Shin'en interview: Nano Assault Neo, dev philosophy, Wii U hardware potential
#1
Posted 03 November 2012 - 06:36 AM
Not Enough Shaders has a pretty thorough interview Shin’en regarding their upcoming Wii U project Nano Assault Neo. The interview covers the project, Shin'en's business philosophy, Wii U hardware, and a few other bits and pieces.
It coves a whooole lot, and is worth a read, but here's a few points of interest from the interview.
Nano Assault Neo
- Online leaderboards, 'survivor' mode, local two player.
- Tunnel sequences from 3DS version not present in Neo, instead replaced with tunnel 'races'.
- Uses the 'C-Engine', an engine Shin'en has used on around 17 games.
- In two player mode, the GamePad camera captures the second player (on the GamePad) playing, and displays this image on the TV for the first player to see. Image captures at 30fps. Can be disabled.
- 'Missions' take place of achievements. Missions success is ranked online.
- 100mb download size.
- 5.1 LPCM surround sound audio.
- Hoping for launch day and low price.
- Loading times almost reduced to zero.
eStore/Digital
- Made profit on WiiWare, but felt the market was too small. Feels the 3DS eStore is a sign of Nintendo taking digital more seriously.
- Feels Nintendo is "listening to feedback", including from developers.
- Had no restrictions from Nintendo in terms of size, content and gameplay for their digital titles.
Wii U Hardware/Tech
- Hardware avoids "typical bottlenecks", such as RAM latency.
- GPU "quite open".
- Hardware has good optimisation potential, and components well balanced.
- Have had no problems with the CPU/GPU combination. Feels they're a "good match".
- GamePad streaming and camera capture do not put a burden on the CPU/GPU.
- Nano Assault Neo using a few tricks that are not possible on current generation hardware. States the modern Wii U GPU is capable of effects that can make Wii U games look better than any game on current generation hardware.
- Audio DPS used for 3D audio and lowpass filtering.
- Excited to see what developers do with the hardware over the years.
Design/Company Philosophy
- Big focus on framerate. Always aim for 60fps.
- Enhancements made to the C-Engine for one game can then be used in other games on other platforms.
- Enjoy independent, smaller working versus larger, contractual working. Allows for full ownership of properties and engines, and full control of project direction.
- Influenced by arcade games from the 80s/90s.
- Enjoy first party Nintendo games. Thought Journey was really great.
- Happy with their relationship with Nintendo.
- Developing Jett Rocket for 3DS. Hoping to release it in the next few months. Planning another Wii U game, to be announced early next year.
The entire interview can be read here.
#2
Posted 03 November 2012 - 06:43 AM
EDIT: I took a closer look and noticed something
- 'Missions' take place of achievements. Missions success is ranked online.
Does this mean that the Wii U system achievements that were previously confirmed won't be supported? Reggie (or Iwata, I don't remember) previously stated that Developers were not obligated to use them and can be used freely? Perhaps Shin'en did this so that they can include their own game leader boards?
Edited by Heyheyharold, 03 November 2012 - 06:48 AM.
We foot will rebel one day.
#3
Posted 03 November 2012 - 07:54 AM
Made profit on WiiWare
Good to hear that.
Looking forward to NA Neo, I would be happy if thier unannounced Wii U game turned out to be a traditional platformer game (I don't know why I did say that).
by Cerberuz
My Wii U games wishlist:
Disaster 2 - F-Zero U - Eternal Darkness 2 - Madworld 2 - Beyond Good and Evil 2 (Wii U version)
#4
Posted 04 November 2012 - 10:52 AM
"Let's dance, boys!"
- Bayonetta
#5
Posted 04 November 2012 - 10:59 AM
Yeah It will be mine as well.Nano Assault Neo will be the first Wii U game that I'll be downloading at the system's launch.
- uPadWatcher2 likes this
#6
Posted 04 November 2012 - 11:29 AM
#7
Posted 04 November 2012 - 11:39 AM
I already have Nano Assault on 3DS... I'd like to get this, but I'm worried it'd be the same game with some extras that could've been dlc...
Nano Assault NEO will be completely different from the 3DS version of the original.
"Let's dance, boys!"
- Bayonetta
#8
Posted 04 November 2012 - 11:42 AM
Oh, I guess I was thinking of EX. I didn't realize there were two new ones. ><Nano Assault NEO will be completely different from the 3DS version of the original.
#9
Posted 05 November 2012 - 04:55 AM
They did say heavy procediral asset generation, so maybe it IS mb.
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