Not really. It might help things a bit, but is the shell simply an oversized holder for the remote controller or is it going to be a full on dock with the missing buttons and analog stick of a more normal controller?

Besides that, it is just the issue of how split the Nintendo controller market is and the possible annoyance of having to constantl switch around the remote controller.

Ok, I have this remote controller, but I cannot control this one game I am playing. Wait, have the developers decided I need two of them? <goes to buy a second one> No, that did not do it, maybe I need that analog plug-in stick? <goes to buy that, fiddles with connecting it> Wait, do I need an additional plug-in device? <goes out to buy that, fiddles with connecting it> Or maybe I need that plug-in, but using both remotes controllers? <goes to buy an identical plug-in, fiddles with connecting it> Wait, wait, wait, maybe it needs the shell thingie to try an simulate an actual controller... <goes to buy this, fiddles with putting it together, have to wondery why I don't have a standard controller with the 3D motion sensing remote as a plug in>
Damn, does this still suck at controlling? Oh, right, it can use the Gamecube controller? Alright, let me go grab that... <hunts down for GC controllers he still has to keep from a previous system for some reason, fiddle with disconnecting all the junk listed above and hooking up my GC controller, seriously beginning to ponder...> Hmm...now why was there not a controller in the first place?

Yeah, that is all a bit of a worst case scenario thing, but you get the idea. On a pure design level, Nintendo is already making it clear that it actually does not have one, main specific controller for its system/games. On a purely design/function basis, that is a failure. By having even the add-ons I alluded to above, much less any other potential ones, the big "N" is splitting the market of sorts; What will be standard? What will come with the system? How many variations will there be? How much will all this junk cost? Again, on an abstract design basis, the player really should have at least one main, constant form on control - maybe one you can add onto or expand - but one main, constant form that covers a wide range of bases. Once again, I question why there is not a more standard controller with 3D motion sensing? Falling back on something like the Gamecube controller just solidifies this from a functional perspective. "Here is our brand new design, our brand new hardware, our new direction, and now I am about to show you our revolution to gaming...but...er....hey you, yeah you, in the back...can you grab me the old controller so I can show you the future?" Lastly, just look at Nintendo's own video. By Nintendo's own example, it is not a precise control. It is like the FPS games on consoles; given the limited precission in input, they have to either support alternate control method(s) (mouse)or dumb down the game (decreased damage, auto-aiming, etc.) to account for it. Control 101: It has to be precise, else it adds a burden to the playing experience.

It is like the Chewbacca defense, it just makes no sense.

As ever, we will wait and see. You can make it work well to the extent of building games solely around this device or heavily working on the games to account for the limitations of the device, but I hava a lot of serious doubts with what is presented now. Control shoud, ideally, be seamless to the player; it is the one barrier (other than a television) between the game and the player. Unless this thing is amazingly precise, at which point I will eat my crow and sing its praise, the fad/gimmick is winning out over the function. If I end up using a GC controller for everything, what was the point?

Thinking a 3D sensing controller with expansion ports would be better,
Ray f3r r3@l

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I love you, mom.

Urging everybody to buy Indigo Prophecy/Farhenheit,

Played the demo that came with my official Xbox mag (PC Gamer had the fear Demo this month)...seemed pretty good. Played that short intro four times and each time something different could be done and/or happened. Might buy it someday soon.

This comment was edited on Feb 2, 23:40.

If the thing can be repacked into a shell and used as a standard controller, would that make you happy ray?

Awww come on Kevlar, wave that revolution controler like you just don't care.

It'll ship with a multicoloured glow in the dark addon for sure ;p

Also known as the ultimate weapon in helping people to make fools of themselves...

Gamepads and similar control systems are perfectly capable of inflicting RPS type injuries all by themselves, infact if you consider that different games could use the controler in different ways; classic nes, n64,fine motor for shooters, wild waving for party games - it might actually reduce problems.

Personally I'm looking forwards to Dance Dance Revolution Raver Glowstix Mode - the ultimate weapon in the fight against child obesity!

We've already seen how seemingly innocuous pursuits like PC gaming (specifically MMORPGs) can be abused and indulged to the point of physical death. And that involves nothing but sitting on your ass, working a mouse.

It will be interesting to see what kinds of things result from unwise indulgence in Revolution usage... repetitive motion disorder, repetitive stress injury, etc. etc.

________________________
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Yep - Going to be multiple shells for different controller schemes from past generations. Or maybe an all-in-one type of deal.

Wonder how many will actually come with the system..

Edit:

Honestly, I think the Revolution video really shows the obvious issues with the remote controller. Specifically, you have to work to play a game (flicking my wrist every time Mario makes a jump? OH - MY - GOD!, that's like...a bajillion times) and it is hardly accurate

I'm sure (or at least strongly hope) that you'll have the option of using the gryoscope functions to their full potential or just using traditional control setup. I just hope we can see some meaningful/innovative yet "natural" implementation of functions for the Revolution controller in non-niche game genres like FPS etc. Personally, I'm all for some of the more bizarre/zanier uses in group/party type games..which with the right group (preferably drunk) are the most fun.
This comment was edited on Sep 19, 02:29.

• Umm..like...WTF were all of you? Granted, I took to bashing the new Nintendo remote controller, but the MGS4 video was out then.

• MGS4 looks amazing. The thing, too, is not that it is just one aspect or character or area that looks amazing and full of possibilities, but nearly every part of it does.

Best. Game. EVAR!

• Honestly, I think the Revolution video really shows the obvious issues with the remote controller. Specifically, you have to work to play a game (flicking my wrist every time Mario makes a jump? OH - MY - GOD!, that's like...a bajillion times) and it is hardly accurate. Again, it just seems like it shouts fad or gimmick over actual function. I want to play my games, I do not want them playing me, and I would be interested in an add-on (but not the main controller, FFS) that had 3D motion sensing, but only if it was accurate. I mean, come on, what's a basic for a controller? Umm...how about precise control? Duh?

• I like Armored Core, I really do, but the series feels a bit stale to me and the control really has not improved since the first game. Work on those two things and it will be a winner.

• Tenchu: a game dying for some improved technology.

Urging everybody to buy Indigo Prophecy/Farhenheit,
Ray

Edit: Code fix.
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I love you, mom.
This comment was edited on Sep 19, 02:39.

I read on IGN today that the remote thing will fit into a standard controller shell if you prefer the traditional style of controller but still want the added functionality.

Mayor Dan
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"Take me Jesus, take me Allah, rape me in my room
Torch our days in paranoia while we gorge ourselves on gloom"
http://www.last.fm/user/danorama/

Considering the PowerGlove was bottom-of-the-line technology from the late 80s, and this is middle-of-the-line technology from the late 2000s... I'm not too concerned.

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GoW vs. MGS4 Side by Side Comparison shot

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/Confidence-Man/mgs4gow_1.jpg

I am indeed aware that the power glove was not Nintendo, it was Mattel IIRC. I suspect the reason you bring this up is that as a third party device, there is a total lack of 1st party support for it. I don't think software is the big issue though. The usability of the controller is what matters. Other controllers that have tried to map 3D space have always had a few kinks to work out, and I'm concerned that Nintendo really has addressed these. If everything works, calibration does not turn out ot be an issue, and it can handle the sharp violent input from players, the controller could be a great innovation. If not, then it's just a gimmick.
This comment was edited on Sep 18, 22:37.

Revolution teaser video.

LOL. Wow. I was sure that was going to be a spoof of the real thing. Favorite part had to be the girls swatting flies or something with the controllers. If that isn't fun then I don't know what is.


LMAO. Back to the drawing board Nintendo.

BF2 Fanboy and Valve Hater.

http://www.nesplayer.com/database/accessories/rob.htm

The Power Glove....lol...I've seen some interesting stuff in some Japanese game mags from that era. Some stuff Nintendo was experimenting with was pretty far out there.

Anyone remember that funky little robot that was available for the NES? Wasn't its name Robby or something?

You'd think by now people would realize that the Power Glove wasn't Nintendo. It's been mentioned on these boards in nearly every Revolution topic.


The other controller some people have mentioned as "proof Nintendo can't do this" is the U-Force, which should never, ever be mentioned, haha.

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AC4 for the 360.....YESSSS! This is almost too good to be true.

If FROM software doesn't include online capability I'll go to Japan myself and rip off their fingers.

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Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburgers

Gears of War's graphics look great but the gameplay looks like it's just going to be an average shooter. MGS4 on the other hand looks bloody amazing! I can't wait for that.

I can't wait for that either. That's why I'm pre-ordering an XBox 360 and games that I can play by Thanksgiving. I could always trade it in when the PS3 comes out.. in the US, whenever the heck that is.

Oh and as for co-op 360 games: These are confirmed for co-op play:

Gears of War, Kameo, PDZ, Saints Row

Thanks, I'll check out Staints Row. Kameo looks a little too "My Little Pony"ish to me, but maybe I'll buy if after release if the Blues News Reviews are good.

Here's the best list of 360 games that I've found, although unfortunately it's not co-op specific.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/625/625795p1.html


This comment was edited on Sep 18, 19:43.

The MGS trailer did not show what the game will play like so it is hard to compare it to something that is being played like Gears of War.

And to be fair GoW looks as good if not better than MGS in certain aspects. Even looking at Chaos Theory on the original Xbox in screenshots and it actually looks better than MGS4 in terms of textures and lighting.

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2005/257/reviews/926596_20050916_screen006.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/921914_20041020_screen001.jpg

Its not as high poly but its definitly comparable. And so is Gears of War, look at any close up pictures of the characters and you will see the same amount of detail as Snake.

Oh and as for co-op 360 games: These are confirmed for co-op play:

Gears of War, Kameo, PDZ, Saints Row