Support NeoGAF

[routerbad]

It's also laughable how people think Nintendo are able to pull battery technology out of their ass too.

I remember the complaints when the battery life was announced, but people conveniently forgot that battery technology is one area that hasn't really advanced in any meaningful way.

That's the reason things like fast charging technology have been introduced to try and counter the negatives of having a short battery life.

But no one cares about any of that, they want a portable console as powerful as scorpio in a really thin package, with passive cooling and 24 hour battery life with 5 minute quick charging to full capacity lol.

Compromises need to made, you want more battery life then you either add more battery (and therefore make the device larger), or reduce the power of the device.

People also ignore that the battery life is the same as the 3DS and the Vita, while being just ridiculously more powerful than both.

 

[Sendou]

Yeah I'm focusing on the last part here saying on a retail version product: "You can receive an amount of Gold Points equivalent to the amount spent on a retail version product." Although it could just be poor phrasing and they're just meaning the cost of a game, not literally retail?

I think they mean literally retail like you first thought. They even compare it to digital downloads saying "For downloadable versions of applications - -". No other way to read it IMO.

see my post above, you can have your 3DS show one row of big tiles instead of a grid

I'm hoping Switch allows for the tiles to be arranged in a grid as well

also iirc the 3DS defaults to one row when you buy it new like the Switch

I think the grid is shown in one of the images.

 

[Aleh]

I think the grid is shown in one of the images.

We don't know if they kept this option though, as there have been other changes to the UI as well

 

[wildfire]

Obviously.

Why do you think they've been so proud to show off Skyrim.

Because Bethesda hasn't supported Nintendo since the SNES days.

That was their proof that western 3rd parties were going to come back in a much bigger way than even the Lackluster support when they dominated sales with the Wii.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

We don't know if they kept this option though, as there have been other changes to the UI as well

Well the Wii U allows you to adjust the grid size so this doesn't necessarily look like a "new" option

 

[routerbad]

Well they haven't really done anything to fight these notions.

They got rid of friend codes on their home console 5 years ago.

They added the ability to link an NNID with the 3DS what, 4 years ago?

They really REALLY want to avoid any interaction with random people outside of strictly gameplay. In that sense, some of what they do makes sense. It may not make sense to a lot of people, but online gaming on consoles has a negative stigma for a reason, and Nintendo is trying to keep people from associating those things with their platforms.

I'm holding out judgement until I get a chance to try their new online service for myself, but it sounds... okay. It's not thrilling, but I get why they make some of their decisions when I play devils advocate and try to put myself in that position.

 

[family_guy]

Switch doesn't throttle like your super powerful phone, and it doesn't need to use its CPU to run an incredibly complex OS. Sorry.

Technically it does throttle undocked.

 

[Lovely Salsa]

Comparing the Pixel to the Switch is irrelevant because both those devices are using their power differently. Pixel is using the highest end Snapdragon chip because it's $650. If I'm spending that kind of money I expect the highest end parts with the best performance.

Also for a gaming device, the quality of the games is very important.

But Pixel probably costs 260 usd to make.

 

[The Futurist]

Because Bethesda hasn't supported Nintendo since the SNES days...

Fallout 4 is the current game.

Let's see if it makes it to Switch.

 

[phanphare]

I think the grid is shown in one of the images.

oh good. that's one thing I loved about the 3DS. having so many things on one screen means less inputs to open any one of those things. really convenient.

 

[Inferno313]

Well the Wii U allows you to adjust the grid size so this doesn't necessarily look like a "new" option

It does?

3DS does, but I don't think you can on the WiiU.

 

[JetSetRadio]

Does it mention camelot golf??

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Technically it does throttle undocked.

No it doesn't. Intentional lowering of a clock speed isn't throttling. Throttling is when a clock is essentially forcibly lowered to reduce heat, and as this is dependent on what's running, it isn't done consistently or reliably to by same amounts usually

It does?

3DS does, but I don't think you can on the WiiU.

Err, might have flipped them. I knew one of them definitely let you!

 

[ultrazilla]

So nothing but a confirmation that the Switch is basically DoA with little-no future third party support.

This sounds REALLY familiar.

Tread carefully young new one. Nintendo *seems* to have a lot more third party interest at this point and I'm of the belief that we'll get some pretty big, unexpected third party games and support shown at E3.

If this systems sells out like hotcakes, moves a few million systems easily and becomes the "water cooler" talk at work among folks...Nintendo will see third party support coming back if they weren't there at launch or E3 IMHO.

 

[LegendofLex]

Obviously.

Why do you think they've been so proud to show off Skyrim.

Because it's easily the most popular game in its genre and it stands to gain a lot from HD Rumble and other features introduced by Switch?

 

[GinoFelino]

This thread is basically a very elaborate way of saying we're all extremely hyped for this thing to come out and we want to hold and caress it and look at it all day long

 

[Inferno313]

Because it's easily the most popular game in its genre and stands to gain a lot from HD Rumble and other features introduced by Switch?

Yeah, I think folks on GAF sometimes fail to understand how fucking huge Skyrim was/is. Elder Scrolls is the GTA of RPGs at this point. It's a big get, regardless of how old it is.

 

[Rebel Leader]

This thread is basically a very elaborate way of saying we're all extremely hyped for this thing to come out and we want to hold and caress it and look at it all day long

Woah there.......

 

[LegendofLex]

Yeah, I think folks on GAF sometimes fail to understand how fucking huge Skyrim was/is. Elder Scrolls is the GTA of RPGs at this point. It's a big get, regardless of how old it is.

I think Nintendo secretly hopes Skyrim fans will try out their new Zelda game, too.

 

[Tom Nook Sawyer]

I mean... How so? Both the 3DS and WiiU used small square icons in a grid-like layout. I'd say the better point of comparison for those UIs is the iOS home screen. (Though, to be fair to Apple, they execute on that idea much much better than Nintendo did)

So did the Wii, which preceded the iPhone

 

[routerbad]

This thread is basically a very elaborate way of saying we're all extremely hyped for this thing to come out and we want to hold and caress it and look at it all day long

Yes. Very much this.

 

[GinoFelino]

Woah there.......

Search your feelings

 

[Inferno313]

This thread is basically a very elaborate way of saying we're all extremely hyped for this thing to come out and we want to hold and caress it and look at it all day long

Spoiler

too lewd?

 

[family_guy]

No it doesn't. Intentional lowering of a clock speed isn't throttling. Throttling is when a clock is essentially forcibly lowered to reduce heat, and as this is dependent on what's running, it isn't done consistently or reliably to by same amounts usually

Yes, intentional or not, throttling is throttling. You can throttle the CPU in your own computer in the power settings if you want to without heat even being a factor.

 

[GinoFelino]

Spoiler

too lewd?

Hahahaha, lord, that escalated quickly

 

[mario_O]

Fallout 4 is the current game.

Let's see if it makes it to Switch.

With the Switch CPU -3 cores at 1Ghz- I don't think so. Fallout 4 destroys CPUs. Runs like shit on the PS4/Xbone.

 

[Razgreez]

Yeahh... no

Iphones score good in benchs, but they throttle hard afterwards, GPU wise a least

Gwennap estimates Apple increased clock speed by 50 percent to get those performance gains. The custom Apple GPU blows away competitors when operating at peak speed, but it can’t sustain that performance.

Iphones would burn trying to run Botw.

Apple did not invent some magic hardware that outperforms Nvidia's X1 while also not exausting heat in its enclosed case, they did not open a gate to a parallel universe to move the heat there, they're not that good. I find it funny that peoples think it could have been much better if it were not Nintendo, probably peoples who don't understand basic principles of electrical and thermal laws.

And you know, we do see what games are output on the phones since pretty much everyone has one, nothing on there approach Switch, even with 1st gen software on it. I would say once E3 hits and we see Steep and other big developer's games, it's a no brainer that it's more powerful.

The question was "in the same form factor" I.e. larger system, active cooling etc. Given all those concessions I'd hazard a guess that the 16nm A9X would out perform the 20nm X1 in the switch quite considerably without any throttling. Similarly had you placed the switch's X1 in an iPhone shell it would likely throttle even in its current underclocked mobile state.

And it's not like the A9X is an option or even the only option nor was it designed more, if not specially, for gaming - unlike the X1. It's not even new and was released, almost, 2yrs ago...

I was asked to provide a possible scenario and I provided perfectly plausible ones. So yes it is "old tech" in so much as most main fabs are moving or have moved on from it and the efficiency gains from the move to 16nm/14nm are not insignificant.

But then again any tech related talk in a spec thread is classed as "devolution" according to some.

 

[JustenP88]

This thread is basically a very elaborate way of saying we're all extremely hyped for this thing to come out and we want to hold and caress it and look at it all day long

Yeah, people are excited about a new hardware release. Shit's weird.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Yes, intentional or not, throttling is throttling. You can throttle the CPU in your own computer in the power settings if you want to without heat even being a factor.

Downclocking isn't the same as throttling. I mean, in both cases clock speeds are limited, but devs can build around a well known downclocked speed, while a throttled clock will introduce performance issues because it is just done. Yeah, you can set that in your computer in power settings, because that's different from it happening unexpectedly in the middle of playing a game or something. That's really what I meant

 

[Zedark]

Yes, intentional or not, throttling is throttling. You can throttle the CPU in your own computer in the power settings if you want to without heat even being a factor.

The thing is, the Switch runs at a steady performance level undocked, while typical phones throttled while running games. The semantics of throttling are not important, that decrease in performance while running games is in discussion.

 

[Calm Mind]

It never fails.

 

[M3d10n]

Users can change most settings without closing the suspended game.

About fucking time.

 

[Schnozberry]

With the Switch CPU -3 cores at 1Ghz- I don't think so. Fallout 4 destroys CPUs. Runs like shit on the PS4/Xbone.

I don't think we're sure that 1ghz is the final clock. Kits that were delivered in the October/November timeframe were supposedly faster than the July kits. Whether that means changes to frequency or just leaps forward for the SDK remains a mystery.

 

[GinoFelino]

Yeah, people are excited about a new hardware release. Shit's weird.

I was joking, and also very much describing myself there

 

[franklyshankly]

It never fails.

So only positive discussion is allowed? Seems kind of limiting. Are there no negative aspects that should be discussed at all?

 

[Hoo-doo]

It never fails.

You can just try to ignore it instead of starting shitposting yourself.

 

[sugarless]

Users can change most settings without closing the suspended game.

About fucking time.

Now can we connect to Wi-Fi without having to manually save a limited list of goddamn connections… Please Nintendo.

 

[OCD Guy]

People also ignore that the battery life is the same as the 3DS and the Vita, while being just ridiculously more powerful than both.

Exactly. The quoted battery life sounds pretty good considering the type of game Zelda is.

But if I'm honest battery life isn't a major concern because I'll only ever use it at home and be close to a power outlet at all times anyway.

Obviously I wouldn't say no to longer battery life, but I appreciate that the technology just isn't really there yet.

 

[SalvaPot]

This thread is basically a very elaborate way of saying we're all extremely hyped for this thing to come out and we want to hold and caress it and look at it all day long

When a maaaaaeeen loves a consaaaaooooleee.

 

[routerbad]

Yes, intentional or not, throttling is throttling. You can throttle the CPU in your own computer in the power settings if you want to without heat even being a factor.

creating a hardware profile with a lower clock speed is technically manually throttling, but throttling as a processor feature describes something wholly different.

Throttling (the ad hoc throttling capability in your laptop/desktop CPU and mobile devices) lowers frequencies and multipliers based on task load, specifically so that the device isn't unnecessarily generating heat and using battery.

 

[Peltz]

People also ignore that the battery life is the same as the 3DS and the Vita, while being just ridiculously more powerful than both.

It's pretty impressive, really.

 

[Ruud_Luiten]

It never fails.

Such a hate....

Most people just notice the low specs compared to direct competition and also the lack of third parties. Both are true sofar....

 

[routerbad]

Exactly. The quoted battery life sounds pretty good considering the type of game Zelda is.

But if I'm honest battery life isn't a major concern because I'll only ever use it at home and be close to a power outlet at all times anyway.

Obviously I wouldn't say no to longer battery life, but I appreciate that the technology just isn't really there yet.

It's not a concern for me because I have a portable battery (which unsurprisingly doesn't fit in my pocket either, because "pocket-ability" and "portability" aren't the same thing) that will probably charge my Switch up 5 times, from ded, which would probably get me through even the longest flight I've ever been on (14 hrs, to Iraq)

 

[sugarless]

Great to hear about predictive text. Do we know if Japanese input will be supported while using the system in English? Nintendo has always locked Japanese to their Japanese systems.

Self-reply: looks like it is possible from the docs.

The characters that can be entered are not dependent on the settings for region and language within the system settings.
It is possible to enter both kanji and Cyrillic text, for example, even when using the full mode keyboard type, and when the language is set to English in the System Settings.

 

[brinstar]

Yeah, I think folks on GAF sometimes fail to understand how fucking huge Skyrim was/is. Elder Scrolls is the GTA of RPGs at this point. It's a big get, regardless of how old it is.

I've somehow still never played it despite owning multiple consoles its on, so I'm interested in getting the Switch version. For whatever reason a game being portable makes it like 10x more enticing to me.

 

[family_guy]

The thing is, the Switch runs at a steady performance level undocked, while typical phones throttled while running games. The semantics of throttling are not important, that decrease in performance while running games is in discussion.

I mean, that's not necessarily a given is it? We know it has a maximum level of performance when undocked, but the game software will determine how much of that processor is used. I'd also ask for clarification for what you mean by steady performance because they might design a game around a solid 60fps but allow for dynamic scaling of things like resolution to achieve that, so even though the framerate is the same the graphical performance can vary.

 

[SomedayTheFire]

Spoiler

too lewd?

You know, maybe it's a good thing there's no browser

 

[GinoFelino]

When a maaaaaeeen loves a consaaaaooooleee.

 

[Hermii]

I mean, that's not necessarily a given is it? We know it has a maximum level of performance when undocked, but the game software will determine how much of that processor is used. I'd also ask for clarification for what you mean by steady performance because they might design a game around a solid 60fps but allow for dynamic scaling of things like resolution to achieve that, so even though the framerate is the same the graphical performance can vary.

Steady performance means it can run at peak performance for hours whiteout throttling like a phone or tablet would. It has nothing to do with a specific game.

 

[10k]

Spoiler

too lewd?

Not lewd enough.