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!"

Comments

Gamers

[JExtine]

"As a bonus, gamers who play that long will end up with impressive looking forearms!" I thought gamers already had impressive forearms thanks to some of the other activities they do.

Considering the DS...

[Schezar]

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.

Re:Considering the DS...

[Pxtl]

Agreed. I love my DS. The DS is the first console that can really naturally play PC-style titles - the stylus is the ideal replacement for the mouse, so it opens the world to PC shooters and strat games. The Metroid Hunters demo is everything an FPS should be, without having to compromise the gameplay with slow movement and autoaim hacks like TV-console games do.

The Rev will be my next console. While MS and Sony put out just another iteration of the same thing, Nintendo's branching out in a new direction with a proven ability to succeed in that direction.

My only complaint is that the second stick will be practically _necessary_ for conventional gameplay - the wand on it's own is just a little too simple for most console-genre games.

I'm looking forward to it.

Re:Considering the DS...

[Iriel]

For all the nay-sayers that think the motion based control in Nintendo games is childish, gimmicky or stupid: They said the same thing about DDR. I'm married and have an 8-year old son, and my wife and I compete with our son's friends in DDR still.

Suffice to say, you gotta drop the hardcore gamer image sometimes to rediscover what's fun. I can't wait to the NR game line up.

A Revolution in the bedroom...

[astroblaster]

From TFA:

Karthik Bala (Vicarious Visions): "... It could be the system in the bedroom with the HD-based system in the living room..."

Two words: rumble pak.

It's not that difficult...

[rAiNsT0rm]

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.