Topic: Revolution Controller Revealed

[vudu]

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I like the secondary molded piece and I am wondering still, why aren't both sections conformed to the hand?

You answered your question before you even asked it.

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I understand they don't want to set the handle as left or right handed

[tForce]

"You can't force someone to take the time and put in serious effort when someone else is providing a lazier solution that ultimately gets the same job done."

Well, what of the development requirements on PS3 and Xbox 360's multicore processor?  Multicore applications are not very easy to program.  In fact, I can't think of any multiprocessor games for PC currently.  The only things that use it are applications, such as Windows itself.  From the rants and complaints of developers right now, it seems coding for the PS3 and XBox 360 are no walks in the park.  The PS2 was and is a powerful machine, as some of the games display.  However, it was extremely difficult to fully utilize the Emotion Engine, so developers simply didn't.  I've saw this first hand, much to my dismay, when I worked at Visual Concept.  

A great example of this is EA's Madden 06 for XBox 360.  EA themselves thought they could get the 360 to bring movie-like images to life in a game... hence that ill-fated teaser video.  Check out the ACTUAL gameplay videos, and it's BARELY an improvement over the Xbox.  The animation is just as stiff, the player models and texture mapping are a hundred-fold poorer than in the teaser video.  Yes, Gears of War look spectacular, but I haven't seen that game running on XBox 360 hardware yet, so it's hard to pass judgement.

Nonetheless, if it truly is difficult to squeeze marginally improved graphics on the more powerful XBox360 and PS3, I'm sure developers will be openminded to see what Nintendo can offer.  If the SDKs are easy to handle, then you might even see better graphics on the Revolution initially while developers try to get a grasp on the intricacies of the PS3 and XBox 360.  That alone might give Nintendo the chance to build a larger user base and cull more developers.

[Vrgin X1]

About Time.

I actually like it. It's different, out of the box. It may not look ergonomic. but I'll get used to it.

[ruby_onix]

I've slept on it, and the only thing I can say is that this controller is a huge WTF.

IMO, the revolutionary feature of it is nothing that everyone who was aware of the Revolution didn't think about at least a few dozen times (zomg it's gyros), but it looks like (and I hope) that it'll be extremely well implemented.

The design of the controller is another thing entirely, and I think nobody in their right mind had the slightest clue this was coming, with good reason.

I do have some imagination. And I can see how it's possible that this radical design shift could be an inprovement. However, I don't want to start imagining ways that this could be used. That's Nintendo's job. They are absolutely required to prove that this is a positive change.

Nintendo is going to have to prove that every single detail of this controller is a great thing, and can't be improved upon. And I'm HIGHLY doubtful that Nintendo will be able to do that. How can they say that "one button and a trigger" is better than four buttons in a diamond-layout, and two or four triggers? (And yes, I've seen Jim Merrick's mention of the add-on shell being made for "games that weren't designed for the Revolution".) Nintendo already did a tremendously bad job in selling the features/flaws of the GameCube controller.

[tForce]

I think there is a distinct difference between this controller and the GameCube controller.  The Revolution looks undeniably sleek.  As unorthodox a controller as that is, it still looks sleek.  If you put the Revolution on a table, people are going to be curious about it... and are sure to be surprised when you reveal it's a game console.  I like the analog attachment (I dont' want to call it a nunchuku or i might try whipping people with it), and I think it's ideal the way it is.  What I don't like is that it has to be connected to the "remote control" for it to function.  I'd want to use it to play some games one handed, and I'd rather not have the remote control dangling below.

[stevey]

"a nunchuku or i might try whipping people with it"

IWATA called it a nunchuku it better than calling it remote and Ian what the hell is worng with you every great thing that come in contack with you end up bitching, hating, and whineing at it please just once post *this is teh great IWATATON woo* is that so hard?

[Djunknown]

After lurking in the Rev section, seeing semi and fully grown men proverbially wetting their pants and flipping out (You know who you are...), and after seeing the presentation via irwebcasting, I'm still on the fence.

So we've seen the controller, and heard some potential ideas. Sounds great on paper, but we'll need to see it in action.  Iwata and Co. seem to be relying on some massive foresight on this one.  I'm going to have to see some games to make a fair judgement from both Nintendo and the A-list 3rd parties.

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Rick:  This is going to draw a line in the sand between Nintendo fans, though.

How true, how true. For some, this is the limit.  Those who weren't happy before since the '64 (no rhyme intended), and felt burned by the 'Cube, this is where they'll probably get off. For others, They'll relish either their madness, weirdness, or genius and accept this new concept of control with few questions asked.  

However, this has me no longer really thinking about specs, which I believe was their point. I just keeping thinking, "What if game x controlled like this" and "What new genres can be made with this interface?" and lastly, "Will it work?"

[Bill Aurion]

Rick: This is going to draw a line in the sand between Nintendo fans, though.

Yeah, it'll pretty much show who's ready for a new way of playing games (true Nintendo fans) and those who are sticks-in-the-mud that are scared of change (those who don't trust Nintendo and thus aren't true fans)...

[PaLaDiN]

Or it could just draw a line in the sand between those who've tried it and those who haven't, just like with the DS.

[KnowsNothing]

It'll separate Nintendo Fans and Nintendo Enthusiasts.  Nintendo fans are the fanatics- yes, the fanboys, but remember, not all fanboys fit the stereotype.  Nintendo fanboys can be open minded and enjoy other systems.  Nintendo enthusiasts are those who like some of Nintendo's games, but don't think like Nintendo.  Fans think like Nintendo thinks, and therefore are not opposed to new ideas, while enthuiasts are not opposed to just jumping ship at any time.

The Revolution will lose some enthusiasts, but at the same time also gain some new enthusiasts and fans.  It'll be interesting

[tForce]

This is a VERY controversial statement... soo... <puts flame hat on>

The majority of the AAA titles come from Japan.

<takes off hat>

Coincidentally, they are also the most quirky.  Look at games like Katamari Damacy, Mr. Driller, Warioware, the bulk of the RPGs (I'll give you KOTOR, even though I never enjoyed it)... nevermind all the games coming from Nintendo, Sega, and Sony, and Square's Japanese divisions.  One thing that I haven't heard is a confirmation that the Nintendo DS will connected with the Revolution.  Now THAT would be a boon.  You pretty much have any interface you want now with the Revolution:  touchpad, spatial gyroscopes, standard controller, personal screens (ala Dreamcast's failed VMU or using the GBA SP on GC), dancepad, bongos, microphone, lightgun (the remote looks like it can act as such already, so I wouldn't be surprised.  The ABILITY to redifine gaming is there.. it remains to be seen if anyone but Nintendo will be excited to utilize all that's there.

The thing I didn't get about people complaining about "needing" a GBA to play games like Final Fantasy: CC is that the GBA is so damn widespread that I'd be immensely shocked if most console owners didn't have at LEAST one Gameboy handheld varient.

[Ian Sane]

I think this will seperate the Nintendo fans and the Nintendo fanboys.  Fanboys who like everything Nintendo gives them will embrace it.  Those who became Nintendo fans during the NES and SNES era won't so much.  There's a big difference between post-N64 and pre-N64 Nintendo fans.  Both groups have VERY different views of Nintendo.  Post-N64 fans put up with a lot more crap.  Pre-N64 fans are getting pretty damn annoyed by the third party situation which is likely not going to improve.

You could also argue that there's a huge difference between Yamauchi Nintendo and Iwata Nintendo.  Personally I'm not a big fan of Iwata Nintendo so far.

[Bill Aurion]

I like how you separate the groups to make it sound like the Rev will only accepted by blind fanboys, which is absolutely NOT THE CASE...

[Mario]

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Buy extra stuff to do what the other consoles already do for free! Yeah that's a great strategy. That will go over about as well as connectivity.

I wasn't aware PS3's and 360s were being given away for free, where is this fantastic offer?

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I want to try out the Rev and it looks fun but it isn't what I really want out of videogames.

Ian just confirmed he doesn't want fun. Maybe videogames in general just aren't for you.  

[Ian Sane]

"Ian just confirmed he doesn't want fun. Maybe videogames in general just aren't for you."

There are different KINDS of fun.  I find it fun to play guitar but when I load up a videogame that's not the type of fun I'm looking for.  I play games for a certain kind of experience.  The Rev can be fun and still not offer that kind of experience.

[Nephilim]

Heck I know people who think using the right stick on the ps2 control as a attack button is better the A button
Yet I find it the crappiest thing Iv ever tried, having to push your thumb back and forth to do combo's.

After hearing about the retro demo, I sooooooo cant wait
they need to expand the retro studio, have 2 teams make fps (one metroid, one other) plus have n-spcace make a exclusive series like geist saga

[PaLaDiN]

"Those who became Nintendo fans during the NES and SNES era won't so much."

Funny you should mention... I became a Nintendo fan because of Mario on the NES.

Let's divide and overgeneralize even further. Those who became fans before the SNES era love the idea because it makes them feel like the NES days all over again. Those who became fans in the SNES era won't like it so much because they like having an overabundance of crap surrounding the good games on the shelves.

"The Rev can be fun and still not offer that kind of experience."

Or it can be fun and still offer that kind of experience. But I guess you'll never know, because it seems to me you're determined to hate the Rev without ever having played it.

Whatever happened to trying things out?

Edit: Okay, that's enough elitism for one night. I was being sarcastic... let us never talk of "TRUE" Nintendo fans in a serious tone again.

[tForce]

I think Ian is generalizing FAR too much and is being EXTREMELY closed minded.  I've been around since the launch of the NES, played the Famicom BEFORE the NES even came out, own several Game and Watches, including my Zelda fliptop one.  Frankly, if you were a fan of the SNES way back when, then you're still slightly peeved at Nintendo for letting the Playstation come into fruition (I remember drooling over the SNES CD adaptor when I first saw it in Nintendo Power, featuring 7th Guest as a game).  Or how about ROB?  Or the Power Glove?  Or that damn, over-sized Super Scope (compared to the cool, compact, Sega Menacer).  You're telling me the generation that grew up listening to Sega's so called "blast-processer" bull crap won't be willing to at LEAST give Nintendo the benefit of a doubt.  

It appears the 3rd Party Support has already improved.  A lot of developers are mentioning that Nintendo is starting to change their "stick up the ass" approach.  And did you notice how Merrick kept harping "FPS"?  Last I checked, there aren't too many tiku tiku tiku!  FPSes, which had been a major complaint.  Nintendo has gone away from a tiku tiku tiku!  look and gone with a sleek, more futuristic look.  Seriously, take the Revolution and drop it into i.Robot and it'd fit right in.

The TRUE Nintendo fans are willing to take a wait and see approach, as they've done for the past few years.  The ignorant are the ones who write someone off just because they dont' share their ideas or opinions.

[stevey]

"There are different KINDS of fun. I find it fun to play guitar but when I load up a videogame that's not the type of fun I'm looking for. I play games for a certain kind of experience. The Rev can be fun and still not offer that kind of experience. "

what kind of fun? prono fun, killing fun, giving sh!t loads of cash to MS/sony for crap fun?

EDIT: I just had an and what if nintendo let you pick how to play and have fun O_O think what if nintendo let to use the stick and remote to play um... zelda you can use b for shield a for roll/talk/pick up and the stick button for lock up and camra and swing to swing your sword and nintendo also let you use the shell and remote to play just like you played on the cube so nintendo fan like bill are happy and evil fan like Ian are happy. see every fan will be happy just try to bitch about that IAN just try, you cant.

[Renny]

For a generalization, I think that's very accurate, Paladin. You can lump me in with those who grew up on the NES [as a games player, if not also literally] and want to capture that feeling again. I'm enjoying the DS more than anything else this generation so far, and we haven't seen half of what the system is capable of. When I look at what they're doing with the Revolution I see boundless potential there, too. I'm willing to have some faith and let Nintendo shew me that they're still capable of impressing the pre-Super gamers. :¬þ

[ShyGuy]

So, uh, what games does Ian like? can I get an Ian top 10? Just so I know where's he coming from.

[Caliban]

Shyguy, I just wondered that myself some days ago too about Ian.

[Caliban]

Ian Sane said: Pre-N64 fans are getting pretty damn annoyed by the third party situation which is likely not going to improve.

I'm Pre-N64, I'm from all the way back when the NES came out. I'm not annoyed at all about the 3rd party situation at all, why? Because there's too much crap out there or it simply doesn't interest me.

Oh btw, I personally like some things from both Yamauchi and Iwata, they both have their weaknesses and strengths, however I think Iwata seems more of the type to evolve in the gaming buisness than Yamauchi (he had a thick skull sometimes).

[mantidor]

As far as I know third party improved with the GC a lot compared with the N64. We got FF game( although not the real thing but anyway...) the whole RE franchise, Capcom's five fiasco, but still those are third party games, etc, etc.

[Djunknown]

3rd party support did increase with the 'Cube from the '64, but it fell off. Compared to the rookie MS who came out of nowhere, this should'nt have happened. But what's done is done. Moving on...

I brought Rick's quote from Blah blah blah to make a point: There are some that just can't stomach what they think are dumb choices. Others are embracing it without question, while others are going for a wait and see. I'm not going to name names, you know who you are(Or should anyway).  The only thing we know about how the Rev controller works is  reactions from selected members of the press who got a chance to experience some demos. They've been fairly positive so far from what I've read, but I hear the somewhat cautious tone in the writing.

As mentioned earlier, just like the DS, the people need to get their filthy mitts on this ASAP. There's CES, GDC, and DICE in the 1st quarter of '06. One can hope that Nintendo will continue to provide more info before e3. By that time, the only questions remaining should be when's launch, and how much?