29 replies to this topic

[DéliopT]

I doubt such model can work on the console market.

The mobile market is more than big to accomodate yearly offers. Not only that, but people can`t live without a cellphone/tablet (calls, sms, photos, videos, apps, etc.). All consoles "do" is play games. That`s the core business of the gaming market.

 

If you offer gamers a new console every year or every year and make the games for the new console also available on the old one, you are telling a part of your market that it can wait 2 years before the new model comes. You would always tell a part of your market to hold on. And seeing as that market isn`t that big, you most likely wouldn´t be able to actually profit (mainly because on the investment in R&D for consoles and games).
Again, if the market was as big as the mobile market, it could work. But it isn`t.

 

About the downscaling idea, i think it will happen, but between the new console and new handheld.

Merging HW and SW divisions just to build a common OS and architecture wouldn`t be taking advantage of everything that operation can bring. To take full advantage it would require Nintendo to streamline production. And that`s exactly what i see Nintendo doing.

They showed that they no longer see consoles as platforms but as means to an end (their new vision for what platform stands for).

[MorbidGod]

What do PC games do? Every game runs up on x86 and software layers like directx or opengl for advanced graphic work.
I wonder why it's so easy to develop p4 and pv games side-by side, i've never given it any thought.
You think Nintendo are just going to make a firmware update for wii u what makes them a cpu and gpu middlemens?

Currently, with PC games, you can choose high and low graphic settings. So, in theory, Nintendo and developers could release the game for "Wii UX" and the Wii U would, jn theory, be able to play the game. I say in theory because Nintendo would have to use the same OS on both platforms and let the developers do that.

My take, however, on what Iwata is trying to say is that this will include Wii U - that he wants to use that OS and architecture - for future handheld and home consoles. Plus, a possible third platform that we don't know about (If I had to guess, a cell phone or tablet).

Which, even if the fusion rumor of the release date isn't current - which, with this info it could be - this is GREAT news from Nintendo. No more software draughts. And more platforms from Nintendo.

The part that scares me - and many people here - is with what he is saying, it's possible a new home console could come out as soon as tomorrow. It won't, of course, but could. And the could, in theory, update every year with a new home console.

Whether or nit they will, I don't know. But it's possible.

[Nollog]

Currently, with PC games, you can choose high and low graphic settings. So, in theory, Nintendo and developers could release the game for "Wii UX" and the Wii U would, jn theory, be able to play the game. I say in theory because Nintendo would have to use the same OS on both platforms and let the developers do that.

My take, however, on what Iwata is trying to say is that this will include Wii U - that he wants to use that OS and architecture - for future handheld and home consoles. Plus, a possible third platform that we don't know about (If I had to guess, a cell phone or tablet).

Which, even if the fusion rumor of the release date isn't current - which, with this info it could be - this is GREAT news from Nintendo. No more software draughts. And more platforms from Nintendo.

The part that scares me - and many people here - is with what he is saying, it's possible a new home console could come out as soon as tomorrow. It won't, of course, but could. And the could, in theory, update every year with a new home console.

Whether or nit they will, I don't know. But it's possible.

Why do they need to release new hardware to do that then?
Couldn't they have 3ds games run on "low" now?

No, they couldn't. Because they're completely different architecture.

I doubt such model can work on the console market.
The mobile market is more than big to accomodate yearly offers.

Who says they need to release a new console every year?
They want to be able to write smash bros. 5 once, and for 4ds and wiiu2 buyers to both be able to play it.

Edited by Nollog, 08 February 2014 - 01:40 PM.

[Mewbot]

At most I'd say Nintendo fusion is a new model of the Wii U, maybe cheaper, or with more storage.

[MorbidGod]

Why do they need to release new hardware to do that then?
Couldn't they have 3ds games run on "low" now?

No, they couldn't. Because they're completely different architecture.

Who says they need to release a new console every year?
They want to be able to write smash bros. 5 once, and for 4ds and wiiu2 buyers to both be able to play it.

One, you're right they are different architecture. Which is why Iwata said they are doing this NEXT Gen. Two, Iwata did state they are keeping the same architecture as the Wii U (IBM). Three, it appears he is talking more on the same OS, and keeping the same OS as the Wii U. Finally, just because the CPU is different doesn't mean apps and games can't work on the same platform. Look at Windows 8. Yes, some apps like Firefox and Chrome can not work on both ARM and x87, but a lot of apps are designed to work on both processors. Just like will happen with Nintendo.

Now, whether or not the Wii U will play the newer games is speculation on my part. It's how I read what Iwata is saying. But he is vague and confusing, like usual when he isn't talking directly to us the consumer. So we'll see.

[Lebon14]

Didn't Iwata say that they would still release two consoles: one portable and one living room console? They did. What they said is that they wanted to build them with similar achitectures to create an ecosystem similar to Android and iOS. There were no plans to make a two-in-one console here...

 

...I feel I'm missing the point of this thread.

[Arkhandar]

One, you're right they are different architecture. Which is why Iwata said they are doing this NEXT Gen. Two, Iwata did state they are keeping the same architecture as the Wii U (IBM). Three, it appears he is talking more on the same OS, and keeping the same OS as the Wii U. Finally, just because the CPU is different doesn't mean apps and games can't work on the same platform. Look at Windows 8. Yes, some apps like Firefox and Chrome can not work on both ARM and x87, but a lot of apps are designed to work on both processors. Just like will happen with Nintendo.

Now, whether or not the Wii U will play the newer games is speculation on my part. It's how I read what Iwata is saying. But he is vague and confusing, like usual when he isn't talking directly to us the consumer. So we'll see.

 

Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Phone 8 are completely different OS's with the same face. There's a lot more developement work to do cross-platform with those.

 

Iwata's comments seem to indicate that Nintendo's next gen systems will have the same CPU/GPU (APU probably) architecture, most likely ARM to keep costs down, especially on the handheld side.

 

How they're going to fully absorb the Wii U architecture into that is a mistery to me. Emulation maybe?

[MorbidGod]

Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Phone 8 are completely different OS's with the same face. There's a lot more developement work to do cross-platform with those.

Iwata's comments seem to indicate that Nintendo's next gen systems will have the same CPU/GPU (APU probably) architecture, most likely ARM to keep costs down, especially on the handheld side.

How they're going to fully absorb the Wii U architecture into that is a mistery to me. Emulation maybe?

I wouldn't be surprised to see Nintendo make the move to ARM. We know Microsoft considered that move as well. If they want backwards compatibility all they need is to have the IBM Processor built in. Easy.

However, Windows 8.1 - both versions (they've moved away from saying "RT" now) - have apps that work on both platforms. For instance, Microsoft Office is on all three you mentioned. With ARM tablets and WP8 it's a built in feature. My Dell Venue Pro 8 plays Hydeo Thunder, and so did my HTC Arrive WP7 Mango device (game is not available on WP8 though :/ ). But, that is because - as I stated - these apps are designed to work across platforms. At the time of this writing, Mozilla and Google haven't supported the ARM version of Windows yet.

But, unless Nintendo decides to move to ARM or x87 (or IBM makes mobile processors now), developers will have to develop two versions of the game some how. But again m. Iwata isn't clear so we'll see.

Didn't Iwata say that they would still release two consoles: one portable and one living room console? They did. What they said is that they wanted to build them with similar achitectures to create an ecosystem similar to Android and iOS. There were no plans to make a two-in-one console here...

...I feel I'm missing the point of this thread.

Actually, no ... Iwata said he wanted to make a platform, but he doesn't know the form factors yet. It could be one, two or three devices. Listen to the video that shows the exact quotes. They may go completely mobile. Completely home console. Or add a "third pillar". We'll just have to wait and see.

The original point was to discuss the possibility of not having gaps in software and to see how people would react if Nintendo went the way I take Iwatas comments. Case in point there. .. People don't like it.

[Ghost]

I think they should make a console with stronger ties to their next handheld. It worked a bit for the PS3 and Vita but I think Nintendo could do it better. Also they need a proper designer and go back to traditional standard of console making. I feel a lot of people still felt stiffed by the Wii. 

[Alex Atkin UK]

"one platform across multiple devices" sounds more like having Wii U games run on a 3DS-like device.  In fact that would be one good reason for keeping Nintendo home consoles somewhat low powered, so that they can make a comparable portable and you buy the game on one device and automatically get it on the other.

 

Basically its the same principle as what Sony have already done with a few indie games, you buy it on PS3 and get the Vita version bundled in.  It DOES however depends on you buying all your games as downloads.  Then again, Nintendo prices would actually be REASONABLE if you got both versions, they are only pricey when you consider its for a single platform and retail sells cheaper.

 

This is actually something I have been waiting for since Xbox 360 launched as Microsoft were talking about it but it never really got anywhere.  Sony beat them to it in actually implementing it but sadly its still not happening for retail games, its too profitable to charge us twice.

Edited by Alex Atkin UK, 10 February 2014 - 07:18 AM.