Controller Prototype with description

[Teuthida]

Well I am not really sure why I am posting this here because last time I posted some info I got about the Ngage QD way before it was announced I was made fun of to no end and it ended up all being 100% true. Anyways, I figured some people might like to know and at least talk about it.

I spoke with one of the programmers at EA who is a good friend of mine that I did some work with in college. He works at EA now out of Florida. Anyways, recently they got prototypes for the new Nintendo console. So he gave me some insider info on the new Nintendo controller.

Well some people have guessed this probably or at least when you put things together it really makes sense and in some ways I am glad to see Nintendo do it this way and to see that they really didn't go super far out with their Revolutionary idea in alienating developers.

Basically the prototype anyways, was two handles a left and a right one and in the middle was just a big touch screen. Much like the DS this touch screen can be mapped to any controls. How he explained it reminded me much of intellivision. He said from what he has messed with it it seems likely that all of the buttons can be labled on it and can be placed in any configuration desirable by the designer to allow for optimal play with no limitations to the controller design. I asked him if it had a seperate analog stick at least and he told me that at least the prototype he had did not. It did not even have shoulder buttons he said. This dissapointed me. I like the idea for a lot of reasons, but I am not sure I like the idea of all of the buttons being replaced. An analog and shoulder buttons would be nice. Also after using the DS I am not sure I will like the feel of it as there is something about hitting an actual button that feels right. It will be interesting to see what kind of comments nintendo gets over it. I will be going to E3 this year as always and I am sure they will show something then as well.

Sorry he didn't tell me anything else about it. He just knew it was there and had seen it, but isn't directly working on anything for it.

After hearing people complain about playing Mario64 with the touchpad I really don't know about this. The control stick could be replaced by those gyros we keep hearing about...

To be taken with a grain of salt of course.

[GameMaster]

I don't like the sound of it at all. Of course it's not fair of me to judge without giving it a chance but I liked the Gamecube and N64 controller setups fine and I think they should've just altered the design of those a bit. Save the 'Revolution' aspect for the console and games, but not our dear controls. :(

[Acebot44]

I have no idea how this will play along, but as of right now I will catagorize the controller as WACK. Not a word I use often, but it is the proper word in this case.

[Jonbo298]

Thank god theres a thing called prototype. I couldn't live without an analog stick. Bad enough the DS doesn't have one. Hopefully Nintendo will listen to its consumers again on feedback (like they partially did for DS with the overhaul in looks but didn't listen in adding a joystick.).

It's a great idea but without 3D'ish controls, its gonna hurt developers who want a little more freedom. ALso, I hope the feel of the controls being on a touch screen (if this is partially true) is good enough to warrant long hours of playtime. Maybe some funky hybrid where the buttons come up out of it? One can only wish....

[Canyarion]

Bah, I don't want a touch screen on the Revolution controller! :mad:
I want a stick, buttons and gyro control! :D
A touch screen would be nice for a few games (extra info on your controller), but not only that. :(

[Null]

touch screen for buttons = bleh

i hate buttons on touch screens, never feels like your actually pressing any. hopfully this rumor isnt true tho.

[DimHalo]

i didn't really like the touch screen on the DS. Its fine for the shooter games but the other games just didn't feel right. I really like the GC controller, I don't want it to change much.

[jeepnut]

One thing I can say about this, if it is true, that will be one expensive controller.

[Xantar]

They won't get rid of all buttons and analog sticks. The nice thing about those is they give you feedback. You know how far you're pushing the analog stuck because you can feel it. And you know you are pushing a button because you can feel it. With a touch screen, you'd have to look down to make sure it's working. Nintendo would know this better than anyone else. They were the first to put analog sticks on a console controller, after all. And they also are the first to put rumble functionality in controllers. They know being able to feel feedback in your controller is important because after all, you're supposed to spend your gaming time looking at the screen, not down at your controller.

Personally, I think they will probably have a touch screen of some sort, but I don't think they will get rid of all buttons, sticks and pads. It not only wouldn't work but would also run counter to everything Nintendo does in game design.

[DimHalo]

you make some good points there... plus rep

[Teuthida]

"One pays a price for innovation, and innovators, knowing this, are hardly conciliators."

[Canyarion]

I don't know about the touch screen... By the time the Revolution comes out, it will be 'been there, done that'. Sure, it would be a cool addition, but it's nothing revolutionary enough.
It's funny that everybody expects the gyro stuff. What if Nintendo can't achieve it? It will be a huge let-down.

[DimHalo]

Can someone please clarify the gyro thing to me?

[Teuthida]

Tilt the controller and your character will move correspondingly.

Sort of off topic but found this controller:
http://www.radicauk.com/images/product/rc74160.jpg

It's actually called the Revolution and it's for PS2. Customizable controls. Kind of interesting.

[Teuthida]

Gah! Read!

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=9991

The piezo effect can be subtly altered to create a number of different vibratory effects, allowing humans to get the sensation that their fingers are actually touching real buttons on a screen.

Well, would fall under the quote from my other topic about what's revolutionary about it: "It's nothing "new" technically speaking. It's just something that hasn't really been applied to video games yet."

[Jonbo298]

I read the minds of Sony :eyes: :p

[Crash]

touch screen for buttons = bleh

i hate buttons on touch screens, never feels like your actually pressing any. hopfully this rumor isnt true tho.

that's why they invented the tactile touchpad... the one that gives feedback that I keep telling you all about.

nintendo already applied for the patent on that with piezo tweeters in the article I already showed you... it will be a touch pad, but it will also have feedback so you know where you are pressing and it will "buzz/vibrate" when you get to a spot so you know where you are pressing... you guys never listen to me...

LINK TO US PATENT OFFICE:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=5&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1=nintendo&OS=nintendo&RS=nintendo



A haptic feedback touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that provides position information to a computer based on a location of user contact. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position information, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user. The actuator can move the touchpad laterally, or a separate surface member can be actuated. A flat E-core actuator, piezoelectric actuator, or other types of actuators can be used to provide forces. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

So nintendo already invented it, and it will be on the Revolution controller... MARK MY WORDS DAMMIT!!!

[Teuthida]

Ya, on first page linked to article about the creation of it. Sounds very cool.

From another article:

PulseTouch represents the next generation in human interface design for mobile electronics products by delivering tactile confirmation of on-screen commands through the user's fingertips. The technology simulates a variety of key styles to give the effect of holding down, tapping, sliding or pushing a button. As an added safety feature users can even feel the edges of each key when tracing their finger over the screen, enabling them to locate buttons while keeping their eyes on the road.

Ever try one of these type of things out Crash?


I'm guessing that if the controller is indeed like this, the interface buttons of the controller will automatically be displayed depending on what game you're playing. No more complaining that a said controller isn't for fighting games, or isn't for shooters, etc. It all depends on what buttons the developer programs it to use.

[Crash]

Ya, on first page linked to article about the creation of it. Sounds very cool.

From another article:



Ever try one of these type of things out Crash?

no, but I will this E3, I guarantee it!

[Null]

that's why they invented the tactile touchpad... the one that gives feedback that I keep telling you all about.

nintendo already applied for the patent on that with piezo tweeters in the article I already showed you... it will be a touch pad, but it will also have feedback so you know where you are pressing and it will "buzz/vibrate" when you get to a spot so you know where you are pressing... you guys never listen to me...

LINK TO US PATENT OFFICE:

So nintendo already invented it, and it will be on the Revolution controller... MARK MY WORDS DAMMIT!!!

seen it. dont like it. touch screens suck for gaming. i want a BUTTON.

and i'll mark your words. but i'll pray for nintendos sake they wise up and it doesnt happen.

[Xantar]

A piezoelectric touch pad? Well, it could work, but isn't that going to be monumentally expensive? Not to mention nobody knows how long it's going to last. I would expect that for maybe the generation after the next, but not this one.

Then again, Nintendo might surprise me.

[Canyarion]

Yeah, Nintendo has always made cheap controllers... The gyro stuff is enough for me.

And like Null says, a touchpad with vibration is still just that: a touchpad. with vibration. :rolleyes:

The neat thing about real buttons is that you can touch them without activating them. I don't think you can do that with a touch pad/screen.

[dropCGCF]

Stupid game companies.

Average gamers want simplicity in their controller design. Why do you think Super Monkey Ball was such a hit?

[Crash]

I didn't think super monkey ball was a hit... i know it's one of my favorite games, but I dont think it sold well...

but you're right, those are the best games.

[dropCGCF]

And why is Google one of the top ranked sites? Obviously, people like me are too fed up with fancy stuff. The only games I play anymore besides Halo are my NES ones.