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[Erasus]

How well does something like a 8800GT handle dolphin?

Dolphin is CPU bound.

But I think a 8800GT can handle Dolphin in 1080p if given something like a high clocked Phenom 2 or i5-7

Plus you cant compare it like that. Nintendo knows 100% how the GC/Wii works so an emulator would be easier to make. If the WiiU is POWERPC like the Wii and GC it might play Wii/GC games.

 

[gamingeek]

To be honest the "anonymous THQ developer" quote that people are pasting here sounds just as much like bullshit as anything in the original article.

I haven't read any of this thread apart from this page. Are you talking about this?

Starts talking about Wii U at 2 mins 50 seconds. It's a video interview

Darksiders 2 art director Han Randhawa

 

[KageMaru]

Nintendo knows 100% how the GC/Wii works so an emulator would be easier to make. If the WiiU is POWERPC like the Wii and GC it might play Wii/GC games.

What I puzzling and disappointing is that the Wii-U isn't BC with the GC when I can't think of any good reason why. Maybe a licensing issue with all the 3rd party GC games? I'm not sure of the politics that take place with software emulation.

I'm also disappointed that the Wii-U doesn't do any upscaling at all. If they are doing software emulation, upscaling should be possible.

 

[Chuckpebble]

I'm so excited for this generation. Last gen sucked. It was an open and shut case for the spec geeks. Yeah, you had the few that felt the need to point out that the Wii was less powerful, like it wasn't completely obvious to everyone. But now, oh man, Its all up in the air. This is gonna be glorious. There's gonna be pixel and frame counting from all 3 parties. I'm treating this thread like a preview of what's to come and I'm loving it all.

Also, from the article. There was mention of PS3 and Vita offering the same experience right now. I don't think its too bold of a statement to say that there'll be more WiiU households than PS3+Vita households. Its like the whole GBA+Cube link cable thing all over again. You get minimal software support because its a non-standard setup.

What I puzzling and disappointing is that the Wii-U isn't BC with the GC when I can't think of any good reason why. Maybe a licensing issue with all the 3rd party GC games? I'm not sure of the politics that take place with software emulation.

I'm also disappointed that the Wii-U doesn't do any upscaling at all. If they are doing software emulation, upscaling should be possible.

Its definitely a cost thing. Its like DS to 3DS. That slot loading drive that can handle the smaller discs is actually a pretty neat trick. If I put one of those little disks in my laptop I'd have to take it apart to get it out again. I can also tell you from experience, that drive is not super resilient. So I think its a cost thing, as well as a reliability thing.

That and 1.8 GB isn't too bad of a download. Here's hoping for GC VC with higher resolution graphics.

 

[Solid07]

People seem to forget that Nintendo is not competing against MS & Sony in graphical departments, but in innovation.

 

[Brera]

I'm guessing this next gen will be a return to the gc/ps2/xbox days of 3 way pixel counting.

This gen was shit for console wars.

 

[ajim]

I'm glad I'm not a graphics 'whore', because threads like this would just stress me out lol.

 

[Shion]

What I puzzling and disappointing is that the Wii-U isn't BC with the GC when I can't think of any good reason why.

GC games on Virtual Console = More money for Nintendo.

 

[wsippel]

What I puzzling and disappointing is that the Wii-U isn't BC with the GC when I can't think of any good reason why. Maybe a licensing issue with all the 3rd party GC games? I'm not sure of the politics that take place with software emulation.

I'm also disappointed that the Wii-U doesn't do any upscaling at all. If they are doing software emulation, upscaling should be possible.

The 12/8cm slot loading drive is completely custom and very expensive. By going 12cm only, Nintendo can use much cheaper (and smaller) off-the-shelf notebook drives.

 

[DonMigs85]

GC games on Virtual Console = More money for Nintendo.

And all of the single-disc games are less than 1.5GB, making for tidy little downloads.

 

[DonMigs85]

Dolphin is CPU bound.

But I think a 8800GT can handle Dolphin in 1080p if given something like a high clocked Phenom 2 or i5-7

Plus you cant compare it like that. Nintendo knows 100% how the GC/Wii works so an emulator would be easier to make. If the WiiU is POWERPC like the Wii and GC it might play Wii/GC games.

Exactly. Their N64 emulator for the Wii (and also used for the N64 Zeldas on GCN) is quite good and runs way better than something like Project 64 on a similar spec PC or Mac.

 

[Erasus]

Last gen sucked.

Dude what? This gen is the best imo. We got games like Bastion, Brain, Journey, Flower and great big blockbusters like ACreed, Uncharted, Ratchet, Portal, L4D2, BF, Bioshock etc, RPGs like Skyrim , Xenoblade, Mass Effect, Dragon Age

A gaming PC has never been cheaper and the PS3 & 360 games look awesome to me, even tho I game mostly on PC. Uncharted blows my mind still.

This gen rocks.

 

[KageMaru]

Yeah you guys make a good point about the disc drive, plus I didn't even think about releasing GC games online. Let's hope they upscale those at least.

I just want REmake in HD =p

 

[Erasus]

That and 1.8 GB isn't too bad of a download. Here's hoping for GC VC with higher resolution graphics.

GC games are 1.8GB? 0_o Imagine if they used a full DVD for stuff like RE4 and Zelda

 

[Chuckpebble]

Dude what? This gen is the best imo. We got games like Bastion, Brain, Journey, Flower and great big blockbusters like ACreed, Uncharted, Ratchet, Portal, L4D2, BF, Bioshock etc, RPGs like Skyrim , Xenoblade, Mass Effect, Dragon Age

A gaming PC has never been cheaper and the PS3 & 360 games look awesome to me, even tho I game mostly on PC. Uncharted blows my mind still.

This gen rocks.

For console wars my friend. Last gen sucked for console wars. The next gen is brewing up nicely.

 

[Theonik]

GC games are 1.8GB? 0_o Imagine if they used a full DVD for stuff like RE4 and Zelda

They are 1.4GB actually.

 

[theBishop]

Dude what? This gen is the best imo. We got games like Bastion, Brain, Journey, Flower and great big blockbusters like ACreed, Uncharted, Ratchet, Portal, L4D2, BF, Bioshock etc, RPGs like Skyrim , Xenoblade, Mass Effect, Dragon Age

A gaming PC has never been cheaper and the PS3 & 360 games look awesome to me, even tho I game mostly on PC. Uncharted blows my mind still.

This gen rocks.

I love

Spoiler

... and share... *runs*

your enthusiasm! Who needs nostalgia when present day is this awesome.

 

[Krev]

What I puzzling and disappointing is that the Wii-U isn't BC with the GC when I can't think of any good reason why. Maybe a licensing issue with all the 3rd party GC games? I'm not sure of the politics that take place with software emulation.

In addition to the custom disc drive issue that's already been brought up, GCN backwards compatibility would mean including controller and memory card ports. That would make the system larger, and a small box is one of Nintendo's priorities.

 

[H_Prestige]

In addition to the custom disc drive issue that's already been brought up, GCN backwards compatibility would mean including controller and memory card ports. That would make the system larger, and a small box is one of Nintendo's priorities.

Why? The ps3 doesn't need controller/memory card slots to run ps1/ps2 games.

The only issue here is the lack of a miniDVD drive.

 

[Ridley327]

Why? The ps3 doesn't need controller/memory card slots to run ps1/ps2 games.

The only issue here is the lack of a miniDVD drive.

Wii BC was full-on hardware BC to the point that the Wii literally shuts off anything that the Gamecube can't use when in that mode, while PS3 BC always had a degree of software BC for PS2, even when it had both the EE and GS chips inside. PS1 BC is fully software-based on the PS3.

Also troublesome for GC BC is the controller itself, since the Gamecube controller features analog shoulders that Nintendo hasn't replicated outside of the initial Classic Controller (this feature was removed from the current CC Pro).

 

[bgassassin]

So people believe that Nintendo will release console:

- True Next-gen in therm of power
- With controler that has lcd display
- 300$

Only two things from that list can be achieved. And by looking at size of hardware they won't be dealing with heat. Less heat = mediacore hardware. Looking at things it will be only just small tier above this generation. It's fine by me if they focus more on creative side.

As of techology demo. It proves my point above.
As it looks pleasing to eyes it's more artful design than technological marvel.

From my perspective:
- Fantastic lighting engine
- Mediacore textures
- Good polycount but still it's nothing amazing
- 720p @ 30 fps with absolutely no aa. This is most worring problem. Nextgen should render games in 1080p with atleast 30 fps and with good AA and AF

If this 720p point will stand then we have again Wii situation in therms of power.

Wii U's target eDRAM amount will allow 720p w/4x MSAA or 1080p in a single pass. So AA at 720p shouldn't be that much of an issue. I say the latter for certain reasons so it's still possibly not guaranteed.

A majority of customers this generation preferred consoles with the letter "i" in their manufacturers names. What does this tell us about vowels?

That as long as your company has an "O" your console should sell okay. *Looks at Sega*

 

[Perkel]

Wii U's target eDRAM amount will allow 720p w/4x MSAA or 1080p in a single pass. So AA at 720p shouldn't be that much of an issue. I say the latter for certain reasons so it's still possibly not guaranteed.

Hope hey will resolve this. One thing about nextgen that make me feel-good is that they finally focus more on image quality.

For example Gran Turismo 5 can easly be next gen start title if they would deliver quality of it's photomode. (i don't mean that 8Mp version just 1080p) So 1080p @ 60 with proper AA and few touch ups like fixing smoke effect and shadows.

Nintendo is shitting with money so for once they could go bonkers once with hardware.

 

[Hoo-doo]

Nintendo responds:

A representative of Nintendo of America neither confirmed nor denied the report for Digital Trends. “We do not focus on technology specs. We understand that people like to dissect graphics and processing power, but the experience of playing will always be more important than raw numbers.”

http://news.yahoo.com/developers-claim-wii-u-weaker-ps3-360-nintendo-210201325.html

 

[shinobi602]

I'm starting to think, how can the Wii U possibly be less powerful than 360/PS3?

There's just no way it'll have a GPU less powerful than the 360's equivalent of a modified GeForce 7 card...

The CPU's got to be more powerful than the 360's. It has more RAM....what else is there?

 

[SmokyDave]

I'm starting to think, how can the Wii U possibly be less powerful than 360/PS3?

There's just no way it'll have a GPU less powerful than the 360's equivalent of a modified GeForce 7 card...

The CPU's got to be more powerful than the 360's. It has more RAM....what else is there?

Not according to CVG...

(Caution: Article may be bullshit)

 

[theBishop]

Does anyone here actually expect Nintendo to make games competitive with Ultra-level Battlefield 3, Crysis2, Samaritan, etc?

Because that's what next-gen will be at minimum. The early games will look like that and we'll think they're dated in 2016.

Going from this:

To this:

With no intermediate step? What internal team at Nintendo can do this?

 

[shinobi602]

Not according to CVG...

(Caution: Article may be bullshit)

Yea I've seen that. And there are other devs who say the opposite. I'm leaning towards it being more powerful.

 

[Thoraxes]

Does anyone here actually expect Nintendo to make games competitive with Ultra-level Battlefield 3, Crysis2, Samaritan, etc?

Because that's what next-gen will be at minimum.

Link me to them Nextbox and PS4 screens, bro.

 

[DarkChild]

Nintendo responds:



http://news.yahoo.com/developers-claim-wii-u-weaker-ps3-360-nintendo-210201325.html

I think this deserves its own 50+ page thread

 

[Perkel]

Nintendo responds:



http://news.yahoo.com/developers-claim-wii-u-weaker-ps3-360-nintendo-210201325.html

There will be a lot of crying in nintendo camp.

 

[salpa]

Rumored WiiU specs say CPU is PowerPC architecture (also used in gamecube, 360, and PS3). Backwards compatibility shouldn't be difficult.

Those aren't rumored.

IBM confirmed they are making the CPU in the Wii U. The only CPU they make are PowerPC.

 

[Shion]

There will be a lot of crying in nintendo camp.

Nah, most Nintendo fans just accept what Nintendo gives them.

 

[mugurumakensei]

Not according to CVG...

(Caution: Article may be bullshit)

Those guys are saying the GPU is beefier and the CPU is holding them back which is opposite of what we have here.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

Nintendo responds:



http://news.yahoo.com/developers-claim-wii-u-weaker-ps3-360-nintendo-210201325.html

Oh dear. It will be underpowered as shit, I can see it already.

 

[Seep]

That as long as your company has an "O" your console should sell okay. *Looks at Sega*

Panasonic 3DO.

 

[SykoTech]

There will be a lot of crying in nintendo camp.

Nah, most Nintendo fans just accept what Nintendo gives them.

The only thing that stings me more than these quotes is how true they are.

I know I will the second Smash Bros is announced.

 

[Cosmozone]

Does anyone here actually expect Nintendo to make games competitive with Ultra-level Battlefield 3, Crysis2, Samaritan, etc?

Because that's what next-gen will be at minimum. The early games will look like that and we'll think they're dated in 2016.

Going from this:
[Super Mario Galaxy]

To this:
[Uncharted(?)]

With no intermediate step? What internal team at Nintendo can do this?

What intermediate step? SCNR

 

[theBishop]

There will be a lot of crying in nintendo camp.

Don't you know? Nintendo always downplays their tech, and then over delivers.

 

[shinobi602]

Don't you know? Nintendo always downplays their tech, and then over delivers.

Yea, the DS, Wii, and 3DS over delivered.

Spoiler

lol

 

[Azure J]

Yea, the DS, Wii, and 3DS over delivered.

Spoiler

lol

Does anyone here play games anymore? Real talk.

 

[Codeblue]

Does anyone here actually expect Nintendo to make games competitive with Ultra-level Battlefield 3, Crysis2, Samaritan, etc?

Because that's what next-gen will be at minimum. The early games will look like that and we'll think they're dated in 2016.

Going from this:



To this:



With no intermediate step? What internal team at Nintendo can do this?

Even when they were in a competitive position with respect to technology they chose to make Wind Waker. Nintendo has always been about using style and not photorealism to make their games look great.

I can't say I disagree with that philosophy. I'd rather look at Mirror's Edge on low than BF3 on high.

I guess my answer is no, I don't expect them to, but I'm not sure I'd say it's due to lack of talent.

 

[shinobi602]

Does anyone here play games anymore? Real talk.

I'm talking in terms of pure tech.

 

[theBishop]

Even when they were in a competitive position with respect to technology they chose to make Wind Waker. Nintendo has always been about using style and not photorealism to make their games look great.

I can't say I disagree with that philosophy. I'd rather look at Mirror's Edge on low than BF3 on high.

And Mirror's Edge was still very modern for its time. PS2->Wii could not possibly run it. We don't know in April 2012 what the next-gen equivalent will be to Mirror's Edge in 2016.

So I still think you need to recognize that improved hardware leads to unpredictable gains in game design.

 

[Data West]

I just want better loading times next gen.

Dead Rising 2 and Mass Effect 3 were ruined for me because of how frequent and how long I had to load. It was like a completely different game next gen. Usually Nintendo first party's good about avoiding that, but I need to know for third party with Wii U.

 

[Shion]

And, since Wind Waker was mentioned, the game was indeed gorgeous, but Nintendo needed GameCube's hardware in order to create it. A game as impressive as Wind Waker was back in 2003, would be impossible on the N64.

 

[Rootbeer]

Does it seem kind of odd that some of the first Wii U games are going to be ports of exisiting games, some that will be more than a year old by the time the hardware launches? For example, Arkham City was released in mid Oct of 2011 and the Wii U is rumored to launch sometime around november 2012... so, 13+ month old game.

Darksiders II will also be a good six months old by the time the Wii U version comes out. Ninja Gaiden 3 will roughly the same.

They might find cool ways to use the gamepad, but I don't think that's going to attract a lot of new sales when they'll have been available for so long.

Granted those are just a FEW of the games we know about. I'm sure most of the launch and launch window Wii U games will be all-new... right?

 

[shinobi602]

Some more info from CVG:

Sources said graphical quality "won't be a problem" on Nintendo's new console, but a drop in CPU horsepower compared to 360 and PS3 could see Wii U lag behind in areas such as complicated physics and AI.

"Assumptions that Wii U games will look like 'up rezzed' current-gen titles with better textures aren't quite right. They'll look just as good, but not better," one developer told CVG. "You shouldn't expect anything special from a graphics point of view," they added.

A second source working on a big name franchise said GPU and RAM power "won't be a problem" on the new console but, again, claimed Wii U struggles to match PS3 and 360 in processing power.

"We're still working on dev machines but there have definitely been some issues [in porting PS3/360 games]," our source said. "It's not actually a problem getting things up and running because the architecture is pretty conventional, but there are constraints with stuff like physics and AI processing because the hardware isn't quite as capable."

The same source concluded, bluntly: "I suppose you don't need sophisticated physics to make a Mario game."

Some dev sources have speculated that Wii U's relatively low technical specs may be down to an attempt to attractively price the console, which will of course come bundled with a pricey touchscreen controller, as first revealed by CVG. It's also worth noting that unlike its rivals, Wii U has the task of sending separate images to that controller, potentially eating up more hardware juice.

http://www.computerandvideogames.co...-as-good-as-ps3-but-its-still-not-as-capable/

 

[J-Rod]

I doubt it is weaker than current gen hardware, but I don't expect it to be anything incredible in that regard either. Everything Nintendo has said indicates that. When it was revealed, Reggie said to look at that part as just a box and what's in it doesn't matter. There is reason for that, and it ain't good.

 

[Rootbeer]

Some more info from CVG:

It's been reiterated time and time again, but if the Wii U can't even match the capabilities of a machine that 6 years old... I don't just find that disappointing, but actually pathetic. We have seen massive jumps in hardware capability in that time. What is Nintendo's excuse? Unless the Wii U is $199 I don't think it has one.

 

[guek]

Some more info from CVG:

This is actualy exactly in line with what wsippel said about the CPU according to an official middleware document he found. Evidently middleware has been struggling with the CPU for awhile now due to optimization issues. The document states that they've very recently improved performances by 400%, bringing CPU usage at 360 levels in most areas and superior to 360 in a few. Imagine if your middleware was performing 4x less than optimal, that would explain CPU troubles some devs have been talking about.

wsippel talked about this days ago