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Revolution Roundtable
1up.com is running a piece talking to six professional game developers, where they discuss the possibilities and possible pitfalls of the Nintendo Revolution. From the article: "I don't think it will be difficult at all to make full length titles for the Revolution. First of all, Nintendo has hinted that they will provide an add-on for the controller that will mimic a "normal" controller, like the GameCube's Wavebird controller. Second, as long as the device is light, movement based input is not that tiresome. I have used a gyroscopic mouse for many years, and can successfully play many games with it. I would presume that games specifically tuned for the Revolution's controller will be easy to use for extended periods of time. As a bonus, gamers who play that long will end up with impressive looking forearms!"
Considering how well the DS has fared, despite initial bemusement or cries of gimmickry, I think that the Revolution has a good chance of making waves. Even I was skeptical of the DS at first. I bought it with the rationale that it would either be an excellent system, or that it would be so terrible that, years from now, I could point to it as my friends point to their ancient Virtual Boys.
The DS is doing insanely well. It's practically flooded the PSP out of the market, and must-have games are coming out in droves. That touch screen isn't a gimmick: it's a whole new world of gaming. I know several people who consider their DS to be their primary gaming platform.
Sony is coming late to the field with an expensive system and ill will from their DRM fiasco. Microsoft arrived early with an unstable, overheating, overpriced system and a mediocre launch lineup.
Both systems are hellishly expensive, and many of their titles will overlap. I can't imagine that many people will bother to have both: the only real deciding factor is between Halo/Xbox Live or Final Fantasy n+1.
The Revolution, however, will be massively cheaper and offer games that can't even be emulated on the other systems. Nintendo would have to go out of its way to ruin the launch.
GeekNights!
Late Night Radio for Geeks!
Everyone keeps referring to the quick Nintendo video showing the exaggerated motions with the new controller. They weren't real. They were just that, exaggerated motions to better illustrate the new controller.
The fact is that all reports point to being able to use it resting your arm with minor motions, just like current controllers. Sure some games will allow for the dramatic sword fights and whatnot... but it is no big deal. Think about it... have you ever played tennis or ping pong? No massive forearm strength is needed, plus the game has built in pauses to rest.
There are many more examples, but for christ's sake even if you are a geek I think you should be able to wave a 4-6oz. controller around for a couple hours even with no massive strain - we aren't talking about a cinder block here. If you are too weak to handle that, then it is really time to put the game console away and go excercise.
http://teasphere.wordpress.com - A little spot of tea
Everyone always seem to ignore the fact that all gamecube controllers will work on the Revolution. It is suppose to have 4 ports for Cube controllers. Save your wavebirds because you can use them on it. So there is no reason to worry about the funky Rev controller since you can use the Wavebird still. Thats a good thing since its about the best controller ever made. They will probably rebadge the Wavebird and sell it as a Revolution controller too just so there isn't much confusion.
"When the going gets Weird, the Weird turns Pro" - Hunter S. Thompson
Remember the NES (Gamepad, D-pad)?
Remember the SNES (Shoulder buttons)?
Remember the N64 (Analog stick and Rumble)?
Remember the Wavebird (First-party wireless)?
Remember the DS?
Nintendo has a long history of innovating and being successful in that innovation.
The Virtual Boy is the "anecdote" that goes against the existing data.