Nintendo Wii U

[iris]

Thats just one to one video chat, nothing like the 8 person audio chat on psvita or 360.

Surely you could have ten people people looking at each WiiU camera which would equal 20 person party chat?

[Nobuo's Organ]

Day (days(monsterHunterReleaseDate) - days(releaseDate))

[scottcr]

I'm so hot for WiiU

[Vemsie]

Someone over at GAF posted a summarry of the features in ZombiU:

Mission Design / Story

- It is not truly open world, nor entirely free travel. Instead, there are several levels/zones connected by sewers and other exits.

- You can move between levels/zones via sewers, and these exit points.

- There is no singular protagonist. You instead embody various randomly generated 'survivors'.

- These survivors are lead through the 'story' by four characters, communicating via radio and such. These characters drive the story, irrespective of what survivor you're playing as.

- These four core characters give the survivors missions/tasks that take place in the aforementioned zones, such as collecting objects and presumably killing shit. I assume we will visit zones multiple times.

- There is some kind of end game to work towards, following the missions.

Survivors / Abilities

- No singular protagonist = new survivor on each death.

- Survivors can upgrade weapon proficiencies and effectiveness by using said weapons often, think The Elder Scrolls.

- Weapons can be modified/upgrades for better damage, accuracy, etc by finding loot/goodies scattered throughout zones.

- If a survivor dies, they will take with them their weapon proficiencies and equipment. New survivor starts from scratch, story continues regardless.

- Zombified survivors exist within their respective zones, and can be killed to retrieve old equipment.

- Equipment can be stored in various safe houses by one survivor, and collected by other survivors (should the original survivor die).

- Changes made to zones are persistent. If one survivor unlocks a door, then dies, other survivors will find that door unlocked.

- Some degree of random generation to encounters and surprises in zones, ensuring not every survivor entering a zone will experience the same game.

Controls / Interactivity

- Basic controls not unlike any other dual analogue shooter. Move with one stick, aim with the other, shoot with buttons.

- Main TV screen represents your wider, first person view. GamePad represents intricate, focused view. Appears to emulate the difficulty of splitting your attention between the 'big picture' and smaller, fiddly stuff.

- Examples of the above: sorting through your backpack, picking locks, hitting switches, etc all take place on the GamePad.

- No ability to pause demands micromanagement between GamePad functions and using the big screen to continually observe your surroundings. EG: While picking a lock on the pad you will need to check the big screen to see if zombies are approaching, diverting attention between the two.

- Most weapon aiming appears on the main screen. Scoped weapons use GamePad for aiming, and gyro controls, to simulate a separate 'looking down a scope' perspective.

- Kill and eat rats and ravens for health. Risk of animal carrying plague/virus that depletes health instead.

- Use hammer + planks to barricade doors. Hammer also used for removing planks to access new areas.

- Pick up and read newspapers, magazines, etc.

Social Networking

- Social networking features, not unlike those found in Demon's/Dark Souls.

- Able to create and leave icon/image based messages in zones. These can be discovered/read by your own survivors, and will also be randomly uploaded to other games, appearing in another players zone.

- Zones will occasionally download zombified survivors from someone else's game, placing them in your own zones, with the equipment the other player lost.

- Downloaded zombified survivors will display a survivor score, allowing you to gauge their skill.

- Leaderboards and stat tracking allow you to view your various survivors and their performance, and compare them to others online.

Single/Multi Modes

- Normal campaign allows for infinite survivors.

- A true survivor mode, unlocked by beating the above, grants you only one survivor to finish the game with. Die and you have to start from the very beginning of the 'story' again.

- Various local (not social networking) multiplayer modes, including one where a player using the GamePad plays the game like an RTS, controlling zombie types and spawn points on the map for other players to combat.

The rat and raven eating is a nice touch.

[scottcr]

sounds excellent

[Kelthink]

One must ask if it was possible for Nintendo to make a console that would get you excited? If Nintendo's games and most big multi platform releases doesn't do it then what would? I've a feeling the only thing that would have created excitement among gamers who aren't keen on Nintendo's own output would have been a consoles with 1000 times the power of an Xbox 360 for £250.

It's more to do with the capabilities of the machine itself. The PS3 and 360 have both evolved massively over time, becoming well defined entertainment centres in their own right, with a plethora of brilliant download-only titles which are pretty cheap, as well as some more unusual titles. With decent sized internal HDDs, too. And established online games (and Achievements/Trophies if that rocks your boat).

The Wii U doesn't. Or if it will, it's pretty much just about to take its first step to equalling all that.

[FSW]

I'm tempted bit still have an issue buying a newly released console with 6 or 7 year old hardware in it for more than £150. I realise I shouldn't look at it that way. Also, IMO Nintendo should have made some effort to have regular Wii games looking nicer on it. I dunno. Checking the launch line up now.

EDIT: Crap. No optical out. So I need a new amp if I want surround sound.

[scottcr]

how on earth is it 6 or 7 year old hardware?

I mean - seriously guys... COME ON.

It's more powerful than the 360 or PS3. And it's miniaturised to an embarrassingly small degree. It puts Sony's slim PS3 effort to shame. The circuit board design is a complete masterclass in engineering for a start.

It also, and correct me if I'm wrong, features the first controller ever to feature an integral high-res touchscreen allowing for games to be played on it entirely with no lag what-so-ever... You can't even begin to compare this to the equivalent on the PS3 and Vita...

Also - I thought you guys all hated the Wii, was the only reason you didn't like it was that the games weren't in HD?

[Stolly]

Zombie U does sound excellent I agree but, at the same time, I wonder whether one or two Nintendo fans here would even give it the time of day were it not appearing day one on the Wii U. If my children were younger I think I would be keener on getting a wii u sooner but, given that neither of them are at all interested in playing games nowadays (although my younger daughter still plays super monkey ball at stupidly clever level on the cube occasionally), I can't see any urgency. I'll wait for it to be a fabulous success first I think

[rgraves]

It's more to do with the capabilities of the machine itself. The PS3 and 360 have both evolved massively over time, becoming well defined entertainment centres in their own right, with a plethora of brilliant download-only titles which are pretty cheap, as well as some more unusual titles. With decent sized internal HDDs, too. And established online games (and Achievements/Trophies if that rocks your boat).

The Wii U doesn't. Or if it will, it's pretty much just about to take its first step to equalling all that.

So, basically, never buy a new machine because it's not an old one?

Will you also not buy a 720/PS4 because they won't have 'evolved massively over time' and launch with a 'pleathora of brilliant download-only titles'?

Every system has to launch - it has to pass through Day 0 to get anywhere - you can't hold that against it like it's some kind of defect.

As for the HDD issue - are we honestly saying that overpaying for a built-in drive is preferable to the free choice of whatever USB drive you want to use instead?

[Girth Certificate]

they were pimping pre-orders in tescos earlier, are the games really £45-£50?

[rgraves]

they were pimping pre-orders in tescos earlier, are the games really £45-£50?

No, they're about £35-£40 at places like Zavvi and Simply Games. Some retailers are just chancing their arm at launch.

[Girth Certificate]

thank fuck

Also Sonic Racing was £20 less than other games, it must be fantastic

[FSW]

how on earth is it 6 or 7 year old hardware?

I mean - seriously guys... COME ON.

It's more powerful than the 360 or PS3. And it's miniaturised to an embarrassingly small degree. It puts Sony's slim PS3 effort to shame. The circuit board design is a complete masterclass in engineering for a start.

It also, and correct me if I'm wrong, features the first controller ever to feature an integral high-res touchscreen allowing for games to be played on it entirely with no lag what-so-ever... You can't even begin to compare this to the equivalent on the PS3 and Vita...

Also - I thought you guys all hated the Wii, was the only reason you didn't like it was that the games weren't in HD?

It's got more video memory than the PS3 or 360 but the processor is less powerful as I inderstand? I appreciate that Wonderful 101 is 60fps but that's only at 720p, not 1080p so yes, games on this device are at a similar level of fidelity to 360 and PS3 and those consoles are 6 and 7 years old. That's why I say the tech is 6-7 years old. Reports (from a friend - I will research myself) that the pad only works properly when in the same room. I was playing Ico HD on my Vita in bed last night with no discernible lag.

I'm not totally down on the device. Nintendo carve their own path. Just frustrated that they support some old tech (infra red!) and then don't provide surround sound support for amps without HDMI.

[iris]

So, basically, never buy a new machine because it's not an old one?

Will you also not buy a 720/PS4 because they won't have 'evolved massively over time' and launch with a 'pleathora of brilliant download-only titles'?

Every system has to launch - it has to pass through Day 0 to get anywhere - you can't hold that against it like it's some kind of defect.

As for the HDD issue - are we honestly saying that overpaying for a built-in drive is preferable to the free choice of whatever USB drive you want to use instead?

Quite, it does beg the question whether Nintendo could have released a console that would get some excited. Instead of being excited at the prospect of video chat (and doodling) instead they bemona the lack of six way party chat.

[scottcr]

Zombie U does sound excellent I agree but, at the same time, I wonder whether one or two Nintendo fans here would even give it the time of day were it not appearing day one on the Wii U. If my children were younger I think I would be keener on getting a wii u sooner but, given that neither of them are at all interested in playing games nowadays (although my younger daughter still plays super monkey ball at stupidly clever level on the cube occasionally), I can't see any urgency. I'll wait for it to be a fabulous success first I think

Of course I would - problem is - ZombiU is only possible on a controller with a second screen and it excites me because it's something genuinely new.

[Mike S]

One must ask if it was possible for Nintendo to make a console that would get you excited? If Nintendo's games and most big multi platform releases doesn't do it then what would? I've a feeling the only thing that would have created excitement among gamers who aren't keen on Nintendo's own output would have been a consoles with 1000 times the power of an Xbox 360 for £250.

If it even matters, I've bought every Nintendo console from the NES onwards, up to the 3DS, so am in no way averse to Nintendo product. What would have created excitement is not so much the hardware, which on the console side is really not much to get worked up about (I'll hold judgement on the controller until I've read reviews and used it myself) but the decent AAA first party software you cite as reason to buy. I'm not prepared to pay launch price for a console's promise anymore. For multi-format, I've already got those other formats so that's hardly justification to buy new hardware..

[Stolly]

Of course I would - problem is - ZombiU is only possible on a controller with a second screen and it excites me because it's something genuinely new.

I'd question 'only possible'. Surely its possible to flick to a map/logistics/suitcase screen on the TV but still have the zombies attacking you in the background? Or have a second screen in a corner of a main screen? Touch and swipe controls no I agree but, whatever the controls and however they're swiped/pressed or wiggled, they are still fundamentally all about getting your character(s) to do things on screen. My problem with the wii was that the waggle alone didn't ever inspire me and the games, without their waggleness, became increasingly bland (kiddy/cutesyness aside).

[Kelthink]

So, basically, never buy a new machine because it's not an old one?

If you think it says that, yeah. Very soon you can buy a machine slightly more powerful than the PS3/360 but with a fraction of the features. I think I'll wait for it to become viable, ta.

Will you also not buy a 720/PS4 because they won't have 'evolved massively over time' and launch with a 'pleathora of brilliant download-only titles'?

You're very good at this 'putting words into others mouths' aren't you? The likelihood of Sony & Microsoft allowing users of new consoles to access their existing DLC libraries is pretty high. Nintendo are pretty much starting fresh.

Every system has to launch - it has to pass through Day 0 to get anywhere - you can't hold that against it like it's some kind of defect.

Maybe not a defect, but certainly not a pull for people like me. I just don't see a point in buying one at the moment. All I see is paying more for a lot less.

As for the HDD issue - are we honestly saying that overpaying for a built-in drive is preferable to the free choice of whatever USB drive you want to use instead?

Um, you can already use an external HDD or upgrade an initially small HDD in the PS3 if you wish.

[JPickford]

I haven't seen a single person playing Wii-U on the bus.

[FSW]

Of course I would - problem is - ZombiU is only possible on a controller with a second screen and it excites me because it's something genuinely new.

I know what you're saying here and I agree that there is an extra level of immersion provided by the second screen (and one I'm really keen to try out) but it's not right to say that it's only possible that way. Sonar = put in corner of screen, inventory = pop up inventory on screen, radar = switch mode, sniper = zoom in button etc. The extra screen doesn't make any of these features possible because every single one of them has already been done without an extra screen. It's just an alternative place to put it. It does allow for a gloriously HUD free main screen though.

EDIT: I'm actually talking myself into getting one now.

[mushashi]

It also, and correct me if I'm wrong, features the first controller ever to feature an integral high-res touchscreen allowing for games to be played on it entirely with no lag what-so-ever... You can't even begin to compare this to the equivalent on the PS3 and Vita...

Sorry, couldn't resist

Wii U Pad resolution is 854x480 - Basically still SD-level resolution, so not quite Hi-Res really, PSV is 960x544 for comparison, and lets not talk about smartphones or fruit-based products released within the last 2 years.

Also it isn't lag free in the classic CRT sense, which has 0ms lag, it has 1 frame of lag, which is better than most bog standard HD panels, but there do exist flat panel HDTVs with better lag times which you can buy.

[Aardvark]

The circuit board design is a complete masterclass in engineering for a start.

Do you actually have a background in PCB design so you can make that kind of judgment?

[scottcr]

Do you actually have a background in PCB design so you can make that kind of judgment?

I'd say a first class honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering makes me somewhat qualified.

[rgraves]

You're very good at this 'putting words into others mouths' aren't you? The likelihood of Sony & Microsoft allowing users of new consoles to access their existing DLC libraries is pretty high. Nintendo are pretty much starting fresh.

I'm not putting words into your mouth at all - I directly quoted your post and replied as I saw it. As for your second bit, I'm at a loss - last time I checked Nintendo already were giving people a way to transfer their existing (Wii) library (be that VC or WiiWare) over to the Wii U - so how is that in any way inferior to the 'likelihood of Sony & Microsoft' to do the same? In fact, in the past generation the only people to get 100% compatibility out of their existing library were Wii owners - who could play all of their Gamecube games. Unles you somehow think what Sony offered for PS2 compatibility and MS for XBox compatibility was superior?

I'll have a bet with you now - Miiverse will be an incredibly well thought out, simple to use system that catches the imagination of the general public far more than either MS with Live! or Sony with Home have managed so far. It might not offer 2,879-way audio chat, but I think Nintendo will be happy that they've spent their R&D dollars on functionality that hits a broader part of their target market than that type of functionality ever would have.

I'd say a first class honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering makes me somewhat qualified.

BAZINGA!

[bankies]

I have only ordered the Zombie U pack so far but will probably pickup COD later.

I sold my Wii years ago but had purchased a few VC games will I now be to download to the Wii U?

Getting fairly excited but there has been times I have thought about cancelling my pre order

[JPickford]

Once I was a Nintendo fan but nowadays I'm more of a scottcr fan.

[FSW]

It's half an inch shallower and an inch shorter than a PS3. A PS3 does manage to incorporate an ethernet port, optical audio and blu-ray capability in that extra size though ;-)

[Kelthink]

I'm not putting words into your mouth at all - I directly quoted your post and replied as I saw it. As for your second bit, I'm at a loss - last time I checked Nintendo already were giving people a way to transfer their existing (Wii) library (be that VC or WiiWare) over to the Wii U - so how is that in any way inferior to the 'likelihood of Sony & Microsoft' to do the same? In fact, in the past generation the only people to get 100% compatibility out of their existing library were Wii owners - who could play all of their Gamecube games. Unles you somehow think what Sony offered for PS2 compatibility and MS for XBox compatibility was superior?

Fair do. I don't think the range on Nintendo's stores is anywhere near that of Microsoft's or Sony's offerings, but that's subjective. And I haven't said anything about the PS3 and 360 for backwards compability, since I know that wasn't very good.

I'll have a bet with you now - Miiverse will be an incredibly well thought out, simple to use system that catches the imagination of the general public far more than either MS with Live! or Sony with Home have managed so far. It might not offer 2,879-way audio chat, but I think Nintendo will be happy that they've spent their R&D dollars on functionality that hits a broader part of their target market than that type of functionality ever would have.

Cool, whatever. I haven't said a word about party chat as well. I don't know how you can bet on a subjective thing either? I didn't care much for Home, it has apparently been very successful but there's loads of other stuff the PS3 offers for me anyway, so I can live without that.

[mushashi]

Plenty of novel ways to make things seem smaller, ask Apple, past masters at the art. I wonder if future consoles will do an Apple Mac Air and remove the optical drive and make it an optional extra to make the machine seem slimmer. Thinking about it, Sony already pioneered most of the cunning slimming tricks with the PSTwo, drop out the HDD bay, remove the internal PSU (though they did manage to squeeze it back in with a later hardware revision).