 16 buttons on the face and 4 more shoulder buttons on each side. All the buttons will be clearly labeled with a variety of simple shapes. For example: The rainbow dodecahedron will typically be used for selecting the second menu option for most games, provided they follow any sort of standard.

Re:User Interface

[Reorax]

Sweet. All my years of using a Mac have finally paid off!

I don't blame them

[NanoGator]

"Their tight-lipped attitude this E3 is apparently an attempt to ensure they don't tip their hand to rivals."

I can forgive them for that. Shortly after announcing the N-64, the PS1 got the Dual Shock controller and the Saturn got an analog controller.

"Iwata said the new console is aimed at customers who hate clutter and find current games and the controllers used to play them to be confusing and difficult."

Normally I would have called bullshit. But then I thought about some of the 'fun' I've had playing San Andreas lately. Hitting the correct shoulder button is an exercise in "Dammit!". I keep hitting the L3 button by accident whenever I make a sharp turn. (Oh, brilliant design there, Sony. Put a button where I can accidently hit it a LOT.) Then I played that damn dancing level where the button shapes would fly by and I had to hit the right one. Yeah Sony, thanks for using heiroglyphics for your button labels.

Yeah, I'm ready for simpler. I'm also really hoping that the gyro rumor is true. Analog sticks just don't cut it with shooting games.

Re:I don't blame them

[NanoGator]

"No offense man, but if you can't master circle, triangle, X, and square...you aren't going to do much better with A, B, C, D."

Not true. At least with AB/XY, there's a pattern to it. With Sony's Lucky Charms shapes, you have to memorize specifically where each shape is. Eventually it isn't a big deal, but it sure made getting to know my Playstation a lot of unnecessary fun.

"I have never had a problem accidentally hitting shoulder buttons."

L3 isn't a shoulder button. If you push down on the left analog stick (which often happens if you're DRIVING), *click* there it goes. Half the time when I'm in hot pursuit in San Andreas, my car horn's honking. Really f'n annoying.

"Maybe it is just you. I suggest trying an Atari. It has one button and a joystick. Don't get too upset if you accidentally hit its only button though."

That's a pretty bold statement for somebody that hasn't dented any of my points.

Re:Release Date......

[telstar]

You think that's bad ... wait until it gets reposted.