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"The Nintendo Minute: Vol. 17"Quote
This week's question: Nintendo has stressed time and again that Revolution's most innovative element is its still-unshown controller. However, what's to stop competitors from simply copying the device?
Perrin Kaplan, vice president of marketing and corporate affairs, Nintendo of America: The entire controller will be remarkably innovative. We're working on something that truly will provide a unique gameplay experience. That's our goal -- to not only have a unique controller, but introduce a new way to enjoy games. We'll have to see if its innovation inspires others to creativity as well. And remember, we are securing the appropriate intellectual property rights for the product.
"...to not only have a unique controller, but to introduce a new way to enjoy games"Alright, they keep pressing this point and it's, what I think, exactly what they need to gain back some of their market share in the console race next gen. They keep saying look at the DS for a hint at the Rev. and this must be the part they are referring to. They aren't hinting at the DS's unique features being similar or the same as the Rev's, but rather they are probably showing us that creating a new way to "enjoy games" is what is needed to bring forth a true revolution. I simply don't see either of Sony's or MS's next consoles as anything "revolutionary" because they have simply taken what they were the last gen and improved in all the areas they thought were important...all but the area that really only Nintendo seems to care about: CONTROL. How are games going to be really any different then they are this gen? On those systems they really can't be imo. Sure better specs leads to more options but the jump isn't quite what I'd consider a revolution.
Now then, look at Nintendo. If they do, indeed, offer a new and innovative way to control games and are the only ones with this feature they will be in a class of their own. Games made on the Rev, for the Rev, won't be able to be ported to any other console if these games make use of the unique features. Sure the controls could be revamped but it truely won't be the same. The best part is, though, it won't be a two way street. Nintendo's console will probably be able to run every game made for the other consoles. Even if there may need to be graphical adjustments I'm willing to bet any game could be ported over one way or the other. By doing this Nintendo will have (as they seem to bring up quite often) actually placed themself outside of the other consoles direct line of fire and will have created an entirely new entity.
"...we are securing the appropriate intellectual property rights for the product."This is something I don't think a lot of people are remembering. If done correctly, Nintendo could secure this technology to be used on their consoles and only their consoles. The worry could be though that there will be a loophole or work-around discovered like in the past and their product will be copied. I really hope their patent will be thorough enough to ward off such attempts...at least for this next gen.
And last but not least, my favorite part,
"The entire controller will be remarkably innovative." This leads me to believe that there is definately going to be some of the cool rumored features in the controller. 'Remarkable' is a very strong word and simply a cool controller design or a scroll wheel isn't going to warrant this label. So what made the cut? Gyros? Heat/cold "zones"? Haptics (enhanced rumble/controller movement)? Squeez zones? Man...please Iwataton don't let me down!