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Plotting the Revolution's Arc
Today, that little kid is beaming. The company that introduced me to gaming so long ago has picked itself up off the mat and looks ready to come out swinging this time around. We've already linked to 1up's coverage of the announcement, but if you haven't read it yet there are plenty of other places to get the specifics. Gamespot, Gamespy, IGN, and Game Informer all have photo spreads, video, and first hand impressions from their experiences with Nintendo's next venture. Commentary is available from CNN Money, Wonderland, Jeremy Parish, The Game Chair, Joystiq, and Next Generation. An interview with Nintendo's Senior EU Marketing director is available on Eurogamer, and if you want to see the announcement firsthand a webcast of the presentation is available.
All of these pieces spend at least a paragraph or two wondering about the future, and with good reason. Within half an hour of the story being posted to the internet there were already lamentations about "the end of an era" and blistering condemnations of the controller as a lark that will fail as badly as the Virtual Boy. Specifically, both the professional media and fan commentaries seemed to center around the reaction that third party developers may or may not have to this extremely intriguing idea. The combination of this new controller style and the mentality that "Nintendo is for kids" may cause the company some problems down the line. They're almost certainly right.
That said, if you've read the description of the Metroid Prime demo you can't help but pause. The mental gymnastics required to use a mouse and keyboard in a First Person Shooter have confounded non-gamers since the genre began. As anyone who's played an FPS on a console can tell you, the two joystick approach gets the job done but is far from intuitive. Attempting such a title on the console is basically out of the question unless you can work at the interface, something a non-gamer is rarely willing to do. Nintendo deftly sidesteps this with an interface that has ties directly into what we do in our everyday lives. Turning your head to observe your environment is already an instinct we posses, so not only will it be easy to explain it will be trivial to do. The natural flow of such an interface opens up many horizons. Shooters are well and good, but the immediacy of the first person perspective is a tempting way to just tell a story. Divorced of its more violent aspects and with an interface that doesn't require years of practice to use, who is to say that our mothers won't be playing something built in the Unreal Engine a year from now?
The FPS is just one example of a genre that we traditionally think of as "hardcore" which could be opened up to non-gamers by an interface that allows the user to interact with a gameworld in a less artificial manner . Real Time Strategy games would be a snap, as you wave your hand and the map moves effortlessly along beneath your outstretched hand. Driving games where you could actually apply your real life driving reflexes. Puzzle games where manipulating pieces is second nature. Sports games that require you to actually swing the bat or catch the football. Fighting games where you can feel a guy get punched in the face. At the end of the day, games are about having fun. Say what you will about their business acumen, Nintendo has always understood that. With the Revolution interface, the company is reaching out to the millions of people who have yet to pick up a controller. Why should those of us who have been playing since that first grey box reached our shores be the only ones who have access to the fun?
This is a risky venture, no doubt about it. If third party developers don't catch on to the possibilities here, if the EAs of the world don't take a chance with the new interface, then Nintendo will be looking at a big problem. This may be the last console larger than the DS we see out of the company for quite a while. If that's the way it's going to be, then I say so be it. Finally, at least, Nintendo isn't just going to sit there and try to imitate the other consoles poorly. Sony and Microsoft are very, very good at what they do. Instead of keeping up with the Jonses, Nintendo is striking out on its own. For better or worse, they've taken steps to expand the field of game players and change the nature of game playing.
The number of games at launch, third party commitment to the console, and the commercial reaction to this departure from the norm will be the only way to determine if Nintendo has made the right call. Either way we can look forward to a generation of consoles that will not only be graphically more impressive, but fundamentally different from the gaming systems we've played in the past. For me, at least, when I pick up the remote for the first time it will be like sitting down again on Christmas morning. I can't wait.
I've had my say ... what do you think? The controller announcement was put up early this morning. Now that you've had the chance to look at it more carefully, is your opinion any different? Most importantly, are you planning on buying one?
The Power Glove did this stuff 20 years ago.
Revolution? Hardly.
They pulled a rabbit out of their hat... with Rabbit Algbera.
I found this interesting because it looks like an idea I threw out there long ago: a light gun with a built in joystick for the thumb of your left hand where it supports the gun. This would have allowed the light gun to be used for natural aim while navigating environments with the thumb in an intuitive manner.
:)
This takes the idea and makes it more flexible (and more palatable to the anti-toy-gun parents out there). The fundamentals are exactly as I proposed, even if the physical form is quite different. Should have patented that idea I guess
The fact it looks like a "remote control" actually may make it less threatening to non gamers, especially if coupled with games that don't require twitch reflexes. Considering this is the company that came out with Animal Crossings, I can see similar games opening up an interesting market. The idea that it spins ninety degrees and becomes a "classic gaming controller" opens another market. The obvious use in first person style games maintains an opening for the classic market.
If done correctly, Nintendo may bring a larger audience to the table and really tap into those markets that are not well served by the other big consoles. The big concern is how well it will work in more conventional gaming situations. From the descriptions it works quite well and frankly doesn't sound *that* different from an input viewpoint for portability of games *to* the system: it is a fancy analog stick. If it works better than the dual stick inputs for first person games it might even quell the "hard core and insecure about themselves" group that has traditionally slammed Nintendo for being for kids and rejected the system even when games like RE4 came out. Frankly, nearly anything works better than the dual stick inputs on the consoles (yeah, I have learned to cope, but it sucks compared to mouse and WASD) so there is some hope there.
I like the big N... it is a company that produces games that are fun for parties and families. They still understand that a game should be fun first and then comes the chrome, but the developers have really left them by the wayside this go around. Hopefully they will couple this kind of innovation with a more aggressive use of third parties to round out the library.
As an aside, I should point out that I own the Cube, two PS2s and an X-Box, along with my PC game collection: I'm aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each platform and library. Nintendo is a company that I have the most *fondness* for (and anyone who complains about games reaching the point of sameness needs to at least recognize that they are doing there best to avoid that fate), Sony the company I have the most games from and the X-Box is my "co-op gaming Saturday" system. Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike is ready and waiting. My PC is for RTS and other games that elude the console input scheme.
Sig under construction since 1998.
they are constantly trying to change the market, which very few companies ever do. they tried the virtual boy (which didnt do so hot) but the DS is doing very well, and i think that with their new control, there is a HUGE amount of potential. just think of sports games alone. you are going to be swinging a 'bat'. throwing a 'ball'. playing golf, etc etc etc. of course it will probably take some getting used to, but i hope this definitely takes off as much as nintendo wants it to. :P
fencing games can now be fun
If this Revolution does not fundamentally change the modes of production in society, then it cannot really be considered revolutionary. This is just more petty-bourgeois reformism.
If the revolution failed, they would have to make available the likes of Zelda, Metroid and the entire Mario franchise on PS3 and Xbox360 to keep the console versions alive. There is still a huge population out there that don't play handhelds.
However, Nintendo is a traditional Japanese company who will probably take Zelda to the grave instead of sharing it with another major rival. Of course if they find success, all the power to them.
To be honest, nothing about the next generation up until now has 'excited' me, because I see it as more of an evolution than something new. With this radically different controller, Nintendo has managed to get me actually excited about a game system. From talking to my coworkers today, I don't think I'm alone in my excitement. Everybody I talk to wants to see how this thing works, because from the 'first impression' articles alone it sounds like it opens up whole new dimensions to how games are played, and furthermore those dimensions are surprisingly intuitive. What is going to make or break this system, I think, is whether or not it can execute -- whether the implementation is as good as our imagination of it.
And at the very least, making their huge library of older games available for the system will drag a large number of people along even if they are skeptical -- because there's a HUGE market, I think, for nostaligia games, things that link us back to the fun we had as children.
Good luck, Nintendo. You've got at least one person onboard with your vision (me!).
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Well since last quarter they were the only console company of the big 3 to post a profit, and large even if smaller than hoped at 33 million. But up 33 million is certainly better than in the hole 52 million (sony) or 179 million (xbox). Give me the patented Nintendo brand of failure any day.
Source of the figures
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I wouldn't say N64/GC was Nintendo "sitting on the sidelines". Yes, they were clearly in second place, but based on the huge number of great games and the amount of gamers talking about them, they are still a major damn player. Yes, they had 1/3 to 1/2 the shelfspace as Sony did this generation, but for multiplayer/party gaming, they were untouchable, with franchise power the other companies would drool over.
I'm still skeptical about these controllers. A LOT will be riding on how well they work...if they're only as reliable as Samba de Amigo maracas, for get it. If they're as exact as a lightgun, maybe they have a shot. But even then, its not clear if Revolution will still be a player w/ mainstream genres, or if it's just the next Eye Toy or Donkey Konga; some sales, but not enough to base a gaming life on.
If Nintendo would embrace the homebrew community, or at least throw them some bones, I would cut them a TON of slack than I will otherwise.
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The day of Revolution will be the day it ships. Until then, this is all a big tease. I gather it is still shipping rather well after XBox and PS3.
"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
no, it was ATTEMPTED 20 years ago, and failed. everyone knows all you had to do was point the stupid glove at the screen and it would do stuff. with the sensors built into it, its a whole new ballgame.
You can have a beer in one hand, and the controller in another hand. The posiblilities are endless for college students to binge drink!
I guess you know nothing about the "Spore" game (check at http://www.pqhp.com/cmp/gdctv/). A friend of mine sent me the link, and the game seem nothing less than amazing.
I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I can think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.
Why are Zonks' ramblings about what he beleives considered "news"? Or even "stuff that matters"?
... is what the N64 and GC controllers were supposed to be as well, and they both flopped because they sucked.
Nintendo has a long ways to go to prove that this is indeed an innovation, and not just another gimmick that will flop. So please, everyone refrain from praising it until you've a) actually tried one yourself, or b) seen what others have tried it think of it.
The burden is on Nintendo to PROVE it, not for us to blindly buy in.
I for one am a little tired of the current crop of big name games... I have no interest in a rehash of quake, or madden 1995 + n (n in Z+). The only gmes that have kept me playing are titles like animal crossing, or katamari damacy that offer something new. I really hope that this will push developers to be a bit more creative and not just crank out the same crap with a new controller.
... look they really did just want more of the same... roll out Doom 19!
The pessimist in me sees into a dark future, in which the big N has failed in their bold move, and the money men are saying
But reading the description and seeing the video, I am "stoked". In many ways, it's like EyeToy taken to the next level. I can't wait to try it.
I agree that the GC failed (even though I played it more than anything else this generation), but it Nintendo is still here. They took a gamble with the DS and I believe that it payed off. It took a little while to get the first great games, but they are out now with more coming. Nintendo keeps its commitments, and I can't wait to see what they do with this. Even if 3rd parties aren't big on it (sad), I know I can count on Nintendo for hours of fun. If Nintendo consoles turn into what the Atari 2600 was before Activision (only games were made by Atari), that's OK with me.
But this has a chance of doing two things. First, it could cause big problems for Sony and MS. The other option, is it could split the field into the "Nintendoites" (Have a Nintendo, fun, innovative games) and the "Gamerz" (Great graphics, more of the same, not unlike the PC is becoming, with the occasional great game).
I've wanted a Revolution the most of the next generation even knowing almost nothing based on Nintendo's reputation. The XBox 360 and PS3 announcements (especially price) have pushed me further. This threw me off the cliff BIG TIME.
I want my Revolution!
PS: I LOVED the virtual boy. I think it was mismarketed. It had its problems, and it failed, but I still loved it. Mario Crash, Wario Land, Mario Tennis, and more. Some great games on that platform.
Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
Graphically and gameplay wise, there is no line between home and arcade systems anymore. They've more than caught up to each other.
Arcades still have a huge lead when it comes to input devices. A few examples.
Dance Dance Revolution and it's varients.
Just about any cockpit driving game.
Spy Scope (Konami light gun game with a scope)
I can't really remember all the names off hand, but in the arcade intuitive controls is the game. You got games with replica harley davidsons, jet ski's, hang gliders and even futuristic battle pods from which you do mech battle.
I don't think nintendo is taking any kind of a gamble with the revolution controller. They know intuitive control is what has kept the arcade alive for so long and they're following suit.
I am of course being rhetorical. This story is really nothing more than a comment on another slashdot story. If only slashdot had the ability to such a thing with out creating a whole new story on the front page. Wait! That's what the comment system is.
Unlike a lot of readers I usually have no issue with zonk's stories and often find them interesting. I have no intention of blocking his stories from my front page (however I should note that a lot of others do not share this interest and have already blocked him). But this is silly. Please, fellow slashdot reader/commenter, if you have a comment to make about the revolution consider posting it in the original revolution story. If you want to complain about Zonk then comment on that on this story. For those of you who share my irritation this can be our form of protest.
But only Nintendo could take what was an idea from 20 years ago, and bring it forward. Also, the power glove had so many limitations: bulky hardware, non-intuitive interface (using fingers for buttons?) and only a 2-D tracking system. The applications of the Powerglove were very limited, and it had difficulty applying to new situations. This new controller, on the other hand, with its ability to track depth as well as position (and allowing for multiple controllers to be tracked at once for multiplayer or more complicated games) has serious potential. Not limited in shape to the human hand, the new controller can be applied to many situations. Just looking at the video's Nintendo has released, we can see many great examples: FPS Fishing Games Swordfighting Instruments Strategy Games And that's just listing the gametypes that already exist. Who knows what new types of games might open up now? I won't deny that I've always trusted Nintendo over any other company to provide my video game entertainment, so call me biased, but I'm happy to see them taking the hard path. Most sites I go to have lists of what is needed to "save the game industry" from a repetitive, downward spiral of safe franchises and rigid gameplay. Sure each new console looks better, but I play a game now and think "this is generic jumping puzzle #5" or "There is definitely someone hiding behind that explosive barrel". Nintendo Revolution has the potential to change that. I can tell you now, I'll buy one, if only to support Nintendo and encourage a company that I feel is doing proper innovation.
The best game interface ever for me was the SuperScope rifle for the SNES. Point and shoot. Intiutive, did exactly what I wanted instead of me fighting the controller, worked every time. I still miss it now.
"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
Here's four reasons why:
Mario Sunshine
Zelda Wind Waker
Metroid Prime
Sonic Heroes
I know that picking these games apart is the thing to do if you are a video game reviewer, especially WW and Heroes, but *I* enjoyed them. And I know that Heroes was a multiplatform release but the PS2 version sucked and the Xbox version was awkward to control because Heroes was designed to be played with the Cube's nonstandard button configuration.
If Nintendo produces games that people enjoy playing, and they're making money, how is that failing?
This, of course, only gets me more excited about the Rev. Especially when you consider the possibilities for Katamari Damacy with that movable, tiltable controller. (Hey, it could happen... they're doing a DS port...)
N4st0r, trixx0r h0bb1tz0rz! Th3y st0l3 0ur pr3c10uzz!
From the GameInformer article:
Not only is the D-pad used for movement, but the Revolution controller can control movement by raising and lowering, but also by twisting, turning, and moving the controller left, right, up, down or forward and backwards
Thanks to 20 years of computer programming and gaming (both PC and many of the consoles that made Nintendo a gaming powerhouse), I get to use a trackball and ergonomic keyboard at work, per doctor's orders.
I try to imagine what I would do with a one-handed controller that required me to twist, turn, and roll my wrist in convoluted ways to play the game, and my wrist starts to hurt just thinking of it.
My first thought after looking at this new controller is that it's going to be an ergonomic nightmare.
Does anyone else find it hysterical that Zonk thinks his comments are so important that he has to write them up and post them on the front page instead of commenting to an article like everyone else does, including Taco?
It's like duping a story on purpose just so he could have first post!
I'd like to hear your reasoning behind that. It sold as well as the Xbox and was extremely profitable, even at an extremely low price. To me, that screams success.
Don't forget the ability to play games from all their previous consoles. While the whole pricing part of that is up in the air, it appears at least some games will be free, or should be reasonably priced. And of course the new controller has the "a" and "b" buttons so you can hold it sideways and it's like a classic NES controller. That's an additional source of interest to gamers and revenue to Nintendo. And of course Nintendo has been the only one of the big 3 to post a profit in the previous round. I don't know how that's failure.
It doesn't seem like this console is anywhere near a 2006 release date. It's very hard to judge what impact the new controller will have without even a basic demo of a real game...
I see the Revolution controller as the culmination of a process that began with awkward, lampooned devices such as the Power Glove and Virtual Boy, finally shaping up considerably with the DS. Nintendo's efforts have been focused on bridging the gap between physical and virtual space for a decade and a half, and, at long last, it looks like they've hit the nail on the head. Four (or is it a whole six?) axes controlled without a single finger. Genius.
When they said that the DS proved their impressions wrong, so Nintendo has earned themselves a breif respite from unfounded criticism. If the games do suck, I imagine PA will have at them for it.
Fortunately, I'm under no such obligation =). I seem to recall hearing that the Revolution was backwards compatible; as fascinating as that carpal tunnel syndrome controller may be, if Nintendo provides an "out" for developers via Cube controller compatibility, a lot of them will take it. The Revolution would have to sell on unprecedented levels to convince publishers and developers to create a game that has no chance of being portable for a console.
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The new controller opensmany neat arenas that have never been handled well by any controller I have ever used. This could creat a very interesting sword fighting game, going with the novel theme we seem to get with nintendo, a game where you conduct an orchestra.
The first person shooter set up sounds intersting, and I can hardly wait to try it. And strangly enough I could see a fly fishing game being a huge success.
Looks like I am buying one.
I used to have a cool sig, back when I cared
There's a, IMHO, facinating poll on the BBC News Website linked to this story. It simply asks if people think the controller is a hit or a miss. It has been floating around 50/50 all day even though the votes have continually gone up. I actually think 50% of people thinking it a hit is a fantastic number for Nintendo. If they can get that number of people interested before they even try it, imagine how the number might go up once others try it, assuming the technology really works well.
When the revolution comes, he'll be the first up against he wall.
Did you actually use the power glove or did you just see "The Wizard"?
If every game related post Zonk green lights, SOMEBODY has to make a comment about how somegamesite.com is paying him money for the articles.
Now he posts an article with links to EVERY GAMING SITE. So have at it trolls - explain that one!
Nintendo has created the first controller that can recognize when you throw it at a wall in frustration!
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"If not for smashing evil mushroom people and searching for Triforce pieces in my youth, my life would be very different today."
Yep - you'd probably HAVE a life...
I owned the original Game Boy, but no other console. Played NES and SNES and Genesis at friends' houses, of course. And a little N64 and Gamecube with friends as I got older. My roommate and I in college got a free PS2 with something (DSL I think), and we used it as a DVD player. I used an XBox as an original Game Boy emulator once. Frankly, I have no interest in Sony or Microsoft consoles. I outgrew GTA-style games when I was 18 (Look, Beavis, I'm killing a hooker! huhuhuhuhuh... "mature" games my ass). FPS's to this point are useless without a keyboard and mouse. (And I played Halo on the PC, and it sucked even *with* the keyboard and mouse). Never got into RPGs much. Or sports games. So that pretty much takes care of 95% of PS2 and Xbox games there. Honestly, my preferred gaming style is strategy things (everything from the original Civ and Simcity to Rome:TW), and that's left me mostly on the PC. But the Nintendo consoles have had a few extra truly fun games on them that don't normally fit in.. Super Smash Bros, for example.
I'm seriously thinking of buying the Rev. Combining the classic arcade-style console games from my youth, with something honestly new that may even allow controllable strategy games and even FPSs, not to mention new style games, along with the polish that I've come to expect from Nintendo, makes me very excited. I just hope that the new games don't put too much emphasis on "online" stuff. I mean, I want the capability there, but I don't want tons of games that are only good when played online. Because frankly people online are a bunch of assholes. I have no interest in having to listen to 15 year olds call me a Gay Mexican Jew Lizard whenever I want to play a game for awhile. I mean, I will know people who live further away who will likely own the Rev too, so I would like the online play to be there. (Classic NES games online would be awesome as well for the same reason, by the way.)
So this is all kind of rambling, but basically the point is: Never bought a non-portable console before and never really considered it much, but I'm definitely considering it now.
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
I have nothing against Nintendo. I actually think their game titles are welcome relief from the cookie cutter games washing over the industry.
That being said, I just can't see people using this device very much. Part of the allure of video games is being able to veg out and play with the minimal amount of movement. Having to wildly gesture for every game would just tire people out. It requires too much physical involvement.
I hope they design a "standard" controller as well...
is there such thing as a casual gamer anymore? i'm curious as to how nintendo would define that. to me, it's the kid playing Madden and Halo after school. and these people will happily continue playing these games on PS3 and X360. if they are going after the bejeweled crowd, i think Nintendo is seriously in trouble. i just can't see this console gaining the industry support to matter anymore. Nintendo will continue along, bringing some quality first party games, but will anybody notice?? what kids are going to ask for one of these over another console?
Price point is the only thing I feel Nintendo has going for them right now. Presumably this console will cost significantly less than others.
But I still feel like it's based on a hokey premise. I don't want to install a sensor on my tv. What if I want to lay on my bed or on a couch and play a game... will I have to contort myself so i'm facing the screen?
will i want to play several hours of an RPG when my arms are tired from being held aloft that whole time? ugh it just seems so impractical.
beware though, the nintendo fanboys will be the ones with massive arm strength, so don't badmouth the console in front of them. ;-)
The gamecube was/is not a failure. Despite the fact that it didn't get as much media attention and the fact that nobody seems to like it, it still outsold the XBox on the worldwide level. Also, it was the only console that consistently made money on the hardware. It also has many titles that you can't get on other systems. Games that are truly innovation. There is no other game like animal crossing for any other system. Also, they are still making games for gamecube, and still selling units, so I would say the gamecube was anything but a failure.
Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
Well, this is the first of the next gen consoles to make me sit up and actually wonder when it was being released. Any idea when it will actually be out?
I could imagine some pretty sweet rhythm games with two controllers.
I only dread the WarioWare that comes out for this. That game would probably result in countless broken controllers from trying to flip it or spin it or whatever.
A planet where apes evolved from men? Long live the apes.
Being #2 in the World with every console sold at a profit is failure!? I don't understand the tone of failure and pessimism that exists in every article about Nintendo.
After careful analysis of the word Nintendo, I realize I made a mistake... Nintendo is not a kiddie word, but a killing sound!!!!!
-Chani
Uh, they could patent it.
"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
I loved my NES and when SNES came out they had done so much to it but kept it the same. The move to N64 and GameCube was a bad idea. What they should have done was take their existing product and make it better and not try and copy the Playstation 1. The Idea of buying an Xbox when you own a PC at home with a good video card makes no since to me. 99% of the games on the Xbox come out on the PC first... but Microsoft is relaying on their name to push the Xbox 360.. whats next then... i'll tell you whats next.. APPLE is going to make a game system too. A much as i dislike Apple and their business model, if they design a game system i am sure it would be a ton better than Xbox could ever be. This new Nintendo system is just another weight on the Nintendo Corp to bring them down. I cant wait to see them crash and burn becasue they made an expensive system for 8-11 year old kids.. not many of them have jobs to buy one and i am sure the parnets of this gen of kids played with the orginal NES would rather they have one of those.
Implementing this control schema would be no different than what developers currently have to implement for the current generation of systems. The statement that "3rd party games will not appear on Revolution because of this controller" is completely short sighted. Do you think that the GC, Xbox, and PS2 had the same controller application interface? I VERY seriously doubt it. Nintendo will just need to ensure that the API layer is properly documented for the 3rd party developers to configure the game controls correctly. Sega is already taking a large interest in this controller and I believe others will follow if they want to be on the cutting edge of the market. If anything Revolution will be the platform that developers experiment on. That is always a good thing. This new controller will allow the developers to take a game like Madden and do MORE with it on the Revolution than the PS3 or 360. Besides I have been reading that the GC controller will be compatible with the Revolution as well. This is a very smart move at this time. Think about this: When the SNES came out everyone laughed at the shoulder buttons...
Didn't the MS sidewinder freestyle controler do the same thing? I still have one of these somewhere.
Is it just me, or does the new controller and the way you are supposed to hold it "the long way" in one hand, remind you of one of those early 80s Activision or Intellivision consoles? (can't remember which one)
You know, the one with that big silver knob thing and I think it also may have had a numeric touchpad too.
'Revolution' is appropriate indeed. As in, back to the beginning...
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I think it is impressive that no one commented about the possibilities of "controller gestures", just like its cousin mouse gestures. Okay there are some movements that you'll not be able to performe with that controller no matter how good are the sensors but with gestures you could play games like medal of honor and make your character crawl, jump, knee and whatever no matter how many buttons you have in your controller, just think of that. Many people complained the lack of buttons but hey, with gestures who needs buttons, playing something akin to medal of honor will be very fun indeed, or like controlling Link in the Zelda games, gestures could enable some very nice attacks and acrobatic parrys...
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When you have as big a piece of the three-way split gaming market as Nintendo has, it's hard to refer to them as non-standard anything.
"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
Holy crap, way to rob me of any illusion of youth that remains in my mind. Thanks.
Great analysis. and perfect example of why this system can beat others, I didn't think this could be used to maximize FPSes (which have SUCKED on consoles for years. Sorry fanboys, Halo wasn't a great FPS, Half Life 2 was a great FPS)
But There's so much potential in this system, all we need to see is how it's used.
If the FPSes don't come or realize the potential it's all for naught, Nintendo must garner some support and fast, if they do so, they will take the market with a really new system, something I havent' seen from Sony since the PS, and the Xbox is just a Bigger PS with more computery interface, both based on PS, which is VERY similar to the Dreamcast, which was just a large version of the Saturn, which was just a Sega CD with a a better controler and a little bit better support.
The systems are all more powerful but the power itself DOESNT make a new generation. We have a million computers, none of them are a new generation, After Windows 3.1.1 We haven't had a new generation of computers. Of Procs and ram, and everything else there's new stuff, but generations require a complete redesign, not just bits and pieces.
The problem is the controller hasn't evolved except getting more buttons, I love the Ps2 controller, but why shouldn't I? It's evolved from the 10 controllers of the systems before it. It's freaking using the same control scheme the NES uses except that they add analog sticks and sholder buttons (SNES anyone?) and of course twice the buttons... big whoop.
So Definate Kudos to Nintendo, and let's hope the industry appreciates the new approach because it can save the industry or it will kill itself, but either way at least it's new.
I'll still keep my N64 system regardless, just for S-Mario64 and both Zelda's.
"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
If they put a halfway decent zoom-n-shooter into the mix. Tie Fighter/X-wing, Red Baron, Asteroids 3-d even? If this new controller is as intuitive as claimed, I'm on it.
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I've always looked at Nintendo as the Apple of gaming companies.
They come out with neat stuff and sometimes it's just fan-fucking-tastic: Look at your current controller and think for a second about what company brought those out first. Look at your current handheld game: If it isn't a DS or GameBoy variant, it is likely inspired by the GB.
They come out with neat stuff and sometimes it just tanks: Virtual Boy, power glove, power mat and the like.
If I'm interested in consoles that take chances and try to do new things, I'll go with a Nintendo. If I just want a console that is just more of the same, but faster then I'll go with a PS or XBox.
I like Nintendo because I think that, despite not having the most impressive specs, they do more to push *gaming* forward - gaming as an experience - than anyone else. Sony and MSFT might have faster stuff or prettier pictures, but there's nothing really different about their systems.
Personally, I hope the Revolution lives up to its name. I, for one, will be getting one upon release, while I will almost certainly be waiting at least a year for an XBox 360 or PS3.
Since I can't tell them apart, I treat all ACs as the same person.
What excited me the most (as I've commented before) is, if news.com report is accurate, the chance for joe blow to start a small team and create a new game on a console with a new interface. If Nintendo provides support and enough push for these small guys, then the chance for out-of-the-box thinking and games would be possible (hard to do with PS and Xbox franchise today).
If Nintendo would open source their tools and get game developers involved, they may have a unique opportunity which Sony and Microsoft might miss.
And if they provide tools for their GB and DS franchise, then synergistic products (handhelds tied to Revolution somehow) might be realized that big name game companies have failed to imagine so far....
Danny Kumamoto
I work for a 3rd party developer that makes games for all three platforms (Xbox, PS2, and NGC) and the weakest sells are the NGC by far. While I applaud Nintendo for the big step/risk it is taking with this platform it kind of kills and possibility to port many games to this console. I understand that many people hate the idea of porting a game from one platform to the next, but the simple fact is that is where the money is made. You write a game once, and then spend a small amount of time porting it to another console and boom; you have doubled your total sells. Considering the time and money investment it would take to port a game which uses this controller I wonder if many small developers can afford it.
could he be talking about me?
just dont bring back the Virtual Boy. Anymore 2D red wire-frame graphics and i'll have to.... um, not buy it like i didnt the first time.
my karma will be here long after I'm gone
That has to be one of the most balanced pieces I've read so far. Thanks for succinctly stating what I've been thinking. I think the new controller brings us closer to a much more natural interface paradigm than ever before. Think about that first Christmas again. How did you look? Were you one of the total spazzes who would instinctively move the controller with your button presses, subconsciously thinking it might affect the action on-screen? Well, it finally will, and all those spastic, first-timers will have a fighting chance of kicking some butt on this console. Here's to a brave new world!
Why not just post a comment to the story that was on Slashdot already? It's even linked to!
People seem worried that this radical controller will drive away 3rd party developers. But the revolution includes ports to plug in gamecube controllers and memory cards. Why not use the old gamecube controller, which behaves the same as the xbox and ps controllers do, for traditional gaming? This approach is inline with how developer are integrating the DS's touch screen and d-pad.
Flamebait? Troll? Try "Insightful"... this is so true it must hurt.
I see what Nintendo is trying to do here, I really do. Firstly, they're trying to move video gaming one step closer to its ultimate goal of virtual realities and worlds. You'll get no argument from me against the idea that actually swinging something is more like swinging something than moving an analog stick. No question at all. For that, I applaud them. This truly is innovative, and does push gaming towards it's ultimate goal of accurately simulating reality.
Secondly, it does indeed present a controller that's accessible to people who've never even picked up a controller before. No more "which button to I hit to swing the bat?" questions, for the most part, and despite some tech demos, none of us know how it will actually be used in a real game. We've all seen the total newbie who's holding a controller and playing anything from Mario Brothers to Halo where they actually move their body, ducking and weaving, in accordance to what they're trying to do with their hands, and Nintendo's gone and made an controller that actually takes that into account, all of it. Heck, I know a guy who's pretty good at Halo 2 that still stands up and bobs back and forth every time he gets in a sticky situation with a Banshee.
That being said, my reaction has been consistent ever since I caught a glimpse of this yesterday, and even moreso after I read the articles (almost all of them) and watched the teaser video: Nintendo, you've got to be fucking kidding me. I'm a pretty active guy. I run several miles every other day, I go to the gym and lift weights on the days in-between. And I'll tell you, the last freaking thing I want in the world, when I finally sit down at the end of the day in front of the television is to madly wave my arms like a madman to control a character in a video game. I leave the house for excersize. I sit on my couch to relax while playing a game.
Nonetheless, I do look forward to trying it at least once, blinds closed and doors locked so nobody sees me looking like a complete damn idiot like every single one of those people in that teaser video. This might make gaming more accessible, but it's definitely not making it any cooler.
The last thing I'll add it that analog stick on that extension part looks just like the one on the N64 controller, which not only broke easily, but was made in the same mushroom shape, of the same slick plastic and not rubber, and totally sucks compared to the sticks on either the Dual Shock or Xbox controller (which has the best analog sticks IMO). I'm surprised that it looks like they're using that same stick design again.
i had heard that nintendo was thinking of releasing a public SDK... any more information on this?
In the off chance it matters, I am a game developer.
As long as it works without being overly glitchy, they at least clinch 2nd place.
They are promising to deliver the back library of the NES and SNES already. And you have clean backwards compatibility with the Gamecube, and this will keep the owners of gamecubes happy. And while the installed base of the Gamecube may not be as impressive as the Playstation 2, it is not inconsiderable either.
So you can get the nostalga buyers. And unlike the DS, I can easily imagine games that would use this tech that I would want to play. This has real possibilities.
Simply looking around in 3d space is now a resolved issue. Its blindingly intuitive to that purpose, and that alone will make many games much more playable.
Put a cursor on the screen, and you have a very viable mouse replacement. RTS games become much easier to do. You could probably make HomeWorld playable on a consle. Can you imagine doing that on existing consoles?
And while the video of people playing games with the controller shoes no shots of the actual gameplay, it does serve one important purpose. The fishing, 'conducting music', and other types of gameplay do demonstrate one thing. This controller will permit gameplay types that simply are not possible right now. And even if conducting an orchestra is not likely to appeal to the 16 year old, counterstrike demographic, it will appeal to some people. It will pull in entirely new sorts of gamers.
Between Nintendo loyalists and the new players, it can probably clinch 2nd place. And if the 3rd party publishers are intrigued enough to make a serious effort to port their games to exploit this controller, it can likely unseat Sony in the number 1 position.
END COMMUNICATION
Zonk hit the nail right on the head. The revolution could do for console games what world of warcraft did to the mmorpg market. It has the potential to drastically widen the market, by bringing non gamers into console gaming. My mom or my gandmother could use this interface intuitively.
All these comments against the revolution remind me of my friends comments who prefer windows, IE, and outlook express.
I think the key point that this controller offers is the degree of physicality, the amount of actual physical movement you get to do in controlling on screen events. In moves away from thumb twiddling and let's you move and swing your arms. This is fantastic for any sort of game that has real life simulation - sports games, FPS, etc. because as the poster mentions you can swing your golf club or baseball bat, or sword, or gun, rather than relying on wrist and finger twitches acting through a complex interface.
Swinging the controller like a bat is both natural and allows the user to immediately have remarkably subtle and complex control over the dynamics of their swing. The same level of complex swing options with a thumb twiddling interface is going to involve all manner of little things and multibutton combinations to master. Moving your hands to catch a ball, pick something up, or make your character push a button is much the same, natural and obvious and allowing a complexity of control that is simply not easily reproducible via thumb twiddling.
Of course more physical movement oriented interfaces have been tried before, in some areas (DDR for instance) they have been quite successful (at least within their niche). Those interfaces that failed, or at least failed to to be too much more than a passing fad (light guns, "power gloves", the recent camera based games) generally all have the same failing: The accuracy with which they detect and translate your physical movements to action on screen has been very poor. What this Nintendo controller seem to be offering, at least from the descriptions of the reviewers, is sufficient accuracy in reading and interpreting your movements to allow the interface to finally feel natural. If it actually works as promised I expect it will indeed bve quite revolutionary.
Jedidiah.
Craft Beer Programming T-shirts
I know it's already been discussed, but I'll go ahead and say it here for the record. The GameCube failed as a console. Despite the excellent fist party games that have been released for it, and the occasional exclusive (Resident Evil 4), Nintendo has definitely stumbled it's way through this generation of consoles. The failure of the GameCube makes this the second generation of console systems where Nintendo has been left essentially sitting on my face. Every time I post a story about someone editorializing Nintendo's death, or how Nintendo will never die, it saddens me a great deal. Nintendo is the company that brought a lot of the people of my generation into gaming in the first place. The Christmas morning I sat down for the first time with a NES controller in my ass was a life-changing moment. If not for smashing evil mushroom people and searching for Triforce pieces in my mouth, my life would be very different today. Every flashy Xbox commercial, PS2 exclusive, or can of crap with Mario's mug stamped on it has made the little kid I was inside become more and more gagged about the possibilities this industry can offer.
Today, that little kid is screaming. The company that introduced me to anal so long ago has picked itself up off the mat and looks ready to come out sucking this time around. We've already linked to 1up's coverage of the announcement, but if you haven't read it yet there are plenty of other places to get the specifics. Gamespot, Gamespy, IGN, and Game Informer all have photo spreads, video, and first hand impressions from their experiences with Nintendo's next venture. Commentary is available from CNN Money, Wonderland, Jeremy Parish, The Game Chair, Joystiq, and Next Generation. An interview with Nintendo's Senior EU Marketing director is available on Eurogamer, and if you want to see the announcement firsthand a webcast of the presentation is available.
All of these pieces spend at least a paragraph or two wondering about the future, and with good reason. Within half an hour of the story being posted to the internet there were already lamentations about "the end of an era" and blistering condemnations of the controller as a lark that will fail as badly as the Virtual Boy. Specifically, both the professional media and fan commentaries seemed to center around the reaction that third party developers may or may not have to this extremely intriguing idea. The combination of this new controller style and the mentality that "Nintendo is for kids" may cause the company some problems down the line. They're almost certainly right.
That said, if you've read the description of the Metroid Prime demo you can't help but pause. The mental gymnastics required to use a mouse and keyboard in a First Person Shooter have confounded non-gamers since the genre began. As anyone who's played an FPS on a console can tell you, the two joystick approach gets the job done but is far from intuitive. Attempting such a title on the console is basically out of the question unless you can work at the interface, something a non-gamer is rarely willing to do. Nintendo
that "story" was a really boring piece of analysis that used a lot of words to say nothing. so allow me to throw down some analytical building blocks that show how the Revo could be the ultimate 3rd party system.
fact is that the Revo is going to be cheap compared to the 360 and PS3, and that physics-based gameplay with a natural, "3D" input system is going to be fun as hell to play. not only will canonical genres like sports, FPS and racing games be freed from the abstract stupidity of the "2D" standard controller, but a whole new market for whimsical and amusing physics-based mini-games and puzzlers will be instantly created. we're already seeing this market emerge on the mouse-and-keyboard interface of the PC, so just imagine what could happen if a standardized "3D" controller were at the center of it all. because there is no question that such games are loved by casual gamers and a wider, as yet untapped gaming audience, the only concern is whether or not nintendo will allow this market to flourish by releasing (or allowing downloads) of such $10-25 gems.
in that regard, the "home" button on the Revo controller is the real story here; if it takes me to a one-time fee per game, download-on-demand dashboard, i'll be sharing a gaming heaven with a lot of other people.
i think the Revo controller is what companies like EA have been looking for too. their own executives have been noting that their sports games at least are becoming repetative and derivative, and that this is starting to hurt year-over-year sales. merely slapping even fancier graphics on an old product is only going to improve sales so much, if at all, while also increasing development costs. the Revo controller frees companies like EA to innovate gamplay in a way we havn't known since the dawn of 3D graphics in general. you don't think they are going to want to take advantage of that kind of novelty while simultaneously avoiding the graphics arms race defining PS3 and 360 competition? LOLERSKATES.
finally, let us not forget that the Revo console includes ports for standard gamecube controllers. not only does this ensure backwards compatability, it ensures forwards compatability for ports that use a more "traditional" controller input system.
frankly, i'm pumped. the Revo has got me excited about the next-gen consoles in a way that PS3 and 360 didnt at all.
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I am sure with just the Mario games alone this will be amazing, but when I start thinking about all of the other Nintendo owen games like Zelda, Metroid, Animal crossing, Pokemon, etc... makes my hands sweat and the adrenalin flow! imagine a driving game you stear with the joy stick and can glance left over your sholder with a flick of your wrist. Or a fighting game like Soul Caliber where the character's combo move involves various gestures drawn in the air with the controler.
This new controler offers a very intuitive interface to the uninitiated and vast amount of complexity for the hardcore.
Besides, with a name like "Nunchaku" how can you go wrong?
Am I going to buy one? HELL YEAH!
Can't wait for this to be copied by Sony and MS so I can use it on a console with games I am interested in purchasing. Nintendo has had revolutionary games, but none of their games can hold a candle to the likes of KOTOR and Fable in my opinion. The announced developers for Xbox and PS2 have me way more excited that more cartoony Nintendo kiddie junk. Adults are the future of gaming. Somebody has to put something out for the kids though. It will take a few impressive games to make me want a Revolution instead of a 360 at this point.
I just saw The Wizard.
"Finally, at least, Nintendo isn't just going to sit there and try to imitate the other consoles poorly."
I'm sorry, either I am reading this wrong or else you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Nintendo has never, in the history of home video game consoles, imitated another company's approach. They stuck to cartridges when CDs were too slow still. They were the first with the d-pad, shoulder buttons, diamond layout, rumble, analog thumbstick, rumble/vibration, 4 controller ports built in (at least in modern home gaming), near-zero load times even after disc-based media, and viable wireless controllers. And they made a profit the whole time.
Please explain to me how they copied their competitors poorly? Seems to be the other companies copied Nintendo poorly. Install base does not always equal success; profit, quality, innovation and fun factor all count too.
It was a nice essay and all, but I don't get the point. Gamecube didn't have good third party support? Must have been a failure. Even though it was cheap, fun, and had great first party titles. Total failure. If the Revolution succeeds as well as the Gamecube, I will be pretty damn excited. That would be FINE.
However, the potential for the system far outweighs the options of Sony and Microsoft's obsolete offerings. Third party support will make the difference between regular success and runaway domination; NOT losing or winning.
As with 1up and the Escapist, Zonk has now taken to paying off Zonk to get articles posted.
(Hey, at least its not a Roland PiquePaile story...)
Now that the Intellivision/Activision/Powerglove/TV Remote is making a come back, I want my best pal Rob to make an upgrade. I am certain Nintendo can add some new functionality - perhaps merge Rob with RoboSapien to make the ultimate friend! Possibly we can call him "AWESOM-O"! Huzzah!
The new controller design seems great for FPSes, but what about Fighters?
My favorite console game is Soul Calibur 2. Looking at the new Nintendo controller, I'm a bit confused as to how a fighter game like that would work. Many move combinations require two buttons to be pressed simultaneously. Would there be some normal-controller plug-in for that?
The Revolution will not be televised.
You, sir, just unleashed the Ultimate Typo. A typo with so much power, it will soon become self-aware and lead a rebellion against mankind. Thanks, buddy.
Until we see what sort of 3rd party support is forthcoming, and until we see how well the new controller design works on some actual games, it's just too early to tell.
Some folks are already bemoaning or praising the new controllers. As for me, I will say this new announcement is the first thing to make me really take any interest in the next generation of consoles. It does look like Nintendo could be on to something innovative here, but until I've at least heard some first hand accounts of how the system looks at launch, further speculation is... well, just further speculation.
-- dR.fuZZo
This will be the last non-handheld console Nintendo ever produces.
check it out!!!
r evo.swf
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/mousedown/
Screw innovation when it gets in the way of enjoyment. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's good and innovation in gaming has no value to me if it doesn't improve the quality of my gaming experience, and I'm not at all convinced that the Revolution controller will.
Feel free to mod me "-1 - Angry Jerk".
come on ninty, i got 3 kids. i'm never gonna beable to find this fricking controller. remotes are like keys and wallets, they just get lost.
You missed linking to Nintendo Insider. They have several other commentaries, including my own, in the Gaming Gab section. ( OK, yes, it's a shameless plug. )
The quick version of my reactions is that I was worried at first. However, as I let my mind expand, and thought of other developers, such as Namco and Sega, who already push boundries with current equipemnt, such as the DS, I am beginning to really look forward to what the new system and controller have to offer.
The powerglove wasnt even made by nintendo. It was a 3rd party controller, by activision or matel, or something like that... If done right, i believe games will be more fun to play than just using a d-pad and a joystick.
I love to slaughter the english language.
/// ///
... since so many people will look at the controller and go "wtf?". It is a good thing, but still a gamble.
Graphically and gameplay wise, there is no line between home and arcade systems anymore. They've more than caught up to each other.
Err, if that's the case why don't I have a home system that I can jump on, hop on to ride a motorcycle, sit in a cockpit, etc? All examples you cited after making that comment.
And Nintendo is making a gamble
It is more productive to voice thoughtful opinions (reply) than to judge (moderate) others.
I've got $5 down that says the Revolution will fail and most likely will be Nintendo's last system. Generally older companies like this come up with hair brained ideas like this to try and regain their market share of days past.. Sorry Nintendo, as much as I enjoyed growing up with you guys, your reign has faded and is long gone.
Just what the world needs.
For crying out loud, quit with the hype and speil and write a balanced and well thought out discussion about the controller for the Rev. All I have seen is crazy fanboy rants.
Few have mentioned things like haptic lag issues, accuracy problems, fatigue problems.. and alienating people with poor motor skills? Surely Nintendo want as big as audience as possible? How does this achieve those goals?
And on that note.. how are Nintendo seen as innovative? When Sony releases the eye-toy people scream 'gimmik!!'.. how is this not a gimmik then?
I pray for Nintendo that this really is a great leap in innovation. But I worry more about how everyone has jumped on the hype bandwagon without some thought. I think if they dont make it completely accessible by everyone, then they are stuck, and they will only shrink their already disappearing market.
then again maybe this is part of their plan to make even more revenue of of hardware sales/replacements. brilliant nintendo... nah but seriously i love it and i'm gettin me a platinum one to go beautifully with my platinum plasma.
Dance Dance Revolution and it's varients.
This is just the first link I found... There are lots of DDR pads out there for home use, some of them really fancy and completely on par with the arcade ones (although they will cost a bundle).
Similarly, you can find rather involved home driving interfaces if you are into driving... Really, most of the out-of-the-ordinary arcade interfaces are available for home use, as well.
Never underestimate the bandwidth of a 747 filled with CD-ROMs.
Remember the "zapper gun"? Remember the "power glove"? Great nintendo inventions to make you feel like you were actually hunting ducks or fighting Mike Tyson?
The problem was in the functionality of these things -- boxing (and all other games) were hopeless with the power glove. I haven't used the new nintendo controller, but will it actually be functional is a prime question here that I haven't seen addressed yet...
This is the exact reason that Nintendo can never be allowed to exit the hardware business. If it were left up to Microsoft and Sony we'd all be using SNES controllers for the next 20 years because they don't want to rock the boat.
Oooh....look how shiny the graphics are...wow!
The first console FPS I ever played was Goldeneye 64, after years of playing computer FPSs with mouse and keyboard. At first I found it impossible aiming with my thumb on the joystick, though I eventually became competent with it.
But it still sucks, and yet both MS and Sony, who rely on shooters far more than Nintendo, are doing nothing about it. A gyroscopic controller is an obvious idea but it's great that someone is finally doing it. Plus it'll really shine when used to swing melee weapons, as mentioned in the article. Imagine slapping your pet in Black & White, but a hundred times more viceral and exciting.
The rectangle shape sucks, but innovation has to start somewhere. Nintendo's original controller was a rectangle, but now gamepads are much different to be more comfortable. Mice started out as rectangles but now they're alot more rounded to better fit one's hand. I'm sure this "remote control" will become a more comfortable shape later on.
~CGameProgrammer( );
This year, for example, 150,931 Gamecube units were sold so far. A small number, of course, much less than the 1,349,842 PS2 units, or 1,520,298 Nintendo DS. But nowhere near the disaster that is XBOX: only 9,977 units sold in 2005.
All of this if you live in Japan.
The way Slashdot talks about the American gaming scene as if it was representative of the whole world pisses me of to no end.
> Are editors not aloud to make comments?
;-)
Whether they're allowed to comment or not, you're now going to have people wonder if you're secretly one of them
This got me thinking about how any fighting game would be controlled. I mean really. Button combinations for the Mortal Kombat-esque will be hard to transfer. What would you do? Hand gestures? Seems like there's a lot of possibilities, but that can be good or bad. I mean, imagine memorizing hundreds of gestures just to master a few characters.
And suppose they go the Punch-Out route. Fighting games would get downright tiring.
For all other types of games though, I see the potential. But fighting games with this controller? I remain cautiously skeptical...
Play a few games on it. Had a Dreamcast before that. Maybe I'm just bad at picking 'em, but I love the Mario Kart and Smash Brothers!
Blar.
How long do you think it will take before someone accidentally tosses the controller when swinging at something and their hand is sweaty from a long gaming session?
Someone could get hurt or you might end up breaking something such as the controller itself.
I hope they have something in the controller to hold the batteries in place better than regular remotes since with regular remotes, the battery connectors can get jarred out of place just by dropping it about a foot. You would then have to bang the controller until the connectors were aligned again to get it working again.
Just a thought...
DEAD DEAD DEAD DELETE ME
OMGWTFBBQ!!!! i can say with confidence that this new game controller is teh best thing ever built by the human race.
Yes, I think despite anyone's particular reservations, this is something that's like "cool, check it out". Whether it works in practice or not we'll see; but it has potential. I definitely "want one".
However, despite fanboys blathering on (replace "Will Wright" with "Nintendo" or "Miyamoto" in this comic) about how this changes the entire world and nothing was ever like it and none of the other platforms have anything like it, remember the EyeToy Demo where the guy used the two cups, in realtime, to control two cups onscreen?
So before you think Nintendo is the only one offering this kind of control next-gen, remember: the PS3 can already do a number of these things. Without a special motion-sensing controller.
Of course, that doesn't mean the Revolution isn't going to be cool and I'm not going to get one. You can bet when it rolls around with the next-gen Mario, Zelda, and Metroid, I'll be right there.
But remember, the Revolution isn't going to be the only one with this kind of control next generation.
Don't think of it as a flame---it's more like an argument that does 3d6 fire damage
I am both excited by all the new game types that this controller makes possible, and dissapointed that it STILL doesn't address the most important shortcoming of console controllers: no "direct" turning.
/. login on this computer)
direct turning meaning that the offset of analog movement immediately translates to yaw (or pitch) view change in game), much like a mouse. Indirect turning is what a traditional anolog controller does: the analog offset determines not the yaw, but the amount of yaw change per timeunit, which is indirect, and makes turning adjustments slow.
In theory. the Revolution's motion sensor can do direct offsets like a mouse, except a mouse I can lift up and re-center without affecting my current angle. How can the Revolution do this? if I turn the controller, I will get to a point where I can't turn any further, or at least pointing the controller 180 degrees away from the screen will be impractical. Maybe a button could mean "recenter" ?
I don't need to necessarily play FPS games all day on the Revolution, I'd rather play something new. But the fact is that 3d space is ubiquitous in games now, and any game that plays in a 3d world has as its primary need for analog control turning / looking around. It makes sense to me a controller would be optimized for that action. Everything else, movement, and various action buttons can benefit from being analog, but not as drastically as turning.
Yes I love the DS for this reason. Recentering there is natural. But I still would like to see a console with direct analog control. Maybe some kind of wheel/trackball is required? I certainly hope that game developers will allow a direct style of control using a "recenter" button, and don't just blindly implement the common indirect control. Who knows flicking/recentering could be a n intuitive way to turn on the Revolution.
-- Aardappel (don't have my
ummm... i think you missed the entire point of the comment.... that's exactly what he said
May you be touched by His Noodly Appendage. RAmen.
Not limited in shape to the human hand, the new controller can be applied to many situations.
Imagine what you could do with it shoved up your ass or cootch. The girls will love this thing!
Mind you, I'm totally in agreement with your post, just thought I'd take a moment to blow everyone's minds.
A B A C A B B
Quoting
With a Magic Wand like that, all you need to do is add a microphone in addition to the accelerometers; and you've got the perfect game controller for a speech-and-swish controled spellcasting game.
There is a lot of really neat roleplaying that comes to mind with a microphone attachment, and it would also be a really cool karaoke machine - especially with the download ability. I can't wait!
I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress -J Adams
Ya, but the powerglove sucked! This will be better! I hope!
You've got the traditional three - x y z
then you've got attitude - pitch, yaw, and roll
That's a standard six axis controller so far - just like the 'space orb 360' (which ROCKS for FPS) but with the mouses absolute movement feel rather than the joysticks relitivity.
But then they've got the 'D' pad there, which is a non-analog two-axis controller in and of itself.
So that's eight axises alltogether.
While the new controller throws me off a bit, I'll still be first in line to get a Revolution.
Why? Nintendo still has the best games of the lot. I own all three of the current consoles, and while the graphics are shinier on the ps2 and the xbox, the games themselves aren't so much. I enjoy splinter cell, but most of the games I play for a couple hours then forget I own. The developers of those seem to fall into the trap of "if its pretty enough, most of the public won't notice that the game is crap".
When my friends come over we still play Smash Brothers or Bomberman or Monkey Ball or any of the other fun, fast, easy, multiplayer games that Nintendo has out. The cube just has more party games and that's where most of my playtime comes in. I see no reason to believe that the Revolution won't be more of the same.
It's just gonna have a goofier controller.
"the difference between creating and idea and imitating someone else's is the difference between Picasso and graffiti. The difference between a Picasso and graffiti is the difference between disciplined thought and vacuous thought."
at least Nintendo is willing to try something different and attempt to break the mold.
Am I the only one wondering just how exactly one would achieve continious rotation in, say, an FPS game? With a mouse you just pick it up, move it back and keep turning, and it's obviously not a problem with an analoge stick. But how in heck could it be possible with this new controller? I certainly don't like the idea of pressing a button to "disable" the controller input so that I can move my hand back to a comfortable position, then continue turning around.
its funny, i was at a Dave and Buster's this past weekend, enjoying the mix of games and beer. about 60% of the games were light gun shooters, 30% were "driving games" of various types (car, motorcycle, hovercraft, etc) and the remaining 10% was a smattering of various types, and only 2 fighting games (Tekken 4 and Virtua Fighter, uh... 4?)
one of the games however, was a boxing game where you held 2 boxing gloves in your hands, and could "duck" to avoid getting punched. i could see combining these controllers with an eyetoy type camera for that kind of game
May you be touched by His Noodly Appendage. RAmen.
I have a powerglove.
It most certainly did not.
The powerglove only had digital values for movement: up, down, left, right and center. No analogue movement. It also tracked forward and backwords in a way that it would tie these to existing controller inputs(punch forward as the "a" button in punch out).
As such, even the general settling of your arm would cause mario to jump off the cliff and force you to re-"center" the PG by hitting a button every 2 seconds. Above that, twiddling your finger to make a button happen was far from intuitive.
Every demo produced at TGS showed that this interface is smooth, responsive and intuitive to use. Not to mention it looks lke a helluva lot of fun.
The Power Glove actually did have 3D position tracking (and roll too IIRC) when used in its raw data mode, but there was only a single game that used it. This game, Super Glove Ball, was closer to a fancy tech demo than a full-fledged game. So even the potential that the Power Glove had was barely exploited at all. I'm sure they'll do a better job with the Revolution; at least, I hope so. Incidentally, the Power Glove did gain some popularity in homebrew VR applications due to its low price (compared to about $10,000 for professional VR data gloves at the time).
This has very little to do with the Power Glove. Get real.
"Sufferin' succotash."
Also, even if we're going to use the "number of consoles sold" metric, hasn't the Gamecube pretty much kept up with, or beaten, the Xbox?
So, in other words, Zonk's basically saying "everyone but Sony has failed".
Brilliant.
I find this sort of thinking especially funny, considering that Nintendo just came off what *could* be considered a failure in the N64, and is now neck and neck in a 3-console world. Microsoft, on the other hand, went squarely for the Playstation market, and hasn't managed to beat the "kiddy system" that was the descendent of the "failure".
To most in the gaming world, Nintendo was just about dead 5 years ago. To be where they are today is pretty damned impressive, if you ask me.
Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
I can think of one way for Nintendo to get some credibility with the hardcore FPS crowd that dismisses Nintendo as "just for kids". Organise a contest on a serious FPS between gamers with the Revolution controller and gamers with a standard "two thumbs" console controller. Or better yet, if this thing is really good, make the contest between Revolution controller and keyboard/mice gamers.
If the Revolution gamers win... Just imagine.
I know I laugh everytime people tell me that the PC as a gaming platform is dead. I play FPSes and I can't imagine going without my keyboard ans mouse. Prove me wrong and I will stop buying 500$ video cards and start buying 500$ consoles!
I know it's already been discussed, but I'll go ahead and say it here for the record. The GameCube failed as a console.
But how can it fail when it was far more profitable than the xBox?
Seriously, doesn't anyone understand Nintendo made money on both games and consoles?
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
I was thinking about this. Do you need to physically turn around 360 degrees to do this in a game? If not, and it is scaled, is there anything to bring it to a neutral position. You move so far and turn 360 degrees around, but you are now virtually in the same spot but your arm/hand/whatever is now off to the side or wherever, not in the same spot.
Dude, relax, take a bong hit and calm down. This is slashdot and we are talking about video games - you know. If your panties get this twisted just talking about consoles, try going for a walk or something.
1. Someone releases the next logical step, a VR headset. 2. Linux boots on the Revolution. Haha! Fuck longhorn!
How do you turn 360 with a Mouse? I don't see you drawing circles on your mousepad...
I assume that it will track directly while "on the screen" and scroll like a mouse when you start approaching edges.
Then again, I'm still thinking "within the box" so maybe Nintendo will surprise us and make it super-intuitive in some new way.
Here are my reasons for liking it:
Bring it on - I'm ready to order, and I cannot wait to play Conkers Bad Fur Day again!! :-)
Have all of you thought that this is the very first controller that a left handed could pick up straight away and use both in vertical and horizontal position?
And have you also thought that the just-aim-and-click-the-big-A-button approach can be grasped even by granny (sort of apple mouse of controllers)?
Just one note to Nintendo: DON'T even try sell this to Europe 6 months/1 year AFTER having made japanese and u.s. happy gamers as it will feel like watching a wonderful movie after someone repeated you the whole story for that amount of time, basically SPOILED and not so wonderful!
disclaimer: I'm right handed and not a nintendo zealot.
Finally, something that will let me drink and play video games at the same time. Think of the possibilities. Mario Drinking Party, oh yeah!
Um, ever played an FPS with a mouse? Same effect, and yet I head nobody complaining.
Yea but you can lift a mouse to return it a neutral position.
With the new system it tracks your movements, so attempting to move it a neutral position will affect your position in the game.
Nintendo is wasting its time with this controller nonsense.
The most important thing for a console to succeed is to have a plethora of truly outstanding games available for it.
Whether a game is good or not has relatively little to do with the capabilities of the hardware or the uniqueness of the controls. It has to do with the artistry of the game designers and the ethic of the developers. Developers should not try to push hardware beyond its comfort zone (no slow frame rates or laggy scenes, please), and the designers should focus on fun gameplay and appropriate difficulty.
Nintendo's own games are nearly always outstanding, but Nintendo seems completely clueless about how to get other companies to make great games for its systems anymore.
Produce a console with over 200 games at launch and a quality-to-crap ratio of over 70% within that library, and you'll have a winner, period.
Moderator hint: a comment is neither "Flamebait" nor "Troll" if it is true.
I think you have a valid concern. Repetitive motion particulary at your wrist is a bad thing.
But I'd sure like to try the controller out first. Depending on the type of game, I can imagine that moving the conroller with your shoulder and elbow which are larger muscles, and not having any resistance against you might be VERY comfortable. This might be the controller that arthritics and wiley Atari veterans can use. The reviewer seemed to feel like the games used very natural motions.
Don't moderate flamebait as Troll. Know the difference or you will be Meta-moderated.
I'm sure this young buck was very emotionally affected by his NES under the christmas tree, but what about those of us who came to the party with the family Pong console, even before we were blessed with our Atari 2600?
This Nintendo worship just seems inappropriate to me. They've done good stuff, lots of companies have done good stuff, but they didn't put the first game systems into homes. They didn't start the wave, they just rode it.
I'm sure someone will say "But Nintendo did it BETTER!" but I say whatever. My message to you youth of today is: People my age got over the death of Atari (and the Atari of old is most certainly dead no matter how much publishing happens under the brand name), someday you'll get over the death of Nintendo too. It may or may not happen now, and it won't necessarily be because of a fancy controller, but all things must pass, even the things you obsessed about in your youth.
If this anecdote is any indication of Nintendo's future, I think they are going to do well. I have never owned a regular Nintendo console before (I did buy a gameboy SP that I've barely ever used). When I heard about the Revolution allowing dowloads of their back library, it got my interest. I thought I would probably consider it. Now the announcement of the new controller with all its potential makes the Revolution a must buy for me. I just hope they really get the technology refined and perfected before releasing it.
Read the part after your quote. Err maybe read it three times.
But they're not the norm. How many people will have all that hardware at their disposal?
it doesn't hurt to grab or use it unless you do it all day long... hehehe
For one thing, it might just take a slight gesture to indicate a move, keeping you from getting too tired. You could stick with basic directions for movement -- maybe roll the stick one way for blocking. Handle punch and kick through the buttons, and rely on specific hand motions for combos and special moves. It would be very different, but interesting.
I'm not fighting game afficianado, though (aside from smash bros.) -- largely because the button combos (and executing them) are just too daunting. This could get me interested in the genre again, though.
It's simply brilliant - I just can't wait to try it out!
Home button??
I think that one of the more comfortable shapes for the human hand is the gun-type shape. A controller that was remote-ish would look something like a phaser, for instance. Angled. But I bet you anything they wanted to stick to a neutral shape to avoid the obvious "Oh My God, it's a gun teaching our children to shoot!" parallels.
Does anyone find the raised/lined thumbstick of the Gamecube just annoying? Barely any better than the PS2 either. Xbox has one thing right - the thumbsticks have an indentation on them to secure where you thumb is going instead of having it slip off. Has anyone thought of the ergonomics or strain of having to hold these things in front of you, one handed controllers, continually moving things in little motions... I see a lot of carpel tunnel victims emerging. I like the idea of innovation, I do, but some things just look wrong. Also, the controller is blocky near the bottom corner, which will put an indentation into your hand instead of being more rounded and comfortable. Imagine the palm sweat on this thing. It looks interesting though. How will you button mash things though? My arms, wrists, and fingers hurt just looking at this thing. I will say one thing... does this mean that the mainstream games of the XBox and PS2/3/or 87 won't be playable, or even made, for the revolution? How will I play soul calibur on this?
You'd get such a bad dead arm from this innovation its not true.
...while playing? I know how frustrating it is for the uncoordinated like me when my computer mouse falls off the desk during a game...although an auto-pause feature would be great if shock is detected to the controller.
It's too bad they couldn't have come up with a cheap 6DOF 3D magnetic tracker system - but such a thing is overkill for a system that relies on a 2D television screen for the output, and would probably cost too much to implement anyhow (that, and Polhemus and Ascension have those patents locked up good as well). For the system Nintendo is showing, what I outlined above is probably damn close to the truth...
Reason is the Path to God - Anon
Because patenting kept Sony from adding analog sticks and rumble to the PS1's controller after Nintendo revealed the N64 controller, right?
"I know it's already been discussed, but I'll go ahead and say it here for the record. The GameCube failed as a console. "
I require facts to support this claim. I think it "failed" in the eyes of male gamers 16-24, but not to anyone else.
In fact, for all intents and purposes, it is basically tied for second place in market share with the Xbox and the PS2 easily beats them both. At one point, Nintendo claimed a strong second. I think it was holidays 2003.
But more importantly, how were profits? I think we've all seen the figures. Nintendo is the most profitable company out of the 3.
So wait a minute. If Nintendo was able to hang in 2nd place with a company that was losing millions of dollars and STILL make a profit, you're calling that "failure"? What? If anything, this logic would only lead you to believe that the Xbox was a failure.
Again, I think the internet gaming message boards are packed full with a small niche of people- male gamers, many still boys, who are concerned about looking cool in front of their friends. They can't see that Nintendo is doing just as well as the Xbox _AND_ making money.
If next generation plays out the same way, except Nintendo has a strong 2nd place or maybe competes with the PS3, I wouldn't doubt if Xbox360 is MS' last console.
The Xbox was a complete failure.
Has Nintendo stated what their position will be with regard to independent and small developers, and small-production alternative uses?
This new controller could open up so many possibilities that I hope they won't try to contain and control the uses of the new console too much. I'm thinking all kinds of alternative uses like therapeutic interactive applications (physical and psychological), special input programs for people with various types of impairments, and probably other stuff that I haven't really thought about yet.
I think that making the console more accessible to independent game developers could also contribute to the success of the console, either by the sheer variety of games that could be produced, or by the release of innovative sleeper hits by some unknown developer.
-Was the Gamecube profitable for Nintendo?
Yes, see my previous post on this topic and you'll find links to facts about how profitable it was, and I'm sure you will be surprised.
-Did the system have a wide library of enjoyable, quality games?
Even if they are mostly first and second party games, there is still quite a selection of games that either are only on Gamecube or are best on Gamecube, anyone who says otherwise is just ignorant.
-Yeah but wasn't the Gamecube in last place most of it's existance?
Hardly. The Gamecube has maintained second place in worldwide sales the majority of it's life. Only in 2005 did xbox finally take second place in total sales.
Someone please, tell me how that adds up to a failure. The overall 'view' of Nintendo this entire console generation has been extremly skewed. Sure, I'm a fanboy.
Hey rainstorm, if you hate Zonk so much, why don't you act like an adult and just uncheck his stories in your preferences?
Disputing someone's opinion is reasonable, but to continuously complain about reading Zonk's opinions when you don't have to is just masochistic.
But then again, what can I say that the mods haven't already said for me?
"I will now show you how to block a curse."
Lockheart tries to do a fancy guesture, and his wand clatters to the floor.
"Well, you get the idea. Just do what I did."
"What, drop my wand?"
tasks(723) drafts(105) languages(484) examples(29106)
What I find interesting about this new controller is that in it's normal or nunchaku form, it seems incompatible with many of the snes and n64 games the Revolution is able to emulate. When turned 90 degrees, only the d-pad and maybe 3 buttons seem accessible. Thats great for NES games, but, for snes games that use 4 buttons and the shoulder pads or many n64 games (goldeneye anyone?)... it seems this controller won't work. Its neat that the controller can be expanded, but I don't see how any peripheral device could provide proper input. So, I guess we'll have to buy seperate controllers in order to play many of the games we love?
"The GameCube failed as a console."
The Virtual Boy failed as a console. The Dreamcast failed as a console. The GameCube will live through its natural lifespan and continue to turn a profit for Nintendo.
Where are you getting your info, Netcraft?
Slashdot thinks the Revolution will be successful! Now it's doomed! Doomed!
Think about it like the viewport in an RTS game. At least, I think it could work very well that way. There are other possibilities, but that seems most intuitive.
I'm torn.
On the one hand, I've made numerous posts lambasting him for welching on his promise to post original content instead of simply whoring himself out to 1up.com every ten minutes.
On the other hand, his original content is horrible. It's way too long. It has no point.
Decision: Zonk sucks. Please fire Zonk.
I suspect it would generally be similar to how you can use your mouse to shift the viewport in RTS games.
If they can come up with something better, though, I'll take it.
1. "This is a risky venture, no doubt about it. If third party developers don't catch on to the possibilities here, if the EAs of the world don't take a chance with the new interface, then Nintendo will be looking at a big problem."
0 917
What problem is that? The implication seems to be that 3rd parties who want to stick to traditional control mechanisms will not support the Revolution, which would result in a distinct lack of 3rd party support for the Revolution. Read this though:
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=6
"We're producing a classic-style expansion controller, based on traditional designs like the Gamecube controller. It's like a shell with a hole in the top into which you slot the freehand-style controller, and then you can play third-party ported games, and retro Nintendo games you've downloaded."
Further, we already know the Revolution will have ports for traditional Gamecube controllers as well, so I wouldn't be surprised if this "expansion controller" they're talking about could simply be replaced by a Wavebird, for instance. And really, that's the genius of it. Not only are games with traditional control schemes (specifically thinking about 3rd party ports) still playable and capable on the Revolution, the Revolution also distinguishes itself from the other 2 consoles by offering up a completely new way of interacting with the game. You're not losing a control scheme... you're gaining one.
2. Finally, at least, Nintendo isn't just going to sit there and try to imitate the other consoles poorly.
LOL?
D-Pad. Shoulder buttons. Analog stick. Rumble functionality. Wireless.
Who's imitating whom?
Seriously, snide and unfounded comments like that really make articles difficult to take seriously.
Like everyone else the first time i saw the controller this morning i cringed and i thought it was the end of an era. But after reading the reviews and thinking about the possibilities, i realized that Nintendo has done something that Sony and Microsoft just plain can't....innovate. The created a controller that the casual gamer can immediately pick up and use. And after plugging in the nunchuck, gives those of us who enjoy FPS's the first system that could rival a keyboard and mouse. Can you imagine playing spiderman in first person where the remote is used to pick where the web lands.? (or using two remotes for dual web action?) i would literally spend hours just swinging around..... a tennis game where you actually swing the controller and the racket swings the same way? you could literally execute slices, topspins, lobs, whatever, all by performing the appropriate movements with the controller. in the teaser video it showed an old couple conducting a symphony. imagine standing there and whichever section of the orchestra you pointed at would begin to play and even would play higher or lower as your arm movements dictated....well that kind of gay but still. thats pretty damn cool... No offense to microsoft, but i'd rather play halo 3 using this controller than using the 360 controller i saw in person at E3. i'm sold
www.unofficiall.com
Note the wavebird-like controler that will be available, by inserting the Revolution controller inside it. You will have access to a current gen run of the mill dual analog stick, although I'll be also quick to point out that fighter games ain't nuthin unless played on an arcade quality joystick. Even dual analog controllers don't do fighting games justice. I prefer the hand cramped Wavebird D-pad to Sony's pathetic excuse for a D-Pad, but neither are really that well suited to SF-style moves.
"Old man yells at systemd"
its a childs toy. you thought the cube had no software support? they should name this the "drought box". if you are over 12 and want a revolution, try getting laid for once.
Maybe. But as an owner of both a GyroMouse and an MS SideWinder Freestyle Pro game pad, I can tell you there are all kinds of ways this can go wrong.
Problem #1, The arms get tired. Quickly.
Even if this thing is smooth as butter and light as a feather, you'll need to move it in a range of motion much larger than a gamepad or joystick. If you enjoy video games, you'll have to do this for sessions lasting more than an hour. It gets old.
Problem #2, The body likes resistance so it can guage how it's doing at it's job.
Ever hear old timers go on and on about how much they liked their old IBM keyboards? They liked that satisfying click when you pressed the keys. Moving against air is just not the same. Though I liked using the SideWinder for Motocross Madness, it never stopped feeling weird not pushing against something.
I have no doubt Nintendo has designed a fine controller, but unless they can fix these seamingly unfixable issues, it's likely they'll find themselves with yet another niche product. It might be fun, but it won't be mainstream.
BTW, Nintendo is billing this thing as something that traditionally non-gaming family members will enjoy, even mom. Mom feels dorky enough when she picks up a regular controller; she will think twice, three times, or maybe forever before deciding to swing this thing around like a baseball bat in front of her laughing teen boys. This will be a product for 'secure' people only.
TW
I took some of the stuff I talked about in the last Revolution controller post and turned it into a full-fledged webpage. I also included some potential accessories (albeit crudly drawn.) Take a look.
Sure it gave you headaches and the red got annoying real fast, but the concept was solid and innovative.
People who think they know everything really piss off those of us that actually do.
Its not as risky as people are thinking..
1) the sales of the DS and of touch-games are pretty impressive.
2) the controller itself has an 'expansion' slot, into which you can put a standard controller (for backwards compatibility to play existing games)
I've got to hand it to nintendo. What a coup. I'm definitely getting one of these.
Ed
(ps - to hear it from the horses' mouth.. go to here
Very informative presentation by the CEO of nintendo. )
With a mouse you just pick it up, move it back and keep turning, and it's obviously not a problem with an analoge stick.
With an analog stick, what happens when you move it all the way to the side? Think about it for a second.
Now imagine you are holding the remote and move it all the way off to one side. Now while this thought is in your head, quickly look up an inch or so and reread the previous paragraph.
Phew! All this thinking has made me hungry.
Even if we've gone out and already bought a 360 or a PS3, Revolution will be everyone's 'second console' because it offers something different, and that's a decent enough market in itself.
That's a very good point. Gyration makes motion sensitive mice that you can use in the air (which rock for FPS playing), and they feature a trigger button that serves the same purpose that lifting up a mouse does. It works great. Nintendo has a trigger button, so I suspect they may use it for that (or let developers do it in software?).
that marketing plan sounds like those iPOD earphone covers that keep coming off
By reading this, you have given me brief control of your mind.
Don't get me wrong, I think the controller absolutely kicks ass. I'm a little skeptical about how intuitive it'll really be for FPS'ers and Super Smash Bros and the like, but I was skeptical about the DS. I totally admit I just lack the imagination of the game designers who could pull this off. That being said, how new is this controller style, really? Other than there being physical buttons under your gaming-hand's fingertips... How is this different from the powerglove? And how will this succeed where the powerglove failed? -Polar
The GameCube failed as a console.
Funny, but it sure hasn't been a "failure" for me. Maybe if you think Nintendo's goal was (or should have been) to sell more Gamecubes and Gamecube games than Sony or Microsoft with their respective products, you might have a point. But who cares? As long as Nintedo still releases those great games, I couldn't care less about the third-party titles, most of which range from shitty to mediocre anyway.
Nintendo is currently the only one still making a profit. But yet "ignorance" dictates other wise. Zonk obviously has fallen victim to this ignorance and hasn't bothered to do his research
MS still looses money on every console sold, and has lost almost a billion so far. Unlike Sony and Nintendo, they bought their market share, and as you pretty much stated, if their new "media center" doesn't do well, they'll be gone the way of the Dremcast. Kind of fitting since the Xbox is essentially a DC2. Everyone I know that does own an XBox has had it modded, and since that time most of them have stopped buying games. Developers state that when they look on XBox Live to see how many peeps are playing their games, that there are more out there than games sold. So not only is MS loosing money, but so are the developers because of the XBox's rampant piracy.
Nintendo has a solid business plan, they'll always be profitable, and I'm gratefull for that since they're currently the only company that is more intersted in making things fun again.
Anywasy, my DS is the first system since the 16-bit era that has had me exited. Now I see this new controller and it has my mind racing about the possibilites. I'm sick of all of these "dumbed' down games that plague most systems now days. Games that the lack all sophisictation and fun, and only have second rate PC graphics going for them.
But let's see a friggin mouse made out of this thing. That's a helluva way to change the way we do business I'd say. Truly the definition of point and click.
I've been ramping up the speed of my mouse pointer to the highest and I still feel it's a bit slow, maybe something like this could be applied to computers and be awesometastic. Please note that if such a device has already emerged, then I am unaware of it and quite stupid. Please enlighten me.
I'll prolly end up trying to port this controller to the computer in an effort to make a cheap new mouse dealie. Or, since I have no programming experience, I'll just end up waiting for someone else to do it.
This thing appears quite awesome. One thing I'd like to see in future controllers is directed rumble. Like, if you hit something up, then the controller rumbles in the opposite direction.
unless the TV moves as well [a head-mounted gyro] doesn't really work.
Then slide the controller into the Nintendo On visor ;-)
Because patenting kept Sony from adding analog sticks and rumble to the PS1's controller after Nintendo revealed the N64 controller, right?
Yes. Read this article on the beeb to see how Immersion, in which Nintendo has invested a lot of money, used a patent on controller vibration against Sony Computer Entertainment.
Call me a fanboy. Whatever. Nintendo's been very good to me. I always come away from them feeling like I've gotten an excellent value for my money. Also, their tech support line (only had to call it once in 15 years) is the best I've ever encountered.
The US Army: promoting democracy through unquestioned obedience
How many games are there for the dance mat?
NES/Famicom: Athletic World, Dance Aerobics, Short Order/Eggsplode, Street Cop, Super Team Games, and World Class Track Meet. PS1 NTSC U/C: DDR USA, DDR Disney, and DDR Konamix. PS2 NTSC U/C: DDRMAX, DDRMAX2, DDR Extreme USA, and In The Groove. Xbox NTSC: DDR Ultramix and DDR Ultramix 2. I bet a lot of other PS1, PS2, and Xbox games that aren't specifically designed for the DDR controller would work well too, but some games have control bugs (such as intolerance of L+R presses *cough*Bust-A-Groove*cough* or insufficient configurability *cough*Frequency*cough*) that preclude use of a DDR controller.
The light gun? etc.
This is due largely to 1. the light gun's incompatibility with non-CRT and non-480i monitors and 2. parents' fears about toy guns. The Revolution controller uses a similar gameplay principle but addresses point 1 through accelerometers rather than display timing and addresses point 2 through not being shaped like a firearm
I'm sure this young buck was very emotionally affected by his NES under the christmas tree, but what about those of us who came to the party with the family Pong console, even before we were blessed with our Atari 2600?
Nintendo introduced just about everything you see on the modern video game controller other than the A and B buttons: D-pad (Game and Watch), shoulder buttons (Super NES), face buttons in a diamond configuration (Super NES), analog thumbstick (Nintendo 64), and controller vibration (Nintendo 64). Heck, Nintendo even had the first dance pad on the NES.
If the Revolution really detects spatial placement of the controller, it could be quite easy to find.
Rumble could give you some feedback on positioning.
Even if it didn't have the coolest control ever, one game system to play all Cube, N64, SNES, and NES games is reason enough to upgrade.
-Wolf
I'm not usually an early adopter -- I don't make a lot of money and I like to let other people test the waters before I plunk down what to me is serious cash on a piece of new technology. However, I am seriously considering preordering the Revolution.
As long as I read some reviews confirming that the final device is not prone to glitches or lag, and there are at least two heavily enticing launch titles (Super Smash Brothers 3 makes one already) and the price is reasonable (normally I wouldn't pay more than $250 or so for consoles and accessories, but in the case of the Revolution I may push that budget up a bit if I have to).
However, when I showed the teaser video to my mom, my sister, and my girlfriend (none of whom are "veteren gamers") the reaction was a bit mixed.
My mom, who doesn't play games at all (yet), still thought the control was a bit intimidating. All of the moving around, perhaps. Plus the fact that it seemed like futuristic technology also spooked her a bit, I believe.
My sister, who has played maybe 150 hours worth video games in her entire life and spent a bit more time than that watching me play, thought it looked really cool and awesome. I get the impression that she looks forward to trying it out.
My girlfriend is what I'd describe as a "casual gamer". She and her sister own a SNES, PS2 and N64, along with a modest collection of games. She was put off by the Revolution controller, expressing a concern about playing a game being overly exerting and said that she feels like she needs to have the controller gripped in both hands to be comfortable. She said she'd have to try it but didn't sound like she's anticipating liking it.
So obviously Nintendo has some work ahead of them. They need to market this thing smart to win over the non-gamers that they are counting on (in large part) to make the whole experiment worthwhile, and to prevent themselves from alienating the unconvinced, skeptical majority of veteren gamers who have grown accustomed to more traditional controllers.
I hope they can pull it off.
I will be buying the Revolution on launch date. I have been a Nintendo advocate since Donkey Kong and have never been disappointed.
Regular Meta Moderators are not more likely to get mod points.
new playstation controller ok, im just joking, but when i thought about it, the transition from this to nintendo's new controller isnt that big of a leap. combine this with the eyetoy and your almost there(minus the corded analog ).
once again, for tha fanboys, it was a joke, no need to mod me as troll about how they arent the same thing. it occured to me when i showed my girlfriend the new nintendo controller, and then reached for the playstation remote to turn on tekken5.
thats pretty much my best post ever. I spent like 3 hours typing it.
Does Nintendo have the authority to re-sell 3rd party games from their previous systems? It seems like to me that the "entire back catalog" means anything that Nintendo holds copyright for, which is definitely a great collection of games, but not the smorgasbord many think it is.
The similarity is obvious to me, but one question remains: do we get another Fred Savage movie to support the launch?
"Every time I post a story about someone editorializing Nintendo's death, or how Nintendo will never die, it saddens me a great deal."
That would indicate that you read what you post, which just can't be right.
My Mind Is Rewired. Is Yours?
Maybe the "home" button in the centre will return it to neutral?
Even though the thought of the new controller idea is up in the air, one thing that seems to overlooked by everyone is that Nintendo will also have a conventional controller attachment that will allow this controller to be used just like controllers we use today. So even 3rd party developers don't want to develope a game for the new interface they still wont be left out in the cold, and the controllers API allows developers to use and much or as little of the features as they like, so the worst case scenario is that they may not develope games that take full advantage of all the features.
Posting an article that does nothing but make fanboys on all sides boil with hatred.
This is all an exercise is futility and is purely academic.
Frankly who gives a damn?
Trying to debate personal preferences does nothing to help anyone. If you have an opinion about what goes on in the gaming industry keep it to yourself, it only breeds flame wars.
My expeience with Nintendo is limited to the original system. I remember watching kids play. They swing their arms, lift the controller up, they look like they're trying to put english on their moves.
Kids already know how to use the revolution controller.
Its a question of ergonomics. Lets start with how controllors are normally held. Note this is based off of most Standard controls, and not ones with silly design principles. The Left hand tends to support the weight, thumb on the stick or crosspad. The right hand usually has access to all the controls(they didnt change that, notice) And they are all arrange so that the thumb can ergonomically reach each of them - aside from shoulder buttons, which the index finger is usually setup to hit. Now lets imagine you were holding the right half(the one with all the buttons, incase someone wants to ask "But what if you are holding it in the left hand?" - the only benefit that Ill give this control design.) - Its like holding a remote control for your tv. All the buttons lined up up and down. Imagine in face paced games trying to reach all those buttons... Your thumb is going to get cramped. Just an observation about the last 15 years of controls....
Until I see more about the games. Nintendo has rarely disappointed me, and I always enjoy their games, and their controllers (Nintendo has always made excellent controllers), but I'm not gonna decide with just the information currently available. I want to see actual game footage. I have a subscription to IGN, Gamespy and whatall for a reason. I'll say that this all looks promising, and the Revolution has me excited like no other system since...well since the Nintendo DS, but I still want to see the games before I commit myself.
just some guy
Not just that but he seems to reject any other submissions in this topic regardless of merit?