Will the Revolution be revolutionary?

[dlandis72]

I have spent an unhealthy amount of time thinking about Nintendo's next console. There are so many theories out there and I don't know what to believe and what to dismiss. The recent comments from Nintendo saying that their new technology may scare away third party support has made me reevaluate my thoughts on the system. Previously, I thought it might just be some gyroscope controllers and next generation graphics with a built-in hard drive. That letter makes me think that this thing might be CRAZY! Does anybody have any ideas of how the Revolution might completely change games to the point where third party companies would shy away from making games for it? I'm probably over-examining it, but my mind can't comprehend what could be done to revolutionize gaming and still be sold at a competitive price. (In other words, they obviously won't be releasing a virtual reality chamber or anything like that.)

 

[Burn]

Im thinking the "Revolution" will either be the console is really, really small, or coated in stupid gizmos like the DS.

 

[dlandis72]

what kind of stupid gizmos?

 

[AntiAnto]

What Ritz said.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

what kind of stupid gizmos?

It will have pikachu bite your nose instead of a game over screen.

I highly doubt that it will be "Revolutionary"

I want to be proven wrong though

 

[Warbie]

I can't help feel that in this respect the Revolution will be a dissapointment. Nothing could live up to this promise - not even a fully functioning body suit with VR

I'd love to be wrong, and have no doubt that it'll be home to some of the greatest titles around ..... but will they change the way we think about and play video games? (probably not)

On the other hand, the DS has turned out to be better than I hoped - being the only innovative piece of kit around at the moment. So there's hope Nintendo will deliver on the innovation front again.

Either way - any attempt at offering something new should be applauded. Revolutionary or not, it should be a great console

 

[Burn]

Gizmos, could be anything.

- Screen on controllers
- Voice commands to turn it on and off
- Touchscreen
- "Eye toy" stuff
- Even smaller cds that are easyer to lose
- Smell-o-vision

I hope it wont just be gizmo coated crap, but Im not holding my breath.

 

[Warbie]

I'm sure ppl would have considered shoulder buttons, rumble, and analogue sticks as standard to be 'gizmos' before Nintendo introduced them (and the whole industry followed suit)

The DS has proven to be far from a gimmick (touch screen is actually great for video game - who'd have thought it? ). Nintendos track record is also excellent, so let's wait and see)

(some decent voice recognition could be very cool actually, not sure about the smell-o-vision tho )

 

[Iced_Eagle]

Dreamcast had some voice recognition for a game called Sea-Man (NO JOKES PLZ )

I want VR

Oh and Nintendo's president is even slightly worried if they can deliver.

 

[Warbie]

I remember seaman - funny game. It's a shame the DC died, proof that the majority of gamers have no taste :/

 

[dream431ca]

I really hope nintendo gets back into the competition phase...basically for the past 2 or 3 years..microsoft and sony have been in a battle and nintendo has been on the sideline. I really hope nintendo comes back in a huge way and completely overturnes the company and maybe even beat microsoft and sony...for that to happen they have to do a couple of things:

1. MORE THIRD PARTY DEVELOPERS!! Nintendo cannot run a whole console by themselves..they can sure try but it's pretty dumb to even think of it.

2. One hell of a console (with not too many off the wall features). Features are very important in gaming. But too many weird features and people tend to turn away because the game becomes to confusing to play and they have to learn a new way to play the games. Also...in the past nintendo have made people buy certain things to play features of certain games..for example: Final fantasy for the gamecube...in order to play multiplayer you have to buy a gameboy advanced...most people don't like paying extra to play multiplayer that is not even online.

3. GOOD MARKETING TECHNIQUE!!...you ever notice on TV that sony and xbox have alot of commercials for their consoles and games but nintendo hardly mentions the gamecube on TV?? They like to mention the handheld systems alot on TV but their standerd console is left in the dark. A part of being competitive is good advertising and letting know why your console or game is better than the other guys console or game. Nintendo has not shown that too much with the gamecube...but because (until march 24) the gameboy advanced and the DS were the only handhelds on the market, nintendo have been showing alot of commercials on those two handheld consoles. They must have good marketing.

4. The launch games must be impressive...XBOX had Halo..which helped microsoft alot. PS2 had some good FPS and RPG's..(mostly it was the hype that sold the PS2). I say the best launch game ever was Mario 64 for Nintendo 64...Nintendo have to do that again. The gamecube never had a mario launch game..what would be better is a zelda launch game. Everyone I talk to seems to like zelda. So the launch titles become very important when you are trying to sell a new console..the DS has the worst launch games I've ever seen..nintendo screwed up on that one alot.

EDIT: 5. ONLINE PLAY...EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!!...Microsoft and sony have already admittied that their next consoles will focus alot on online play..Nintendo must do the same to stay in this busniess. Online play is very important in console gaming right now and if nintendo does not include online play...they are bound to be slaughtered.

In order for the revolution to be revolutionary, not only does the console have to completely blow away the PS3 and XBOX 2, it has to get alot of attention from the general public (mainly us) and other developers. Nintendo has been called the sleeping dragon by many people and I really hope that they awake and come back in one hell of spectacular moment that will shock the gaming world....it will be very hard to pull of.

 

[Smack500]

I remember seaman - funny game. It's a shame the DC died, proof that the majority of gamers have no taste :/

Seems like acording to you, the only majority of gamers that have good taste are the japanese.

 

[Warbie]

Seems like acording to you, the only majority of gamers that have good taste are the japanese.

Why would you think that?

(jumping to assumptions are we? :thumbs: )

 

[BRODIEMAN2k4]

It probably will, without stupid gizmos, but won't sell well due to the whole "OMFGx0rz!!!!1111 N1n10do 1$ 4 t3h k1dd1s LOL!!!!" state of mind

 

[ship]

I really hope nintendo gets back into the competition phase...basically for the past 2 or 3 years..microsoft and sony have been in a battle and nintendo has been on the sideline. I really hope nintendo comes back in a huge way and completely overturnes the company and maybe even beat microsoft and sony...for that to happen they have to do a couple of things [...]

I very much agree with everything you said. Nintendo is going to have to make my jaw drop, hit the floor, with a loud audible "WOW! coming from me.

I'm definitely rooting for Nintendo to do well, but I honestly don't see the need for them to have strayed so far from the path. The PSP is going to slaughter the DS whether you like it or not. We didn't need a "handheld revolution" just yet and I doubt we'll need a "console revolution" either. No one has grown tired of what the XBOX and PS2 have to offer, and especially now that the next-gen consoles are coming out with their new features, I don't see people getting tired any time soon with what Microsoft and Sony are offering.

I just hope Nintendo hasn't shot themselves in the foot.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

Gizmos, could be anything.

- Screen on controllers
- Voice commands to turn it on and off
- Touchscreen
- "Eye toy" stuff
- Even smaller cds that are easyer to lose
- Smell-o-vision

I hope it wont just be gizmo coated crap, but Im not holding my breath.

With the exception of the last 3, why are those stupid?

I don't understand why folks have to poopoo some decent ideas like that. Granted, stuff like that is not revolutionary, but who the hell has done anything like that?? Will it enrich the gaming experience in some way?? Of course.

Are they stupid because Nintendo does it?? hmmm....would they be stupid if Sony included some things like that in the PS3??

 

[Smack500]

Why would you think that?

(jumping to assumptions are we? :thumbs: )

From what you have said in the past. At one point you said its stupid to think games with diffrent colors at kiddie games, your missing out on alot of good games. Youve also complained how alot of people dont give nintendo a chance. Plus theres several other things.

The japanese love those cartoony nintendo games, and they seem to like the gamecube alot. While the gc does not sell well (compared to the other consoles) in europe or the us.

 

[Warbie]

Innovation is never a bad thing. It's not a case of whether we need a games revolution - but more a case of one being very welcome (even if it is tiny) New ideas only help further the industry - better consoles/peripherals/games etc It always has done.

It's worth noting that Nintendo have their own niche - and aren't directly competing for the mainstream console of choice title anymore. This is why they're still around, and still flourishing.

You're right about the PSP, it will certainly sell more than the DS - this doesn't mean the DS won't do well (infact it's already a big success) Nor does this mean the PSP is 'better', it just appeals to your average consumer more.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

I very much agree with everything you said. Nintendo is going to have to make my jaw drop, hit the floor, with a loud audible "WOW! coming from me.

I'm definitely rooting for Nintendo to do well, but I honestly don't see the need for them to have strayed so far from the path. The PSP is going to slaughter the DS whether you like it or not. We didn't need a "handheld revolution" just yet and I doubt we'll need a "console revolution" either. No one has grown tired of what the XBOX and PS2 have to offer, and especially now that the next-gen consoles are coming out with their new features, I don't see people getting tired any time soon with what Microsoft and Sony are offering.

I just hope Nintendo hasn't shot themselves in the foot.

Nintendo has stated repetedly that they are not content to follow the path of Sony and Microsoft. Both of those companies are commited to bringing bigger and better versions of what's already available.....and Nintendo believes that stuff will run thin on most gamers.

At this point everything is speculation, but Nintendo has stated that the Revolution will be graphically on par with the other two, but will be fundamentally different. Nintendo is going to force people to choose based on something else. I know there are people out there that will drop the cash down for all three systems and not think twice. I'm personally done doing that. Some people have their own personal biases....but that's neither here nor there. Companies are going to have to sell me and quite frankly, Nintendo has a lot less work to do if the Revolution is as much as has been built it up to be.

 

[Warbie]

From what you have said in the past. At one point you said its stupid to think games with diffrent colors at kiddie games, your missing out on alot of good games. Youve also complained how alot of people dont give nintendo a chance. Plus theres several other things.

The japanese love those cartoony nintendo games, and they seem to like the gamecube alot. While the gc does not sell well (compared to the other consoles) in europe or the us.

I still don't see what you made your assumption on. Nintendo only make a very small percentage of the games I play - infact most of the games I like you probably like too

Anyways - let's not let this become another vs thread

 

[Smack500]

Will this revolution be shown at e3?

 

[Lt. Drebin]

While the gc does not sell well (compared to the other consoles) in europe or the us.

Just a quick note. The XBox really only does well in the US. They're about equal in Europe and the US, but the XBox is owned in Japan/Asia. This is why the GameCube is #2 worldwide in sales.

 

[ship]

Anyways - let's not let this become another vs thread

Yes, I agree.

I was only arguing that I don't think the average gamer is in need of a change just yet. Perhaps for next "next-gen."
However all of this is pure speculation as none of us have any idea as to what Nintendo's Revolution will offer.
I hope they keep the codename, though. I like it!

 

[Lt. Drebin]

Will this revolution be shown at e3?

Indeed....

 

[Smack500]

Just a quick note. The XBox really only does well in the US. They're about equal in Europe and the US, but the XBox is owned in Japan/Asia. This is why the GameCube is #2 worldwide in sales.

No its not #2 in worldwide sales. The xbox has sold almost 2 million more units then the gamecube.

 

[thehunter1320]

nintendo has a pattern:
NES - rocked
SNES - meh.
N64 - rocked
GCube - meh.
Revolution - ?

 

[Lt. Drebin]

No its not #2 in worldwide sales. The xbox has sold almost 2 million more units then the gamecube.

I've read figures that contradict that many times. And if that is the case, the XBox overtaking it is very recent.

The admin Kage has some actual figures....can't remember off hand, but something like 15M for XBox and 18M for GameCube at end of 2004.

 

[dream431ca]

Nintendo has stated repetedly that they are not content to follow the path of Sony and Microsoft. Both of those companies are commited to bringing bigger and better versions of what's already available.....and Nintendo believes that stuff will run thin on most gamers.

At this point everything is speculation, but Nintendo has stated that the Revolution will be graphically on par with the other two, but will be fundamentally different. Nintendo is going to force people to choose based on something else. I know there are people out there that will drop the cash down for all three systems and not think twice. I'm personally done doing that. Some people have their own personal biases....but that's neither here nor there. Companies are going to have to sell me and quite frankly, Nintendo has a lot less work to do if the Revolution is as much as has been built it up to be.

Unfortunaly..new weird features implemented in consoles or in handhelds will challenge the public on choosing if they would like to have these or not..most people like games that are easy to play and that don't take too much work to setup or operate...nintendo is heading into a brand new direction that takes alot of trust from the public for their console to do well...in fact the average consumer may have to change the way they look at the average video game if nintendo does something very drastic to the industry...what I hope that nintendo does is change the game industry but not in a wacky and complicated way but a revolutionary way hence "revolution".

 

[Smack500]

I've read figures that contradict that many times. And if that is the case, the XBox overtaking it is very recent.

This is as close to the actual figures as you can get, its been cross checked over multiple refrences.

Here are the numbers

GC

3.78m Japan
10.11m USA
4.13m Europe

18.02m Total


XB

1.70m Japan (asia pacific- some discrepancy as sony and microsft count as japan, others count as Europe/Pal)
13.20m USA
5.00m Europe

19.90m Total

 

[Lt. Drebin]

You're right about the PSP, it will certainly sell more than the DS - this doesn't mean the DS won't do well (infact it's already a big success) Nor does this mean the PSP is 'better', it just appeals to your average consumer more.

I don't know if I'd bite on that yet. The DS is almost at roughly 1.5M units sold in the US and is still selling like crazy. Last I saw it was almost at 3M units worldwide. That's a massive number to make up before the launch of the next GameBoy considering continued sales of the DS at the same time as the PSP's existance on the market.

 

[Smack500]

DS
1.45m Japan
1.36m USA
0.03m Europe

PSP

0.51m Japan
0.51m Total

These numbers are from january. Since then the psp is outsellling the ds in japan by almost twice the rate. Although the ds is still selling more world wise because, the psp still isnt anywhere but japan obviously.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

30,000 DS units in Europe, and it's not even out there. Obviously imports, but how do you track that when the point of sale is still recorded in an area where the DS is officially out.....interesting.

 

[BRODIEMAN2k4]

Isn't 1.45 more the 0.51?

 

[Lt. Drebin]

This is as close to the actual figures as you can get, its been cross checked over multiple refrences.

Here are the numbers

GC

3.78m Japan
10.11m USA
4.13m Europe

18.02m Total


XB

1.70m Japan (asia pacific- some discrepancy as sony and microsft count as japan, others count as Europe/Pal)
13.20m USA
5.00m Europe

19.90m Total

That's still pretty close, and I think it says a lot. THe XBox, marketed similar to the PS2 only marginally outsells the GC. It tells me that if Nintendo changes their marketing a bit and works on their image, easier said than done, they'll do just fine in the next-gen.

Just show a tittie in a comercial and they'll be good to go.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

Isn't 1.45 more the 0.51?

I think he's talking about the rate of sale.

And it's only about 1.5x the sales of the DS and the PSP has been losing steam over there as the PS2 recently overtook it in sales...

http://www.gamepro.com/gamepro/international/games/news/42806.shtml

 

[Smack500]

Thats true drebin. However the psp has not just got down in sales, it has been fluctuating. THose numbers for the psp are actually higher that week then the week before it. It has stayed around 38k-45k weekly, and doesnt look to be changing. WHile the DS hasnt toped 30K in quite some time in japan.

 

[Danimal]

Wasn't the gamecube the releloution?

 

[Smack500]

Im not really good at math, but if I did it right. It should take around 15 months for the psp to catch the DS, in japan. Although that wouldnt count a increase sales during christmas, or any really popular exclusive game releases.

Im beting the psp will pass the ds, in japan by this time next year atleast.

 

[Warbie]

nintendo has a pattern:
NES - rocked
SNES - meh.
N64 - rocked
GCube - meh.
Revolution - ?

'SNES - meh'??!

are you insane?

You're talking about the greatest console ever made there.

(the voices tell me you had a Genesis)

 

[Warbie]

Regardless of how much the PSP sells - the DS is doing very well. It's also a very refreshing change and proof that many gamers are eager and willing to try out something new.

Will the Revolution be as innovative? We'll see.