Wii U Speculation Thread The Third: Casting Dreams in The Castle of Miyamoto

I was more thinking along the lines of Pixel Shader 5.0 and tessellation which could only benefit Wii U games visually.
AMD GPUs had tessellators for ages, but they're different (and less efficient) than D3D11 tessellators. Wii U either uses that one, or a modified/ optimized AMD tessellator (if Nintendo considered that feature important enough), or a D3D11 one - or no tessellator at all. Same thing with the shader model. It's probably not really SM4.1 anymore, but isn't SM5, either. It's a fork, something that was developed in parallel to SM5. Might be better, might be worse.
 
Slightly off-topic: why has tesselation become a big thing again? I've always thought it was neat, but back when it was TruForm it seemed to go nowhere.
 
AMD GPUs had tessellators for ages, but they're different (and less efficient) than D3D11 tessellators. Wii U either uses that one, or a modified/ optimized AMD tessellator (if Nintendo considered that feature important enough), or a D3D11 one - or no tessellator at all. Same thing with the shader model. It's probably not really SM4.1 anymore, but isn't SM5, either. It's a fork, something that was developed in parallel to SM5. Might be better, might be worse.

Very interesting reply, thank you wsippel!
 
I was more thinking along the lines of Pixel Shader 5.0 and tessellation which could only benefit Wii U games visually.

I guess the concern here is if it's a requirement for future next gen engines like UE4. It might be possible to deselect engine components or write custom code to replicate functions.
 
Why does Idy’s posts make me hungry for an over-cooked pork sandwich? ;)

Or maybe it’s not just the burnt pork I smell but also the BS in Idy’s posts.

Why is it that the majority of his “insider” info seems to have already been posted on here at some point and IMO he’s just compiling it altogether and then spouts it as off “insider friend info”. What he failed to mention is that his insider is GAF :)

Anyway…just my 2 cents worth. Carry-on!
 
8GB of solid state storage would definitely be cheaper than 8GB of rotational magnetic media.
Is it even possible to get an 8 GB regular hdd nowadays?
Maybe it's a typo, maybe it should say 8 TB? :P (not quite serious)

Seriously, if they plan to compete in any way with Apple/Sony/MS with apps and DD purchases then they need to have more than 8 GB. I have 16 GB on my iPad2 and I'm constantly removing stuff to get enough space for new apps/games. Letting us use any external hdd we want is not the right way imo, then it'll be like the Vita situation where the console in reality is quite a bit more expensive than you think.
 
Is it even possible to get an 8 GB regular hdd nowadays?
Maybe it's a typo, maybe it should say 8 TB? :P (not quite serious)

Seriously, if they plan to compete in any way with Apple/Sony/MS with apps and DD purchases then they need to have more than 8 GB. I have 16 GB on my iPad2 and I'm constantly removing stuff to get enough space for new apps/games. Letting us use any external hdd we want is not the right way imo, then it'll be like the Vita situation where the console in reality is quite a bit more expensive than you think.

Expect the small/moderate storage include in the console as an "appetizer room" for a few downloads (applications, indie games, etc.), and if you are more interested, you buy a rather cheap 16GB sd card. It's enough if you have a way to transfer the files on your computer HDD like for 3DS.
 
A wild, wild thought: What if Nintendo decided to make Wii U's subscreen a 3D screen like 3DS? I know that seems almost insane (almost), but it would be a huge surprise at E3.

Though I guess that makes no sense with you moving the controller around all over the place, you'd lose the 3D effect (i.e. 3DS's 'sweet spot').
 
While I'd love full hardware displacement mapping on Wii U, I won't be terribly disappointed if it doesn't have it because Wii U has already demo'd beautiful graphics (Garden and Zelda demos).
Tessellation for displacement mapping has been possible for some time now. DX11-class hw does it more efficiently though, and hence makes it more practical. Otherwise already Xenos could do it.
 
Is it even possible to get an 8 GB regular hdd nowadays?
Maybe it's a typo, maybe it should say 8 TB? :P (not quite serious)

Seriously, if they plan to compete in any way with Apple/Sony/MS with apps and DD purchases then they need to have more than 8 GB. I have 16 GB on my iPad2 and I'm constantly removing stuff to get enough space for new apps/games. Letting us use any external hdd we want is not the right way imo, then it'll be like the Vita situation where the console in reality is quite a bit more expensive than you think.
Except that USB HDDs are dirt cheap and can be bought everywhere. While Vital cards are expensive and you can only get Sony's.
The 360 lacks an HDD in its most popular model and that hasn't stopped devs from going overboard on DLC.
 
Just wow at all the gaming websites (english or french) who are clearly stating in their headlines that the Wii U is roughly equal to the Xbox360, relaying the Vigil declaration. Without any analysis for the most part, it's like it's the truth, some don't even precise "according to".
 
A wild, wild thought: What if Nintendo decided to make Wii U's subscreen a 3D screen like 3DS? I know that seems almost insane (almost), but it would be a huge surprise at E3.

Though I guess that makes no sense with you moving the controller around all over the place, you'd lose the 3D effect (i.e. 3DS's 'sweet spot').

I'd prefer they build a bio-feedback sensor in the tablet rather than making it 3D.
 
Just wow at all the gaming websites (english or french) who are clearly stating in their headlines that the Wii U is roughly equal to the Xbox360, relaying the Vigil declaration. Without any analysis for the most part, it's like it's the truth, some don't even precise "according to".
Yeah, I noticed this too. Google and Twitter are filled with chatter about that Vigil comment. If we only had something to make people discuss the positive sides of Wii U's hardware, but very little is confirmed.
 
Just wow at all the gaming websites (english or french) who are clearly stating in their headlines that the Wii U is roughly equal to the Xbox360, relaying the Vigil declaration. Without any analysis for the most part, it's like it's the truth, some don't even precise "according to".

At least they have an actual source unlike that vita game fiasco the other week lol
 
Displacement mapping.

Doesn't it also make shadows smoother (as well as low poly models obviously)?


While I'd love full hardware displacement mapping on Wii U, I won't be terribly disappointed if it doesn't have it because Wii U has already demo'd beautiful graphics (Garden and Zelda demos).

Come to think of it...

http://www.nintengen.com/2011/06/wii-u-garden-demo-had-better-graphics.html

Could the smoother bird model be due to tessellation?
 
Just wow at all the gaming websites (english or french) who are clearly stating in their headlines that the Wii U is roughly equal to the Xbox360, relaying the Vigil declaration. Without any analysis for the most part, it's like it's the truth, some don't even precise "according to".

It make a good Title that all they care about I still say he talking about it in the context of his game and how it is to others he not adding any ball on, more or less what he saying

and when they been so many more saying wise
 
You can't blame media outlets for putting any news they get about the wii u out there, regardless if it's "good" or "bad." we just haven't heard anything in so damn long
 
Why does Idy’s posts make me hungry for an over-cooked pork sandwich? ;)

Or maybe it’s not just the burnt pork I smell but also the BS in Idy’s posts.

Why is it that the majority of his “insider” info seems to have already been posted on here at some point and IMO he’s just compiling it altogether and then spouts it as off “insider friend info”. What he failed to mention is that his insider is GAF :)

Anyway…just my 2 cents worth. Carry-on!

Yes, by him, on previous topics.
 
Just wow at all the gaming websites (english or french) who are clearly stating in their headlines that the Wii U is roughly equal to the Xbox360, relaying the Vigil declaration. Without any analysis for the most part, it's like it's the truth, some don't even precise "according to".

Good. Hopefully now Nintendo might do something to counter the rumour and actually show us something.
 
Just wow at all the gaming websites (english or french) who are clearly stating in their headlines that the Wii U is roughly equal to the Xbox360, relaying the Vigil declaration. Without any analysis for the most part, it's like it's the truth, some don't even precise "according to".


I know, it's very disheartening. At least at E3 we'll see some truth.
 
Rösti;36407234 said:
Yeah, I noticed this too. Google and Twitter are filled with chatter about that Vigil comment. If we only had something to make people discuss the positive sides of Wii U's hardware, but very little is confirmed.

But as you know there are tons of data here and there that prove the contrary, clearly. Even statements of other developers, etc. And these articles don't refer to them to question the Vigil declaration, it's insane, no method, no explanations, no investigations.


You can't blame media outlets for putting any news they get about the wii u out there, regardless if it's "good" or "bad." we just haven't heard anything in so damn long

I'm not blaming them, but their method, the absence in the majority of these news of perspective, context, interrogations. Hell, just for the sole marketing factor, we could doubt that a director that is currently visiting all the gaming medias to promote its title for the JUNE PS360 launch, will clearly announce that the Wii U version that will come months after, will be better, at the risk to push a noticeable part of gamers to postpone their purchase and "wait & see" during the holidays.
 
I don't know much if anything about how graphics are done, so please correct me if wrong, but tessellation seems like it makes prettier images with less processing power; in a more "bang for your buck" context.

Is this type of imagery not something that would be attractive to Nintendo?


I would imagine Nintendo would like tessellation to be a part of their GPU toolkit.
 
I don't know much if anything about how graphics are done, so please correct me if wrong, but tessellation seems like it makes prettier images with less processing power; in a more "bang for your buck" context.

Is this type of imagery not something that would be attractive to Nintendo?


I would imagine Nintendo would like tessellation to be a part of their GPU toolkit.


I certainly hope so.
 
They won't.

As a Nintendo fan. I find it quite maddening. They are like the complete opposite of MS and Sony. Extremely insular, secretive and regimented schedules for informational reveals.

It really puts me off the company. I do love their games though.
 
Just wow at all the gaming websites (english or french) who are clearly stating in their headlines that the Wii U is roughly equal to the Xbox360, relaying the Vigil declaration. Without any analysis for the most part, it's like it's the truth, some don't even precise "according to".

Well sites only care about traffic and ad clicks. Little things like facts and checking of sources and information don't really matter. In some ways I'm glad this is happening. If it forces Nintendo to say something, anything then great. However considering this is Nintendo they'll still not say anything and let the bad impressions build.
 
Just wow at all the gaming websites (english or french) who are clearly stating in their headlines that the Wii U is roughly equal to the Xbox360, relaying the Vigil declaration. Without any analysis for the most part, it's like it's the truth, some don't even precise "according to".

Somehow, I'm not surprised.

And if/when Nintendo clearly demonstrates otherwise ay E3, we'll hear nary a retraction, correction, or apology.
 
Just wow at all the gaming websites (english or french) who are clearly stating in their headlines that the Wii U is roughly equal to the Xbox360, relaying the Vigil declaration. Without any analysis for the most part, it's like it's the truth, some don't even precise "according to".
it's sad, not gonna stop till E3.
 
I've got it!

My theory is that March 25th is annual We Hate Nintendo's Next Console day.
Think about it, this time last year, everyone was going on about how the 3DS gave you headaches and made people sick. And now, this year, the Wii U is apparently on par with a 7 year old machine.
 
It may be mature (good yields), but that doesn't make it cheap. Fab capacity is still going to be lower than 45nm, and the fabs will almost certainly be charging more for using the latest process. It's pretty telling that IBM would mention 45nm for the CPU. You may also want to consider that it's done on SOI, which costs more than bulk Si. It's not impossible for the GPU to be done on SOI, but it is a different design consideration.
There's no evidence that 32nm is cheaper or more expensive than older processes. What can be assumed is that using 32nm is probably going to be advantageous to Nintendo when it comes to heat dissipation and longer-term silicon costs.

The fact that IBM is doing the CPU on 45nm is simply because that's the best they can do. They won't hit 32nm until later this year. IBM is simply behind, but they are not the ones making the GPU.
 
A wild, wild thought: What if Nintendo decided to make Wii U's subscreen a 3D screen like 3DS? I know that seems almost insane (almost), but it would be a huge surprise at E3.

Though I guess that makes no sense with you moving the controller around all over the place, you'd lose the 3D effect (i.e. 3DS's 'sweet spot').

It means that the system has to do two render passes per external screen then stream twice as much data. This would pretty much kill even the slightest chance of being able to use multiple DRCs at once.

Also, it would kill the primary differentiating feature of the 3DS. I get the impression Nintendo wants to have each of their product lines sport unique selling points.
 
Approximating global illumination via an abundance of local sources which try to mimic the bouncing light. It's a really simple idea.

I'm sorry I think I read your last post wrong. I'm familiar with the technique, I just thought you were implying that it was being used in the Zelda tech demo.

I don't know much if anything about how graphics are done, so please correct me if wrong, but tessellation seems like it makes prettier images with less processing power; in a more "bang for your buck" context.

Is this type of imagery not something that would be attractive to Nintendo?


I would imagine Nintendo would like tessellation to be a part of their GPU toolkit.

Tessellation is the process of breaking up or dividing polygons to increase the number of vertices, increasing detail.

There's really no reason the Wii-U GPU wouldn't contain tessellator units, especially with the amount of support DX11 will be seeing in the near future.
 
I've got it!

My theory is that March 25th is annual We Hate Nintendo's Next Console day.
Think about it, this time last year, everyone was going on about how the 3DS gave you headaches and made people sick. And now, this year, the Wii U is apparently on par with a 7 year old machine.

I don't know how to tell you this in a more subtle manner, but We Hate Nintendo's Next Console Day is actually a multi-day celebration which runs from March 25th to Marth 24th, annually.
 
Made this:

allwillberewiiledd0e79.png

It's going slow in the news lane, though hopefully should Saturday marking the Record Date for Year-End Dividends for the 72nd Fiscal Year of Nintendo open up for a bit more than just the same ole rehashing of interviews from E3 last year and other things that stir the pot of agitated Nintendo fans. Otherwise there is PAX East, some IR events of companies working with Nintendo hardware and most importantly the Fiscal Year Earnings Release scheduled for the 26th of April to look foward to.
 
Honest question:

What's fueled three whole threads of discussion about this system? I was under the impression there wasn't much news on the thing outside of the initial reveal, and the very recent discussions about the system's power compared to current-gen rivals.

Were there lots of info-dumps over the past year that I missed?
 
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