Wii U - Nintendo Unveils New Home Console

[Utopie]

Source: BBC News - Nintendo unveils new Wii console


Nintendo unveils new Wii console

The controller is a cross between a handheld and a tablet device

The much-anticipated console, dubbed Wii U, comes with a controller that features a touchscreen and camera.

The original Wii console was hugely popular but Nintendo has faced pressure from rivals with similar devices.

Nintendo hopes the new console will create a new genre of gaming.

Wii U will feature a set-top box similar to the first generation console.

But the 6.2-inch touchscreen controller comes with a front-facing camera as well as the more traditional buttons of a Wii remote and a motion detector.

It will broadcast high-definition video and can be used to make video calls and browse the web.

Privacy
In demos, the Japanese gaming giant showed off some of the things the controller will allow - including offering users a private screen to view gameplay information that is not shared on the big screen.

It will also allow users of games such as Wii Fit to weigh themselves and get a read-out via the controller rather than the TV.

Users can also swap game play between the big screen and the controller, for instance if someone else wants to watch TV.

Wii U is "an interesting new concept" thinks Dan Pearson, a staff writer at Gamesindustry.biz.

"It is a hybrid between a handheld with elements of tablet design but also has all the traditional controller elements," he said.

"Initially people may be confused by the controller but so were they when the first Wii was unveiled," he said.

Nintendo was also keen to show off the processing power of the new console.

"Nintendo has been under fire for chasing casual gamers and it is good to see them trying to win back core gamers," said Mr Pearson.

Wii U will work with older games and controllers and will be available from spring 2012.

There was no indication of the price of the new console.

YouTube - ‪Nintendo Wii U - E3 2011: Announcement Trailer‬‏

YouTube - ‪Wii U - E3 2011: Graphics Demo‬‏

YouTube - ‪Wii U Game Line-Up - E3: 2011: Nintendo Conference‬‏

YouTube - ‪Zelda Wii U - E3 2011: Gameplay Clip‬‏

 

[Utopie]

Launches: 2012

Size: Approximately 1.8 inches tall, 6.8 inches wide and 10.5 inches long.

New Controller: The new controller incorporates a 6.2-inch, 16:9 touch screen and traditional button controls, including two analog Circle Pads. This combination removes the traditional barriers between games, players and the TV by creating a second window into the video game world. The rechargeable controller includes a Power button, Home button, +Control Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons. It includes a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope, rumble feature, camera, a microphone, stereo speakers, a sensor strip and a stylus.

Other Controls: Up to four Wii Remote™ (or Wii Remote Plus) controllers can be connected at once. The new console supports all Wii™ controllers and input devices, including the Nunchuk™ controller, Classic Controller™, Classic Controller Pro™ and Wii Balance Board™.

Media: A single self-loading media bay will play 12-centimeter proprietary high-density optical discs for the new console, as well as 12-centimeter Wii optical discs. Wii U software will come on custom-built, proprietary discs which will be a significant upgrade from the current DVD standard the Wii utilises. They are not based on Blu-Ray discs, and will not pose a restriction for developers looking to make high-end games.

Video Output: Supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i. Compatible cables include HDMI, component, S-video and composite.

Audio Output: Uses AV Multi Out connector. Six-channel PCM linear output through HDMI.

Storage: The console will have internal flash memory, as well as the option to expand its memory using either an SD memory card or an external USB hard disk drive.

CPU: IBM Power®-based multi-core microprocessor.

Other: Four USB 2.0 connector slots are included. The new console is backward compatible with Wii games and Wii accessories.

 

[oneman]

so basically a games console with a tablet then ?

Will have to see it in action first. Nintendo have always pushed playability over technology, hope this does not break the trend.

 

[Utopie]

so basically a games console with a tablet then ?

Will have to see it in action first. Nintendo have always pushed playability over technology, hope this does not break the trend.

Watch the videos and you will understand more. Nintendo themselves said they don't know all the ways in which the hardware will be used, but it has so many possibilities you just can't predict what developers will come up with. The developers seem quite excited about the it though.

 

[Utopie]

Developer of Dark Sliders 2 comments on power of Wii U hardware

Source: N-Europe: E3 2011: Vigil Games Talks About Wii U Power

Want to see comments from the developer of the upcoming launch title Dark Siders 2 has to say about the Wii U? Possibly the best version of the game?

Time has now passed since Nintendo announced their latest console, the 'Wii U', and with it a bunch of 3rd party titles got revealed to be in development, one being Vigil Games' Dark Siders 2, which is set to be a launch title to the system. In an interview with GameInformer, General Manager David Adams had some positive things to say about the console.

In the interview it was stated that Vigil Games have several ideas of how to incorporate the Wii U control into Dark Siders 2, such as managing inventory. They also explicitly stated that they're not into adding any gimmicky features to the control that the Wii had at launch. Where it is a normal game but you can use the touch screen for a couple of things and that this control is better than the Wii Remote due to the Wii U controller having features that core games can make use of.

When asked if it was possible that the Wii U version could be the best, David had this to say:

"Yeah, just because the hardware is more powerful and it will have some extra features that I think will actually be useful to people playing the game. With it’s controller, [the Wii U version of Darksiders II] might be the best version of the game."
As ever during this E3, stay with N-Europe for more details.

 

[Utopie]

Source: N-Europe: E3 2011: Some Wii U Hardware Tidbits Surface

Hardware Tidbits Surface


IBM opened the lid a tiny bit about what Wii U's CPU is like and AMD had something to say too, even if not much.

Contacted by Engadget, IBM revealed that Wii U's CPU is a "45nm custom chip with "a lot" of embedded DRAM" and it's based on the technology Watson used. No, not that Watson, the supercomputer that won Jeopardy some time ago, remember?

Watson runs on a version of Power 7, a processor that has from 4 to 8 cores, but if this is indeed true, it would be a custom version of the CPU. Most rumours are pointing to 3 cores, the Watson for example, uses 2880 cores.

On the GPU side, not much is known, but AMD confirmed that they're the ones behind it via a press release. This surprises no one of course.

Since we didn't hear it straight from the horse's mouth, this is certainly not confirmed, but if true, it might be a sign of good things to come, since we are talking about a very capable CPU.

 

[Utopie]

Zelda HD footage and controller use : E3 2011: Wii U Zelda HD Demo Video - Wii-u - IGN

 

[oneman]

Interesting news. Nintendo uses PS3 and X360 footage in wii u trailers,

Nintendo coughs to using Xbox, PS3 footage at Wii U event • reghardware

 

[Utopie]

Interesting news. Nintendo uses PS3 and X360 footage in wii u trailers,

Nintendo coughs to using Xbox, PS3 footage at Wii U event • reghardware

You seen the bird demo and the zelda demos though right? The show isn't over yet either; they are supposed to be showing Assassin's Creed Wii U later today - will have to see what the rest of the show brings.

The guy from THQ has also seemed to already have intimated that the Wii U will be outperforming the other consoles power wise.

 

[Rat]

Wii U Console Games Consoles | Zavvi.com
£400 :Yikes:

 

[oneman]

You seen the bird demo and the zelda demos though right? The show isn't over yet either; they are supposed to be showing Assassin's Creed Wii U later today - will have to see what the rest of the show brings.

The guy from THQ has also seemed to already have intimated that the Wii U will be outperforming the other consoles power wise.

Does not surprise me, its competing against 6 and 5 year old consoles. Question is what price they are aiming.

 

[Utopie]

Does not surprise me, its competing against 6 and 5 year old consoles. Question is what price they are aiming.

MS & Sony are said not to be launching their new consoles until 2015'ish. To be fair though, they can't do much more to try and appease graphics whores, competing with 5/6 year old hardware or not.

It will be around 3 years before anything else might possibly better it graphics wise in the console market. That will give Sony and MS enough time to rip off Nintendo's ideas again

 

[miffew]

god dam thats pricey

 

[Utopie]

god dam thats pricey

That's just a pure guess mate, not official, the only official thing being said at the moment is that it might cost more than ¥20,000, so that's £150 & upwards... I imagine it won't go over the £250 mark myself.

 

[Utopie]

Wii U Console Games Consoles | Zavvi.com
£400 :Yikes:

lol, sold out !!!!

 

[oneman]

That's just a pure guess mate, not official, the only official thing being said at the moment is that it might cost more than ¥20,000, so that's £150 & upwards... I imagine it won't go over the £250 mark myself.

there is no way they are going to do it for less then £300. I am guessing extra controllers with the built in screens will most likely around £100 each.

Launch date, don't know. Games won't be ready for another 12 months so I am guessing a Japanese and US launch in Xmas 2012 with European launch to follow in spring 2013. That would mean there is a potential for X360 replacement to be ready by then though most likely the wii u will have 12 month lead before the new xbox is released.

 

[Utopie]

Launch date, don't know. Games won't be ready for another 12 months so I am guessing a Japanese and US launch in Xmas 2012 with European launch to follow in spring 2013. That would mean there is a potential for X360 replacement to be ready by then though most likely the wii u will have 12 month lead before the new xbox is released.

Launch date is around this time next year.

Analysts know how much money MS have invested into their motion device, which runs into the billions, so take that into account and pure business sense will tell you that they won't be announcing anything for a while. Think of their motion device as their new console.

Same with the PS3, they are investing their money now in promoting the PS3 as a 3D games machine - their new console is the new 3D TV display they unveiled at E3.

If 3rd party support works out as planned, and there does seem to be plenty of 1st person shooters lined up for the Wii U, hardcore gamers will be saying, Xbox who? by the time MS can feasibly afford to invest anything into a new console release.

 

[Utopie]

Some early Ghost Recon Online footage demoing controller use.

http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/06/0...econ-online-drone-gameplay-off-screen?show=HD

 

[oneman]

Launch date is around this time next year.

Analysts know how much money MS have invested into their motion device, which runs into the billions, so take that into account and pure business sense will tell you that they won't be announcing anything for a while. Think of their motion device as their new console.

Same with the PS3, they are investing their money now in promoting the PS3 as a 3D games machine - their new console is the new 3D TV display they unveiled at E3.

If 3rd party support works out as planned, and there does seem to be plenty of 1st person shooters lined up for the Wii U, hardcore gamers will be saying, Xbox who? by the time MS can feasibly afford to invest anything into a new console release.

kinect is multi-platform. Already has SDK for PC and I am sure other devices including native TV and setup box support will be coming.

As for wii u launch date. If it really is as big of a step forward as they say it is then I would expect delays. And as before europe will be 4 to 6 months behind US and japan launches.

 

[Utopie]

kinect is multi-platform. Already has SDK for PC and I am sure other devices including native TV and setup box support will be coming.

As for wii u launch date. If it really is as big of a step forward as they say it is then I would expect delays. And as before europe will be 4 to 6 months behind US and japan launches.

Not sure they will be doing much with it on a PC, can't see the family and friends gathering round in the office for a go on it.

Delays are usually things which apply to other companies like MS; Nintendo normally know exactly what they are doing and where they are going as far as hardware development is concerned. Wii U has been under development for 3 years.

You can only know the same as me and the same as the industry experts and insiders know; and that's launch date is down as 12 month's from now, cost may be more than 20,000 yen/$250 US, MS/Sony no sign of new console and have clearly invested their business plans in things other than new consoles with predictions being around 2015 for their new console releases.

Anything else is just pure speculation and guess work.