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[Chie Satonaka]

I might buy a Wii U later down the road at a yard sale or whatever like a Virtual Boy out of pure curiosity.

I can't see it as anything else than one of the biggest bombs in gaming right now.

This is completely ridiculous.

Regardless of if it's a bomb by units sold or otherwise, the WiiU already has software that shits on the Virtual Boy's lineup from orbit. Beyond orbit.

Jesus tapdancing christ. I get that it looks bad, but there's great stuff coming. Unreal Engine 4 not being there isn't the final nail in the coffin, though I'm not too naive as to say things aren't looking bad.

Give it time.

 

[Chindogg]

So a customer can port UE 4 to Wii U if they want to, but Wii U can't support UE 4.

Which one is it? Or is Rein just cracking a joke to make headlines again?

 

[BlackJace]

You're right, he forgot to mention WiiU owners should hope the Vita still gets games because it will receive those ports too.

This is a disaster, but one many people saw a mile away. The system isn't powerful enough to get PS4/Durango ports, and will rely on instead of current gen ports. EA seems rather non-supportive right now but let's be real: the WiiU will get Madden, CoD, etc. It's not like they'll stop making current gen games anytime soon, the 360/PS3 userbases are too large to ignore (and I expect both the PS4/Durango to start slow, sales wise). But outside of titles that every system on earth will get, I doubt the WiiU will see any major support.

You have also missed the joke -_-

 

[VinLAURiA]

Expect that doesn't make much sense at all, PS4 and Xbox 720 aren't close to as powerful as a high end PC so that doesn't make sense, and having two systems in the same generations also don't make sense.

Dreamcast + PS2 + GameCube + Xbox = 6th Gen
Xbox 360 + PS3 + Wii = 7th Gen
Wii U + PS4 + Xbox 720 + (Steambox?) = 8th Gen

Shh, don't spoil the illusion that PS4 and 720 aren't super-powerful god machines that are better than an entire warehouse full of Nvidia Titans and aren't in fact already outmatched by today's computers!

 

[Hex]

I totally heard the ending music to the Incredible Hulk tv show when I saw this.
I still think Nintendo has enough money to throw around to try and make things happen, though the results may be not optimal.

 

[metalslimer]

Shh, don't spoil the illusion that PS4 and 720 aren't super-powerful god machines that are better than an entire warehouse full of Nvidia Titans and aren't in fact already outmatched by today's computers!

Who said this? What's up with the strawmen from everyone

 

[shinobi602]

Expect that doesn't make much sense at all, PS4 and Xbox 720 aren't close to as powerful as a high end PC so that doesn't make sense, and having two systems in the same generations also don't make sense.

Huh? PCs don't really have generations.

 

[hydragonwarrior]

Well Nintendo is doomed because their philosophies doesn't compute with most Western developer philosophies. Nintendo wants to actually survive and not bankrupt themselves, western developers are more interested in simulating every strand of hair on a character's armpit.

That being said, Nintendo did kind of kick start this thinking back in the 1990's with their power war vs Sega (which was then perpetuated by Sony taking their CD format is superior message and really taking them to town on it).

 

[H_Prestige]

Next he'll tweet that water is wet. Anyone with any sense has known this for quite some time.

I still see people on GAF thinking there will be a second or third wave of Wii U games from major publishers over the next few years. PS360 won't be supported that long.

 

[Steve McQueen]

I'm not worried. The Wii was, compared to PS3 and 360 very underpowered.
Didn't harm the sales.

For me, it's not a fact that the console with the best specs will sell the most consoles. The Vita is a powerhouse compared to the 3DS. Love both, but you can't ignore the Vita is selling not that great. I'm sure Nintendo will be fine.

 

[Beer Monkey]

Or are touch screens and motion controls not considered part of Gen7 because the "no cooties allowed" gamer club still doesn't want to admit they succeeded?

If motion controls succeeded why does WiiU emphasize them so very much less than Wii did (and not even require a sensor bar unless you are playing OG Wii titles)?

 

[Chamber]

So Wii U is the new gamecube in terms of 3rd party?

Even Gamecube got Madden every year.

 

[CrazedProfessional]

You'd have to order this forum truckloads of crow if the Wii U still sells the most this generation.

 

[Meelow]

Huh? PCs don't really have generations.

I mean PS4 and Xbox 720 aren't close to high end PC's so what makes them more "next gen" than Wii U? Wii U might be 2x as powerful as 360 tops but it has more ram, modern GPU and I need more details about the CPU, it also has a whole new controller (some may say more next gen than the PS4 controller).

They are all 8th generation consoles, it's sad tons of people are still arguing about this.

Nintendo isn't making it better by not saying anything that's for sure, and they better say something too which I 100% agree with you guys but yeah...

 

[JordoftheDead]

Even as a WiiU owner, how on earth did Nintendo possibly think releasing a console out of sync tech-wise with its direct competition again would help with their 3rd party situation?

Best case scenario was that they would get a flood of current gen 3rd party support and a year's head start of good sales figures. Neither of those things have happened.

 

[Spinluck]

Darn it! Now us Wii U owners won't be able to enjoy great games!

 

[SapientWolf]

He literally doesn't know what he's talking about.

It's pretty clear that PS3 and 360 releases don't guarantee a Wii U port.

 

[metalslimer]

You'd have to order this forum truckloads of crow if the Wii U still sells the most this generation.

Well that would mean the industry crashed so i dont think many people would care about that as their would be much bigger issues.

It's pretty clear that PS3 and 360 releases don't guarantee a Wii U port.

It was a joke

 

[Shion]

As I see it, Nintendo has 4 choices:

• 1: Stop pretending that they can do everything by themselves, release a developer friendly console and create a friendly business environment for 3rd parties to release their games on.

• 2: Expand like crazy, build dozens of studios around the world and release a Nintendo Box.

• 3: Keep on trying to catch lightning in a bottle based on gimmicks.

• 4: Go 3rd party.

 

[StuBurns]

Yeah, I think you are spot on regarding this point. Supporting two distinct platforms like they have done in the past doesn't look like it will continue to work for Nintendo.

Development for an HD platform seems to be troublesome for them at this point, and I'm wondering why they thought they were prepared to release the Wii U when they did. Merging their two platforms into one that can actually be progressive in its design makes too much sense.

Yeah, it's something metalslimer touched on above too, in a way, Nintendo were in a difficult position. They can't just bow out until the really cool stuff comes, but launching a platform they can't fully support, (with innovations which pale compared to your last systems), and third parties won't touch is bad too. I personally think they picked the lesser evil. The Nintendo brand will still be very much alive when they finally move on whatever is next, and I think it'll be a single platform, far more unique than either of their current two. It's a bigger risk, certainly, but dedicated gaming devices are going to have to do a lot more in terms of risks going forward.

Also, it takes so long to get a platform to market, we're only just on the cusp of those things happening, and Nintendo was already actively working on that stuff with the vitality sensor, and they did the Virtual Boy of course. Whatever is about to happen in that space, Nintendo have been waiting patiently for, and they're going to be more ready than anyone else.

 

[VinLAURiA]

If motion controls succeeded why does WiiU emphasize them so very much less than Wii did (and not even require a sensor bar unless you are playing OG Wii titles)?

I dunno, why is the Wiimote still considered a standard controller for Wii U even if Nintendo (stupidly) didn't put one in the case? Why did PS3 and 360 adopt Move and Kinect? Why is the 720 supposedly packing a Kinect 2.0 and the DualShock4 confirmed to be packing Move tech? Why does every smart device developed since the turn of the decade have accelerometers, as do 3DS and Vita? Why are tons of derivatives from Novint tech to the Razer Hydra to the Leap Motion popping up? Why does the GamePad itself still pack motion tech as a big part of its functionality (and indeed usually incorporated in some way into the use of the second screen?)

Motion controls did succeed. They just branched out from the original "wand" form.

 

[shinobi602]

I mean PS4 and Xbox 720 aren't close to high end PC's so what makes them more "next gen" than Wii U?

Just compare the specs alone.

The Wii U's GPU has some modern shader applications and a few other aspects which are a cut above the PS3 and 360, but everything else hardware wise is closer to the PS3/360 than anything in Durango or PS4.

 

[The_Lump]

Well, this is Mark Rein, VP of Epic Games, so...

He said almost this exact same thing last year, didn't he? He said they're not targeting it or officially supporting it, but if a third party wanted to use it on wiiu it's up to them.

That hasn't changed, unless I'm mistaken?

 

[Moral Panic]

I don't know why Nintendo didn't start buying devs when they were making money hand over fist with the Wii-DS megacombo. Even THQ which had good devs who could make exclusives were not touched my Nintendo. So now HD development issues hit them and they have all that money and no games.

 

[Chindogg]

As I see it, Nintendo has 4 choices:

• 1: Stop pretending that they can do everything by themselves, release a developer friendly console and create a friendly business environment for 3rd parties to release their games on.

$400-500 system. Dead in the water.

• 2: Expand like crazy, build dozens of studios around the world and release a Nintendo Box.

Considering all their hirings and studio expansions, that seems to be the route they're going.

• 3: Keep on trying to catch lightning in a bottle based on gimmicks.

A little late for that now honestly.

• 4: Go 3rd party.

Company will die before going 3rd party. Many have said this already.

 

[LowEndTorque]

I'm not worried. The Wii was, compared to PS3 and 360 very underpowered.
Didn't harm the sales.

Not to state the utterly obvious, but that's because the Wii had the fresh new gimmick of motion control that gained huge mass popularity, even with non-gamers. No such luck this time.

 

[Sexually Aggressive Uncle]

So Wii U is the new gamecube in terms of 3rd party?

The Gamecube actually had decent 3rd party support until its last year or so. The N64 was fucking dreadful.

The WiiU is N64 bad.

 

[Orayn]

I'm not worried. The Wii was, compared to PS3 and 360 very underpowered.
Didn't harm the sales.

For me, it's not a fact that the console with the best specs will sell the most consoles. The Vita is a powerhouse compared to the 3DS. Love both, but you can't ignore the Vita is selling not that great. I'm sure Nintendo will be fine.

Overly optimistic. Wii did well because it had incredibly motivating first party software and attracted people who had rarely or never played video games before. Wii U doesn't have the software, and the GamePad doesn't reach out and grab people like the Wiimote did.

I'm not saying that it's impossible for them to recover, but they are in a very bad situation. Yes, first party software is on the way, but if hardware sales and third party support both remain as dismal as they are now, it'll be an albatross around Nintendo's neck for years to come.

 

[Ridley327]

He said almost this exact same thing last year, didn't he? He said they're not targeting it or officially supporting it, but if a third party wanted to use it on wiiu it's up to them.

That hasn't changed, unless I'm mistaken?

It does seem like it has changed, given that UE4 doesn't appear to be targeting mobile now.

 

[Freezie KO]

• 2: Expand like crazy, build dozens of studios around the world and release a Nintendo Box.

I'm not saying they need studios "around the world," but it's unfathomable how little they prepared for this console transition.

They were making money hand over fist. They just paid it out in dividends with no care. Yet their home console was dead for two years. They were transitioning to HD development. Their new console would have two medium-sized games at launch and then nothing for months after. And they had to support an entirely different platform (which wasn't doing too hot) all on their own.

They should've been expanding, growing, investing, and buying left and right.

 

[The_Lump]

The Gamecube actually had decent 3rd party support until its last year or so. The N64 was fucking dreadful.

The WiiU is N64 bad.

Fine by me

 

[Beer Monkey]

I dunno, why is the Wiimote still considered a standard controller for Wii U even if Nintendo (stupidly) didn't put one in the case? Why did PS3 and 360 adopt Move and Kinect? Why is the 720 supposedly packing a Kinect 2.0 and the DualShock4 confirmed to be packing Move tech? Why does every smart device developed since the turn of the decade have accelerometers, as do 3DS and Vita? Why are tons of derivatives from Novint tech to the Razer Hydra to the Leap Motion popping up? Why does the GamePad still pack motion tech as a big part of its functionality (and indeed usually incorporated some way into the second screen.)

Motion controls did succeed.

They have to support the Wiimote because of backwards compatibility. The WiiU becomes a brick if you don't have a gamepad. Almost all the games require it, and the OS does as well. They also have to give you SOMETHING to play multiplayer games with, but don't look for much motion control for players 2, 3, and 4. It'll be mostly dpad and buttons.

Motion control is a huge flop outside of Kinect, and the future of Kinect remains to be seen. It came later than Wii so it can't be expected to have faded into 'fad' status as soon as Wii did.

Bad developers have been punished by good gamers on PS3, 3DS, and Vita, and they now know that if they include motion control on AAA games that it better be optional and unobtrusive. They have learned their lesson. Don't look for jack shit about 'Move' on PS4 outside of Media Molecule. The public doesn't want it and it will disappear quickly.

 

[Jokes and Riddles]

This is completely ridiculous.

Regardless of if it's a bomb by units sold or otherwise, the WiiU already has software that shits on the Virtual Boy's lineup from orbit. Beyond orbit.

Jesus tapdancing christ. I get that it looks bad, but there's great stuff coming. Unreal Engine 4 not being there isn't the final nail in the coffin, though I'm not too naive as to say things aren't looking bad.

Give it time.

I can't wait to watch everyone talk about how excited they are for Ps4 and the 720 in the first six months when there are historically software droughts for consoles rather than the doom and gloom that always surrounds the Big N.

The suggestion that Nintendo isn't a part of this generation due to the WiiU's specs is just idiotic.

 

[The_Lump]

It does seem like it has changed, given that UE4 doesn't appear to be targeting mobile now.

Nothing changes for WiiU though, really. Unless it really can't support it (for some technical reason, like Wii & UE3) then it's still down to 3rd parties to get it working if they want it to.

 

[MisterHero]

That being said, Nintendo did kind of kick start this thinking back in the 1990's with their power war vs Sega (which was then perpetuated by Sony taking their CD format is superior message and really taking them to town on it).

Electronic dickwaving started well before Nintendo and Sega entered the console space. SNES came a year after Genesis, and it even lasted a couple years after 32-bit consoles debuted. N64 lasted well into Dreamcast's life.

If trolls were 100% accurate andt Wii was just an overclocked Gamecube, then that might the longest-lasting console produced yet and PS360 really got spanked by Gamecube. Original Gameboy, NES, and PS2 are in the same territory.

 

[Shion]

$400-500 system. Dead in the water.

Nintendo could have easily released a product on par with the PS4/Xbox 720 without it being very expensive.

Considering all their hirings and studio expansions, that seems to be the route they're going.

They aren't doing a good job then.

Nintendo is still ridiculously small to attempt something like this.

Company will die before going 3rd party. Many have said this already.

Well, stubborn companies either die or become irrelevant.

 

[GribbleGrunger]

I still see people on GAF thinking there will be a second or third wave of Wii U games from major publishers over the next few years. PS360 won't be supported that long.

It could work the other way around actually (not saying it will for definite). Because of the Wiiu, the 360 and the PS3 could see prolonged support. We know for certain that the PS3 will be around for at least another 4 years ... and unless the 720 gets full BC from launch, we know that the 360 will be around for at least another 3 years.

 

[Dave Meltzer]

Company will die before going 3rd party. Many have said this already.

Not if they get a CEO who knows what he's doing.

 

[Ridley327]

Nothing changes for WiiU though, really. Unless it really can't support it (for some technical reason, like Wii & UE3) then it's still down to 3rd parties to get it working if they want it to.

Well, one of the big points that Rein was making about UE4 last year was how scalable it was. Since it doesn't sound like it's particularly scalable now, then the chances for a Wii U version of the engine have essentially evaporated.

 

[OryoN]

I'm am saddened by developers' attitudes toward Wii U. Seeing as how these next-gen engines are scallable to the point where current-gen consoles(and even mobile devices) will support them, this situation isn't even about hardware at this point, despite all the rhetoric. Why is it a prerequisite for Nintendo systems to be an immediate and immense success for most Western devs to even consider it an option, Vs any other consoles to date? That's somewhat of a rhetorical question, and though I have my beliefs, it's been debated much before.

At this point, Nintendo's best bet is to make Wii U the desired companion-console, home to stylish/colorful, and fun/unique games you can't play elsewhere. In other words, capatilize on gamers' frustration as they are inundated by another generation of uninspired shooters and Uncharted clones, as is bound to happen again.

But to be this 'companion console,' there must be a very attractive price to pull it off - $250 for premium at most(once the software is in place, of course). If they play this card correctly, Wii U could turn out to be the most successful console this coming gen, despite a sluggish start.

 

[GremlinFool]

Fine by me

The N64 had like two good games.

 

[Plinko]

Yeah, I think you are spot on regarding this point. Supporting two distinct platforms like they have done in the past doesn't look like it will continue to work for Nintendo.

Development for an HD platform seems to be troublesome for them at this point, and I'm wondering why they thought they were prepared to release the Wii U when they did. Merging their two platforms into one that can actually be progressive in its design makes too much sense.

By the time they release another handheld it will assuredly be HD, hopefully they'll have had enough practice to get it right at that time.

The N64 had like two good games.

What is this madness?

 

[Chie Satonaka]

Nintendo could have easily released a product on par with the PS4/Xbox 720 without it being expensive.

We don't even know how much the Playstation 4 and the New Xbox cost yet, but people continue to keep throwing this out there as if it's some sort of gospel.

What do you base this on?

 

[shinobi602]

I can't wait to watch everyone talk about how excited they are for Ps4 and the 720 in the first six months when there are historically software droughts for consoles rather than the doom and gloom that always surrounds the Big N.

I highly doubt that will happen. Just for the PS4 at launch we have:

-Watch Dogs
-Driveclub
-Knack
-The Witness
-Killzone: Shadow Fall
-Assassin's Creed 4
-Knack
-Infamous: Second Son (strong possibility)
-Battlefield 4
-COD

and any unannounced titles yet to be revealed. Shit will be good.

 

[maltrain]

Expect that doesn't make much sense at all, PS4 and Xbox 720 aren't close to as powerful as a high end PC so that doesn't make sense, and having two systems in the same generations also don't make sense.

Dreamcast + PS2 + GameCube + Xbox = 6th Gen
Xbox 360 + PS3 + Wii = 7th Gen
Wii U + PS4 + Xbox 720 + (Steambox?) = 8th Gen

Right, then Ouya in next-gen too... come on...

WiiU IS NOT a next gen console... period.

 

[Jomjom]

The N64 had like two good games.

Two zelda games is already two. What the heck are you talking about?

 

[Dave Meltzer]

At this point, Nintendo's best bet is to make Wii U the desired companion-console, home to stylish/colorful, and fun/unique games you can't play elsewhere. In other words, capatilize on gamers' frustration as they are inundated by another generation of uninspired shooters and Uncharted clones, as is bound to happen again.

360 and PS3 have a broader range of software than Wii. What makes you think 720 and PS4 will have a narrow range than Wii U?

 

[BGBW]

They have to support the Wiimote because of backwards compatibility. The WiiU becomes a brick if you don't have a gamepad. Almost all the games require it, and the OS does as well. They also have to give you SOMETHING to play multiplayer games with, but don't look for much motion control for players 2, 3, and 4. It'll be mostly dpad and buttons.

Motion control is a huge flop outside of Kinect, and the future of Kinect remains to be seen. It came later than Wii so it can't be expected to have faded into 'fad' status as soon as Wii did.

Bad developers have been punished by good gamers on PS3, 3DS, and Vita, and they now know that if they include motion control on AAA games that it better be optional and unobtrusive. They have learned their lesson. Don't look for jack shit about 'Move' on PS4 outside of Media Molecule. The public doesn't want it and it will disappear quickly.

You do realise the GamePad has motion controls right.

Right, then Ouya in next-gen too... come on...

WiiU IS NOT a next gen console... period.

Are you going to argue the 3DS and Vita are not in the same generation because of their power differences? Because unlike the consoles, Nintendo's handhelds have always had a leap in power so you can't say one has been held back a gen.

 

[GremlinFool]

What is this madness?

Conker and Majora's Mask. Smash Bros. I'll count as halfway good if only as an antecedent to the infinitely better Melee. 2.5.

 

[Plinko]

I'm not saying they need studios "around the world," but it's unfathomable how little they prepared for this console transition.

They were making money hand over fist. They just paid it out in dividends with no care. Yet their home console was dead for two years. They were transitioning to HD development. Their new console would have two medium-sized games at launch and then nothing for months after. And they had to support an entirely different platform (which wasn't doing too hot) all on their own.

They should've been expanding, growing, investing, and buying left and right.

Agreed.

What was the problem? Incompetent leadership? No vision for the future? Greed? Arrogance? A mixture of all?