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Can I poke Zelda on the touch screen? Seriously Nintendo. Let me poke Zelda on the next zelda game. Or at least the much more sexy Ganon. Ganon is so hawt.
I think they'll be avoiding this issue for the most part since the GamePad won't be available standalone (at first).
"it's own unique thing", so clearly, the gamepad isn't a tablet. The gamepad is a controller with a touch-screen on it, that has been pretty clear from the beginning, at least for me. I wouldn't be surprised if the general uninformed public thought it was a tablet, though. But Nintendo is probably going to do a lot of marketing on TV to inform people about it.
Cintiq tablet: buttons, stylus, display fed by a master computer.
Tell me how this is that different from the Gamepad?
Tell me how this is that different from the Gamepad?
It's a controller with a screen. It can pretty much do everything any other control input can (to a certain point) while still being a regular controller. It also benefits from familiar tech that people already have had more than 6 years of experience with. It's not a tablet, it can't do anything without the Wii U but it can do a lot with it.
@SarahDot The wii U gamepad has the all the buttons of a gaming controller, the Cintiq tablet does not. The gamepad has motion controls, the Cintiq tablet does not. The Cintiq tablet is designed as an artistic tool, the gamepad is a controller for gaming that can be used for other applications as well. etc
It's not really a tablet it has some similatires like Internet, Netflix, Hulu, & Amazon Instand Video, but it doesn't have all those free or cheap games & various apps like Bank management, flashlight, or other random apps.
Another article from you that boils down to "B-But its totally not a tablet guys".
What does it matter? Is it truly so important that people define the controller by a VERY specific thing? In the end we'll only find out when the thing is actually released, for now I consider it a tablet controller.
What does it matter? Is it truly so important that people define the controller by a VERY specific thing? In the end we'll only find out when the thing is actually released, for now I consider it a tablet controller.
It's a Nintendo DS made into a controller. Hell the actual television itself can be considered the top screen of the DS, and the controller as the bottom of the DS, aka a simple touch interface with regular buttons surrounding it.
"That said, it's not Nintendo's fault if uniformed consumers see a big touch screen, hear "GamePad" and immediately think "Nintendo made an iPad hooray!" and then snatch the thing up without doing any research."
I'd say you just hit on the reason they aren't putting Gamepads on store shelves during the launch window.
Imagine what happens when you have some of the Wii's expanded audience walking into stores and seeing the new Nintendo Gamepad for just $149
I'd say you just hit on the reason they aren't putting Gamepads on store shelves during the launch window.
Imagine what happens when you have some of the Wii's expanded audience walking into stores and seeing the new Nintendo Gamepad for just $149
Tbh I'm more worried about the fact that the branding of Wii-U still makes it seem like a Wii add on rather than Wii U being it's own thing. Maybe if they had called it a different name and made the aesthetic of the console look different it would feel more like a new console to me and less like a new iteration of an old one with upgraded features. I'm still intrigued by Wii-U, don't get me wrong, I just think they should have differentiated it more from the Wii.
HYPE!
Holmes, it isn't defined as a tablet. People are calling it a tablet controller, because it has the qualities of both. You're worrying about people expecting an iPad from the Wii U, but so far you're the only one I've seen with the concern. No one else seems confused or bothered with the term. And I don't think it matters if Nintendo officially thinks of it as a tablet controller or not. It's a term that works for the public. We all get it. Gamepad is a useless term, because controllers have been called gamepads since they existed. Calling it a tablet controller helps us identify how the controller is unique. Calling it a gamepad doesn't mean a damn thing.
As for it being "it's own unique thing", that's kind of a stretch at this point. The Vita+PS3 can do pretty much everything the Wii U can do. More if you count the rear touchpad. (I don't like it, personally)
And a lot of how I'm seeing the tablet controller being used is exactly the same as how the DS/3DS functioned. Which is new-ish for a home console I suppose, but not groundbreaking.
That all said I'm starting to get exciting about the Wii U. Most of my concerns have been answered and while I probably won't be buying at launch (too late to pre-order anyways) I wouldn't doubt I'll be getting one by the end of the year. Hard to resist once Pikmin 3 launches.
Holmes, it isn't defined as a tablet. People are calling it a tablet controller, because it has the qualities of both. You're worrying about people expecting an iPad from the Wii U, but so far you're the only one I've seen with the concern. No one else seems confused or bothered with the term. And I don't think it matters if Nintendo officially thinks of it as a tablet controller or not. It's a term that works for the public. We all get it. Gamepad is a useless term, because controllers have been called gamepads since they existed. Calling it a tablet controller helps us identify how the controller is unique. Calling it a gamepad doesn't mean a damn thing.
As for it being "it's own unique thing", that's kind of a stretch at this point. The Vita+PS3 can do pretty much everything the Wii U can do. More if you count the rear touchpad. (I don't like it, personally)
And a lot of how I'm seeing the tablet controller being used is exactly the same as how the DS/3DS functioned. Which is new-ish for a home console I suppose, but not groundbreaking.
That all said I'm starting to get exciting about the Wii U. Most of my concerns have been answered and while I probably won't be buying at launch (too late to pre-order anyways) I wouldn't doubt I'll be getting one by the end of the year. Hard to resist once Pikmin 3 launches.
seriously, who the hell buys things without any research??
oh clueless people gotcha :P
it's defintiely not a "tablet"
i actually think it's a bigger 3DS handheld
oh clueless people gotcha :P
it's defintiely not a "tablet"
i actually think it's a bigger 3DS handheld
I think people are getting a little too caught up in semantics with this whole thing. It's a controller with a touchscreen. It shares some similarities with iPads and Android devices that are typically called "tablets", but it doesn't necessarily do all the same things as all those devices. The point of labels like "Tablet" are to save time so we don't have to type out descriptions like I just did, but when you spend more time contemplating/arguing about what that term means than what it would take to type out that explanation the purpose of that label is nullified.
All that said, I do think Nintendo needs to emphasize that this thing isn't going to do much without the Wii U behind it. From what I've seen, the gaming press, folks that are familiar with this stuff and know what to expect from new tech, were kind of confused with what the Wii U and the GamePad were supposed to be before Nintendo finally showed the two things working together. The average consumer is going to be even more confused, and that does not work for Nintendo.
All that said, I do think Nintendo needs to emphasize that this thing isn't going to do much without the Wii U behind it. From what I've seen, the gaming press, folks that are familiar with this stuff and know what to expect from new tech, were kind of confused with what the Wii U and the GamePad were supposed to be before Nintendo finally showed the two things working together. The average consumer is going to be even more confused, and that does not work for Nintendo.
Um, Reggie has said on numerous occasions that it is not a tablet. He's always corrected people when they said that. In fact, that's exactly what happened last year when he did his first interview about the console.
"The Wii U is not a tablet. Its a two-screen experience." --Reggie
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/one-on-one-nintendo/
Headline of article: Reggie Fils-Aime: Wii U Is Not A Tablet, Its An Experience
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/07/reggie-fils-aime-wii-u-is-not-a-tablet-its-an-experience/
And that's from last year.
"The Wii U is not a tablet. Its a two-screen experience." --Reggie
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/one-on-one-nintendo/
Headline of article: Reggie Fils-Aime: Wii U Is Not A Tablet, Its An Experience
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/07/reggie-fils-aime-wii-u-is-not-a-tablet-its-an-experience/
And that's from last year.
"Kit also made an official comment regarding the Wii U GamePad's status (or lack there of) as a "tablet". I let Kit know right off the bat that the Wii U GamePad does not fit my definition of a tablet controller for gaming. He didn't disagree with me on that point, but at the same time, he didn't do much to reaffirm my assertion either. "
How is that a statment, let alone an official one?
@Andy
I have a feeling they'll be avoiding the issue because people don't get it.. It seems like everytime Nintendo does something people don't quite understand, they act like it isn't there any more, or just keep on keeping on like no one said anything. Any confusion blows through like a ghost farted.
How is that a statment, let alone an official one?
@Andy
I have a feeling they'll be avoiding the issue because people don't get it.. It seems like everytime Nintendo does something people don't quite understand, they act like it isn't there any more, or just keep on keeping on like no one said anything. Any confusion blows through like a ghost farted.
If Nintendo isn't bothered to clarify it any further, why is it so important to everyone else? I get its a slow news day and whatnot, but please stop beating this to death. Tablet? Not tablet? Who cares!?!
@Tahiri:
Yes, all the Wii U can do is the Remote Play functionally, which worked so amazing in the Ps3 that Satoru Iwata thought: Let´s design a console specifically for this sole purpose.
I still remeber him saying at E3 2011: "Let´s forget about our very own past and ideas by ignoring the Gamecube to Gameboy Advance connectivity...what a mess. Sony has shown us that the beauty, the masterpiece, the Opus Magnum of Gaming that the Remote Play obviously is, is the final destination of videogames."
...not
Yes, all the Wii U can do is the Remote Play functionally, which worked so amazing in the Ps3 that Satoru Iwata thought: Let´s design a console specifically for this sole purpose.
I still remeber him saying at E3 2011: "Let´s forget about our very own past and ideas by ignoring the Gamecube to Gameboy Advance connectivity...what a mess. Sony has shown us that the beauty, the masterpiece, the Opus Magnum of Gaming that the Remote Play obviously is, is the final destination of videogames."
...not
its not a fuckin tablet its a controller besides tablets blow for gaming where the gamepad has oh i dont know fuckin joysticks and buttons
This is so a non-issue. I love your stories but you're the only one making a mountain of this mole hill. You can say people will be confused but you're focusing on the controller only.
Let's look at this like a casual gamer consumer would: "Hey Betty, This thing is a game system that connects to your TV with a controller that has touch controls as well as a control stick and a lot of buttons and you put discs in it and it doesn't have an Apple logo on it".
Clearly a huge difference to a tablet.
Let's look at this like a casual gamer consumer would: "Hey Betty, This thing is a game system that connects to your TV with a controller that has touch controls as well as a control stick and a lot of buttons and you put discs in it and it doesn't have an Apple logo on it".
Clearly a huge difference to a tablet.
I don't call it a gamepad as I'm much too accustomed to referring to what most people call "controllers" as gamepads, especially those for PC. I refer to it as a tablet as that's the nearest even remotely similar piece of kit on the market which resembles it. No, it's not a technically correct definition, but in the absence of a catchy brand name, that's what most people will go with.
I vote Nintendo go with "GamePlank."
I vote Nintendo go with "GamePlank."
@orniletter
I think with time and if Sony pushes it, Remote Play could become something big. Cross buy is a positive sign and a step in the right direction. :-P
As for the controller I don't really see why people care so much. The fucking thing has joysticks and buttons. That fact alone is enough information to be excited for the damn thing.
I think with time and if Sony pushes it, Remote Play could become something big. Cross buy is a positive sign and a step in the right direction. :-P
As for the controller I don't really see why people care so much. The fucking thing has joysticks and buttons. That fact alone is enough information to be excited for the damn thing.
It's a controller with a touchscreen. The fact that it doesn't function on its own makes it not a tablet.
@Sayword:
I like the idea too ! Now...if the latency wasn´t so damn high and many games would support it...It could really be something amazing,but at the moment...meh
I like the idea too ! Now...if the latency wasn´t so damn high and many games would support it...It could really be something amazing,but at the moment...meh
What defines a tablet? This discussion is pointless
Yes, nintendo got the idea from apple, no that's not a big deal.
One could argue the DS got the idea from the touchscreen cellphones, whatever.
What's the big deal?
Nothing is completely original, specially in this industry.
The fact that it's called GamePad (as in iPad) makes the association obvious. Yeah, nintendo's new gimmick looks like an iPad. Like the one a lot of kids want. Yes it's different, it's got buttons and it depends on another piece of hardware.
So what? Why the fuzz? I don't get it.
Yes, nintendo got the idea from apple, no that's not a big deal.
One could argue the DS got the idea from the touchscreen cellphones, whatever.
What's the big deal?
Nothing is completely original, specially in this industry.
The fact that it's called GamePad (as in iPad) makes the association obvious. Yeah, nintendo's new gimmick looks like an iPad. Like the one a lot of kids want. Yes it's different, it's got buttons and it depends on another piece of hardware.
So what? Why the fuzz? I don't get it.
@The Silent Protagonist - So you are saying the Cintiq *can't* be used for gaming?
@santiagodelossantos - So you are saying that the Gamepad is similar to a Cintiq with more features?
Wacom tablets were "tablets" long before the iPad. What made them tablets? You could digitally draw with them using a stylus. Call the Gamepad what you want, but historically it has plenty of right to be called a tablet.
@santiagodelossantos - So you are saying that the Gamepad is similar to a Cintiq with more features?
Wacom tablets were "tablets" long before the iPad. What made them tablets? You could digitally draw with them using a stylus. Call the Gamepad what you want, but historically it has plenty of right to be called a tablet.
My imagination tells me that GamePad is a tablet-inspired... gamepad. So everything thing's clear. Or maybe some ppl at nintendo are affraid that there are some people out there who doesn't understand what "inspired" means? XD
My wild guess is that its another nintendo feature that will be heavily used in the beginning and then slowly phased out as people dislike it
I am not sure if anyone realizes this but an argument on how something should be named is pretty dumb. Who cares if you think its not a tablet. That wouldn't change what it is, a controller with physical buttons, analog sticks, motion controls, touch screen and just to piss you off a tablet form factor.
Jonathan, I love you, but you are ENTIRELY too obsessed about whether or not it's a tablet. It won't matter WHAT it's called because people will be stupid about it no matter what. People will throw money at things without an inkling of what the device really is so please... you can stop it now, ok?
... Wait, you're making Stealth upset. Carry on.
... Wait, you're making Stealth upset. Carry on.
Dtoid is a bunch of haters when it comes to Wii U. Just wait until Metroid, Zelda come out and EVERYONE AND THEIR MOTHER will buy it. ;D
@Tahiri
Yeah, maybe if you say it every chance you get and wish it with all your heart, that statement may become true.
But, then again, you would also have to also wish Pac-Man Vs. and Crystal Chronicles never happened...
Yeah, maybe if you say it every chance you get and wish it with all your heart, that statement may become true.
But, then again, you would also have to also wish Pac-Man Vs. and Crystal Chronicles never happened...
I don't think Nintendo would be heart broken if a few units were moved because they share similar aesthetics and at a passing glance, may have some similar functions to certain Apple products. But it is certainly not Nintendo's responsibility to put a sticker on the box that says "HEY DERP DERPS, THIS IS NOT AN iPAD!"
Oy... didn't we go through this the last time Holmes talked about this? It's both a controller with a touchscreen because that's its main function, and it's a tablet DEVICE because it's (duh) a device shaped like a tablet, much like a Wacom. It's not a tablet PC or an iPad is what people mean, as it lacks the functions of these devices which most people associate with the word "tablet" and erroneously believe to be the standards for something to be a tablet. Aaaand that's the long and short of it.
The more I find out about the GamePad the less excited I am. I was disappointed when they said no multi-touch and then I found out the screen isn't even HD.
What the fuck is the point of taking my HD Zelda game onto the GamePad screen if it's not going to be in HD? New Super Mario Bros U is now New Super Mario Bros 2: The Expansion.
Except obviously that's not the case as both of those games will feature new content because they're new games. But it's still disappointing and what I said is partially true considering how similar most entries in those two series are at their core.
Oh well. Still getting the console for my kids so I'm going to enjoy whatever it has to offer anyway. It's a Nintendo console; It'll be worth it in the end.
What the fuck is the point of taking my HD Zelda game onto the GamePad screen if it's not going to be in HD? New Super Mario Bros U is now New Super Mario Bros 2: The Expansion.
Except obviously that's not the case as both of those games will feature new content because they're new games. But it's still disappointing and what I said is partially true considering how similar most entries in those two series are at their core.
Oh well. Still getting the console for my kids so I'm going to enjoy whatever it has to offer anyway. It's a Nintendo console; It'll be worth it in the end.
It just occured to me after reading this that Nintendo may have another reason not to sell the WiiU Gamepad's separately. After this ad campaign push gets into televisions and print, parents are going to go into stores and try and Purchase what they believe is a peripheral device for the WiiU. If Gamepads were sold separately, many people would come home only to find it doesn't work with their original Wii's and cause an angry uproar over what they would believe to be false advertising. Now I'm thinking Nintendo is playing it safe and avoiding a public image meltdown on news networks.
@orniletter
Latency issues aside, the reason it is underutilized is more of a market share thing. Without being paid off, developers, for the the most part, aren't going to make use of any features that aren't guaranteed to be available. Why make a product that relies on an add-on that people probably don't have? In the case of cross-play a GameCube and a GBA and a special cable or a PS3 and a Vita, or what have you. By designing a console that supports this out of the box with the controller, it is as guaranteed as any standard controller. No reason to not support a second screen. Plus, with the popularity of the DS, this is just a natural advancement of what has already been proven.
Latency issues aside, the reason it is underutilized is more of a market share thing. Without being paid off, developers, for the the most part, aren't going to make use of any features that aren't guaranteed to be available. Why make a product that relies on an add-on that people probably don't have? In the case of cross-play a GameCube and a GBA and a special cable or a PS3 and a Vita, or what have you. By designing a console that supports this out of the box with the controller, it is as guaranteed as any standard controller. No reason to not support a second screen. Plus, with the popularity of the DS, this is just a natural advancement of what has already been proven.
I think all that needed to be said about what the gamepad can and can't do up to this point has been explained. It's up to the consumer to do a little research and decide if they want it or not. It's not Nintendo's fault the person didn't take the time to read into it, should they buy the gamepad and not have it do what they thought it could do.
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