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[OrangeGrayBlue]

people and their expectations...

they want power, power and more POWER.

Best thing would be if it had 24 gig of ram. a 32 core super processor and liquid hydrogen cooling...

now let's calm down a little.

I may be in the minority, but why don't I care so much about the specs like other people?

maybe because those other people are expecting nothing short but R-E-A-L-I-T-Y!

yes, there MUST be enough power in the next WiiU to depict reality in it's truest form, or people will be dissapointed.

I myself don't give a shit, since I don't long for hyper-realistic graphics.

Everything looks really good already on HD Consoles. I only own a Wii as a current gen system and am really satisfied with what I'm seeing there.

If the Wii U has as much power as the PS360 then it'd be completely set for the next 5+ years.

To be honest, I think people care more for system warz reasons than actual concerns over the incremental differences between the next gen consoles. People are still convinced that being the most powerful system somehow means anything. This gen has shown us that it doesn't dictate the quality of games, depth of experiences in those games, or success of consoles. It's really just a superficial dick-waving contest that has lost any relevance it had back in the days of Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. To the vast majority, next gen's consoles will have seemingly identical graphical capabilities and, furthermore, the extended time that this gen has lasted proves that they're satisfied with things as they are. Ultimately, at least for me, the speculation is just a way to kill time. I'm totally satisfied with what's been shown already and the idea of what Nintendo can accomplish on the Wii U makes me giddy.

 

[TunaLover]

Ok, there's some interesting information from Gearbox, the original text is in french, so if someone wants translate it, could be great =).

Roughly Google translation

Thus, there is little doubt that, apart from the version PC , which will run on U Wii will be another level of PS3 / Xbox 360 , console, Nintendo could offer " a unique visual record of current console and offering a gaming experience beyond the current generation e "while confirming that" the return made ​​by Nintendo to a more traditional gameplay is a source of satisfaction that should attract new players . " In addition, the gameplay will mablette quite unique as you point the camera at the screen for additional data, an optional camera will be displayed when you play in a conventional manner, without seeking the screen, thus allowing to keep a close eye on what's happening behind you. Other ideas are still developing and Gearbox draws even among those in the community.

Source Livewii

 

[Easy_D]

Isn't that almost exactly what Vigil said regarding Darksiders 2 when comparing WiiU/PC to PS360?

 

[IceDoesntHelp]

hus, there is little doubt that, apart from the version PC , which will run on U Wii will be another level of PS3 / Xbox 360

Is that basically saying the Wii U version will be running PC graphics instead of 360/PS3 graphics, or am I reading that wrong?

 

[TunaLover]

Is that basically saying the Wii U version will be running PC graphics instead of 360/PS3 graphics, or am I reading that wrong?

The translation is shoddy, but I read like he is positioning PC and WiiU in different level than PS360

 

[Easy_D]

Is that basically saying the Wii U version will be running PC graphics instead of 360/PS3 graphics, or am I reading that wrong?

Basically WiiU will add the PC goodie extras. So, higher res and AA/AF maybe.

 

[Azure J]

That reminds me of this detailed analysis from a professional industry insider regarding the graphical capabilities of Nintendo's forthcoming Wii U console.

I was just watching this last night after someone linked to the off stage bird demo and I took a look to see the differences once more. This kid is a riot but even moreso are the youtube comments. It's like GAF for early teenagers. :lol

 

[Dascu]

No, he's not saying that the PC version will run on WiiU or anything. He's just saying that like the PC version, the WiiU version will be of a different, higher level than the PS360 one.

I also like that "mablette" term. Mash-up from manette and tablet?

 

[Übermatik]

Yeah, the WiiU version will be graphically superior, like the PC version, but not at the same level.

 

[Koren]

Ok, there's some interesting information from Gearbox, the original text is in french, so if someone wants translate it, could be great =).

Nothing really new, I'd say, but I can at least try...

There is nearly no doubt that, PC version set apart, the Wii U version will be on another level than the PS3/Xbox 360 counterparts, the Nintendo's console being able to offer "a visual result that can't be seen elsewhere on consoles today, and a gaming experience beyond the current generation", while confirming that "Nintendo coming back to a more traditional gameplay is a source of satisfaction that should seduce new gamers". Besides this, the tablet [ndt: don't know if mablette means something or is a typo | edit: see below] will offer a unique gameplay since you'll only need to point the camera towards the screen to get additional data, since a different viewpoint will be displayed on the tablet when playing normally without pointing it to the screen, allowing the player to keep an eye on what happens behind him. Other ideas are currently under development, and Gearbox is also studying ideas suggested by the community.

(and conclude saying that new developments kits are currently shipped to developpers)

Edit :

I also like that "mablette" term. Mash-up from manette and tablet?

Good catch... Don't see how to translate it, though... Padlet ?

 

[MDX]

How WiiU can show that it is a “next gen” machine?

I think it already has with its controller.
But if we are talking purely about graphics, which I guess we always are,
probably Nintendo will make use of special effect(s) not previously seen before.
Other than that its about achieving 60FPS consistently at HD resolutions.

 

[blu]

people and their expectations...

they want power, power and more POWER.

I'm perfectly ok with a dual-core POWER7, thank you.

 

[Always-honest]

Basically WiiU will add the PC goodie extras. So, higher res and AA/AF maybe.

Please give us good AA nintendo. Don't think we don't mind jaggies. they have been ruining your fine art for way too long now.

 

[TunaLover]

(and conclude saying that new developments kits are currently shipped to developpers)

Nice, probably the new development kits are more stable now, as suggested by ShockingAlberto.

 

[[Nintex]]

Nice, probably the new development kits are more stable now, as suggested by ShockingAlberto.

If the rumored june release is still in the cards the Wii U devkits should be pretty much 'final' by now.

 

[guek]

I think if production doesn't start by october, they'll have trouble making a summer launch

 

[Shin Johnpv]

If the rumored june release is still in the cards the Wii U devkits should be pretty much 'final' by now.

I would guess that the rumored June release is not in the cards anymore. I'm sticking by a release some where in August - November.

 

[Thunder Monkey]

If the rumored june release is still in the cards the Wii U devkits should be pretty much 'final' by now.

I don't know if I'm remembering right, but didn't most 360 devs get their "final" kits at around six months from launch

 

[blu]

I don't know if I'm remembering right, but didn't most 360 devs get their "final" kits at around six months from launch

Yes. A particularly yummy part was that shortly before launch, IIRC, along came a mandatory requirement that all titles had to have some MSAA. Having in mind ATI's tiling API was not ready at that time, you can imagine the tickle those launch devs had.

 

[phosphor112]

With all the money Nintendo are sitting on they certainly can, the question is if they want to. Historically, systems that were loss leading for a significant part of their lifetimes have made notably less money overall than systems sold at a profit early.

I think they'll take a small loss on the hardware initially. Nothing insane like the PS3, Xbox or even X360, but more in line with what they're doing on 3DS.

Nintendo can't afford to risk money like that all willy nilly. They aren't a huge company like Sony or MS. Yes, they are sitting on piles of money but with their outlook for next year so grim, they need to hold onto it.

I think at most, they'll take a break even point for the Wii U.

 

[Thunder Monkey]

Yes. A particularly yummy part was that shortly before launch, IIRC, along came a mandatory requirement that all titles had to have some MSAA. Having in mind ATI's tiling API was not ready at that time, you can imagine the tickle those launch devs had.

I definitely remembered that last minute requirement. Which was batshit insane enough.

 

[Daschysta]

Nintendo can't afford to risk money like that all willy nilly. They aren't a huge company like Sony or MS. Yes, they are sitting on piles of money but with their outlook for next year so grim, they need to hold onto it.

I think at most, they'll take a break even point for the Wii U.

Not really, they've shown that their willing to be aggressive with their cash, dropping the 3DS price and securing key exclusives in japan. Also they sold gamecube at a loss and were still very, very profitable despite only selling 20 million units, nintendo will be fine, and since they've realized that they can't rely on casuals anymore they will do what is neccesary to fight for the enthusiast market. It may not be bleeding edge, but I don't see wii-u being a gimped system whatsoever.

Nintendo is still in very good financial position, far better than they were post n64/gamecube. They just aren't the godly profitable company they were last gen...

When has nintendo been particularly conservative with hardware, other than the wii? Why do people act like one generation defines a companies entire future choices? Iwata has clearly realized that the wii/ds situation isn't as viable as it was with the proliferation of other casual gameing systems at much cheaper prices. Hence reverting back to the snes/gamecube/n64 models, which were each still extremely profitable for nintendo, and their first party games are selling better than they ever have before...

So their outlook definitally isn't grim, beyond the fanboy polemics that constantly declare doom for them, but they are going to be fine and are still vastly more profitable than sonys gaming division and microsofts too. You think sony would have let nintendo moneyhat so many ps games from them if their parent company was giving them a blank check? If anything they are looking like the conservative ones financially.

 

[[Nintex]]

I don't know if I'm remembering right, but didn't most 360 devs get their "final" kits at around six months from launch

True, but Nintendo is more stingy about stockpiling systems for their launches so the production hardware has to be ready on time. With the 360 Microsoft had the most ridiculous goals and planning.

 

[Übermatik]

I think Nintendo will call it close like Microsoft did before the 360 - this will be the second to last dev kit, last one will be sent out come January/February? Launch in August?

Does that sound crazy?

 

[Log4Girlz]

I think Nintendo will call it close like Microsoft did before the 360 - this will be the second to last dev kit, last one will be sent out come January/February? Launch in August?

Does that sound crazy?

Well if its close enough to PC hardware it won't be as big of a deal.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

Nintendo can't afford to risk money like that all willy nilly. They aren't a huge company like Sony or MS. Yes, they are sitting on piles of money but with their outlook for next year so grim, they need to hold onto it.

I think at most, they'll take a break even point for the Wii U.

I expect a slight loss, one that a game sale or two with every console will probably recover. I think they're going to match Wii's $249 launch price too, what they actually can't afford is another 3DS style launch scenario.

 

[antonz]

I think Nintendo will call it close like Microsoft did before the 360 - this will be the second to last dev kit, last one will be sent out come January/February? Launch in August?

Does that sound crazy?

Backin July when the 2nd gen dev kit came out Sega had stated there was still a few more kit iterations to come. Wii didn't get its final components manufactured until like 3-4 months before launch

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

Yeah, if the final kits are out in Jan/Feb, that'd probably mean a Q2 2012 launch. Which I could actually see for Japan at least.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Backin July when the 2nd gen dev kit came out Sega had stated there was still a few more kit iterations to come. Wii didn't get its final components manufactured until like 3-4 months before launch

They were waiting for enough duct-tape to be manufactured.

 

[antonz]

They were waiting for enough duct-tape to be manufactured.

heh. I would expect final hardware to begin manufacturing after the new year though especially if they are doing 28nm.

 

[Kazerei]

So when do you guys think the next Wii U showing will be? I'm so hungry for details.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

E3 at the latest.

 

[BurntPork]

Upgrading from DVD to single-layer Blu-Ray, very freaking easy prediction. Asymmetrical gameplay, Nintendo *announced* that on day one of E3. That was the day they announced that systems would only support one touchscreen controller, but multiple Wii Remotes.

What's your point? Kotaku predicted it long before then.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Yeah I'm starved for details too. I love the tablet controller concept, so much potential for new gameplay ideas. I just hope they don't price it too hight or cut too many features to price it low

 

[OrangeGrayBlue]

Yeah, if the final kits are out in Jan/Feb, that'd probably mean a Q2 2012 launch. Which I could actually see for Japan at least.

I expect them to launch in all three major territories within a month of each other, much like the Wii.

 

[Instro]

So when do you guys think the next Wii U showing will be? I'm so hungry for details.

GDC probably. Also I think they do a spring conference around that time as well, so maybe then.

 

[BurntPork]

Oh dear oh dear.

(Read bottom to top)

Where did this come from?

That reminds me of this detailed analysis from a professional industry insider regarding the graphical capabilities of Nintendo's forthcoming Wii U console.

No more. Please. I don't want to be forced to use the Micheal Jordan gif. For the love of god don't make me use it.

 

[Übermatik]

Where did this come from?


No more. Please. I don't want to be forced to use the Micheal Jordan gif. For the love of god don't make me use it.

STEP AWAY FROM THE GIF.

Took another look at the WiiU's on-stage graphical demo they showed back at E3 on Youtube, and I found these morons in the comments section, agreeing with each other on absurd assumptions regarding the system's power.

Icryedalilinsied.

 

[MadOdorMachine]

To be honest, I think people care more for system warz reasons than actual concerns over the incremental differences between the next gen consoles. People are still convinced that being the most powerful system somehow means anything. This gen has shown us that it doesn't dictate the quality of games, depth of experiences in those games, or success of consoles. It's really just a superficial dick-waving contest that has lost any relevance it had back in the days of Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. To the vast majority, next gen's consoles will have seemingly identical graphical capabilities and, furthermore, the extended time that this gen has lasted proves that they're satisfied with things as they are. Ultimately, at least for me, the speculation is just a way to kill time. I'm totally satisfied with what's been shown already and the idea of what Nintendo can accomplish on the Wii U makes me giddy.

Power of the console makes the exact same amount of difference as it did before. Price point also makes the same difference as it always has. Things really haven't changed that much and people worried that the Wii U won't be able to compete with the next Xbox or Playstation are completely justified imo. If the Wii U is a stop gap to next gen, then the only saving grace they have is that Sony and Microsoft decide to postpone a while longer and Nintendo then releases 2 years after the first one to the market.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

I expect them to launch in all three major territories within a month of each other, much like the Wii.

Like 3DS as well. It could still mean differing quarters though (ie: June Japan, July America/Europe).

 

[Thunder Monkey]

Power of the console makes the exact same amount of difference as it did before. Price point also makes the same difference as it always has. Things really haven't changed that much and people worried that the Wii U won't be able to compete with the next Xbox or Playstation are completely justified imo. If the Wii U is a stop gap to next gen, then the only saving grace they have is that Sony and Microsoft decide to postpone a while longer and Nintendo then releases 2 years after the first one to the market.

It's just the weakest consoles have been the market leaders for the last three generations. This past gen a LOOOOOOOOT weaker.

The only thing it's every really mattered in is support. If the recent stuff about the WiiU is true this thing is anywhere from a half gen more advanced to full gen advancement over the PS3 and 360. I really really doubt engines won't be either easily scaleable between them, to offering an improvement that only we can see.

This is a different time. All three will be running at their core the same things. The WiiU might be weaker... but have you seen the range of computers you can get shit to run on now? Yes the one at 900sp is going to look better than the one at 400... but those games still tend to run. When they're shooting for PS3 and 360 you don't need much of an advancement to outclass them, while still making games that can run on them.

Much different time than we saw before. It can never be the same until we go through another GPU paradigm shift. I doubt the PS4 and 720 will be that.

 

[SolarPowered]

The manufacturing talk just made me realize that we are at the most four months away from the full on mass production of WiiU consoles.

Damn, I want those specs and secrets bad. I wonder how much longer Nintendo can keep a hold of their secrets...

 

[Azure J]

The manufacturing talk just made me realize that we are at the most four months away from the full on mass production of WiiU consoles.

Damn, I want those specs and secrets bad. I wonder how much longer Nintendo can keep a hold of their secrets...

Can't wait to find out who's gonna go full retard first and leak things from the production line if 3DS was anything to go by.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

If the engines are cross-compatible between Wii U/PSNextBox, then I am not sure the difference (or the degree to which it matters) will be as severe as this generation.

If publishers could have easily put, say, Arkham Asylum on the Wii without needing to build a different game, even if it looked markedly worse (which goes without saying), they would have done it. It's another SKU out there that would have justified the cost of porting, which would have been minimal.

To put it another way

Witcher 2 on 360 exists because it is easy to do.

 

[OrangeGrayBlue]

Power of the console makes the exact same amount of difference as it did before. Price point also makes the same difference as it always has. Things really haven't changed that much and people worried that the Wii U won't be able to compete with the next Xbox or Playstation are completely justified imo. If the Wii U is a stop gap to next gen, then the only saving grace they have is that Sony and Microsoft decide to postpone a while longer and Nintendo then releases 2 years after the first one to the market.

Price point definitely matters. I never meant to imply that it didn't. However, I think graphical power is much less important. People think it's still important, but I think we'll see next gen that significantly varying specs aren't going to produce significantly varying visuals. All the extra power we have now is going toward perfecting small details, where as with the PS2 generation those differences in specs were the difference between having a block for a hand or individual fingers. It sinply won't stand out as much. I think connectivity will be a huge selling point next gen, and that's where nintendo actually has reason to worry.

 

[Thunder Monkey]

If the engines are cross-compatible between Wii U/PSNextBox, then I am not sure the difference (or the degree to which it matters) will be as severe as this generation.

If publishers could have easily put, say, Arkham Asylum on the Wii without needing to build a different game, even if it looked markedly worse (which goes without saying), they would have done it. It's another SKU out there that would have justified the cost of porting, which would have been minimal.

To put it another way

Witcher 2 on 360 exists because it is easy to do.

Exactly.

If it takes settings on low to get them to run, you can be sure they'll do it.

And happily.

 

[antonz]

Its impossible for the Wii U to relive the Wii gen unless Nintendo all of a sudden decides to majorly downgrade the GPU.

Every engine designed for HD gaming will run on Wii U just as it will on PS4/720. Will it be as pretty? Probably not but Resident Evil 4 on PS2 wasnt as pretty as Resident Evil 4 Gamecube but people didnt seem to mind.

The fact Nintendo is seemingly going with a 28nm GPU could mean all of our 4770/4850 guesstimates are off though even if its a 5XXX series card it would probably be one similar to those 2 cards from the 4XXX series. As it is the guesstimated GPU is what CD Projekt Red reccomends for the Witcher 2 on PC.

 

[MadOdorMachine]

It's just the weakest consoles have been the market leaders for the last three generations. This past gen a LOOOOOOOOT weaker.

The only thing it's every really mattered in is support. If the recent stuff about the WiiU is true this thing is anywhere from a half gen more advanced to full gen advancement over the PS3 and 360. I really really doubt engines won't be either easily scaleable between them, to offering an improvement that only we can see.

This is a different time. All three will be running at their core the same things. The WiiU might be weaker... but have you seen the range of computers you can get shit to run on now? Yes the one at 900sp is going to look better than the one at 400... but those games still tend to run. When they're shooting for PS3 and 360 you don't need much of an advancement to outclass them, while still making games that can run on them.

Much different time than we saw before. It can never be the same until we go through another GPU paradigm shift. I doubt the PS4 and 720 will be that.

The PS1 succeeded because it used CDs. The PS2 rode on it's success and was the first to market. Both of these were at least comparable to the competition afa power is concerned. The Wii isn't and is an anomaly for two very big reasons. 1. It's competition was massively overpriced. 2. It offered something never seen before - motion controls. This created hype and the price was low enough that people could jump in. This is proven by the fact that the price of the competition has significantly dropped, game selection is drastically different and the newness of motion controls has died down. People aren't hyped about Wii U like they were Wii. Next gen's winner will be determined by games, price and power.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

If the engines are cross-compatible between Wii U/PSNextBox, then I am not sure the difference (or the degree to which it matters) will be as severe as this generation.

If publishers could have easily put, say, Arkham Asylum on the Wii without needing to build a different game, even if it looked markedly worse (which goes without saying), they would have done it. It's another SKU out there that would have justified the cost of porting, which would have been minimal.

To put it another way

Witcher 2 on 360 exists because it is easy to do.

The thing I'm not understanding when people defend with the Wii-U by saying that it is likely strong enough to be able to have scaled down versions of next-generation engines which are better on PS4/720. Yes that's a good thing for people who only want to own a Wii-U and nothing else, but for Nintendo this isn't really a good thing is it?

The biggest knock on the Wii, and the thing that obviously bothers Nintendo (and developers) the most is the lack of sales on software not from Nintendo for the most part. How will getting scaled down versions help. Unless the difference is truly unnoticable to the human eye, it is definitely an issue worth pointing out. Why would anyone buy a wii-u game over a PS4/720 game? Is the controller that much of a difference? Doubt it. Nintendo's online will likely not even be on the same level, lack of hard drive space (not sure if that has changed since the first news) hurts it, and so on.

It seems like Nintendo is putting themselves in a position to have possibly the same problems as before. I concede that I could be wrong, of course. I'm not a fortune teller. But Nintendo is just hoping core gamers (you know those guys, the ones that actually buy games) buy into the new shtick they are selling. I think it's a bit risky.

Once again this all depends on many things, don't know how the final version will be, don't know how engines will be, these are all general assumptions based on what is at least a little likely.

 

[Jocchan]

The biggest knock on the Wii, and the thing that obviously bothers Nintendo (and developers) the most is the lack of sales on software not from Nintendo for the most part. How will getting scaled down versions help.

A scaled down version is better than no version at all.