With these recent revelations, Im beginning to think that NX will be neither a true portable nor home console, but a semi-stationary device in the vein of laptop PCs. This would make sense of many factors, including Nintendos choice of a Tegra processor (since they are optimized for low power and streaming). While it may sound unlikely at first, it makes sense in that its a type of console which has yet to be truly embraced by the Big 3. Wii U almost got there and some folks hook it up when theyre on the go and theres an outlet available, but its hardware choices and software programming were not optimized to handle this style of play. Other facts/rumors which may support this idea:
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Whenever anyone talks about NX, they seem to be speaking of a single system. Theyve even used the word system, which in the context of videogame speak, has always referred to a single console.
The only possible evidence we have that the codename: NX refers to a hardware agnostic platform comes from comments made by Iwata over a year before NX was announced! It is quite possible that within that timeframe, the decision was made to (at least initially) focus on a single SKU.
-Iwata answered an investors question about whether NX would abandon the current notion of portable/stationary at a Q&A. One must wonder if some of these questions werent approved by Iwata beforehand.
Iwata responded that NX would be taking into consideration various factors, including the playing environments that differ by country. Many of us (including myself) have taken this quote to mean that NX would come in a variety of form factors (and that may still be the case in the future), however if we examine how Wii U was meant to address this and failed we can come to a couple simple conclusions. 1) Wii U was not portable enough for the Japanese market. 2) Wii U was not powerful enough for the western market. With 16nm FF+ process technology, its not outlandish to say that Xbone-caliber performance would fit within ~50w. Some other steps they might take in designing such a device:
- Ditch the optical drive (slimming the console and increasing reliability/convenience)
- Add in a laptop battery, HDD, and NX Gamecard slot
- Have the controller charge via the console (as in the digital console patent)
- Shrink the controller down a bit. IHS sources implied between 3-5 LCD
- Maybe even have the controller fit into the console somewhere ala Famicom
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David Gibson believes that NX will focus on an AR component in response to this years VR invasion. AR obviously works better the more portable a system is, as the player can explore different real life environments enhanced by the software. The patent for the Free Form Display also seems to indicate this, as the shape of the screen (similar to human FOV) and lack of buttons are described as enhancing the players immersion. Even if they ultimately decided against Sharps tech, that it was even an idea lends credence for more AR from Nintendo. Nintendos face-tracking tech seen in 3DS would also be useful for this purpose.
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This matches the WSJ article, which mentioned there being at least one mobile component which can be used both in combination with the console and separately. I suppose the new Gamepad could have a low end mobile SoC and as good a screen they can sell for $99 or so (they could upgrade it as well whenever prices drop). In theory, this would be capable of playing Virtual Console and certain low end games (or minigames w/in a larger game), basically functioning as the extremely low priced handheld some have called for, yet still better than a 2DS. Since the console would hook up to multiple controllers, only one person would have to bring the NX for your typical multiplayer, although the idea is that the console itself might only be the size of a slimmed out Wii. Im sure there will be a standard controller sold as well, but
dont forget Takedas quote on the input: Simultaneously, regarding input and output technologies, I believe that it is also in line with the current technological trend that Nintendo should challenge itself with the creation of a unique user interface. So there will likely be some kind of quirky input (like IR-based gesture recognition and finger tracking) built into the controller.
-This is the only thing I can think of that makes sense of all the conflicting reports.
Weve got reports of the system being in the ballpark of Xbox One and then we have things like IHS and SemiAccurate reporting that theyve heard its a portable unit. LCD screens and ROM chips are being prepared apparently for the NX platform. In every case, those in the know, just call it NX and never specify NX handheld or NX home console!
Additionally, even if Nintendo have effectively reorganized their hardware and software divisions, it would still be a hefty challenge to launch and support two different devices in a close time frame. Asking Nintendos consumers to buy 1x $300 box + 1x$200 box is too much in my opinion. Weve also been running in circles trying to think up how this shared platform would work, but there havent been many satisfactory conclusions. Mega-sized cartridges which would be completely wasted money if the consumer only owns a portable? Console-only games which will only be playable to a fraction of the combined platforms audience? How to scale CPU loads? All of these headache inducing logistics could be averted if Nintendo were only focusing on one console to start.
This next year is also Nintendos big entry into mobile, so introducing a new fully handheld console during this period might not be ideal.
As always with Nintendo, this is all probably completely off-base. Since the current paradigm of thinking about NX seems to leave many unanswered questions, however, I thought it might be worth exploring. Theres also the possibility of something like NVidias in home streaming tech acting as an extension of the console. Iwata promised this would change video gaming lives so heres to hoping that NX delivers, whatever it is.