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[Übermatik]

Definitely needs more grip. The 3DS ones are broken if you play longer than 5 minutes.

You must get really sweaty hands, no offence. I've played for 2 hours straight with no problems. That said, the slidepad's aren't ideal, and I'd prefer a more tactile solution.

 

[AzaK]

You must get really sweaty hands, no offence. I've played for 2 hours straight with no problems. That said, the slidepad's aren't ideal, and I'd prefer a more tactile solution.

Haha, no offence taken. I was exaggerating for effect when I said 5 minutes, but I do find that I am centreing my thumbs regularly. After a long session it becomes quite slippery. Just needs a little gr and it'd be no issue.

 

[Bluemercury]

If they can majke them bigger than the 3ds ones it will definetely be better than the typical analogs...

 

[MDX]

Wii U will be use the Wiimote + nunchuk for multiplayer gaming, it makes sense they use the name "Wii" on "Wii U", after all Wii controllers will be basically obligatory.

Considering the types of games they showed during E3.
I think its very important to have the Wiimote with the new Controller in the same box.

In the first sequence of the trailer you see a person playing with the Wiimote, then going to the new controller:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ffuSeay4OQ&feature=related

This is part of the sales pitch.
Its a new Wii system (white box with wiimote), with an extra interface (the U).
What it comes down to, its not really the Wii without the Wiimote.
Nintendo is still selling the motion control. They are still riding the Wii train.

So yes, 99% sure its will be sold as a White box, wiimote&chuck, Wiipad and game (hopefully a game that will introduce how online will work). Sold for 249... lol.

 

[MDX]

Considering how one guy from IBM talked up the SoP over the SoC, how close IBM and AMD have been in the past, and Nintendo's need to keep power and cost as low as possible would make me assume it's a possibility.

Thats right, I wasn't sure if a SoP would include a GPU.
The only thing that I did read, where you could the stack the CPU, GPU and DRAM.

Would Nintendo use the WiiU as a frontrunner for such a design?

Sam Naffziger, an AMD Fellow, gave a keynote on CPU-GPU integration recently. In this blog-post, I will summarize Sam's excellent talk and explain why this technology could change our industry.

3D Integration a long-term solution: In the long term, Sam feels 3D integration could be a promising solution. He discussed how one could stack DRAM, the GPU, the CPU and IOs/analog on separate layers of the stack. This helps tackle memory bandwidth issues which are key for APUs. Furthermore, GPUs and CPUs need their own optimized interconnect stacks and device libraries, and so 3D stacking GPUs and CPUs might be useful, especially for mobile applications that are less constrained by heat. However, Sam feels there are many challenges with manufacturing 3D stacks right now. Please see Fig. 8 for more details.

http://www.monolithic3d.com/2/post/...pu-gpu-integration-at-the-vlsi-symposium.html

Could very well be that IBM, as well as AMD, is pushing this design on Nintendo.

IBM has been researching 3-D stacking technology for more than a decade at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center and now at its labs around the world. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has supported IBM in the development of tools and techniques for extending chips to the third dimension, with the aim of driving better performance and new applications of chip technologies.

http://www.darkgovernment.com/news/computer-chip-stacking-technology/

 

[bgassassin]

That was the type of picture I was trying to find but couldn't. All I kept finding were generic, explanatory pics. Obviously we're just hypothesizing, but based on the timeline given to wsippel it sounds strange that a console GPU (and apparently CPU also) would be in actual development for such a long time. When considering the release date, that's about three years (minus a few months since it would be finalized before then). If we were going to see something that we'd consider "normal" I would assume it wouldn't take that long.

 

[guek]

I dunno, it's not really like nintendo to adopt untested designs and hardware, is it?

 

[bgassassin]

I don't know how untested it is. One of the older articles I mentioned talking about SoP went back as far as 2001.

 

[guek]

Can't believe it's only october...blech! I don't even care if we don't see any screens or footage till next year, I just wanna know what's in the current dev kits

 

[BurntPork]

Gen 3 dev kits are on the way, so something might leak.

If only the 01net leak didn't get plugged...

 

[bgassassin]

From the sound of things, Nintendo has locked everyone down.

 

[Bending_Unit_22]

Along with Nintendo's sudden withdrawl (of the Wii U) from Gamescon, makes me wonder if something major has been changed or just standard Nintendo Ninja work. I prefer the former but would probably be better off accepting the latter.

Can't believe it's only october...blech! I don't even care if we don't see any screens or footage till next year, I just wanna know what's in the current dev kits

I second that

Spoiler

I could but I won't

.

 

[Lord Ghirahim]

Along with Nintendo's sudden withdrawl from GDC (?), makes me wonder if something major has been changed or just standard Nintendo Ninja work.

What? What withdrawal? What is going on?

 

[Indyana]

What? What withdrawal? What is going on?

I think he wanted to say GC, not GDC.

 

[BurntPork]

Along with Nintendo's sudden withdrawl from GDC (?)

WHAT!?!

Shit. If that's true, Wii U is definitely not releasing until November.

I think he wanted to say GC, not GDC.

GC? Oh, Gamescom. They didn't withdraw from that, though...

 

[Bending_Unit_22]

I think he wanted to say GC, not GDC.

Yeah, hence the question mark. I figured I'd be corrected swiftly. Anyhow, sorry for the confusion.

GC? Oh, Gamescom. They didn't withdraw from that, though...

I thought they withdrew the Wii U from it due to "security concerns" or some such.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

There is no way Nintendo would drop out of GDC. As far as Japanese publishers go they practically run that show, I think Iwata's done the keynote more than anyone in its history.

 

[guek]

yeah they announce a lot of stuff there.

I hope iwata gives another "screw you, iOS" speech. The last one was great

 

[adroit]

I hope iwata gives another "screw you, iOS" speech. The last one was great

Unfortunately, that market keeps getting stronger. It's terrible for the majority of developers but the masses love virtually free games.

 

[Hero of Legend]

Well, hopefully we'll get the goods no later than GDC. If we're lucky, they'll have a Wii U event in January as they did for the 3DS this year. When did we first hear of that event in advance?

 

[Father_Brain]

Well, hopefully we'll get the goods no later than GDC. If we're lucky, they'll have a Wii U event in January as they did for the 3DS this year. When did we first hear of that event in advance?

For this year's 3DS conference? Only about three weeks in advance, I think.

 

[Hero of Legend]

For this year's 3DS conference? Only about three weeks in advance, I think.

So I guess December then for any news about such a thing to pop up, if it passes and nada, chances are slim, unless an event happens later like Feburary, but eh, that's all we have to go on. Thanks.

 

[BurntPork]

I thought they withdrew the Wii U from it due to "security concerns" or some such.

One site reported that, but it's generally thought that it was never going to be there in the first place.

 

[guek]

It's funny...when I think about school right now, I think "holy shit, it's already October?!"

But when the wii u comes up, I go "holy shit, it's only October?!"

 

[Snakeyes]

Guys, what do the latest rumors say about the Wii U's power level?

 

[Strife91]

It's funny...when I think about school right now, I think "holy shit, it's already October?!"

But when the wii u comes up, I go "holy shit, it's only October?!"

I feel ya, man. I want new consoles now!

 

[BurntPork]

Unfortunately, that market keeps getting stronger. It's terrible for the majority of developers but the masses love virtually free games.

Plus doing that again will make the stick plummet again.

 

[Hero of Legend]

It's funny...when I think about school right now, I think "holy shit, it's already October?!"

But when the wii u comes up, I go "holy shit, it's only October?!"

Ha ha, I thought the former as well! XD Time sure flies, can't believe it's already been almost four months since E3! :O

 

[Instro]

I thought they withdrew the Wii U from it due to "security concerns" or some such.

That was a report from one site, so not really sure if that was true. If they did actually use that as a reason, its more than likely they decided to focus on the 3DS instead which at that point had just come off the the price drop announcement.

 

[bgassassin]

Guys, what do the latest rumors say about the Wii U's power level?

Depends on who you ask. Some don't think it's over 9000.

 

[Bending_Unit_22]

One site reported that, but it's generally thought that it was never going to be there in the first place.

That was a report from one site, so not really sure if that was true. If they did actually use that as a reason, its more than likely they decided to focus on the 3DS instead which at that point had just come off the the price drop announcement.

Oh ok, I did a search afterwards (best time to do it) and noticed the thread had "Rumor" in the title.

Depends on who you ask. Some don't think it's over 9000.

In Pikmins or milli-Rolls of Ducttape Equivalents? Units are important here.

 

[Snakeyes]

Depends on who you ask. Some don't think it's over 9000.

So, next-gen Dreamcast or Ram Packed N64? Bummer

 

[Hiltz]

Guys, what do the latest rumors say about the Wii U's power level?

Not much in the way of news. Although, Crytek's co-founder and the developer of Braid made some new comments about the Wii U back in September.

Crytek co-founder Avni Yerli - "The Wii U specs are very good.The system’s unique interface is however a challenge for designers. But once thought through it can add value, and that's what ultimately important. Our guys in Nottingham (Crytek UK) are very happy with their tests on the dev kits and they're excited about it."


Jonathan Blow - "When you look at the Wii U, I'm told it has a lot more RAM - that would be wonderful, although I'm unsure about that platform for other reasons, especially in light of the iPad. If that console succeeds, it would be a nicer place to bring the game than the 360, if only because it has more RAM."

 

[SolarPowered]

Not much in the way of news. Although, Crytek's co-founder and the developer of Braid made some new comments about the Wii U back in September.

Crytek co-founder Avni Yerli - "The Wii U specs are very good.The system’s unique interface is however a challenge for designers. But once thought through it can add value, and that's what ultimately important. Our guys in Nottingham (Crytek UK) are very happy with their tests on the dev kits and they're excited about it."


Jonathan Blow - "When you look at the Wii U, I'm told it has a lot more RAM - that would be wonderful, although I'm unsure about that platform for other reasons, especially in light of the iPad. If that console succeeds, it would be a nicer place to bring the game than the 360, if only because it has more RAM."

At least that much is out of the way.

 

[guek]

At least that much is out of the way.

would have been pretty ridiculous if it had been otherwise

 

[Boney]

Not much in the way of news. Although, Crytek's co-founder and the developer of Braid made some new comments about the Wii U back in September.

Crytek co-founder Avni Yerli - "The Wii U specs are very good.The system’s unique interface is however a challenge for designers. But once thought through it can add value, and that's what ultimately important. Our guys in Nottingham (Crytek UK) are very happy with their tests on the dev kits and they're excited about it."


Jonathan Blow - "When you look at the Wii U, I'm told it has a lot more RAM - that would be wonderful, although I'm unsure about that platform for other reasons, especially in light of the iPad. If that console succeeds, it would be a nicer place to bring the game than the 360, if only because it has more RAM."

haha what?

 

[bgassassin]

Oh ok, I did a search afterwards (best time to do it) and noticed the thread had "Rumor" in the title.


In Pikmins or milli-Rolls of Ducttape Equivalents? Units are important here.

I... I don't know what units the scouter uses so let's go with Pikmin. Pikmin is always a good answer for something unknown with a console.

So, next-gen Dreamcast or Ram Packed N64? Bummer

Neither. Like I said "some" think that. And most of them don't care for Nintendo at all. I'm of the view that it will be a very solid console from a tech perspective.

 

[rpmurphy]

haha what?

Nintendo should like make the Wii U use iPads as the controllers, because iPads are popular and everybody will want to use that instead of the Wii U's tablet controller thing which isn't as good as iPads.

Spoiler

iPad

 

[BurntPork]

Johnathan Blows Steve Jobs?

I'm sorry, but that was too easy.

 

[Boney]

actually i shouldn't be laughing

 

[BurntPork]

actually i shouldn't be laughing

Should you be sucking and... No. That would be too much.

 

[Log4Girlz]

"I'm ok with this specs": Significantly, thought not quite 100% more powerful than current generation with 1 gig of ram.

"Better than expected specs": A full doubling or if not a bit more of computational power with 1.5 gigs of ram.

"Shit just got real specs": Nintendo coming out of nowhere and making a machine triple the power in every way and like 2 gigs of ram or more.

"Fantasy land specs": A true hardware leap in the traditional sense. 10x the processing power, 4 gigs of ram.

My expectations somewhat fall between the first two scenarios.

 

[maeda]

So I was wondering even if we go with the worst case scenario will U put an end to horrible jaggies and here and there popping out textures that remind us of the horrors of PS2?

 

[Truth101]

So I was wondering even if we go with the worst case scenario will U put an end to horrible jaggies and here and there popping out textures that remind us of the horrors of PS2?

It shouldn't, unless by worst case you mean weaker than the 360/PS3, which is implausible. Though you will always have shovel-ware trash on any system.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Nah, the extra ram will take care of that pop-in.

Man, am I the only crazy person who hopes Zelda remains...a polygonal game? What I mean is, Twilight Princess has some of the best modeling I've ever seen, but clearly everything is still angular, but beautifully so. Kinda like World of Warcrafts especially with the refinements made over the years. Sure, I want much better lighting and effects...but I still love the polygonal look done right. This is why I like the Zelda demo they showed off so much, still had that art design.

 

[bgassassin]

"I'm ok with this specs": Significantly, thought not quite 100% more powerful than current generation with 1 gig of ram.

"Better than expected specs": A full doubling or if not a bit more of computational power with 1.5 gigs of ram.

"Shit just got real specs": Nintendo coming out of nowhere and making a machine triple the power in every way and like 2 gigs of ram or more.

"Fantasy land specs": A true hardware leap in the traditional sense. 10x the processing power, 4 gigs of ram.

My expectations somewhat fall between the first two scenarios.

Put me down for #2 with Xbox3 and PS4 being between 3 and 3.7.

 

[BurntPork]

"I'm ok with this specs": Significantly, thought not quite 100% more powerful than current generation with 1 gig of ram.

"Better than expected specs": A full doubling or if not a bit more of computational power with 1.5 gigs of ram.

"Shit just got real specs": Nintendo coming out of nowhere and making a machine triple the power in every way and like 2 gigs of ram or more.

"Fantasy land specs": A true hardware leap in the traditional sense. 10x the processing power, 4 gigs of ram.

My expectations somewhat fall between the first two scenarios.

The leap between the last two is way too big, the gap between the first two is too small. and I'd hardly call 2x "better than expected" or 3x "coming out of nowhere" unless you have a really pessimistic outlook on Wii U. Really, based on the known info, I'd say that 1.8-2x is the minimum to expect, 3x "better than expected," and 5x "shit just got real." (Though I'd keep the RAM amounts.) But that's just my opinion.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

Man, am I the only crazy person who hopes Zelda remains...a polygonal game?

As opposed to what?

 

[Dreamwriter]

So, next-gen Dreamcast or Ram Packed N64? Bummer

The Dreamcast failed because of money, and money alone. Sega really went all out and blew their money on the Saturn. This made it so Sega didn't have money to counter Sony's PS2 hype machine, they couldn't woo the big third-party developers as much, they eventually had problems even making games for it themselves.

Nintendo isn't hurting for money in the slightest, they've got billions in the war chest, and could get a lot more on credit if they really needed to.

Dreamcast also had one of the best launch lineups ever (in the US), I wouldnt mind if Nintendo did that.

 

[Poyunch]

As opposed to what?

Voxels.