The Nintendo Revolution controller

[edotherocket 0]

Nintendo touching on a revolution

 

 

[29/03/05 13:23]

Latest news suggests Nintendo's controller will be one big touch-screen - no buttons, no analogue sticks

 

An unnamed source from inside EA has revealed exactly how revolutionary the next Nintendo console will be by leaking details of the prototype Revolution control pad, which is devoid of face and shoulder buttons, and also lacks any analogue sticks.

 

In place of these traditionally crucial joypad features is a touch-screen, which can be programmed to display - and indeed use - any configuration of buttons, levers and steering devices, or anything else developers can devise and see fit to program into their game.

 

This could provide developers with a level of freedom never before seen when developing control schemes, decreasing limitation and offering more innovative methods for controlling games.

 

However, despite promising a 'pad for all occasions', it's possible the pad may not work for complex games requiring many buttons. And not being able to feel where buttons are may limit player responses in both judgement and accuracy.

 

But complexity for future games is definitely not Nintendo's direction according to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.

 

Speaking recently with Japanese publication Nikkei Business Daily, the Nintendo boss pointed out the need for simplicity in games, in order to draw in causal gamers normally put off by the complexity of modern games.

 

"A goal of ours with Revolution is to expand the target market for games," said Iwata. "The current consoles are constantly getting more complicated and the number of buttons on joypads has been increasing steadily in recent years. Hardcore players can still manage, but for inexperienced players and beginners the degree of complexity is too big a barrier."

 

Iwata's comments regarding Revolution being a mass-market device, able to open up gaming to new audiences, echoes Nintendo's sentiment for DS, which, as we know, uses a touch-screen.

 

This, in our eyes, makes a touch-screen joypad for Revolution highly plausible. Don't rule out the possibility of a built-in microphone either.

 

Source: Gamesradar.com

 

 

A fun bit of specultation for Nintendo's next gen console. I can't see this working though for the reason that it would be too damned hard to remember the button configuration for different games and you'd keep having to look at your controller. Still, only Nintendo would be ballsy enough to do something like this.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Ok. That definitely is something out there.

 

As for the different button configurations, you have to do it with most games anyways, so how's it gonna be different just learning where on your controller each game has them? Not much.

[mister foozel 0]

bad idea

 

i like using a controller, i dont think im alone

[edotherocket 0]

Ok. That definitely is something out there.

 

As for the different button configurations, you have to do it with most games anyways, so how's it gonna be different just learning where on your controller each game has them? Not much.

Well I'm assuming some games can have the normal diamond formation for the buttons whereas others could have the 6 button Genesis layout etc. and since the buttons are only displayed on the screen and wouldn't actually stick out, you couldn't just 'feel' your way around the control pad.

[Golgo 13 0]

That's... something else. When rumors of this first broke, I just expected them to drop the d-pad completely and the B, A, Y, Z, etc., in favor of color coded buttons, with maybe a touchpad in the middle.

 

It better be fucking outstanding, but I truthfully can't imagine it being intuitive, looking attractive or having a nice feel to it.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Well I'm assuming some games can have the normal diamond formation for the buttons whereas others could have the 6 button Genesis layout etc. and since the buttons are only displayed on the screen and wouldn't actually stick out, you couldn't just 'feel' your way around the control pad.

But the different configurations might allow developers to build a gaming "controller" that would work better for their game. Might come up with some ingenius ways of getting all the milage out of a game.

 

That's... something else. When rumors of this first broke, I just expected them to drop the d-pad completely and the B, A, Y, Z, etc., in favor of color coded buttons, with maybe a touchpad in the middle.

 

It better be fucking outstanding, but I truthfully can't imagine it being intuitive, looking attractive or having a nice feel to it.

Same thing I thought of when I first heard the rumors that there was no controller.

 

Be fucking outstanding it'd have to be to make me want it. Being intuitive is very easy, build each "controller" for each game so that it works absolutely fantastic for the player. Of course this won't feel nice. How many of us are so used to controllers? But you know, its like playing a PC game and using the keyboard instead of the controller. Sure its awkward as hell for the controller users, but depending on the game, it actually is easier on you. It'll probably be along those lines of how they build the "controller" for each Revolution game.

[AndrewTS 0]

Depending on how well this is executed, it will either be one of the greatest ideas Nintendo ever had, or will be considered one of the stupidest.

 

On the possible negative side--anyone ever use a Turbo Touch 360?

 

That being said, most "traditional" controller configurations I can practically find all the buttons with ease, so provided it registers well this could be a great idea.

 

At the same time, it doesn't change the fact that a well-designed controller should be versatile enough that the button layout wouldn't need to change between most games.

[Highland 0]

Controllers are more durable than a touchscreen. How many of us have almost wrecked their controllers when playing certain games?

[AndrewTS 0]

Controllers are more durable than a touchscreen. How many of us have almost wrecked their controllers when playing certain games?

1st party controllers? Or 3rd party POS like the ones MadCatz makes?

 

Haven't really had any major problems with 1st party ones.

[Use Your Illusion 0]

Controllers are more durable than a touchscreen. How many of us have almost wrecked their controllers when playing certain games?

*Very* good point. I have serious anger management problems with certain games, and have been known once or twice to just send the controller flying. I shudder to think how fragile these touchscreens could be or how much cost will be involved in replacing them.

[Guest Brian]

I've killed a ton of joysticks on everyone's system.

 

It's ballsy but I don't think it'll work. I like it.

[tbondrage99 0]

Well Im all for trying new things and improving current stuff....but this just seems stupid to me.

[Use Your Illusion 0]

Despite all this crazy new technology, The Revolution will be backwards compatible with all Gamecube software, so says Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

I don't think they're targeting the right market here. They want to make the layout easier such that non-gamers aren't intimidated by control schemes. Ok, but what kind of person sees a console controller as overly complex? A computer is a heck of a lot more complex, and most kids are growing up with a controller or keyboard or both in their hands. So they're going after an older market, or maybe the female 18-40 types who didn't grow up with a computer. That's weak.

[AndrewTS 0]

Despite all this crazy new technology, The Revolution will be backwards compatible with all Gamecube software, so says Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo.

So it will likely default to a Gamecube controller lineup.

 

...so where will the triggers go? Slap 'em as extra buttons on the top of the screen?

[The Amazing Rando 0]

I once threw the NES Joystick Pad (The giant grey pad with the big joystick) out an open window. The cord broke off at the system. I can't remember the game I was playing.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Geezus Christmas people. I only broke a controller once and that's cause I spilt like pop on it.

 

You people have anger management issues if you get that frustrated over games.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

DON'T YOU DARE TAKE THAT CONTROLLER!! GAAAAAAAAH!! DAMA-POWER!!!!

 

 

*Breaks things*

 

 

Yeah. Of course i have anger management issues, I think I've mentioned that.

[El Psycho Diablo 0]

Sounds like another gimmick to me. No thanks.

[Anya 0]

Iwata has said Revolution won't use a touchscreen, so I doubt this is true.

 

But even if this particular report isn't true, it is looking like it will have a wacky gimmick controller of some type and that sucks. I don't think their strategy of simple games is going to work. It's just going to reenforce Nintendo's image as irrelevant and out of touch. It's like they live in their own crazy world.

 

If they want to get the female market they're not doing a good job.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I was hoping they would do that rumored gyroscope controller..

[AndrewTS 0]

If they want to get the female market they're not doing a good job.

Release the pink DS over here, and pack in Nintendogs. That's the ticket.

[Anya 0]

Revolution should look even more like a purse than GC did.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I've only had problems with PS2 controllers and that's mostly because even the 1st party ones are POS that break easily.

[The Czech Republic 0]

If they wanted to really be revolutionary, they'd have a headset and you just shout the letters or directions into the mic.

[Art Sandusky 0]

Man, I love how Nintendo doesn't give a fuck is going to go ahead and do shit for its own sake.

[BUTT 0]

If they wanted to really be revolutionary, they'd have a headset and you just shout the letters or directions into the mic.

Konami made a game like that for PS2, and by all accounts it sucks.

[The Czech Republic 0]

[MrRant 0]

If they wanted to really be revolutionary, they'd have a headset and you just shout the letters or directions into the mic.

You can do that in Rainbow 6 III for the XBOX.

[Use Your Illusion 0]

If they wanted to really be revolutionary, they'd have a headset and you just shout the letters or directions into the mic.

Konami made a game like that for PS2, and by all accounts it sucks.

Iwata has also said that he doesn't want to do something that the competition is already looking into utilising. Hence the name of Nintendo's upcoming machine.

 

UYI