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[snesfreak]

That headline is fairly misleading. He's clearly talking about not spending a lot of money on developing Nintendo's own games output unless it's deemed necessary on a title. Not the horsepower of the Wii U hardware itself. The headline should say, "Iwata: Nintendo won't be drawn into expensive tech race with future games."

Sounds like your typical gaming article, use misleading title to get hits.

 

[tapedeck]

Its well animated, but that's about it.
Seriously if that was what the Wii U was capable of...fuck. I'd be upset.

Agreed, that was pretty terrible.

 

[A less bigoted Deku]

This kind of thinking is naive imo. There's no way their artists haven't been playing with meshes and techniques way beyond what Nintendo's systems were capable of for the last 6 years, it's what all artists have to do to stay at the top of their game, and its what they have to do to provide high quality CG art/renders to print publications. Where its called for, they'll show what they know -- they busted out some gorgeous techniques on Super Mario Galaxy (procedural texturing, rim lighting emulating global illumination etc), and the Zelda tech demo is gorgeous too. Whatever they've had teams working on for the last 2 years will look great / contemporary for 2012.

I'm actually surprised Sony went with 0.3 mpxl cameras for the Vita as well, and there are youtube videos showing side by side comparisons where the 3DS cameras compare quite favourably.

I'm not sure if it's a cost cutting measure on Sony's part of there are practical concerns that we're not understanding.

But yes, I would like higher resolution 3D photos.

 

[FreeMufasa]

How comes all the games Nintendo demo'd at E3 looked like Wii games? (NSMBM and the others). They were probably made using Wii devkits but why? Didn't they send out the first WiiU kits in 2010?

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Sounds like your typical gaming article, use misleading title to get hits.

LOLWIRED

 

[EloquentM]

How comes all the games Nintendo demo'd at E3 looked like Wii games? (NSMBM and the others). They were probably made using Wii devkits but why? Didn't they send out the first WiiU kits in 2010?

They were up-res'd wii assets iirc. Nintendo definitely wasn't ready to showcase wii U last year.

 

[Vinci]

How comes all the games Nintendo demo'd at E3 looked like Wii games? (NSMBM and the others). They were probably made using Wii devkits but why? Didn't they send out the first WiiU kits in 2010?

Honestly, I'm not sure anyone knows why exactly. Just ignore last E3 and focus on this one.

 

[Fourth Storm]

How comes all the games Nintendo demo'd at E3 looked like Wii games? (NSMBM and the others). They were probably made using Wii devkits but why? Didn't they send out the first WiiU kits in 2010?

I figure rather than have a bunch of games running in alpha versions, they decided to put together the experiences, as last E3 was all about the controller. It was in essence an all or nothing decision. None of the games were far enough along to show and at the same time actually impress people visually, so we got Wii assets.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

This is one of my top demands. I'm so disappointed with the 3DS cameras -- at even slightly higher resolution, with even just an LED for illumination, they would have been so much better. They perform horribly in low light, and the resolution seriously sucks the awesomeness out of the things you can do with AR photos etc. They look fine on the device, and super crappy when you put them onto anything else.

I want an outer-facing camera as well as an inner-facing one on the tablet (or one that rotates, one image sensor if they want to save money - with some kind of concealed prism inside redirecting depending on which one is active). They both need to be higher than 1MP. If they want video chat to not look like complete ass.

You will be disappointed. Both front-facing and rear cameras on the iPad 2 are atrocious. Don't expect Nintendo to one-up Apple on that front.

 

[Shion]

yeah it was mentioned in the investors meeting but it's better explained in the Q&A. Makes sense for Nintendo anyway, most of their games don't really require super high end visuals. Makes no sense for the likes of Animal Crossing, Mario (for the most part), and so on. And like he goes on to say, where it does make sense like a Zelda game, they'll do it.

It’s a shame that Nintendo doesn’t focus a little more on making new IP’s like Zelda and Metroid though. I mean, sure, their current model works for them financially, but it’d be nice to have a new wave of hardcore focused titles to accompany the old guard. 2-3 new Action/Adventure games, with high production values, would also make a good way in order to approach the hardcore demographic.

 

[radioheadrule83]

You will be disappointed. Both front-facing and rear cameras on the iPad 2 are atrocious. Don't expect Nintendo to one-up Apple on that front.

The outer cam isn't bad on the iPhone 4 though. According to IDC, the average BOM of smartphone CCD/CMOS image sensors is $3.50 -- that is quite a lot actually when you consider you've got to multiply that by every unit, and then you've got to weigh in the cost of a quality lens and maybe LED illumination or Xenon flash. It would be such a nice addition though and improve the capabilities / enjoyment of the photo software. If they ever do a premium 3DS XL, maybe they could beef them up for that.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

The outer cam isn't bad on the iPhone 4 though. According to IDC, the average BOM of smartphone CCD/CMOS image sensors is $3.50 -- that is quite a lot actually when you consider you've got to multiply that by every unit, and then you've got to weigh in the cost of a quality lens and maybe LED illumination or Xenon flash. It would be such a nice addition though and improve the capabilities / enjoyment of the photo software. If they ever do a premium 3DS XL, maybe they could beef them up for that.

The iPhone 4s cameras are amazing. Both front and rear but the iPad 2's cameras, which are what I'm using as reference with the Wii U controller are horrible. As I said, don't expect much. Even with the cost, if Nintendo expects to advertise the Wii U's ability to use video chat as a key feature, they really shouldn't skimp on the cameras.

 

[woo and indeed hoo]

I'm actually surprised Sony went with 0.3 mpxl cameras for the Vita as well, and there are youtube videos showing side by side comparisons where the 3DS cameras compare quite favourably.

I'm not sure if it's a cost cutting measure on Sony's part of there are practical concerns that we're not understanding.

But yes, I would like higher resolution 3D photos.

Well they are not intended to be cameras as such, at least not in the 3DS, I can't speak for Vita as I haven't followed it as I have no interest in it. They are merely there to add some fun functionality that people can play around with. I do agree though that an improvement in the 3DS camera capabilities wouldn't be unwelcome, especially with regard to it's abilities in lower light environments. I would certainly use it more if it was improved; even though I can understand why they went the way they did with it.

How comes all the games Nintendo demo'd at E3 looked like Wii games? (NSMBM and the others). They were probably made using Wii devkits but why? Didn't they send out the first WiiU kits in 2010?

Quick and easy game design concepts using existing tech and assets.

 

[A less bigoted Deku]

The iPhone 4s cameras are amazing. Both front and rear but the iPad 2's cameras, which are what I'm using as reference with the Wii U controller are horrible. As I said, don't expect much. Even with the cost, if Nintendo expects to advertise the Wii U's ability to use video chat as a key feature, they really shouldn't skimp on the cameras.

I am somewhat doubtful on that. It might also be cheaper for them to buy the .3 megapixel cameras in bulk now that there are 3 going into the 3DS, plus 1 more(at least) for theWii U. The mock ups from last E3 also seem to imply a youtube like player with a status bar at the bottom. The resolution of the tablet is also fairly low that they don't need a high quality camera.

You're probably more likely to see youtube/niconico integration with some barebones Nintendo video streaming that looks right out of early 2000 Realplayer streaming.

Edit: It's possible that if they decide to say bump up the resolution of the 3DS XL to 1 megapixel that they'll go with the higher resolution cameras for the Wii U as production will likely be close to each other and they gain the same benefit of bulk buying. Actually, I think Wii U camera's final resolution will be very much determined by what they do with the 3DS cameras - given there's a good chance the 3DS will hook up to the Wii U as the fabled 2nd controller.

 

[bgassassin]

This is one of my top demands. I'm so disappointed with the 3DS cameras -- at even slightly higher resolution, with even just an LED for illumination, they would have been so much better. They perform horribly in low light, and the resolution seriously sucks the awesomeness out of the things you can do with AR photos etc. They look fine on the device, and super crappy when you put them onto anything else.

I want an outer-facing camera as well as an inner-facing one on the tablet (or one that rotates, one image sensor if they want to save money - with some kind of concealed prism inside redirecting depending on which one is active). They both need to be higher than 1MP. If they want video chat to not look like complete ass.

Awhile back it came out that Nintendo has switched camera providers (I think specifically for Wii U's controller) so we'll see how that goes.

 

[Penguin]

Q&A is up in english, for anyone wanting a read.

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/120127qa/index.html

If nothing else, I do enjoy more Iwata words.
He always seems to be on point.

 

[AzaK]

You're missing the point of that article then. The writer is saying that the 2x he was told is essentially the same as the 5x he was told by IGN. That's why he was saying he wrote the article despite the algebra not adding up. Because one this is certain in algebra 2x will never equal 5x, but he's saying the opposite is true in this case.

I still no understand-ee. How can 2x = 5x in ANYONE'S eyes? Is he really just saying hear heard Wii U was more powerful than 360 just like IGN and the multiplier doesn't really matter?

Is this ****ing amazing or what!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNgtIrSHack
Damn! only if...

Wow, that was really really nice.

 

[Azure J]

I still no understand-ee. How can 2x = 5x in ANYONE'S eyes? Is he really just saying hear heard Wii U was more powerful than 360 just like IGN and the multiplier doesn't really matter?

Two thoughts:

- I interpreted that Develop article as meaning that the Wii U had a rough guesstimate of its ability pegged at 2X the 360 in December, but after IGN posted up its 5x estimate after the most recent kits went out, they recanted and nudged towards believing IGN since that's what they were hearing on the grapevine as of late. Did I think this out wrong or did something else develop that I wasn't aware of?

- Regarding this actual thought I've quoted, what if the numbers all look like this 2X number but everything performs 5X better?

Multipliers for how a system works comparatively is some of the dumbest shit ever btw.

 

[ReyVGM]

The article says it clearly, the 2x estimate is old. As in, before the new devkits arrived.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Two thoughts:

- I interpreted that Develop article as meaning that the Wii U had a rough guesstimate of its ability pegged at 2X the 360 in December, but after IGN posted up its 5x estimate after the most recent kits went out, they recanted and nudged towards believing IGN since that's what they were hearing on the grapevine as of late. Did I think this out wrong or did something else develop that I wasn't aware of?

- Regarding this actual thought I've quoted, what if the numbers all look like this 2X number but everything performs 5X better?

Multipliers for how a system works comparatively is some of the dumbest shit ever btw.

that's exactly what the article states.

However, yesterday a separate insider source told IGN that the next generation Xbox will be “six times as powerful” as its predecessor – the key addition being that this will mean it yields a “20 per cent greater performance than Wii U”.

That unverified calculation, if true, echoes claims from the Develop source who claims the Wii U is far more powerful than current expectations.

People are just idiots and don't know how to read. But the article is poorly written, so who to blame.

 

[specialguy]

That headline is fairly misleading. He's clearly talking about not spending a lot of money on developing Nintendo's own games output unless it's deemed necessary on a title. Not the horsepower of the Wii U hardware itself. The headline should say, "Iwata: Nintendo won't be drawn into expensive tech race with future games."

Sounds like they're cribbing MS's strategy. "Let the third parties handle the expensive games".

 

[Penguin]

Sounds like they're cribbing MS's strategy. "Let the third parties handle the expensive games".

Well from their PoV it makes sense.
Pouring money into a graphical impressive Zelda or Metroid or Monolithsoft title makes sense
Wii Sports? Wario Ware? Rhythm Heaven? Maybe not as much.

 

[Jocchan]

that's exactly what the article states.



People are just idiots and don't know how to read. But the article is poorly written, so who to blame.

Lots of people don't read past thread titles, unfortunately.

 

[ReyVGM]

"I understand that the former question was the idea to surprise people using the network. This is the last thing we can tell you until our product is actually available. It is so difficult to amaze consumers if we give prior notice way ahead of time, so we are hesitant to say anything. Thank you for your understanding." -Iwata

Iwata, my body is ready. Amaze me at E3.

 

[comedy bomb]

Hitting boiling over point with Wii U hype. Nintendo Power ran a story on the announced games with pics (ps3 or 360) and yet I was drooling.

Despite all of the games being available on the PS3 I already own. Guess I can't hide the bias. lol

 

[Thraktor]

Q&A is up in english, for anyone wanting a read.

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/120127qa/index.html

Some quotes I found interesting in there:

I understand that the former question was the idea to surprise people using the network. This is the last thing we can tell you until our product is actually available. It is so difficult to amaze consumers if we give prior notice way ahead of time, so we are hesitant to say anything. Thank you for your understanding.

I'm happy that Nintendo's actually talking about online functionality, but some of this stuff is pretty cryptic, and in this case he's implying that there'll be features we won't even know about until the console is actually on store shelves.

After all, our basic policy is that we create products which appeal to a wide variety of consumers and sell for a long time. We should take advantage of add-on content for this purpose, which could give us a higher ARPU as a consequence. If we focus on the increase of the ARPU only, we could possibly narrow the range of our consumers and fail to succeed in the long run.

This is good news to my ears. He's basically criticising the withhold-content-from-games-to-screw-extra-money-from-consumers approach, which hopefully means that any DLC on Wii U is going to be used to bring out proper extra content for those one-per-generation games like Mario Kart and Smash Bros.

Spoiler

and F-Zero.

Please let me tell you one thing again: there must be a solution other than positioning digital distribution as an enemy to wholesalers and retailers. When we find one, we think that the solution will provide an interesting future in which both of us can benefit.

Not particularly good news. Basically we're not going to get downloaded games cheaper than retail. Hopefully at least we'll get discounts on games on the eShop after they're no longer being distributed at retail, perhaps using the eShop as a version of the "Greatest Hits" style discount lines. Then again, with Nintendo's complete aversion to reducing the prices of games over time I probably shouldn't get my hopes up.

Specifically, a new platform is likely to have a gap between the launch titles, which many developers want to release, and the second wave of software. It is indispensable to avoid such a gap in our future business. In determining the launch date of the Wii U, we need to take into account not only what to release at the launch period but how to keep the sales momentum after then. In the past, I mentioned that having strong momentum is very important for game platform businesses, and as a matter of course, we are now more convinced of that and we need to have a backup plan ready.

I know everyone's saying "we've heard that before!", but I honestly do think that Nintendo have learnt something from the 3DS. They aren't stupid, and I would imagine that the Wii U has been pushed back from an originally intended summer launch to an October/November launch for precisely the reason of making sure there's lots of content ready around that time-frame.

As a matter of fact, although many tasks used to be done only internally in the past, we are now working with people outside the company in several business fields. When we make any relevant announcements on such projects, we cannot just say we are working with this company on that project. Unless we can make more comprehensive announcements by discussing the details of the subject product, it may not make any sense to you. So, we would like to discuss this topic sometime later. There are several projects we will be able to talk about this year. I hope that I will be able to pick up examples which will show that Nintendo is taking care of the business fields in which it lacks internal resources.

There are two ways I could interpret this. Either they're getting help building up their online functionality, or they're working with western studios to produce exclusive "core" games. Both would be good news.

We are making efforts so that when we release applicable software in the future, you will be pleasantly surprised and you might say, "Oh, this is what you were trying to achieve!" or "These are the titles you were preparing."

I'll be watching for those two quotes on gaf when E3 rolls around!

 

[onilink88]

If Nintendo had room to further upgrade the WiiU,
where would you guys rather they put their resources?

In the controller?

or

the console?



.

Hmm... well, I'd like not to be confined to the general space in which the console is located if possible. Stompin' goombas while catching the crisp summer breeze on the veranda would be something else. So, I'd like them to beef up the transmission tech to allow for a less limited range.

If that's not possible, then just give the console a nice RAM boost (up until it reaches 2GB would be nice, I suppose, if it's not already there).

 

[ActStriker]

There are two ways I could interpret this. Either they're getting help building up their online functionality, or they're working with western studios to produce exclusive "core" games. Both would be good news.

Why not both?

 

[DragonKnight]

Late?: is it okay to post gamefront stuff here? Anyway apparently nintendo has asked tecmo what they want from the hardware and that they have been very receptive and as a result the hardware is constantly changing. That sounds like good news to me.

Edit: Which matches the rumor that IGN put up the other day.

 

[AceBandage]

Late?: is it okay to post gamefront stuff here? Anyway apparently nintendo has asked tecmo what they want from the hardware and that they have been very receptive and as a result the hardware is constantly changing. That sounds like good news to me.

Edit: Which matches the rumor that IGN put up the other day.

That isn't so surprising.
We know that EA heads have been flying to Japan to take a look at the dev kits and voice their opinions, and likely Activision devs as well, given statements around E3.

I've said it before, but the Wii U is a system that was designed more by third parties than by Nintendo themselves.
Everything about the system screams that.

Why not both?

It is likely both, actually.
We KNOW, from Iwata himself, that they are outsourcing much of their online infrastructure.
And it's also likely that Nintendo is securing games and services for the Wii U that won't be on other systems.

 

[DragonKnight]

That isn't so surprising.
We know that EA heads have been flying to Japan to take a look at the dev kits and voice their opinions, and likely Activision devs as well, given statements around E3.

I've said it before, but the Wii U is a system that was designed more by third parties than by Nintendo themselves.
Everything about the system screams that.

Which begs the questions: forget what we want--what do third parties want from next gen consoles?

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

They want enough to run their respective engines properly.

 

[antonz]

Which begs the questions: forget what we want--what do third parties want from next gen consoles?

I imagine 3rd Party Publishers have very different goals than say Epic for instance.

 

[DragonKnight]

They want enough to run their respective engines properly.

Exactly. Which ones? Their current ones or next-gen engines?

 

[AceBandage]

Which begs the questions: forget what we want--what do third parties want from next gen consoles?

Well, they want a competent online so that they can push their own DRM and DLC.
They also want a system that can run any engines they have easily.
They also want a more standard control scheme for easier cross platform development.


I mean, overall, it'll work out in our favor, but this will be a very interesting generation for Nintendo.

Exactly. Which ones? Their current ones or next-gen engines?

Both, of course.
They want to be able to easily put whatever they want onto the system to reach a larger userbase.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Exactly. Which ones? Their current ones or next-gen engines?

well presumably their next gen engines. And if they can run their next gen engines then obviously they can run their older ones. But yeah I think next generation will be the generation of engines and scaling. There are so many prepared before hand. Cryengine is ready for next gen, unreal engine 4, kojima and his fox engine, square-enix finally has an engine prepared with their luminous engine, which should decrease their dev time, and I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting.

I'm sure each of those companies whispered something into Iwata's ear. Would have been ignorant not to!

 

[DragonKnight]

Well, they want a competent online so that they can push their own DRM and DLC.
They also want a system that can run any engines they have easily.
They also want a more standard control scheme for easier cross platform development.


I mean, overall, it'll work out in our favor, but this will be a very interesting generation for Nintendo.





Both, of course.
They want to be able to easily put whatever they want onto the system to reach a larger userbase.

Makes sense to me. I'm sure that this why the hardware has gone through so many changes. I think the system will hit a "sweet spot" smack dab right in the middle of what all three consoles will be capable of next gen.

 

[BuzzJive]

They want enough to run their respective engines properly.

But all the forward thinking devs (the ones that will survive next gen) are planning their engines to be far more dynamic than they ever have in the past. With the emergence of the mobile space, and the divergence of specs across all platforms, they are definitely going to be more prepared going forward than they were coming in to this generation.

 

[DragonKnight]

But all the forward thinking devs (the ones that will survive next gen) are planning their engines to be far more dynamic than they ever have in the past. With the emergence of the mobile space, and the divergence of specs across all platforms, they are definitely going to be more prepared going forward than they were coming in to this generation.

In short, going HD for the first time really fucked up a lot of shit.

 

[AceBandage]

In short, going HD for the first time really fucked up a lot of shit.

Well, that was evident by all these large and medium companies bleeding money...

 

[DragonKnight]

Well, that was evident by all these large and medium companies bleeding money...

And some people have the nerve to think that they want to do it all over again! The mindset next gen and forever more is profitability over performance.

 

[specialguy]

Late?: is it okay to post gamefront stuff here? Anyway apparently nintendo has asked tecmo what they want from the hardware and that they have been very receptive and as a result the hardware is constantly changing. That sounds like good news to me.

Edit: Which matches the rumor that IGN put up the other day.

Err, you guys were saying the other day "final" dev kits went out...which is it?

At some point you have to lock down the hardware and it's soon or past with a November launch looming.

 

[antonz]

Err, you guys were saying the other day "final" dev kits went out...which is it?

At some point you have to lock down the hardware and it's soon or past with a November launch looming.

While it is true its reaching the point of no return on GPU/CPU style tweaks etc it is possible for other aspects like ram etc to adjust. We know very late in the game 3DS was tweaked in such a way. The potential danger really is in who Nintendo is really turning their ears to. While Temco is nice it would be much nicer to hear them being much more receptive in such a fashion with Epic etc

 

[wsippel]

Err, you guys were saying the other day "final" dev kits went out...which is it?

At some point you have to lock down the hardware and it's soon or past with a November launch looming.

Silicon is supposedly done, but stuff like clockspeeds could still be tweaked. And you only need to lock the bottom. The ceiling can be changed at any time, even after launch.

 

[GameE]

Late?: is it okay to post gamefront stuff here? Anyway apparently nintendo has asked tecmo what they want from the hardware and that they have been very receptive and as a result the hardware is constantly changing. That sounds like good news to me.

They’ve asked us what we would like to see from the hardware, and when we give them feedback we can see that they’re definitely listening to it and making changes. The hardware is still constantly changing

It comes from a magazine

Other quotes from Team Ninja to (they not ruling out dead or alive 5)

I'm on my phone so

 

[AceBandage]

I doubt Nintendo has talked to Epic at all.
They should be talking to Crytek and CD Projekt though.

It comes from a magazine

Other quotes from Team Ninja to (they not ruling out dead or alive 5)

I'm on my phone so

Could probably be its own thread.

 

[Bit-Bit]

E3 is like four months away. But I've already got the day planned out. I'm taking off work. Gonna hook my computer up to the big screen to stream the conferences. Gonna invite a few buddies over, pop some beers, and have GAF on the laptop, freaking out with everybody.

This year is gonna be awesome. Mostly because of Nintendo.

My body is ready.

 

[DragonKnight]

Inb4 people misread the article and claim it to say that the WiiU is as powerful as the 360/ps3

 

[woo and indeed hoo]

While it is true its reaching the point of no return on GPU/CPU style tweaks etc it is possible for other aspects like ram etc to adjust. We know very late in the game 3DS was tweaked in such a way. The potential danger really is in who Nintendo is really turning their ears to. While Temco is nice it would be much nicer to hear them being much more receptive in such a fashion with Epic etc

I doubt Nintendo has talked to Epic at all.
They should be talking to Crytek and CD Projekt though.





Could probably be its own thread.

Water meet fish .

[or whatever that tweet was]

 

[AceBandage]

Water meet fish .

[or whatever that tweet was]

Which meant nothing other than he was excited that the system could run UE3.