There are some hints the Wii U might only support one of the new controllers at any one time. What would that mean for the world of Nintendo gaming?
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/blog/26653
The life of a Nintendo Fanboy is a stressful one. I was absolutely giddy with the Nintendo Conference, but hours later I was agonizing over a troubling omission regarding Nintendo's new console: "Why are there no examples of two Wii U controllers being used together?" Out of all the examples on the floor, or in the videos, or in the screenshots, why is only one Wii U controller ever shown at any one time?
This is an important question! If The Wii U truly cannot support more than one tablet controller, my dream of one-console local-multiplayer offline Animal Crossing is doomed! In fact, a lot of the pie-in-the-sky "everyone has their own gameplay screen" theories that my fellow gamers have come up with wouldn't come true either.
Others on the internet have had this same worry occur to them, and the tidbits of info netizens have dug up do nothing to dispel thoughts of a one tablet-controller future.
For example, CVG quotes a Nintendo spokesperson saying, "Both the controller and the console will be sold as one unit. You won't be able to buy the controller alone." If Nintendo doesn't allow consumers to buy additional Wii U controllers, that sort of shoots a huge gaping hole in any possibility that a game would be designed to use two of them.
It isn't any more encouraging to find out that, according to Kotaku, Nintendo's own Katsuya Eguchi, who has worked on the successful Wii franchise of titles as well as my beloved Animal Crossing, is only "considering options" regarding two Wii U controllers, a concept that is currently just "an interesting idea."
Well, geez, what could keep one of Nintendo's own EAD Game Producers from chomping at the bit to deploy a game across two of his own company's new Wii U controllers?
There's a bunch of theories already forming out there, but my personal hunch is that the Wii U may not be able to push lag-less graphics to more than one wireless controller at a time. The Wii U controller is not a 3DS, it doesn't have real processing power inside of it. It is little more than a glorified monitor, depending on technological wizardry to display HD-style graphics without any cpu guts of its own. Think about that, this is future-tech! It's an entire cloud computing setup in your living room! Wireless! At a mass market price! Without lag! That's stupendous! And... maybe not ready for streaming to 2 devices just yet... however disappointing that may be.
Well, nothing's confirmed just yet, so there's still some hope out there. Admittedly I know nothing about the actual tech Nintendo is using for their wireless graphics, but the fanboy in me is spinning multiple hopeful solutions. For example, what if Nintendo streamed only SD graphics to the controllers, then the Wii U console could have enough bandwidth for at least two controller's right? Or what if you could connect a second Wii U controller via a USB cable, relieving any wireless streaming graphics bottleneck if that's the problem?
Or of course, Nintendo could come out tomorrow and show off a two Wii U controller setup and this will all look pretty silly.
But if not... well, after thinking about it a bit, I'm less worried than before. The fact is that this would just reduce some gaming overlap between the different hardware platforms out there. Think about it: the Wii and Wii U can already support local multiplayer via a TV's single screen, whether shared or split. And the 3DS is already Nintendo's platform for games where everyone has their own screen, like Mario Kart 3DS. Ultimately, if individual screens for each player are necessary, maybe Nintendo can focus on selling 3DS' to everyone, and if the multiplayer paradigm is a single shared screen, or two asymmetrical screens, then they can focus on the Wii U. This way each console and its games has clear roles and niches to fill.
In fact, this clear and simple focus for each platform is hinted at in this Shigeru Miyamoto quote from the recent Wii U Iwata Asks interview:
"With the Nintendo 3DS and DS systems, you play by not needing to show your screen to anyone else. And with Wii games everyone plays while watching the same screen. With Wii U, you are able to combine both, the ability to display information that no one else can see, and the screen that everyone watches while playing, to come up with new ways to play."
If true, it's definitely a dampener to think that only one Wii U controller will ever be in action at a time, but it seems to make sense in terms of the philosophies of the different hardware platforms.
And besides, there's still a way every player in a multiplayer game can use a Wii U controller... they could each have their own Wii U console and play over a capable, modern online network. Oh boy oh boy, I hope that's true, it'd solve not just this issue, but a whole slew of others as well!
...or... and I just had this idea... what if the Wii U could support local wireless LAN? Everyone could just bring their consoles, plug em in, forego a TV and switch on their Wii U controllers and... be still my beating fanboy heart...
Gone are simple ideas such as picking your play in Madden
Gone are simple ideas such as picking your play in Madden
But wait, they talked about stealth play selection in Madden during the Nintendo press conference!
http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/nintendo-e3-keynote/ (http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/nintendo-e3-keynote/)
"10:10AM Showing off Madden, picking plays stealthily on your touchscreen."
That doesn't make a lot of sense if only ONE player can do that in a local multiplayer setting.
Here's an important question that NEEDS to be answered, if they don't sell the Wii U controller separate then what do you do if the one that came with the console breaks, (worst case scenario with the warranty and service plan expired)? Am I supposed to go out and buy a NEW Wii U system if that happens? Sorry, but it really needs to support multiple Wii U controls.Go to Store.Nintendo.com. That's where you can get the weird-ish stuff right know that needs replacement.
You probably have to buy it straight from Nintendo through their website. My one cat chewed through the wire of my sensor bar so I bought one from Nintendo since they don't sell official ones in stores. It was $15. I ended up just getting a wireless sensor bar by Nyko anyway to prevent anymore cat-related mishaps.Stealing my Glory :P
Oh Nintendo... it's always gotta be something. Such wasted potential for some local mulitplayer.
atleast beef it up to allow for 2 tablets and 4 wiimotes.
Imagine the possibilities of 6 player local
A 2 player squad of MGS style players vs 4 Wiimote holding guards that are tracking you down.
(you could do this with out a 2 player team, but it's funner this way.)
2 uscreen players communicate with each other to beat the level like usual and the other 4 pay guards that are trying to stop them. If they get killed they respawn as a different guard in a different area. Metal Gear Solid fun for everyone.
I could deal with the shitty name, but if I can only use one Wii-U controller per Wii-U console then that's it... I've made up my mind I'm not getting this piece of crap console.
I could deal with the shitty name, but if I can only use one Wii-U controller per Wii-U console then that's it... I've made up my mind I'm not getting this piece of crap console.
I could deal with the shitty name, but if I can only use one Wii-U controller per Wii-U console then that's it... I've made up my mind I'm not getting this piece of crap console.
Well, it looks like the truth did set one of us free... Tell me, how's that crow tasting so far?
I could deal with the shitty name, but if I can only use one Wii-U controller per Wii-U console then that's it... I've made up my mind I'm not getting this piece of crap console.
This statement I can completely understand.
So what happens with Smash Bros in the future? I refuse to use the Wiimotes at all when playing. I want all my friends at my house to have a tablet, it doesn't have to stream whats on the screen just let us use the comfortable controller. I really don't feel like getting any more classic controller pros.
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Jun 7, 2011) - Today at E3, AMD (NYSE: AMD) announced its support for Nintendo's newly-announced Wii U™ system, as a new way to enjoy HD console gaming entertainment. The custom AMD Radeon™ HD GPU reflects the best characteristics of AMD's graphics technology solutions: high-definition graphics support; rich multimedia acceleration and playback; and multiple display support. As an industry leader, AMD has supplied the game console market with graphics expertise and ongoing support for more than 10 years.
When I read this from BlackNMild I fears are calmed a bit. "Multiple display support" assures me that it is possible for more than one tablet to be used at a time per console. No article I have read yet outright denies that possibility.
I could deal with the shitty name, but if I can only use one Wii-U controller per Wii-U console then that's it... I've made up my mind I'm not getting this piece of crap console.
Well, it looks like the truth did set one of us free... Tell me, how's that crow tasting so far?
You were right. I had faith that Nintendo wouldn't be this dumb... so yeah I was wrong. These continuous disappointments from Nintendo are chipping away at my Fanboyism and I'm gradually becoming more and more Ianized.
We all know Sony is going to rip this off at some point like they always do. Maybe when Sony rips it off they will do it right and allow more than one controller at a time. Its too bad the Wii is dead in the water, because Nintendo needs a new console like yesterday, so they have to rush something out ASAP. If it weren't for the Wii being dead I'd say they should wait until they can get this right before they release it, even if it means delaying it for another year. A delayed console is good eventually, but a rushed console is terrible forever.
The three things I'm hating about this console so far are:
1) The name
2) Only 8GB storage capacity
3) Only one controller per console capability
Well, the name is probably a trivial thing I admit, but the other two things are going to severely impact the support it gets from both developers and from consumers. Even casuals are going to have a problem with number 3 I think.
QuoteLOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Jun 7, 2011) - Today at E3, AMD (NYSE: AMD) announced its support for Nintendo's newly-announced Wii U™ system, as a new way to enjoy HD console gaming entertainment. The custom AMD Radeon™ HD GPU reflects the best characteristics of AMD's graphics technology solutions: high-definition graphics support; rich multimedia acceleration and playback; and multiple display support. As an industry leader, AMD has supplied the game console market with graphics expertise and ongoing support for more than 10 years.
When I read this from BlackNMild I fears are calmed a bit. "Multiple display support" assures me that it is possible for more than one tablet to be used at a time per console. No article I have read yet outright denies that possibility.
We all know Sony is going to rip this off at some point like they always do. Maybe when Sony rips it off they will do it right and allow more than one controller at a time. Its too bad the Wii is dead in the water, because Nintendo needs a new console like yesterday, so they have to rush something out ASAP. If it weren't for the Wii being dead I'd say they should wait until they can get this right before they release it, even if it means delaying it for another year. A delayed console is good eventually, but a rushed console is terrible forever.
There's still a decent chance that the will still be capable of supporting two 'U Tablets' locally, if a developer chooses support that method
What I'm hoping now is that Nintendo will offer some screenless blue-tooth enabled Wavebird type controllers, so local multiplayer may be possible with that.
What I'm hoping now is that Nintendo will offer some screenless blue-tooth enabled Wavebird type controllers, so local multiplayer may be possible with that.
If you're willing to accept that, what's wrong with Wii remotes? I know they have fewer buttons but most local multiplayer is just fine on the Wii without shoulder buttons etc (imo.)
We all know Sony is going to rip this off at some point like they always do. Maybe when Sony rips it off they will do it right and allow more than one controller at a time. Its too bad the Wii is dead in the water, because Nintendo needs a new console like yesterday, so they have to rush something out ASAP. If it weren't for the Wii being dead I'd say they should wait until they can get this right before they release it, even if it means delaying it for another year. A delayed console is good eventually, but a rushed console is terrible forever.
I could be mistaken since I'm more focused on Nintendo news... but didn't Sony already announce this with PSV to PS3 connectivity?
There's still a decent chance that the will still be capable of supporting two 'U Tablets' locally, if a developer chooses support that method
Developers won't be supporting that method if it's impossible to even purchase a second Wii U controller by itself: http://www.maxconsole.net/content.php?46023-Wii-U-Controller-and-Console-must-be-purchased-together (http://www.maxconsole.net/content.php?46023-Wii-U-Controller-and-Console-must-be-purchased-together)
There's still a decent chance that the will still be capable of supporting two 'U Tablets' locally, if a developer chooses support that method
Developers won't be supporting that method if it's impossible to even purchase a second Wii U controller by itself: http://www.maxconsole.net/content.php?46023-Wii-U-Controller-and-Console-must-be-purchased-together (http://www.maxconsole.net/content.php?46023-Wii-U-Controller-and-Console-must-be-purchased-together)
Not necessarily, since friends could still bring over the 'U Tab' that came from their console. If they can, someone likely will at least support the option... they just won't design their game around it.
For the guys who already hate the tablet then classic controller pros will be right up their ally. For me I want 4 of those tablets just to be greedy.
See I was under the impression that we would get new Crystal Cronicle and 4 swords type games with this controller. I'm sure we will, but I want it localy in my living room. I hate playing FPSs and Racing games on split screen now so one tablet for that is just fine. I just feel like 2d local side scrollers like DKC, Mario Bros, Sonic, and 4Swords type games can potentially suffer with out an extra couple tablets. But after processing it a bit more maybe 4Swords and Cronicles will suffer and the others wont. I'm conflicted.
For the guys who already hate the tablet then classic controller pros will be right up their ally. For me I want 4 of those tablets just to be greedy.
See I was under the impression that we would get new Crystal Cronicle and 4 swords type games with this controller. I'm sure we will, but I want it localy in my living room. I hate playing FPSs and Racing games on split screen now so one tablet for that is just fine. I just feel like 2d local side scrollers like DKC, Mario Bros, Sonic, and 4Swords type games can potentially suffer with out an extra couple tablets. But after processing it a bit more maybe 4Swords and Cronicles will suffer and the others wont. I'm conflicted.
I kept trying to warn people not to get their hopes set on that idea... instead I got attacked.
There's still a decent chance that the will still be capable of supporting two 'U Tablets' locally, if a developer chooses support that method
Developers won't be supporting that method if it's impossible to even purchase a second Wii U controller by itself: http://www.maxconsole.net/content.php?46023-Wii-U-Controller-and-Console-must-be-purchased-together (http://www.maxconsole.net/content.php?46023-Wii-U-Controller-and-Console-must-be-purchased-together)
Not necessarily, since friends could still bring over the 'U Tab' that came from their console. If they can, someone likely will at least support the option... they just won't design their game around it.
Perhaps, but the operating system still needs to be designed to allow multiple video streams to multiple controllers. Even if the hardware is capable of it, that doesn't guarantee that it's something developers can implement.
I don't think the specs are completely fixed or released yet, so there is still wiggle room for two controllers with real time video. The limiting factor right now has to be wireless bandwidth. While I am sure there are better wireless setups out there, currently with most home solutions don't have the bandwidth or stability to stream an AVI/MP4 file in SD resolutions to watch in real time. This is a compressed stream. Now you have to send Full/HD video wirelessly, in realtime, in a near/lossless manner that either require little or no processing to decode by the controller to save battery power. I can't speculate as to how the technical wizardry behind this, but considering the number of prerequisites, it's fairly bleeding edge.
A quick search turns this place (http://www.wirelesshd.org/about/faqs/) up. It might not be the same tech, but the idea is related.
However, what hasn't been discounted is the use of two or more WiiU controllers at the same time with the screen in some fashion. It maybe possible to have some sort of interface on two controllers, but they may no longer display real time video with acceptable lag or some drastic cut in resolution. That would still allow for all the Madden plays and what not between two teams.
For the guys who already hate the tablet then classic controller pros will be right up their ally. For me I want 4 of those tablets just to be greedy.
See I was under the impression that we would get new Crystal Cronicle and 4 swords type games with this controller. I'm sure we will, but I want it localy in my living room. I hate playing FPSs and Racing games on split screen now so one tablet for that is just fine. I just feel like 2d local side scrollers like DKC, Mario Bros, Sonic, and 4Swords type games can potentially suffer with out an extra couple tablets. But after processing it a bit more maybe 4Swords and Cronicles will suffer and the others wont. I'm conflicted.
I kept trying to warn people not to get their hopes set on that idea... instead I got attacked.
You never got attacked. It was a civil debate on what people thought would be revealed. You were wrong about most of it and got one aspect of it correct. But the over all image you were trying to paint is more accurate than the individual statements you were making.
[As for you, you either just misunderstood what I meant, or simply chose to put words in my mouth in attempts to discredit me (I never said the tablet wouldn't be focus of the new console-- I was saying we needed to keep an open mind and not assume it was the main or only control input and suggested that it could take the backseat other control methods-- which, depending how you look at it, it apparently will on occasion). As far as overall premise goes, I was 100% right.
I'm still quite confident that you're all kidding yourselves because you want to believe a local multi-player design could work, and not because you realistically think it will.
At this point, I expect this touch screen controller is going to be primarily, if not exclusively, for single player experiences (not counting online), and for giving you an option of playing away from the TV. It'll likely be an auxiliary controller, not the main controller-- which will most likely be another pointer-based controller (which works well for both single player experiences and multi-player parlor games anyway). This touch screen controller will appeal mainly to gamers. I don't see the casual crowd flocking to it, and I don't see Nintendo willing to lose them. Nintendo will be trying to lure in both. That's where this secondary controller comes in... It certainly won't be designed around multi-player.
You say it's kinda silly to assume what will definitely be the center point of the console won't be the main controller... That's assuming its intended purpose was to be a controller. I don't believe that to be the case. If its main intended function was for streaming and we just misinterpreted the leaked reports, then it's not silly at all. In fact, the idea that we'd be expected to have to likely pay $100 for each controller, is a lot sillier.
[As for you, you either just misunderstood what I meant, or simply chose to put words in my mouth in attempts to discredit me (I never said the tablet wouldn't be focus of the new console-- I was saying we needed to keep an open mind and not assume it was the main or only control input and suggested that it could take the backseat other control methods-- which, depending how you look at it, it apparently will on occasion). As far as overall premise goes, I was 100% right.I'm still quite confident that you're all kidding yourselves because you want to believe a local multi-player design could work, and not because you realistically think it will.
At this point, I expect this touch screen controller is going to be primarily, if not exclusively, for single player experiences (not counting online), and for giving you an option of playing away from the TV. It'll likely be an auxiliary controller, not the main controller-- which will most likely be another pointer-based controller (which works well for both single player experiences and multi-player parlor games anyway). This touch screen controller will appeal mainly to gamers. I don't see the casual crowd flocking to it, and I don't see Nintendo willing to lose them. Nintendo will be trying to lure in both. That's where this secondary controller comes in... It certainly won't be designed around multi-player.You say it's kinda silly to assume what will definitely be the center point of the console won't be the main controller... That's assuming its intended purpose was to be a controller. I don't believe that to be the case. If its main intended function was for streaming and we just misinterpreted the leaked reports, then it's not silly at all. In fact, the idea that we'd be expected to have to likely pay $100 for each controller, is a lot sillier.
You were saying...?
"We're considering our options with maybe two screens," Eguchi told Kotaku, who said he considers multiple New Controller games to be "an interesting idea." That would mean games that used two new Wii U controllers.
OK look at this. Again I say it is possible for at least 2 which thinking about it now is fine by me. 4 tablets sounds like it is not going to happen.
http://kotaku.com/5809706/nintendo-looking-into-games-that-support-two-new-controllersQuote"We're considering our options with maybe two screens," Eguchi told Kotaku, who said he considers multiple New Controller games to be "an interesting idea." That would mean games that used two new Wii U controllers.
stuff....
I'm thinking bluetooth's seven device limit is the reason for one :siren: controller per console. Four remotes, one balance board, and one :siren: controller makes six. I'm actually kind of surprised the thing doesn't have to plug into a remote, but that would prevent several of the tech demos from working.
I'm thinking bluetooth's seven device limit is the reason for one :siren: controller per console. Four remotes, one balance board, and one :siren: controller makes six. I'm actually kind of surprised the thing doesn't have to plug into a remote, but that would prevent several of the tech demos from working.
But 4 wiimote + 1 balance board + 2 uScreens = 7
so why would a 7 item limit stop a second screen?
I'm thinking bluetooth's seven device limit is the reason for one :siren: controller per console. Four remotes, one balance board, and one :siren: controller makes six. I'm actually kind of surprised the thing doesn't have to plug into a remote, but that would prevent several of the tech demos from working.
But 4 wiimote + 1 balance board + 2 uScreens = 7
so why would a 7 item limit stop a second screen?
In his example, the UuuuWiii would be the seventh.
It doesn't make sense to have a controller for one person.I agree. However, Nintendo does a lot of things that don't make sense. 1 slide pad on 3DS? /never-ending facepalm
Is it 7 Registered Devices or 7 Devices going?
I'm sure it was a joke just so he had an excuse to post the sirens, but the Wuu is providing the bluetooth therefore wouldn't be one of the devices right?
And even if it was, who would use 4 wiimotes and 1 balance board plus 2 uScreens all at the same time? I couldn't imagine the CrAzY ass game that would support/use/require that.
The system isn't coming out for a while and it looked pretty early into the design stage, I mean they didn't even have any actual games to show. So I think that as Nintendo starts to create games for the system, they will considering adding support for another screen controller. I don't know if they'll make it be up to four, but probably will allow for two once all is said and done.Streaming content to an additional controller is more of a hardware issue. Nintendo needs to make that decision sooner rather than later because there's only so much time for IBM and AMD to alter their designs. Microsoft did something similar with 360 when they doubled the RAM at the 11th hour. The problem is that eventually these chips need to start being manufactured so Nintendo really has to get on the ball. Additionally, it allows 3rd parties to plan their games around it.
6:57:02: Now time for a multiplayer demo. This second guy is using a Classic Controller Pro; they are playing locally, on the same system
Nintendo may even face lawsuits from people getting hurt fighting for control over it.
Q: Will players use two touchscreen controllers or will they use just one new controller and the original Wii controls with the new console?
A: Our basic premise is that you can use one with a system. If we got to an idea of having multiple (controllers) it might be just more convenient for people to use their Nintendo 3DS and have a way to connect that.
That being said, we are doing research about if someone brings their controller to their friends house and they want to play together on Wii U to whether or not something like that would be possible.
lolNintendo may even face lawsuits from people getting hurt fighting for control over it.At the risk of sounding like a jerk, this is complete fucking nonsense.
lolNintendo may even face lawsuits from people getting hurt fighting for control over it.At the risk of sounding like a jerk, this is complete fucking nonsense.
Here in US of A that has a large likability of happening. People don't want to take responsibilities for themselves and want a Pay Day but, mostly lawyers need something to do and Class Action are very lucrative to lawyers, no one else gets anything from it.
All the Wiimote lawsuits of controllers being launched from kids hands. Some of those are fighting based.Please show me a precedent of a lawsuit against a company on the grounds that their product is so popular that kids fight over it.lolNintendo may even face lawsuits from people getting hurt fighting for control over it.At the risk of sounding like a jerk, this is complete fucking nonsense.
Here in US of A that has a large likability of happening. People don't want to take responsibilities for themselves and want a Pay Day but, mostly lawyers need something to do and Class Action are very lucrative to lawyers, no one else gets anything from it.
All the Wiimote lawsuits of controllers being launched from kids hands. Some of those are fighting based.
But they've presumably got over a year to fix this. I hope developers, gamers, websites, magazines and all of their dogs raise hell about it. I hope the stock price drop helps convince. Whatever it takes.
I liked the Boomerang.But they've presumably got over a year to fix this. I hope developers, gamers, websites, magazines and all of their dogs raise hell about it. I hope the stock price drop helps convince. Whatever it takes.
The feedback from gamers is going to be largely negative to the one controller set up, so hopefully that is enough to convince Nintendo to do 2. Hey, if Sony could ditch those ridiculous boomerang controllers, Nintendo can give us at least two for the WiiU.
I've noticed that BlackNMild2k1 and I have been saying basically the same thing lately. I'm beginning to think he's (my much more attractive and charming) doppleganger (who posts more gifs). This is weird. Get out of my head, you freak!
I still don't see how Nintendo comes up with the idea for this uScreen controller and doesn't immediately think at minimum 2 player local multi.
If this was any other company I would be surprised.
Nintendo comes across as a very isolated company.
@Chozo - I don't think that's the case. We keep seeing up to 5 people playing WiiU, one with the tablet controller and 4 with Wii remotes. They're clearly pushing local multiplayer. If Nintendo sticks with the single tablet controller per console route, it will be seen as a major oversight by everyone but Nintendo. It's literally inexcusable.
But doesn't being isolated mean that you get in set in your ways and don't change? This is a change. Losing local multiplayer is a BIG change. Its just not a change for the better.
I'm still not quite sure why this was addressed to me. You begin by explaining the name which I don't recall suggesting I was confused about. Then, you tell me not to get bent out of shape over the name which doesn't have anything to do with the post you quoted. If this is referring to other topics, I've stated several times that I'm okay with the name. I think it's silly but it doesn't change how I view the console. I flat-out liked what I was during E3. None of the conferences blew me away, including Nintendo's and I completely accepted tje WiiU reveal for what it was, a simple console announcement. A stupid sounding name isn't the problem. A lot of things sound stupid the first time you here them. My only worry with the WiiU name was if it would confuse general consumers which include casual gamers. I originally brought it up as a point of discussion, to move the conversation away from "Ugh, the name is stupid" to "The name might actually affect sales and here's why."@Chozo - I don't think that's the case. We keep seeing up to 5 people playing WiiU, one with the tablet controller and 4 with Wii remotes. They're clearly pushing local multiplayer. If Nintendo sticks with the single tablet controller per console route, it will be seen as a major oversight by everyone but Nintendo. It's literally inexcusable.
There actually is method to (what at least on the surface may appear to be) their madness:
As I tried to explain even before the unveiling, because the Wii was was an overwhelming success, and since the multiplayer model (party-type games) was the main source of that success, it made the most sense not to significantly change it.
The thing they needed to address this time around was the lack of serious single-player experiences from third parties, who instead flocked to Sony's and Microsoft's condoles since their traditional controllers didn't force them to make special accommodations for each game, and their HD capabilities meant they wouldn't have to take the extra effort having squeeze more from less visual-wise.
Even though Nintendo found ways to make the uTab appeal to the casual crowd as well, the overall concept seems focused around single player experiences. Since it's far more practical to gather four players in front of a TV for short group sessions than for a single person for several hours, a tablet that can stream away from a TV makes the most sense for that purpose. Nintendo even acknowledged this with the name:
Wii "We" (plural)-- the multiplayer focus
+
U "You" (singular)-- the single player focus
If I had to guess, I'd say Nintendo's official names for the hardware included in the box will be the following: 1 "U Tablet", 1 "Wii Remote", and the "Wii U console" (as it will be supporting the two controllers).
Focusing multiplayer to use more traditional controllers with buttons and dual analog wouldn't have been practical (plus, I'm not even sure the technology for four-screen streaming is even feasible yet).
Don't get too bent out of shape about it. Even though it seems ridiculous now, people said the same thing when they first revealed name "Wii" five years ago. Just like you, those people were not only looking at it from a hardcore gamer's perspective, but also with the preconceived notion of the name "Revolution"... And look how badly it hurt Nintendo in the end (sarcasm).
Mark my words, this is the exact same situation-- Five years from now you'll barely remember ever being bothered by it...
I'm still not quite sure why this was addressed to me. You begin by explaining the name which I don't recall suggesting I was confused about. Then, you tell me not to get bent out of shape over the name which doesn't have anything to do with the post you quoted. If this is referring to other topics, I've stated several times that I'm okay with the name. I think it's silly but it doesn't change how I view the console. I flat-out liked what I was during E3. None of the conferences blew me away, including Nintendo's and I completely accepted tje WiiU reveal for what it was, a simple console announcement. A stupid sounding name isn't the problem. A lot of things sound stupid the first time you here them. My only worry with the WiiU name was if it would confuse general consumers which include casual gamers. I originally brought it up as a point of discussion, to move the conversation away from "Ugh, the name is stupid" to "The name might actually affect sales and here's why."
I plan on buying WiiU eventually. I don't think Nintendo is changing the name though I think we'll see some minor tweaks to the controller before launch and the console may be a placeholder (nothing major). However, I think the WiiU name put more pressure on Nintendo to market the console as new hardware as opposed to something for the Wii.
QuoteI still don't see how Nintendo comes up with the idea for this uScreen controller and doesn't immediately think at minimum 2 player local multi.
If this was any other company I would be surprised. It seems like such an obvious thing to at least think of and yet we suggest it and their response is "Hey! I never thought of that!" But because it's Nintendo I'm not surprised. Nintendo comes across as a very isolated company. Probably all the higher ups think the same way and outside ideas rarely penetrate their walls. Thus they miss obvious stuff.
AMD demonstrating HD streaming tech.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF8omefUZik
No, I think they're still working against technical limitations in their streaming graphics technology. I don't have any proof at all, but my hunch is that their current tech CAN stream screen data to two controllers at once... If those two controllers show the exact same image. The controllers they have now probably don't have the cpu guts to do anything but throw exactly what they receive up on the screen, for price, power consumption, but probably performance reasons: any amount of processing would introduce lag.
It's not a processing limitation, it's a limitation on the bandwidth available for streaming the video to the controller.
All the individual tablets would still have to do is display the image from its designated signal just as in the single-tablet scenario. I'm not getting why you'd think multiple tablets would change that.
That may be why Nintendo didn't really think about having multiple uScreens per console before hand, but the truth is, if AMD can solve this problem, then their product really stands out against the other competing techs for functionality.I'm sure they thought of it. It's the first thing anyone thinks of. Nintendo was going to include the tech whether AMD (or whoever) could come up with a viable workaround to this issue. Makes sense. It's a really great feature that has never been done like this before. I would say the screen has more potential than motion controls specifically for the social aspect of it.
Here's a bit of info I picked up from Ubisoft: http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressions/26757
I'm sure they thought of it. It's the first thing anyone thinks of.
