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[Jarsonot]

As far as HUDs go, yes certain things are best kept on the main screen, like the pilot example, because often that info is designed to interact directly with the image on the main screen. However when it comes to separate things like inventory of course its easier to have it on a second touch screen. You're trying to make this big issue about looking away from the screen down at your hands, don't your arms move then? Can't you just bring the pad up closer to the screen? Having the inventory on your controller at all times means whenever you want to change items you only have to glance away from the screen, move your thumb a few inches and press directly on what you want, something that will take a second at most. A fraction of the time it'll take to bring up an inventory screen on your main screen and cycle through items with a stick to find the one you want. Not to mention there'd be no need to pause the game either. I think I know why you're making such a big deal about it though...

I know on my PS3 if I want to know what time it is I can either hit the PS button, wait for the Xmedia bar to come up and the clock to come onscreen, then hit the PS button again and wait for the game to come back, OR just look behind me at a clock.

I look behind me. It's a lot faster. Imagine now that all I had to do is look at that big ole screen in my hands. I don't see it being a problem at all.

I do think there are some things that will be better off on the TV, though. Things that are looked at so often and repeatedly that having them on the TV makes sense. I think the majority of HUD elements don't fit this bill.

 

[H_Prestige]

Well, the Wii U's circle pad isn't exactly the same.
But even if it was, the 3DS circle pad works perfectly fine. The only reason it becomes uncomfortable is because of how small the unit is for some people. Something that shouldn't be a problem here.

The problem is that there was no reason to even use a circle pad on the wii u. The 3DS has to close on itself so maybe it's more practical, but there was no reason they couldn't use their normal joystick design for the wii u.

 

[bgassassin]

I know on my PS3 if I want to know what time it is I can either hit the PS button, wait for the Xmedia bar to come up and the clock to come onscreen, then hit the PS button again and wait for the game to come back, OR just look behind me at a clock.

I look behind me. It's a lot faster. Imagine now that all I had to do is look at that big ole screen in my hands. I don't see it being a problem at all.

I do think there are some things that will be better off on the TV, though. Things that are looked at so often and repeatedly that having them on the TV makes sense. I think the majority of HUD elements don't fit this bill.

I agree and I know I don't see it as a problem. Someone like my mother might have an issue with need to look down for long periods of time, but just like any other button on the controller I'd like to believe I'd be able to map weapons or whatever to certain parts of the screen, know where they are positioned, and touch that portion for a real-time weapon change without ever having to look down. Vigil seemed to suggest this might could happen where you have to change a weapon in mid-attack.

I think some people try to make this harder than what it is.

 

[fernoca]

Haven't you seen StarFox U?

Hahaha, love the guy in the picture! XD

 

[Bombillazo]

I agree and I know I don't see it as a problem. Someone like my mother might have an issue with need to look down for long periods of time, but just like any other button on the controller I'd like to believe I'd be able to map weapons or whatever to certain parts of the screen, know where they are positioned, and touch that portion for a real-time weapon change without ever having to look down. Vigil seemed to suggest this might could happen where you have to change a weapon in mid-attack.

I think some people try to make this harder than what it is.

The question is, in a game like CoD, will playing the regular game feel like playing Hardcore mode due to the HUD elements being moved to the small screen? Wouldn't that frustrate players if not given the option to display that information on the top screen as before?

 

[Jarsonot]

The question is, in a game like CoD, will playing the regular game feel like playing Hardcore mode due to the HUD elements being moved to the small screen? Wouldn't that frustrate players if not given the option to display that information on the top screen as before?

Yeah, for me this is one of those elements I'd like to have on the tv since I use it so frequently. I'd like "immediate" access to it.

Compare that with, say, rupees in Zelda. Don't need to know that info instantly and constantly.

Ultimately it's up to devs to decide which is which.

 

[bgassassin]

The question is, in a game like CoD, will playing the regular game feel like playing Hardcore mode due to the HUD elements being moved to the small screen? Wouldn't that frustrate players if not given the option to display that information on the top screen as before?

Oh when I said I agree I meant with everything you said including certain things that may need to stay on the TV. Maybe we could see a customizable HUD where we could choose what goes to the small screen and what might stay on the TV.

 

[botty]

The ability to customize the placement of certain actions onto the Wii U controller wouldn't require anyone to look down. I think Monster Hunter Tri G has a customizable option like this.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Note to self, do not post drunk. So anything new?

 

[brochiller]

Or maybe they've done testing that you haven't on which is better for this controller design...

I can see why they replace the sticks with circle pads, but the handles on the sides look like they would make it much more comfortable than just a flat back.

 

[AceBandage]

Note to self, do not post drunk. So anything new?

I was just confirming that Time Splitters 4 will be a

Spoiler

good idea for

launch title.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

I was just confirming that Time Splitters 4 will be a

Spoiler

good idea for

launch title.

it would be a good idea at any period in time

acebandawg

 

[thesh00ter]

There's 60fps footage of Space World 2000 around so this can be told?

Well, it is the Game Developers Conference; one might hope they'd have something relevant to Wii U game developers.

yes that is the obvious but my whole point is u shouldn't have such high expectations. i know u guys like to do this every year but it gets annoying when the ones that do take it seriously start complaining. but anyway...

Part of that was unrealistic expectations about the capabilities of the wiimote (the same could be said of kinect). Even if motionplus had been included from day one, a lot of the suggested uses wouldn't have been feasible with a reliable degree of accuracy. The Wii U pad is much more of a known quantity. We have seen what the DS has done with a second screen. We have seen tablet games. And we have seen games on multiple formats using accelerometers and augmented reality. We have a much better idea of what is and is not possible with a Wii U pad.

i'm glad u brought this up because i was thinking about this exact thing the other day. basically how the Wiimote seemed to have potential but wasn't used as much, well simply because of realism. the high hopes for it were meant well but couldn't be met. But the U Pad will possibly make up for a lot of that because of all the features being combined into one. a lot of people feel it will be too big, but of course we know that it works fine from hands on. so that would mean that traditional control is implemented into this as well. I think it's absolutely ingenius. lets not forget the NFC's and what parts it can play. i've also notice people theorizing the Vitality sensor playing a part as either built in or as an accessory. could u imagine, playing a game solving a puzzle that you can only feel? (lol no dirty jokes). or judging distance of something oncoming from an advance vibration function?

 

[BY2K]

GDC next week. I hope we get something. (And that I have a functioning computer by then.)

 

[Übermatik]

GDC next week. I hope we get something. (And that I have a functioning computer by then.)

No, I hope we get something... *sob*

EDIT: Oh shit, there's a chance I won't have an internet connection for GDC... moving house. Might have to connect to FON/steal someones mobile internet.

 

[AceBandage]

it would be a good idea at any period in time

acebandawg

Well, actually, I think launch would be better than later in the system's life.
People are more willing to give things a chance early in a generation. That's when new IPs thrive.

 

[Somnia]

I'd be happier with a Ghost Recon Shadow Wars spinoff instead. Make it a bit more like Valkyria Chronicles in a way, but multiplayer in the same room or online.

I am all for this. They could do some pretty amazing stuff with this "series" on the WiiU.

 

[snowdog1971]

Its sad how people forget about the built in camera and microphone the controller has and dont even incorporate it into new ideas for gaming, specially for team online gameplay

If we don't get a Texas Holdem Poker game with video chat at launch or during the launch window then I'm going to be very disappointed! Single player campaign starting off in dodgy back room bars and progressing all the way to televised World Championships in big casinos. Online multiplayer with video chat...get those poker faces ready lol

The only problem is getting the AI right, make it too good and it'll get bad reviews for being too difficult and make it a bit ropey and it'll get bad reviews for being too easy. I worked on a poker game when I was at Eidos and the AI was shit hot but it got canned unfortunately, although I think the AI was a bit too good because it was bloomin difficult to beat so it would have got slaughtered by reviewers.

Edit: ah-ha!!! Beat Alistair Roo to starting a new page lol

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

I was just confirming that Time Splitters 4 will be a

Spoiler

good idea for

launch title.

Worth noting I was kinda thinking the same thing six years ago, as an unattached series that had done well on GameCube and could show off the pointer. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Well, actually, I think launch would be better than later in the system's life.
People are more willing to give things a chance early in a generation. That's when new IPs thrive.

it's a shame "new IPs" will consist of many average Ubisoft games or something.

 

[wsippel]

Not terribly interesting, but Pipeworks, Ubisoft Reflections and Blitz are all working on Wii U launch titles, the first two might be exclusives. This should be a mostly complete list of 3rd party studios confirmed to be working on Wii U titles:

EA Sports
Ubisoft Montpellier (Killer Freaks)
Ubisoft Montreal
Ubisoft Quebec
Ubisoft Paris
Ubisoft Reflections
Ubisoft Shanghai (Ghost Recon Online)
4A Games (Metro)
Vigil (Darksiders)
Gearbox (Aliens)
TT Fusion (Lego City Stories)
Blitz
Pipeworks
Team Ninja (Ninja Gaiden)
Namco Bandai Studio (Tekken)
Zen Studios (Pinball FX)
SquareEnix (Dragon Quest X)
Two Tribes (Toki Tori 2)
Slightly Mad (Project C.A.R.S.)
Codemasters (Dirt)
Rockstead (Arkam City)
Vicarious Visions

THQ Studio Australia also worked on a Wii U title, but is now defunct. Some other studios like Epic, Crytek and Crytek UK, DICE, firebrand, Gaijin and High Voltage have devkits and are working on stuff (like technology and prototypes), but I don't know if they have any actual games in the pipeline.

 

[D_prOdigy]

When Crytek said they had devkits, were they not just referring to Crytek UK? We know the guys in Nottingham have them, but I don't remember anything about the Frankfurt team having any.

 

[AceBandage]

When Crytek said they had devkits, were they not just referring to Crytek UK? We know the guys in Nottingham have them, but I don't remember anything about the Frankfurt team having any.

Most likely all their teams have dev kits.
And I've sure Nintendo gave them some incentives as well.

 

[DrWong]

Not terribly interesting, but Pipeworks, Ubisoft Reflections and Blitz are all working on Wii U launch titles, the first two might be exclusives. This should be a mostly complete list of 3rd party studios confirmed to be working on Wii U titles:

EA Sports
Ubisoft Montpellier (Killer Freaks)
Ubisoft Montreal
Ubisoft Quebec
Ubisoft Paris
Ubisoft Reflections
Ubisoft Shanghai (Ghost Recon Online)
4A Games (Metro)
Vigil (Darksiders)
Gearbox (Aliens)
TT Fusion (Lego City Stories)
Blitz
Pipeworks
Team Ninja (Ninja Gaiden)
Namco Bandai Studio (Tekken)
Zen Studios (Pinball FX)

THQ Studio Australia also worked on a Wii U title, but is now defunct. Some other studios like Crytek and Crytek UK, firebrand, Gaijin and High Voltage have devkits and are working on stuff (like technology and prototypes), but I don't know if they have any actual games in the pipeline.

Square Enix (DQX) ?

 

[wsippel]

Square Enix (DQX) ?

Yep, completely forgot this one was confirmed to be developed in-house.

 

[Boerseun]

THQ Studio Australia also worked on a Wii U title, but is now defunct. Some other studios like Epic, Crytek and Crytek UK, firebrand, Gaijin and High Voltage have devkits and are working on stuff (like technology and prototypes), but I don't know if they have any actual games in the pipeline.

I've just noticed the Wii U logo on the banner from High Voltage Software's site:

I wish more people had purchased Conduit 2. The wide variety of weapons and environments promotes constant experimentation, keeping the game feeling fresh even after you've put 50+ hours into it (as I have). Conduit 3 for Wii U launch would be most welcome! Just keep John St. John away from the mic and HVS will have at least one guaranteed sale.

 

[blu]

Not terribly interesting, but Pipeworks, Ubisoft Reflections and Blitz are all working on Wii U launch titles, the first two might be exclusives. This should be a mostly complete list of 3rd party studios confirmed to be working on Wii U titles:

EA Sports
Ubisoft Montpellier (Killer Freaks)
Ubisoft Montreal
Ubisoft Quebec
Ubisoft Paris
Ubisoft Reflections
Ubisoft Shanghai (Ghost Recon Online)
4A Games (Metro)
Vigil (Darksiders)
Gearbox (Aliens)
TT Fusion (Lego City Stories)
Blitz
Pipeworks
Team Ninja (Ninja Gaiden)
Namco Bandai Studio (Tekken)
Zen Studios (Pinball FX)
SquareEnix (Dragon Quest X)

THQ Studio Australia also worked on a Wii U title, but is now defunct. Some other studios like Epic, Crytek and Crytek UK, firebrand, Gaijin and High Voltage have devkits and are working on stuff (like technology and prototypes), but I don't know if they have any actual games in the pipeline.

No Two Tribes (Toki Tori) and Slightly Mad Studios (C.A.R.S) ?

 

[wsippel]

No Two Tribes (Toki Tori) and Slightly Mad Studios (C.A.R.S) ?

Well, I wrote mostly complete, didn't I?

 

[Luigison]

The Wii u logo looks kind of like a slimmed down vitality sensor.

Any chance Nintendo will have a Wiimote controller port for periphals?

I hope so to avoid this kind of setup when in Wii u tablet mode:

Or better yet, make everything including the nunchuck wireless.

 

[herzogzwei1989]

Two games I'd love to see on Wii U are NAMCO's Tokyo Wars and the sequel Tank! Tank! Tank!

Could have perfect controls on the Wii U controller.

 

[Boerseun]

Speaking of High Voltage Software...

High Voltage Software will be at GDC this year - and we’re hiring!

We’ll be reviewing resumes and portfolios onsite, as well as interviewing. We’ll be setting up interviews at the show, but we invite you to send us your resume ahead of time to secure a meeting time.

High Voltage Software
GDC Booth #1214, Career Pavilion
West Hall, 1st Floor

Wed. March 7: 10:00am-6:00pm
Thur. March 8: 10:00am-6:00pm
Fri. March 9: 10:00am-3:00pm

Send your resumes to jobs@high-voltage.com and include GDC Attendee in the subject line!

The last game they did that had real substance to it was Conduit 2 (excellent multiplayer, it has to be said), and that came out in April of last year. I realise GDC isn't the kind of show where you have big reveals of upcoming software, but maybe we'll get a glimpse of what HVS have been up to in recent months.

 

[Hero of Legend]

Source for Reflections making a Wii U game? I heard a user say they were underway with some sort of Kinect game, could be wrong.

 

[Skiesofwonder]

The Wii u logo looks kind of like a slimmed down vitality sensor.

It's just more evidence to what I have been saying all along. The Wii U tablet will have the Vitality Sensor technology either built into the Upad grips or somehow incorporated into the final system.

 

[wsippel]

Source for Reflections making a Wii U game? I heard a user say they were underway with some sort of Kinect game, could be wrong.

The usual source.

 

[Conor 419]

It's just more evidence to what I have been saying all along. The Wii U tablet will have the Vitality Sensor technology either built into the Upad grips or somehow incorporated into the final system.

I've considered this before and I think it's a brilliant idea. I think we should make the most of our controllers, and so far our middle and ring fingers are doing fuck all.

 

[Cheesecakebobby]

I'd be impressed if a functioning vitality sensor could be built into the grips. They are tempermental devices by nature, and if they aren't properly secured then simply moving your finger a little bit could screw up the sensor. They would have to have a very impressive design that deals with the problems inherent to biometric measurement

 

[OrangeGrayBlue]

Not terribly interesting, but Pipeworks, Ubisoft Reflections and Blitz are all working on Wii U launch titles, the first two might be exclusives. This should be a mostly complete list of 3rd party studios confirmed to be working on Wii U titles:

EA Sports
Ubisoft Montpellier (Killer Freaks)
Ubisoft Montreal
Ubisoft Quebec
Ubisoft Paris
Ubisoft Reflections
Ubisoft Shanghai (Ghost Recon Online)
4A Games (Metro)
Vigil (Darksiders)
Gearbox (Aliens)
TT Fusion (Lego City Stories)
Blitz
Pipeworks
Team Ninja (Ninja Gaiden)
Namco Bandai Studio (Tekken)
Zen Studios (Pinball FX)
SquareEnix (Dragon Quest X)
Two Tribes (Toki Tori 2)
Slightly Mad (Project C.A.R.S.)

THQ Studio Australia also worked on a Wii U title, but is now defunct. Some other studios like Epic, Crytek and Crytek UK, firebrand, Gaijin and High Voltage have devkits and are working on stuff (like technology and prototypes), but I don't know if they have any actual games in the pipeline.

I believe Rocksteady should be on this list since Arkham City is coming to Wii U.

edit- this will probably be helpful, too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wii_U_games

 

[Oddduck]

Isn't Codemasters developing Dirt for Wii U?

 

[Cerebral Assassin]

It's just more evidence to what I have been saying all along. The Wii U tablet will have the Vitality Sensor technology either built into the Upad grips or somehow incorporated into the final system.

The last time it was mentioned by Iwata they couldn't make it work for a high enough percentage of people, so I doubt it.

 

[Hiltz]

Speaking of High Voltage Software, The Grinder must be in development limbo or flat out canceled since we haven't heard a thing about it since 2010. Maybe they're going to put it on Wii U instead but making it a top down shooter seems like they're going to limit its appeal unless its perhaps a downloadable title. Unless they're scrapping it in favor of the original FPS version for the Wii.

Isn't Codemasters developing Dirt for Wii U?

Yes. Codemasters said that F1 and Dirt will be on the platform. Not sure if they're confirmed to be new titles or just old ports.

 

[Pocks]

I'd be impressed if a functioning vitality sensor could be built into the grips. They are tempermental devices by nature, and if they aren't properly secured then simply moving your finger a little bit could screw up the sensor. They would have to have a very impressive design that deals with the problems inherent to biometric measurement

Which makes the whole thing incredibly unlikely. Iwata even said that they can only get it to work on about 80% of the people right now; they're aiming for 99%.

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/iwata-vitality-sensor-delayed-until-it-works-with-99-of-custom/

 

[Übermatik]

It's just more evidence to what I have been saying all along. The Wii U tablet will have the Vitality Sensor technology either built into the Upad grips or somehow incorporated into the final system.

If this is the secret feature, it could be very interesting. But how would it be used?

 

[guek]

If this is the secret feature, it could be very interesting. But how would it be used?

Eternal Darkness, baby.

 

[Boerseun]

Speaking of High Voltage Software, The Grinder must be in development limbo or flat out canceled since we haven't heard a thing about it since 2010. Maybe they're going to put it on Wii U instead but making it a top down shooter seems like they're going to limit its appeal unless its perhaps a downloadable title.

Turning The Grinder into an isometric shooter was a terrible decision. They took a game seemingly everybody wanted and made it into something no one had asked for. Certainly, if we can't have Conduit 3 for Wii U launch, then I would love a revival of the original Wii Grinder project. Heck, they'd be blessed if they gave us both The Grinder and Conduit 3. That would certainly make for some nice variety, and Conduit 2 have shown that they have it in them to grow and improve as an FPS developer.

If this is the secret feature, it could be very interesting. But how would it be used?

In a survival horror game, monsters listen for your heartbeat. In a military simulation, you as a sniper must control your breathing before taking the shot. In a dating sim, you blow it with the girl if she sees you losing your cool. In a spy thriller, you are interrogated, must lie to live. Etc.

 

[Pocks]

If this is the secret feature, it could be very interesting. But how would it be used?

Gabe wants it — http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-valve-biometrics-blog-entry

Half Life 3 to be a Wii U title with exclusive bio-metric features?

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Seems like such a gimmick though. I can't see it being implemented in a way that wouldn't be completely shoehorned for like 98% of possible implementations. Maybe 1 or 2 genuinely good uses.

 

[Chuckpebble]

I just have a very brief thought. I can't decide, are the rumors of the other two adding tablet controllers a good thing because of the possibility of more ports, or are they a bad thing because of a possibility of more crummy ports?

Don't get me wrong, the Wii U is where I'll be because I like Nintendo software quite a bit. But looking back on this generation, the single most played game of mine was neither Nintendo developed, or ported in any way.

 

[AceBandage]

I just have a very brief thought. I can't decide, are the rumors of the other two adding tablet controllers a good thing because of the possibility of more ports, or are they a bad thing because of a possibility of more crummy ports?

Don't get me wrong, the Wii U is where I'll be because I like Nintendo software quite a bit. But looking back on this generation, the single most played game of mine was neither Nintendo developed, or a ported in any way.

It's good for Nintendo because then developers can't use a unique controller as an excuse to not make games for the system.

 

[Hiltz]

I wonder if Sega will even bother to publish any of High Voltage's future projects given how Conduit 2 and that mythological fighting game didn't sell well. Although, Sega's partially to blame due to poor marketing. Anyway, Conduit 2 just came out last year and took close to 2 years to make. C3 would be ready in 2013 at the earliest if the project was given the greenlight.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

I just have a very brief thought. I can't decide, are the rumors of the other two adding tablet controllers a good thing because of the possibility of more ports, or are they a bad thing because of a possibility of more crummy ports?

Don't get me wrong, the Wii U is where I'll be because I like Nintendo software quite a bit. But looking back on this generation, the single most played game of mine was neither Nintendo developed, or a ported in any way.

I say it's a good thing. The more common ground there are between the most popular consoles next-generation (whatever they may be) means more things can be shared between them.