Random Gaming Thoughts

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I'm totally on the same page Exhuminator - as time goes on and I've had more time to think about it I also think they'll probably just use very similar architectures between their devices. Whether they'll use ARM CPUs or some custom APU is still up in the air (looks like AMD will have some involvement either way).

Honestly I'd kind of prefer a hybrid device but I can see where that would cause problems; with price being a pretty big one in that case.

[Kidpanda]

I really hope it would be a console portable hybrid. The best thing in my mind, would be a small settop box like the PSTV for the console side and then the handheld/controller. I personally think it would sell like wildfire. But what do I know? I only play video games ;P

[Nemoide]

So about to start 999

What's the consensus here? Good? Seems a bit divisive for a visual novel.

I loved it. If you've played other visual novels, I think you can handle the problems with the game. And Exhuminator is half-right about one point: you can fast-forward through previously read dialog but there are frustrating pieces of VERY SIMILAR but different dialog that can't be skipped.

I thought the way the game plays with the multiple endings and branching paths was really interesting. At least far more interesting than the standard visual novel.

[Exhuminator]

And Exhuminator is half-right about one point: you can fast-forward through previously read dialog

If by fast-forward you mean increase the speed at which the text scrolls across the screen, yes you can do that on a replay. But you cannot skip whole sections of dialogue quickly, or bypass previously read conversations entirely.

[Sarge]

That's the conclusion I've come to as well, Exhuminator, after all our discussions. I was convinced there would be one more "proper" console, but with the merging of their workflows for both Wii U and 3DS, and the way they handled Super Smash Bros. this last time, I think we're looking at potentially a Wii U-styled device that has more than just a dumb terminal as a pad, it will be its own platform that is portable. Kind of a mega-Dreamcast VMU or something. It makes a lot of sense, actually.

Or they may decide to sell the handheld separately, and it can take the place of a GamePad-like device*, just with a scaled down version of the experience. If that's what they do, it's pure genius, I just don't know how affordable it will be. Not that they've been chasing specs the last few rounds.

I know there's going to be a "see, I told you so" somewhere down the line... preemptive kudos to you.

*assuming that they stick with a second-screen thing to begin with

[Exhuminator]

I think we're looking at potentially a Wii U-styled device that has more than just a dumb terminal as a pad

The thing about that is for the pad itself to be a separate handheld device (as in its own platform) it would need to be able to load its own media. As in its own handheld version of a game. So why would you buy the downsized handheld pad version of the game, if you can buy the meatier console version instead, which the pad resides as an extension of already?

The answer is of course you probably wouldn't do that. And if that's the answer, then whatever the NX handheld is going to be, is not going to be an included extension of the NX console. Because in doing so, Nintendo would be unifying both their markets, and if they are gonna do that, they might as well just make the thing a hybrid to begin with.

I see Nintendo wanting to keep their console and handheld markets exclusive from one another, because it creates two separate revenue streams. Console gamers can buy the NX console, and enjoy the higher resolution and larger HDTV picture. Handheld gamers can buy the NX handheld, and enjoy portability and a more intimate experience. But Nintendo can sell both of these types of gamers the same game on either platform, simply by having the handheld play slightly watered down versions of the same games they develop for the console. In that regard the NX console games can cost $60 and the NX handheld games can cost $40. Nintendo makes money either way, pleases both demographics, and can simultaneously develop console and handheld games at once. It's such a simple strategy that could easily work, and that's why I think it's the plan this time.

I know there's going to be a "see, I told you so" somewhere down the line

To be honest, I would love to be wrong about this, and thus be totally surprised by what Nintendo's got in store for us.

Meanwhile I will be surprised if the NX console has backwards compatibility with the Wii U. I doubt it will. Remember the GameCube was not backwards compatible with the N64, nor was the N64 backwards compatible with the SNES, nor was the SNES backwards compatible with the NES. It wouldn't be the first time Nintendo makes a clean break is all I'm saying.

[Sarge]

Oh, I agree there likely won't be any backwards compatibility. The Wii U hasn't sold well enough to really justify it. The Wii was BC just because the architectures stayed identical, and the Wii U is because the Wii was such a smashing success that it made sense to mine that back catalog.

If it's not going to be a hybrid, then we're basically going to end up with traditional console + traditional handheld, with the only difference between this and past generations is that there will be better tools for developers to port the experience to the smaller or larger system.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Oh, I agree there likely won't be any backwards compatibility. The Wii U hasn't sold well enough to really justify it. The Wii was BC just because the architectures stayed identical, and the Wii U is because the Wii was such a smashing success that it made sense to mine that back catalog.

If it's not going to be a hybrid, then we're basically going to end up with traditional console + traditional handheld, with the only difference between this and past generations is that there will be better tools for developers to port the experience to the smaller or larger system.

I also would not be surprised at all is Nintendo ditched physical media with its next generation system. I am probably the only one who thinks Nintendo is moving in that direction, however.

[Exhuminator]

I also would not be surprised at all is Nintendo ditched physical media with its next generation system.

I would be very surprised if Nintendo abandoned physical media with the NX platforms.

[isiolia]

Oh, I agree there likely won't be any backwards compatibility. The Wii U hasn't sold well enough to really justify it. The Wii was BC just because the architectures stayed identical, and the Wii U is because the Wii was such a smashing success that it made sense to mine that back catalog.

The ability to pop Wii U (or Wii, etc) discs in probably has a low chance. I expect that there'll be emulated or ported versions of the games available though, especially Wii U games. Heck, the launch lineup will probably consist of mostly enhanced Wii U games.


Also, I'm another one that wouldn't be surprised to see Nintendo move away from physical media entirely.