Nintendo Revolution: Possible Gyroscopic Controllers?

[hezeuschrist]

I've been surfing around and have seen talk of there being a gyroscope in Nintendo's next controllers. When the DS was announced, most everyone said, "WTF?" So do you think, if this is a reality, that it's a good idea or will it flop like the DS has thus far?

[Link_Chrono]

Can someone please explain to me what a Gyroscopic controller is? :embarrassed:

[hezeuschrist]

Nintendo is rumored to have licensed this companys hardware/software

http://www.gyration.com/

I have the mouse and it works flawlessly. That is, I can hold it off the desk and move my pointer by moving my hand. In games it could be used to control a character, vehicle, or aim simply by literally moving the controller.

[Link_Chrono]

Maybe this is Nintendo's response to people who move the controller around when playing racing games and the like, in an attempt to move the character around more... That sounds like a pretty nifty idea in my opinion.

[Kid Ice]

I have one of those Gyration sets...the mouse works really well but there is a big learning curve. It's hard to be accurate with it. EDIT: I mean when holding it in the air.

It does have some interesting gaming applications though. You can play a target shooting game and it functions very realistically by holding it like a gun.

I hope N's not going w/ rechargeable wireless controllers. I'd hate to not be able to play because the controller isn't charged.

[eightbitonline]

so... it's the 21st century's version of the power glove?

[GobopopRevisited]

I hope N's not going w/ rechargeable wireless controllers. I'd hate to not be able to play because the controller isn't charged.

Well Wavebirds have about a 20 hour life on 2AAs... I'm sure your not going to have too many 20 hour gaming sessions. You can always recharge when your done playing... My biggest complaint about the Wavebird is that it doesn't have a charger. Nintendo's best bet is to use a battery similar to whats in GBASP and DS, and I bet they are doing just that.

Oh, and the whole Gyration thing would be pretty cool.

[Kid Ice]

I hope N's not going w/ rechargeable wireless controllers. I'd hate to not be able to play because the controller isn't charged.

Well Wavebirds have about a 20 hour life on 2AAs... I'm sure your not going to have too many 20 hour gaming sessions. You can always recharge when your done playing... My biggest complaint about the Wavebird is that it doesn't have a charger. Nintendo's best bet is to use a battery similar to whats in GBASP and DS, and I bet they are doing just that.

Oh, and the whole Gyration thing would be pretty cool.

Actually, I'd be OK with a charger if there were an option for AA batteries (like the Gyration mouse has a separate battery attachment).

What I don't want is to go to play a game and find out that I forgot to charge the battery on the controller.

[robotriot]

Gyroscope controller sounds very cool, especially for flying games :)

Regarding the rechargeable issue, it would probably be nice to have a lithium battery like in the GBA SP/DS that can be recharged with a powercord which is the controllercord at the same time. This way, you only need the one cable to the console, which acts both as a dataline if you want to play wired, and it transfers the power to recharge the battery for wireless use later.

[Zadoc]

When Nintendo start saying things like this:

"March 4, 2005 - In a recent interview with overseas trade publication MCV, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata talked about the company's forthcoming home console, codenamed Revolution. Iwata reiterated that the platform would be fundamentally different from other game systems, and said that its unique make-up could potentially alienate third party publishers, or in contrast draw them in." Source: http://cube.ign.com/articles/593/593733p1.html

It makes me worry.

Information did leak around Christmas that the Revolution would have no A/B buttons or a D-pad. Source: http://cube.ign.com/articles/575/575714p1.htm

If they're worried about losing out on third party support then they are radically changing the way that the Revolution works. The most fundamental design in the past two decades of gaming is the control pad, which really hasn't made too many advances; it's been the same basic idea since the NES.

If Nintendo are going to make some kind of a shocking change it will have to do with the controls.

If developers have to come up with entirely new ways to control a game, they may be turned off. It may not even be possible, for example, to port popular multi-console games like Prince of Persia or THPS (for examples) to the Revolution due to the control scheme.

I am seriously worried for Nintendo, and it's not that I want them to fail, but they keep doing things over and over which are really a turn off to gamers. I am worried that the DS might not catch on too well as the touch screen is more of a novelty than a revolution in game control. In my opinion the PSP is poised to steal the majority of the handheld market by Christmas 2007.

If whatever makes the Revolution revolutionary flops, then Nintendo will hit the dirt as well and most likely join Sega in the third party publishing biz.

Developers need to make not just a game that is good, but one that also sells. If they have to design a game specifically for Revolution that won't be workable on PS3 or Xbox 2 then there's at least two thirds of the market that they won't be able to reach.

[crazyjackcsa]

Didn't sega have something like that planned for Nights? that's why the controller could be seperated from the cord with the 3d pad.

[hezeuschrist]

Wow, I'm kinda suprised how the poll is turning out thus far. I didn't think it'd be so close on all fronts.

Just imagine pinpoint precision in RE4 by moving your controller while aiming... I think it'd be unbelievable. The mouse I've got now works flawlessly and I KNOW they could translate it fantastically to game software, but the only thing that remains is for the developers to take advantage of it.

Thats also what everyone said about the DS and even though there's been big talks of tons of developers for the DS, there have been no games. The PSP has more games in one day of release than the DS does in 5 months, so it really all remains to be seen how it'll pan out.

[Dahne]

It's a very interesting idea. I constantly catch myself twisting the controller around during tough jumps and such. :)

[Berty]

I fear change. It maky work, but my main interest is "traditional" games with traditional input mechanisms. Im getting too old for this s?:%

I think that this will make the system more niche. It may just be nintendo's excuse for more mario party crap.

[Anexanhume]

Wasn't there also a touchscreen rumor?

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

I'm just going to purchase the optional Neural Interface module and be done with it. I'm sure I'll get used to the two needle-like diodes burrowing into my frontal cortex in a week or two - it may take the people around me a little bit longer to get used to it, though.

[Berty]

I'm just going to purchase the optional Neural Interface module and be done with it. I'm sure I'll get used to the two needle-like diodes burrowing into my frontal cortex in a week or two - it may take the people around me a little bit longer to get used to it, though.

I wish! I use 3d studio max and man would one of those come in handy!

[Dimitri]

Wasn't there also a touchscreen rumor?
Hoax.

I'm just going to purchase the optional Neural Interface module and be done with it. I'm sure I'll get used to the two needle-like diodes burrowing into my frontal cortex in a week or two - it may take the people around me a little bit longer to get used to it, though.
I've been waiting on this since I read Neuromancer... :D

[Jive3D]

I too have become incredibly worried about 'wtf is N thinking' as of late. At first I thought that the DS was a fantastic idea (and it is) but now with almost every game that I have played, the touchscreen does seem more like a novelty than a game necessity.

I will only buy DS games that take advantage of the individual features of the console, b/c that's why I bought it. I did NOT buy it so that I could play ROBOTS which is an IDENTICLE gaming experience when compared to it's GBA counterpart. IF developers continue to simply make DS games, but do not take advantage of the DS' features, then WHATS THE POINT? I would love to see what can truly be done with an original control scheme and using the touch screen as a sort of Morphable controller - not enough buttons on the DS for a particular game? Bingo, turn the touch screen into 4 additional buttons. I can't think of a million ideas for using the DS individual features, but that does not mean that I am not open minded enough to think that developers can come up with something. I've also been openminded enough (or maybe it was the Blind N fanboy within, following Gunpei Yoko's ghost's tune which lured me to buy the system and support it (which I have done)) only to be disapointed by a truly sad lack of games. There are a few okay ones, but nothing capable of supporting the system, ESPECIALLY now that the PSP is out.

This same argument can be taken right over the the Revolution front. Okay, it's going to be incredibly different, that's awesome. But so different as to ostrasize gamers & developers? Listen, Nintendo, I know that you made a killing on Hanafuda cards, shooting ranges, gameboy and love hotels. But the world of selling videogames does NOT work when you push those that are vital to your success AWAY from you! But still, I wait to see what they have up their sleeves, I know it will be interesting, but if this 'new way to play games' can only be applied to a few games, then that fact wont be able to support the system. The backwards compatibility says that there will be a way to interface with the Revolution in a traditional method (I'm guessing it will be compataible with Gamecube controllers) - But if game makers are going to make traditional games for this platform that has SO MUCH POTENTIAL (like the DS) then what is the point of going through all the trouble and making it so darn different when no one will truly take advantage of what it can do!? All I'm saying - all WE are saying is that this new interface, or whatever the hell it's going to be better be like second nature when I start to play. DK Jungle beat, is a very fun game, and the control scheme is different, yet simple and easy to understand (though I could not get past that guy with the egg looking thing on his head, where the little monkey is clapping).

I have faith. Remember when the Game & Watch series presented the Game & Watch VS System? That was a huge step in the way that I played my G&W, now I could share the experience at the same time rather than passing my Panoramic Snoopy Tennis back and forth with my friend, it was great! I think that creating community with games is really what the console market needs, Xbox live is not enough, its something that all the systems need to do. This has been the bread and butter of the DS ever since Chad Paulson started being a DICKHEAD back in October with his teaser crap making us think that the DS was going to be so wonderful (and it still has a chance to be wonderful, but it sure aint right now) But, it better not be too late once it does. The PSP already has games with TEETH! and the DS games are still only teething. Same can be said for the Gamecube - Resident Evil 4 is awesome! but we needed that at Launch along with Wind Waker & the NEW upcoming Zelda. IF the system is so capable, don't wait until the end of it's life before showing what it can really do (I fully understand that development takes time, and they learn more about the system's architecture and possibilities as time goes on) But systems need to show what they are really capable of, to the extent of current technology, right out of the box (like the PSP being online capable - and the end user can jump online in no time - right out of the box.

I'm upset, because I am incredibly passionate about games. But, this passion is the same reason that I'm willing to be open minded and say, Hey Nintendo, why not shake it up a bit. Just don't make us throwup and then point to our vomit and say "look, those carots and peas look like Mario, if you poke the barf, it's kinda like playing a game - and that's our new system!"

Don't let my rant become reality, Nintendo.

And now back to my Wipeout Pure already in progress...

[Zadoc]

Wow, I'm kinda suprised how the poll is turning out thus far. I didn't think it'd be so close on all fronts.

Just imagine pinpoint precision in RE4 by moving your controller while aiming... I think it'd be unbelievable.


Yea, unbelieveable... like a light gun. :roll:

[hezeuschrist]

Nothing like a light gun. The movement of the controller will move the crosshair. The natural idea would be to point the controller at the screen but with a light gun you never had realtime lasersight aiming in the game.

Think of it like a lightgun on steroids.

I also think an F-Zero game with gyroscopic handling abilities would kick ass. Instead of pushing a button to ram your opponents into the sidewalls you can just slam into them by swaying the controller from side to side. On the same note, in a game with so much speed, being able to incrementally move the controller would offer far greater control than any analog stick can. This of course would all be used in conjunction with all the standard controlling conventions.

How about a boxing game where you have to duck and sway using the controller itself? Instead of pressing down on the analog pad to sway backwards you just move the controller closer to you, and likewise for swaying to the sides.

We've ALL been moving controllers in the hopes of it moving our character in the game for quite some time (some to a larger extent than others) and I really think it could become a very natural play mechanic. The technology is most certainly refined enough.

Although of course this would require nintendo to use it for stuff that doesn't suck... so far they've only used the technology they've had licensed since 2001 for WarioWare Twisted and Yoshi Topsy Turvy.

[goatdan]

This would be cool *only if* you can decide to play with or without this feature. There are times that it would be really fun -- as were already mentioned, something like an F-Zero that would sway your car as you moved the controller could be really cool...

But I don't want it to be something I would have to play with. Currently, I will often grab a controller, lie on the couch with the controller in my lap and play games that way. The controller is not even facing the TV. If I *had* to sit there and sway my arms around while playing, it would make me a lot less likely to play. I tend to game at night to relax. Flailing for control would be fun sometimes, but not always.

I'd say that this does sound like what the big secret could be.

And can we get over the whole "no D-pad or A/B buttons" thing? It was proven to be a hoax, and it defintely doesn't make sense... a controller with no buttons? How would you control anything, and especially GameCube games (since it will be backwards compatible)?

[hezeuschrist]

This would be cool *only if* you can decide to play with or without this feature.

That's going to be the key to the systems success. Whatever it's big deal is has to be an OPTION.

And I totally agree, a lot of times I'll sit down with an RPG late at night and just run around doing sidequests and crap, nothing intense. Now for a game like God of War I'm already all over the place because the game is so action oriented.

And holy crap, I just thought of something. Nintendo should equip dev kits with the ability to develop for the Gamecube controller as well. Third party games could make it over and nintendo could charge them next to nothing to license them since they won't be competing with the big N's core software (which will all use the new systems stuff).

[Zadoc]

Nothing like a light gun. The movement of the controller will move the crosshair. The natural idea would be to point the controller at the screen but with a light gun you never had realtime lasersight aiming in the game.



There was a Menacer game for Sega Genesis in which you used the light gun to move the character on the screen. How is what you're saying any different?

[Zadoc]

And can we get over the whole "no D-pad or A/B buttons" thing? It was proven to be a hoax, and it defintely doesn't make sense...


I'm sorry, where and when was that proven to be a hoax?

[goatdan]

And can we get over the whole "no D-pad or A/B buttons" thing? It was proven to be a hoax, and it defintely doesn't make sense...

I'm sorry, where and when was that proven to be a hoax?

One of the mods here locked that topic because it was a hoax, although I don't know where the information came from. I do trust the mods on here.

Here is how it does make sense -- if you take off the buttons and D-pad, what are you left with? It would be retarded of Nintendo to make a big deal over not naming the buttons "A and B," so you would've had to assume that the controller had _no_ buttons whatsoever. And no d-pad. So the only thing you'd have to control games with would be an analog joystick or two.

That would be about as much of a step forward as computers suddenly coming with mice that didn't have any buttons or scroll wheels. Just a device that moved the pointer around the screen, which would make the mouse essentially useless for actually doing work with.

[Super Mario Fan]

I think it's a great idea for FPS's and Racing games, and stuff like that. But if I want to play a platformer, I don't think this is the controller for me. But like someone before me said, the ability to have it on or off would be nice.

[Mitch_Naz]

Sounds like a good idea with tons of potential but I'll agree with many of you, it should be an option. We'll see what actually happends at E3...

[Zadoc]

And can we get over the whole "no D-pad or A/B buttons" thing? It was proven to be a hoax, and it defintely doesn't make sense...

I'm sorry, where and when was that proven to be a hoax?

One of the mods here locked that topic because it was a hoax, although I don't know where the information came from. I do trust the mods on here.


Pay attention. I made up the April Fools hoax, and the fact that the Revolution won't have a D-pad or A/B buttons was leaked way back in December and it was reported by IGN. Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4980923228&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1




Here is how it does make sense -- if you take off the buttons and D-pad, what are you left with? It would be retarded of Nintendo to make a big deal over not naming the buttons "A and B," so you would've had to assume that the controller had _no_ buttons whatsoever. And no d-pad. So the only thing you'd have to control games with would be an analog joystick or two.

That would be about as much of a step forward as computers suddenly coming with mice that didn't have any buttons or scroll wheels. Just a device that moved the pointer around the screen, which would make the mouse essentially useless for actually doing work with.

Yes, you're right. That's why it makes sense that this new gyro-controller will be the standard Revolution controller. It also makes sence why Nintendo is worried that third parties won't suppor their new system. If they're forced to make games that function for this specific controller, then they're not making games that are compatible with Xbox and PS2 standard controllers. I think it's a safe bet that the Xbox2 and PS3 combined will have at least 1/3rd of the marketshare.

[Captain Wrong]

I'm just going to purchase the optional Neural Interface module and be done with it. I'm sure I'll get used to the two needle-like diodes burrowing into my frontal cortex in a week or two - it may take the people around me a little bit longer to get used to it, though.

I'm tellin 'ya, it's gonna happen someday!

Now you're playing with power.