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[Hiltz]

El Shaddai spin-off title may come to Wii U or Vita.

"Shane mentioned something interesting to me: the game itself does not answer all the questions players will have. While manga and anime could provide closure to players, Ignition is already thinking about future games.I think first we'll probably do more of spin-offs... whether that's DLC, I think it might be cool to port this to Wii U or Vita maybe." Shane posed a couple of possibilities, one of which is taken from an early concept for the game. El Shaddai used to have a female protagonist in its early stages, but they scrapped that idea. That female protagonist may just be the new heroine in an El Shaddai spinoff. - Ignition Entertainment

http://www.destructoid.com/possible-el-shaddai-spinoffs-could-come-to-vita-wii-u-206182.phtml

 

[phosphor112]

Why would they need to stream video?

That's what I'm thinking. The Vita is clearly capable of processing it's own data. The issue would be syncing up what's happening on both.. which can't be too hard, considering thats what online games have to do.. you know, while traveling hundreds (and sometimes thousands) miles around the world.

 

[BurntPork]

That's what I'm thinking. The Vita is clearly capable of processing it's own data. The issue would be syncing up what's happening on both.. which can't be too hard, considering thats what online games have to do.. you know, while traveling hundreds (and sometimes thousands) miles around the world.

It's still not nearly as powerful as PS3, though, so it can't replicate the Wii U perfectly like that unless games are purposefully dumbed-down for Vita's specs. Plus, I'd imagine that the fact that Vita and PS3 weren't designed with this technology in mind would make it much harder to program. Vita isn't a substitute for Wii U's controller, and it never will be.

 

[phosphor112]

It's still not nearly as powerful as PS3, though, so it can't replicate the Wii U perfectly like that unless games are purposefully dumbed-down for Vita's specs. Plus, I'd imagine that the fact that Vita and PS3 weren't designed with this technology in mind would make it much harder to program. Vita isn't a substitute for Wii U's controller, and it never will be.

The Vita can play many games just fine. Yes, the uncharted game on Vita is graphically less capable than the PS3 version, but why wouldn't they be able to "dumb down" graphics just to simulate (and in turn compete with) the Wii U? While they weren't made to by in sync with one another exactly like the Wii U, they are made with lots of interoperability with one another. It won't be hard to simulate that sort of effect with semi low latency.

 

[bgassassin]

Comparing the Wii U to the Wii is pretty idiotic.
There is no barrier to putting games on the Wii U like there was with the Wii.
It's a simply matter of porting over the code (a process that takes pretty much nothing as far as resources goes).

Yeah. I'm of the belief that motion controls would have been accepted more by "core" gamers if Wii had more power.


Irate Gamer edits sound into the Zelda tech demo

Original Source: http://www.zeldadungeon.net/2011/07/irate-gamers-zelda-wii-u-custom-made-tech-demo/

Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27Lf4uVuE50 (up to 1080p)

He did a good job IMO.


Also IGN might be starting a series. This time they are looking at how Metroid would work with Wii U.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/118/1182173p1.html

 

[TheExplodingHead]

I'm most excited to see what Retro will bring to the WiiU, their artists are fantastic and I've love to see them flex that on HD hardware. If it's DKCR2, then Nintendo really needs to let Retro take the creative gloves off as far as art and level design goes. Also, Tokyo EAD must have something to tease at E3 2012.

Also wonder if Nintendo will show whatever Sakamoto's been working on since OM, it should be quite graphically stunning going by past history. And hopefully Team Ninja is off duty permanently and if they do partner again...it better be Platinum Games. I'd even like to see some Indie blood mixing with a big Nintendo project like that, Team Meat anybody?

 

[Shiggy]

I doubt that today's Retro would be able to create a Metroid game like the Metroid Prime titles. The Iwata Asks interviews made it pretty clear that the Armature founders were very important for the series. What they are probably neither doing: A new game for their own creativity, that's not what Nintendo wants with their Western studios.

For a DKCR2 I hope that they get some new employees to get some good graphics up. They could've put in some more effort into the technical execution in DKCR, which had some nasty textures.

 

[BurntPork]

The Vita can play many games just fine. Yes, the uncharted game on Vita is graphically less capable than the PS3 version, but why wouldn't they be able to "dumb down" graphics just to simulate (and in turn compete with) the Wii U? While they weren't made to by in sync with one another exactly like the Wii U, they are made with lots of interoperability with one another. It won't be hard to simulate that sort of effect with semi low latency.

Perhaps, but the other issue is that it would require the game to basically be ported to Vita. It would take a lot more time and money to do than it wakes with Wii U, it would still be missing the pointer function (though, I admit that it may be possible to use the camera), and very few people would be able to use the function, so why would third-parties even bother that often? It would mostly be a first-party thing, even for multiplatform games. I don't really see it being worth the effort unless either third-parties want the Wii U to look pointless, or Sony pays them. Even if it can be emulated perfectly, it'll suffer from the same issue as Wii Motion+ and PS Move.

 

[Oppo]

Comparing the Wii U to the Wii is pretty idiotic.
There is no barrier to putting games on the Wii U like there was with the Wii.
It's a simply matter of porting over the code (a process that takes pretty much nothing as far as resources goes).

I get what you are saying, but you really are underplaying the ports, it's not like they'll hit a magic button. Saying it "takes pretty much nothing" is a vast oversimplification.

Perhaps, but the other issue is that it would require the game to basically be ported to Vita. It would take a lot more time and money to do than it wakes with Wii U, it would still be missing the pointer function (though, I admit that it may be possible to use the camera), and very few people would be able to use the function, so why would third-parties even bother that often? It would mostly be a first-party thing, even for multiplatform games. I don't really see it being worth the effort unless either third-parties want the Wii U to look pointless, or Sony pays them. Even if it can be emulated perfectly, it'll suffer from the same issue as Wii Motion+ and PS Move.

This argument has been sorta beaten to death for now, but no, you would not need to port the entire game; the functionality could be easily achieved via small transferable client that would ship with the main game, and install itself on the Vita, to communicate 2ndary screen info with the main game.

Everyone who owns a PS3 now and plans on buying a Vita could use this. No idea how popular it'll be but it's not farfetched, technically, at all.

I don't think it would make the Wii U look pointless; in fact I think more devices with this function would reinforce each other in the market.

 

[Maxrunner]

i hope the package includes the wiimote plus... somebody should insist on this to Nintendo....

 

[BurntPork]

I get what you are saying, but you really are underplaying the ports, it's not like they'll hit a magic button. Saying it "takes pretty much nothing" is a vast oversimplification.



This argument has been sorta beaten to death for now, but no, you would not need to port the entire game; the functionality could be easily achieved via small transferable client that would ship with the main game, and install itself on the Vita, to communicate 2ndary screen info with the main game.

Everyone who owns a PS3 now and plans on buying a Vita could use this. No idea how popular it'll be but it's not farfetched, technically, at all.

I don't think it would make the Wii U look pointless; in fact I think more devices with this function would reinforce each other in the market.

It would still be enough to kill Wii U because it would be advertised to death. I desperately hope that you're wrong, or else Nintendo needs to go back to the drawing board for the console to have a chance at being even remotely successful. Just tell me, are you really saying that PS3+Vita can do everything that the Wii U can, and that it won't take a significant amount of time or money? Because, if that's true, Nintendo has to launch at $250 at all costs for Wii U to succeed.

I'll admit, I'm being defensive because it'll be an absolute disaster for Nintendo, especially if it turns out that Wii U is only slightly more powerful than PS3. It'll have no selling point at all, and will be stillborn.

 

[FreeMufasa]

I doubt that today's Retro would be able to create a Metroid game like the Metroid Prime titles. The Iwata Asks interviews made it pretty clear that the Armature founders were very important for the series. What they are probably neither doing: A new game for their own creativity, that's not what Nintendo wants with their Western studios.

For a DKCR2 I hope that they get some new employees to get some good graphics up. They could've put in some more effort into the technical execution in DKCR, which had some nasty textures.

I thought DK and Diddys fur looked terrible, but I think that was more of an art choice especially when you compare it to Jungle Beats DK on lesser hardware. Everything else I thought looked top tier Wii.

 

[Sky Chief]

Perhaps, but the other issue is that it would require the game to basically be ported to Vita. It would take a lot more time and money to do than it wakes with Wii U, it would still be missing the pointer function (though, I admit that it may be possible to use the camera), and very few people would be able to use the function, so why would third-parties even bother that often? It would mostly be a first-party thing, even for multiplatform games. I don't really see it being worth the effort unless either third-parties want the Wii U to look pointless, or Sony pays them. Even if it can be emulated perfectly, it'll suffer from the same issue as Wii Motion+ and PS Move.

You're assuming that most games on Wii U will use the controller screen for gameplay. My guess is 90% of the really useful implementations in third party multiplatform games on Wii U will just be touchable minimaps and weapon layouts, stuff like that. It would not be hard to add this for Vita as well.

Also, it seems quite a few games are being made for PS3 and PSV. Ruin, Dragon's Crown, and the unannounced Kojipro game are just a few examples. In these cases, when the game is being developed on both systems, it would be much easier to offer enhanced interaction between PSV and PS3 such as switching gameplay from TV to handheld or having Vita as rear view mirror or whatever. The game is already running on both systems, no need to spend any extra money on porting.

 

[richman555]

I'll admit, I'm being defensive because it'll be an absolute disaster for Nintendo, especially if it turns out that Wii U is only slightly more powerful than PS3. It'll have no selling point at all, and will be stillborn.

Allow me to edit your sentence slightly.

"I'll admit, I'm being defensive because it'll be an absolute disaster for Nintendo, especially if it turns out that Wii U is more powerful than PS3. It'll have no selling point at all, and will be stillborn."

Not everyone owns a PS3. I think this is where you are mistaken.

I also think it has been proven this generation that the graphical power has little or almost nothing to do with the systems success.

As for the Wii.. everyone and their uncle owns one by now. Nintendo is still on their 5 year hardware lifecycle so it is the time for something new.

Software sales will suffer for a time while development is being done for the new system.

The hardware will always look better with a higher initial price tag.

The trick is that Sony and MS sell their systems at a loss and hope their system is not to expensive for people to buy. Many years later they hope to turn a profit.

That my friend is your 'graphical leap'. That is all it is.

 

[BurntPork]

You're assuming that most games on Wii U will use the controller screen for gameplay. My guess is 90% of the really useful implementations in third party multiplatform games on Wii U will just be touchable minimaps and weapon layouts, stuff like that. It would not be hard to add this for Vita as well.

Also, it seems quite a few games are being made for PS3 and PSV. Ruin, Dragon's Crown, and the unannounced Kojipro game are just a few examples. In these cases, when the game is being developed on both systems, it would be much easier to offer enhanced interaction between PSV and PS3 such as switching gameplay from TV to handheld or having Vita as rear view mirror or whatever. The game is already running on both systems, no need to spend any extra money on porting.

Pretty much every game will use the streaming to controller function. It's so easy to program that I don't see why a game wouldn't support it.

By the way, for those games, you need to buy the game on both systems, so that's not quite the same.

Allow me to edit your sentence slightly.

"I'll admit, I'm being defensive because it'll be an absolute disaster for Nintendo, especially if it turns out that Wii U is more powerful than PS3. It'll have no selling point at all, and will be stillborn."

Not everyone owns a PS3. I think this is where you are mistaken.

I also think it has been proven this generation that the graphical power has little or almost nothing to do with the systems success.

As for the Wii.. everyone and their uncle owns one by now. Nintendo is still on their 5 year hardware lifecycle so it is the time for something new.

Software sales will suffer for a time while development is being done for the new system.

The hardware will always look better with a higher initial price tag.

The trick is that Sony and MS sell their systems at a loss and hope their system is not to expensive for people to buy. Many years later they hope to turn a profit.

That my friend is your 'graphical leap'. That is all it is.

Wii sold because of interest in motion controls. Wii U wii only have price going for in in that case. We saw how well that worked for GameCube, didn't we?

 

[herzogzwei1989]

I hope to God that Retro is not working on DKCR2 :/

 

[BurntPork]

I hope to God that Retro is not working on DKCR2 :/

Amen to that.

 

[FreeMufasa]

Is DKCR hated here? or is it more of a case of seeing Retro work on another franchise/original?

 

[AceBandage]

I get what you are saying, but you really are underplaying the ports, it's not like they'll hit a magic button. Saying it "takes pretty much nothing" is a vast oversimplification.

It took Virgil like three people and five weeks to fully port Darksiders 2 over to the Wii U.
That is basically nothing.

 

[Sky Chief]

Pretty much every game will use the streaming to controller function. It's so easy to program that I don't see why a game wouldn't support it.

I know, I'm talking about what is added to the experience when you're gaming on your TV by having a second screen. Multiplats games on Wii U are only going to incorporate maps and item select on the touch screen or play select in Madden or simple things like that. That is very easy to implement on Vita as well.

Streaming to controller function is nice but if the game is like Ruin or Dragon's Crown and has some quasi transfarring system then you can just switch devices and continue to play even when you leave the house.

My point is, very few multi platform games will use streaming to controller functionality in any MEANINGFUL way other than allowing someone to watch TV while you game.

 

[richman555]

Wii U wii only have price going for in in that case.

So this is the only compelling reason for people to buy a Wii U?

I bought a Gamecube at launch and always felt it was graphically superior to the PS2.

Gamecube had its own set of issues although in the end it was a profitable system.

Gamecube launched about a year after the PS2. It launched within a few weeks of MS Xbox and Metal Gear Solid 2.

I don't think the Gamecube is a good comparison.

 

[apana]

I doubt that today's Retro would be able to create a Metroid game like the Metroid Prime titles. The Iwata Asks interviews made it pretty clear that the Armature founders were very important for the series. What they are probably neither doing: A new game for their own creativity, that's not what Nintendo wants with their Western studios.

For a DKCR2 I hope that they get some new employees to get some good graphics up. They could've put in some more effort into the technical execution in DKCR, which had some nasty textures.

What does this mean? Are you saying that they can't create a new IP on the level of Metroid Prime or literally that they couldn't make a Metroid Prime game again? If it's the latter then that's ridiculous. There were three people that left, and there are smart people from EAD who can help to guide Retro even if those original people aren't there. The mechanics of the Prime games have already been established.

 

[BurntPork]

So this is the only compelling reason for people to buy a Wii U?

I bought a Gamecube at launch and always felt it was graphically superior to the PS2.

Gamecube had its own set of issues although in the end it was a profitable system.

Gamecube launched about a year after the PS2. It launched within a few weeks of MS Xbox and Metal Gear Solid 2.

I don't think the Gamecube is a good comparison.

It's a perfect comparison. The only people who will buy Wii U in that case will be core Nintendo fans, and how many of those are left at this point? 10 million?

I know, I'm talking about what is added to the experience when you're gaming on your TV by having a second screen. Multiplats games on Wii U are only going to incorporate maps and item select on the touch screen or play select in Madden or simple things like that. That is very easy to implement on Vita as well.

Streaming to controller function is nice but if the game is like Ruin or Dragon's Crown and has some quasi transfarring system then you can just switch devices and continue to play even when you leave the house.

My point is, very few multi platform games will use streaming to controller functionality in any MEANINGFUL way other than allowing someone to watch TV while you game.

Well, yeah, that's true. Ugh. I can't believe Nintendo got beat to the punch by Sony. They really don't stand much of a chance...

 

[AceBandage]

Right now, there is nothing we can compare to Wii U to.
The industry has changed so dramatically this generation that you can't make any parallels to previous systems.
Gone are the days of consoles having completely different programing capabilities. Gone are the multitudes of third party exclusives that drove systems to the forefront.
Honestly, this is how I see this generation playing out.

Wii U comes out to so so sales at first. It gets a few big Nintendo games (maybe a money hatted third party game that sells well). It has a decent lead over the competition by the time they come out.
PS4 and 720 come out in 2013/2014. MS will be on a huge Kinect kick still that will help them marginally sell systems, but not so much software. Sony will basically do just got for something similar to what they did with the PS3 (minus the outrageous price).
All three systems will get a fairly similar library (outside of first party games), however, MS will get the least amount of exclusives, simply because they have the least amount of first party studios. So much so, that the 720 will probably end in last for the generation.
I wouldn't be surprised to see MS drop out of the console race and instead jump full force into the mobile space trying to eat directly into Apple's dominance for the app gaming.

 

[Oppo]

It would still be enough to kill Wii U because it would be advertised to death. I desperately hope that you're wrong, or else Nintendo needs to go back to the drawing board for the console to have a chance at being even remotely successful. Just tell me, are you really saying that PS3+Vita can do everything that the Wii U can, and that it won't take a significant amount of time or money? Because, if that's true, Nintendo has to launch at $250 at all costs for Wii U to succeed.

Oh I don't hold such a dark view of the situation. I think that, should (many IFs here) Sony actually evolve the Vita software and create a secondary-screen framework between it and the PS3 (which is very possible, technically; politically/biz-reasons, maybe not) then this actually would boost both Sony Vita games and Wii U games, due to the fact that 3rd parties can leverage the design work of a 2-screen console game onto two platforms instead of just the one (Wii U). More 3rd party support for Wii U is exactly what Nintendo is going for. That's what I mean when I say they'll reinforce each other. I don't think there's anything to fear here, on Nintendo's behalf.

It took Virgil like three people and five weeks to fully port Darksiders 2 over to the Wii U.
That is basically nothing.

I read that quote too, and that sounds great, but that's still oversimplifying. You're taking a bit of hearsay and extrapolating this to every game out there.

 

[Luigiv]

I wouldn't be surprised to see MS drop out of the console race and instead jump full force into the mobile space trying to eat directly into Apple's dominance for the app gaming.

Doubt it. Atleast not until they try their hand at "Xbox OS".

 

[NinjaFromTheFuture]

i hope the package includes the wiimote plus... somebody should insist on this to Nintendo....

I'm sure with how prominently it was showcased in the Wii U teaser at E3 they are planning on including one and a nun-chuck... At least I hope so... I really, really hope so... For their sake.

 

[Sky Chief]

Well, yeah, that's true. Ugh. I can't believe Nintendo got beat to the punch by Sony. They really don't stand much of a chance...

I disagree, why so gloomy? Haha and I have been the one saying that many Wii U experience can be replicated by the Vita. The fact is, nintendo makes amazing games that use the unique features of their hardware in clever ways that other devs don't. Just because many of the ways that third parties will use the Wii U can easily be replicated on Vita does not mean the console will be a bust. I mean, did people buy the Wii because it could play superior 3rd party titles!? Let's wait and see what kind of games nintendo comes out with first. If they have another Wii Sports, Wii Fit, etc... this thing will sell.

 

[BurntPork]

Oh I don't hold such a dark view of the situation. I think that, should (many IFs here) Sony actually evolve the Vita software and create a secondary-screen framework between it and the PS3 (which is very possible, technically; politically/biz-reasons, maybe not) then this actually would boost both Sony Vita games and Wii U games, due to the fact that 3rd parties can leverage the design work of a 2-screen console game onto two platforms instead of just the one (Wii U). More 3rd party support for Wii U is exactly what Nintendo is going for. That's what I mean when I say they'll reinforce each other. I don't think there's anything to fear here, on Nintendo's behalf.

That's assuming the two co-exist nicely and that Nintendo can deliver on the software front big time. If people have to choose between a machine with a tiny library and a controller that you can't take everywhere, or two independent machines that do the exact same thing along with the "controller" being portable and ergonomic for only $100 more, Wii U will be a tougher sell that it would have otherwise been. (And it's already a tough sell!) And, obviously, no PS3 owner would be even remotely interested in Wii U in this case unless that person has alwas been a Nintendo fan.

Also, I agree with Ace. Why would some games be much harder to port than DS2?

I disagree, why so gloomy? Haha and I have been the one saying that many Wii U experience can be replicated by the Vita. The fact is, nintendo makes amazing games that use the unique features of their hardware in clever ways that other devs don't. Just because many of the ways that third parties will use the Wii U can easily be replicated on Vita does not mean the console will be a bust. I mean, did people buy the Wii because it could play superior 3rd party titles!? Let's wait and see what kind of games nintendo comes out with first. If they have another Wii Sports, Wii Fit, etc... this thing will sell.

Kinect and iOS stole that audience. Unless Nintendo has something up their sleeves, MS will top them. This is especially true of Wii Fit, since Kinect is an infinitely better platform for such a game. Most people who buy this are going to be those who bought the Gamecube, I'm afraid.

 

[Oppo]

That's assuming the two co-exist nicely and that Nintendo can deliver on the software front big time. If people have to choose between a machine with a tiny library and a controller that you can't take everywhere, or two independent machines that do the exact same thing along with the "controller" being portable and ergonomic for only $100 more, Wii U will be a tougher sell that it would have otherwise been. (And it's already a tough sell!) And, obviously, no PS3 owner would be even remotely interested in Wii U in this case unless that person has alwas been a Nintendo fan.

I suppose. I mean it's really hard to say, not knowing the Wii U price.

Also, I agree with Ace. Why would some games be much harder to port than DS2?

Not harder, but the way he phrased it just made it sound like a simple re-compile. If Darksiders 2 was converted so quickly and perfectly, why didn't they give us a demo at E3?

 

[BurntPork]

Not harder, but the way he phrased it just made it sound like a simple re-compile. If Darksiders 2 was converted so quickly and perfectly, why didn't they give us a demo at E3?

From what I understand, they completed the port just before E3. Also, there's that rumor that Nintendo felt the third-party games looked too similar to their PS3/360 versions to show. THe porting process is definitely smooth. Based on everything we know, Wii U is a supercharged 360 in terms of architecture.

 

[IceDoesntHelp]

Is DKCR hated here? or is it more of a case of seeing Retro work on another franchise/original?

Personally, I'd like to see Retro get back on Metroid, as that ending for Metroid Prime 3...just, god I hate those endings.

Spoiler

Samus flies off, and then a ship (presumably a hunters ship) follows behind.

Did Retro/Nintendo explain this ending yet, or what?

Anyways, I think its just people want Retro back on Metroid or a different franchise.

 

[Cerebral Assassin]

Kinect and iOS stole that audience. Unless Nintendo has something up their sleeves, MS will top them. This is especially true of Wii Fit, since Kinect is an infinitely better platform for such a game. Most people who buy this are going to be those who bought the Gamecube, I'm afraid.

How does Kinect judge somebodies weight?

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Not harder, but the way he phrased it just made it sound like a simple re-compile. If Darksiders 2 was converted so quickly and perfectly, why didn't they give us a demo at E3?

Not that I intend to get in to the "NO IT'S EASY" "NUH-UH" argument, but Vigil was asked not to by Nintendo.

Nintendo didn't feel that the state of their devkits by May/June was sufficient for an unveiling of third party games running on the hardware.

 

[BurntPork]

How does Kinect judge somebodies weight?

... Touché.


Still, Kinect does have a lot of it's own advantages in this genre.

 

[EloquentM]

Did any new information come out or are we just bickering about a future of a console that doesn't have a price point or a release date yet? Just wondering.

 

[DECK'ARD]

Right now, there is nothing we can compare to Wii U to.
The industry has changed so dramatically this generation that you can't make any parallels to previous systems.
Gone are the days of consoles having completely different programing capabilities. Gone are the multitudes of third party exclusives that drove systems to the forefront.
Honestly, this is how I see this generation playing out.

Wii U comes out to so so sales at first. It gets a few big Nintendo games (maybe a money hatted third party game that sells well). It has a decent lead over the competition by the time they come out.
PS4 and 720 come out in 2013/2014. MS will be on a huge Kinect kick still that will help them marginally sell systems, but not so much software. Sony will basically do just got for something similar to what they did with the PS3 (minus the outrageous price).
All three systems will get a fairly similar library (outside of first party games), however, MS will get the least amount of exclusives, simply because they have the least amount of first party studios. So much so, that the 720 will probably end in last for the generation.
I wouldn't be surprised to see MS drop out of the console race and instead jump full force into the mobile space trying to eat directly into Apple's dominance for the app gaming.

What? The Microsoft prediction is madness.

The aim of Xbox was control of content delivery to the living room, games were just the trojan horse. Microsoft will never drop out of the console race, it's their set-top box, and their way of hooking people in the long-run was Xbox live not exclusives. The previous generation the exception to people I knew was to own an Xbox, this generation the exception is PS3. (UK by the way). And next gen round they will do the same because of Live. Kinect has broadened Microsoft's market, although when it will run out of steam is a big question mark with it being suitable for only a few types of games. It will remain an interesting UI element though, and something that keeps the platform distinctive.

Wii U's biggest hurdle is to have enough to tempt people away from Live/PSN and people's investment in those platforms. It also needs a Wii Sports level killer-app to ignite some buzz about the platform and get media attention the way the Wii did, if it has a soft-launch like the 3DS did that will be a problem. And it is a big question mark because it seems very early, with a system that is a much more confused concept than the Wii.

Sony's main thing should be to launch before Microsoft, it did them all kinds of damage missing the boat this time round along with the price. I think they are in the worst position to launch first though, and Microsoft will make it their aim to get to market sooner again.

The industry has changed dramatically, the days of exclusives driving everything has gone, but it's moving to an industry where content delivery is king. Mirroring the other entertainment industries. And against the odds, Microsoft have achieved what they set out to do and are best placed going forward. Nintendo on the other hand are very much swimming against the tide, it worked with the Wii I'm far less sure about the Wii U.

 

[herzogzwei1989]

On the GPU front, AMD Southern Islands on 28nm isn't coming out until early 2012. Same with Nvidia's Kepler. The 20nm Nvidia Maxwell now has also been pushed from 2013 to 2014. I think this will all effect Wii U GPU process. It may well be that it uses the old 40nm tech instead of the 28nm tech. I hope I'm wrong though.

 

[AceBandage]

The Wii U's final specs have probably been already been determined by now. I doubt that has anything to do with the Wii U.

 

[TheNatural]

That's assuming the two co-exist nicely and that Nintendo can deliver on the software front big time. If people have to choose between a machine with a tiny library and a controller that you can't take everywhere, or two independent machines that do the exact same thing along with the "controller" being portable and ergonomic for only $100 more, Wii U will be a tougher sell that it would have otherwise been. (And it's already a tough sell!) And, obviously, no PS3 owner would be even remotely interested in Wii U in this case unless that person has alwas been a Nintendo fan.

Also, I agree with Ace. Why would some games be much harder to port than DS2?


Kinect and iOS stole that audience. Unless Nintendo has something up their sleeves, MS will top them. This is especially true of Wii Fit, since Kinect is an infinitely better platform for such a game. Most people who buy this are going to be those who bought the Gamecube, I'm afraid.

Yup Kinect "stole" it with they're outstanding game sales of nothing since the thing launched. One of the big "Games" for it just sold like 34,000 last month, combined with a PS3 version. Kinect was a one off toy, not a platform. Wii Fit sold plenty and you're crazy if you think that they couldn't replicate that if they add enough features to make it worthy of a purchase. Especially if they can get that pulse sensor thing working for everyone. The difference between Kinect and Wii Fit is, Nintendo isn't promoting whatever Wii Fit uses as a "platform." Lets see how much stuff like UFC Personal Trainer sell for Kinect since it's such an obvious fit for a hit game. It's not as easy as you think.

 

[DECK'ARD]

It would still be enough to kill Wii U because it would be advertised to death. I desperately hope that you're wrong, or else Nintendo needs to go back to the drawing board for the console to have a chance at being even remotely successful. Just tell me, are you really saying that PS3+Vita can do everything that the Wii U can, and that it won't take a significant amount of time or money? Because, if that's true, Nintendo has to launch at $250 at all costs for Wii U to succeed.

I'll admit, I'm being defensive because it'll be an absolute disaster for Nintendo, especially if it turns out that Wii U is only slightly more powerful than PS3. It'll have no selling point at all, and will be stillborn.

PS3+Vita can't do everything the Wii U can, specifically the realtime streaming aspect. You could easy replicate item select/map etc. with a tiny downloadable client and that would be very easy to do and support in the SDK's.

You could do the second viewpoint aspect but that would require a lot more work and need a mini version of the game running on the Vita, most developers aren't going to bother with that for something that is non-standard. You will probably see a couple of 1st party titles do it just to say they can though.

The fact the controller is standard is the Wii U's strength, the fact there's only one of them is its weakness, and how developers make use of the screen is the question mark. I do fear most will be just be slapped on item select etc., because anything more is a lot more work. And also the TV-off streaming mode means you'd lose second-screen functionality all together, so one of the Wii U's selling-points renders the other one useless. Easier to support TV-off mode which will not require any extra work, throw in some item select when the TV is on, and call it a day.

 

[TheExplodingHead]

I doubt that today's Retro would be able to create a Metroid game like the Metroid Prime titles. The Iwata Asks interviews made it pretty clear that the Armature founders were very important for the series. What they are probably neither doing: A new game for their own creativity, that's not what Nintendo wants with their Western studios.

For a DKCR2 I hope that they get some new employees to get some good graphics up. They could've put in some more effort into the technical execution in DKCR, which had some nasty textures.

You may be correct about Retro's situation after losing Pacini and others, recently they lost Kynan Pearson (one of the Senior Designer's on DKCR to 343i), so time will tell if Retro can still produce games of the quality of MP/DKCR in the future. I just hope they haven't lost so many people they turn into Rare, or lose more talent in the future.

But I thought technically/artistically DKCR was near perfect for the artstyle they choose. So Retro's next game will be very interesting to watch. Nintendo still has the potential western dev A-Team in Retro if they can let the extremely talented artists and designers there go wild without their hands tied, and if Nintendo greenlights a few projects. Which is likely the main reason for so many departures in the first place.

 

[AceBandage]

I don't think Retro will have any problem.
Yes, they lost some very strong key players, but they still have a lot of talent and they are directed by even more talent from NCL.
In the same way that studios like Monster Games and Next Level create such awesome stuff when they work with Nintendo, Retro's abilities will just be multiplied under Nintendo.

 

[evilromero]

Retro hasn't lost the touch. Both Prime 3 and DKCR were great games.

 

[EatChildren]

For a DKCR2 I hope that they get some new employees to get some good graphics up. They could've put in some more effort into the technical execution in DKCR, which had some nasty textures.

Nonsense.

 

[JaseC]

All Retro need to do with DKCR2 is bring David Wise on board as composer. Automatic GoTF.

 

[BurntPork]

Yup Kinect "stole" it with they're outstanding game sales of nothing since the thing launched. One of the big "Games" for it just sold like 34,000 last month, combined with a PS3 version. Kinect was a one off toy, not a platform. Wii Fit sold plenty and you're crazy if you think that they couldn't replicate that if they add enough features to make it worthy of a purchase. Especially if they can get that pulse sensor thing working for everyone. The difference between Kinect and Wii Fit is, Nintendo isn't promoting whatever Wii Fit uses as a "platform." Lets see how much stuff like UFC Personal Trainer sell for Kinect since it's such an obvious fit for a hit game. It's not as easy as you think.

Okay, if it's not Kinect, then what's the cause of the 360 selling so well this year?

 

[Luckyman]

Yup Kinect "stole" it with they're outstanding game sales of nothing since the thing launched. One of the big "Games" for it just sold like 34,000 last month, combined with a PS3 version. Kinect was a one off toy, not a platform. Wii Fit sold plenty and you're crazy if you think that they couldn't replicate that if they add enough features to make it worthy of a purchase. Especially if they can get that pulse sensor thing working for everyone. The difference between Kinect and Wii Fit is, Nintendo isn't promoting whatever Wii Fit uses as a "platform." Lets see how much stuff like UFC Personal Trainer sell for Kinect since it's such an obvious fit for a hit game. It's not as easy as you think.

Eh 34k just proves Kinect is not for hardcore games and for very niche hardcore game infact.

I think the game sales will always be very modest for Kinect exclusives

 

[IceDoesntHelp]

All Retro need to do with DKCR2 is bring David Wise on board as composer. Automatic GoTF.

But...but I love Kenji Yamamoto.

 

[walking fiend]

in UK, Zumba fitness sells almost 90-91 percent on Wii and 8-9 percent on 360. Seemingly Kinect has sold 10 million worldwide, and Wii almost 90 million. Almost the same ratio a game as Zumba Fitness is divided. My conclusion is that Kinect is selling to new customers and those who have Wii already, either don't buy Kinect or don't buy games on it. If they had done this, the ratio would have been in favor of the Kinect more than the units that it has sold.

K = number of kinects sold
W = number of Wii sold

ZW = Zumba on Wii
ZK = Zumba on Kinect

W_K = those converted from Wii to Kinect

ZW/ZK = (W-W_K)/(K)

replacing W with 90 and K with 10, W_K should be zero for the ZW/ZK to be 0.

My conclusion is that also Kinect is selling, it is at best selling to new customers that for whatever reason have not been interested in Wii or for whatever other reason didn't own wii before buying kinect, and it is not stealing Wii audience. Currently global 360 sales is ahead of Wii by 15% (360 3,247,403 - Wii 2,821,716), while overall installed base of Wii is ahead of Kinect by at least 700% (86 million vs 10 million).