Nintendo Direct pre-E3
Nintendo got the ball rolling at this year's E3 with Nintendo Direct, a pre-show press conference by company president Satoru Iwata, that took place this evening.
Nintendo Direct gave the platform holder a chance to talk about the Wii U, and its new controller; the Wii U GamePad.
The company has redesigned the thumb sticks to a more traditional design, reminiscent of the sticks on PS Vita. They also redesigned back of controller to maximise comfort during longer play sessions.
They also briefly mentioned the NFC reader/writer, and explained how the TV Control Button will also act as a universal remote.
We saw images of the dual screen functionality. The screens are not fixed, and work together in different ways. For example, a video displayed the controller held flat and ninja stars being flicked off the screen, appearing seamlessly on the television.
The artistic side of Nintendo's handheld devices will make it onto the Wii U. The touchscreen can be controlled using either a finger or the stylus, allowing gamers to embrace their more creative side and make art (we saw them colouring in a picture of Link).
We also got a look at the motion and gyro sensors in action. The pad was being swung about wildly, much in the way that iPad users will be familiar with.
We were also told that the improved graphical power of the new console would be be demonstrated on Tuesday.
Other functions were briefly touched upon, including the option to be able to use the controller when the TV is otherwise engaged. The example they used was in conjunction with a Wii Fit excercise regime. Casual games will also be able to be played this way too, by the looks of things.
Interestingly, it seems that when action is being played out on the big screen, we will also be able to display those visuals on the controller, something that no handhelds can currently do.
We also got a look at the Wii U Pro Controller. It might look a bit Xboxy, but then, surely that's the point.
Nintendo are describing the Wii U as similar to what they have done before with the Wii, but better. At the same time they think it is also something entirely new. They're creating a console that they hope will connect people.
They showed an amusing trailer. A guy, Todd, is playing a zombie game, badly. He talks to his non specific action figure; they're painting a picture for us. During the video they showed off the functionality of the controller, Todd using the triggers and seeming to aim the pad at the screen. He has trouble with a certain level boss and exits the game. On the Miiverse (see below) he posts messages, and then makes a video call to another user in search of guidance on how to beat the boss.
After the trailer Iwata showed us the menu system. Mii U's were milling about. Nintendo call the gathering Mii Wara Wara (which translates as the general noise and commotion of a crowd). Mii U's gather round popular games, and you can see yourself, other profiles from the same console, your friends, and users who speak the same language and like similar games.
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Gamers will be able to communicate via text (which should be improved by the touch screen), handwritten notes and doodles (using swapnote/flipnote studio) and there'll be emoticons, for when words just aren't enough ;)
Screenshots, and user created game content can be shared, and the Nintendo Network will link consoles together. Nintendo are even trying to making trolling the internet fun, "Browser becomes entertainment" is what they call it, though we'll have to take their word for that one.
Iwata wrapped things up with a Miyamoto quote. "A great solution solves multiple problems at the same time." Iwata believes this describes the Wii U. At the very beginning of the thirty minute talk, he talked about the issue of ‘alone together'; people being in the same space but not interacting with each other. Nintendo are pinning their hopes on the Wii U being a console that solves this problem.
It's a very specific demographic that they're aiming at with that kind of sentiment, but as Nintendo have demonstrated before, they're more that capable of creating something that really is unique, that can capture the imaginations of gamers across the world. The Wii U looks good, and Nintendo are clearly confident in their new console.
Sony and Microsoft... it's over to you.
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