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Author Topic: Nintendo Switch  (Read 9601 times)

Gothars

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Nintendo Switch
« on: January 10, 2017, 12:29:15 PM »

Is anyone here interested in Nintendo's upcoming console?

If you haven't heard about it yet, here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c6MWsEE884

In short, it's a tablet with attachable controls that can be seamlessly docked with the TV. The idea is that if you're playing a game on TV and have to go, you can just take it with you without interrupting gameplay. Also, of course, that you can play fully featured games on the go, instead of in some way limited mobile games. There are some nice ideas about local multiplayer interwoven, too.

A major benefit is that the Switch will likely replace both the home console and handheld lines of Nintendo, pooling all their resources (i.e. games) into one device.

For me it's the first time I'm interested in a console again since the Wii, over 10 years ago. I have to say, the "full games to go" concept and what little is known about the new games themselves (Zelda, explorative 3D Mario, Mario Kart, Splatoon) really appeal to me, and imo form a strong complementary package for a PC gamer.


There's a big event on Friday, were further details and the launch line-up will be announced. It's at 5 in the morning in my time zone, but I am considering waking up real early for it :)
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MesoTroniK

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Re: Nintendo Switch
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2017, 01:55:34 PM »

The fun part is how it underclocks itself when not plugged in, heh.

TJJ

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Re: Nintendo Switch
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2017, 02:27:41 PM »

So...
- a bad console (under powered, poor catalogue of games)
- a bad tablet (heavy, poor battery life, proprietary OS so limited app support)
- expensive.

There's a very good reason we have devices specialised for specific purposes.

Why does Nintendo keep flailing around with hybrid devices?
Why weren't they involved in the VR bubble?
After the success of the Wii, you'd think VR would have been a natural fit for their product strategy.
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Gothars

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Re: Nintendo Switch
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2017, 02:50:28 PM »

The fun part is how it underclocks itself when not plugged in, heh.

Mh, doesn't just about every mobile device do CPU throttling? I know phones and tablets usually do, as soon as they start getting warm/low on battery. Then you can see the frame rate slowly creeping to a standstill.
I think for a gaming device it makes more sense to have precisely defines states, for which games can be optimized.



So...
- a bad console (under powered, poor catalogue of games)
- a bad tablet (heavy, poor battery life, proprietary OS so limited app support)
- expensive.

Uh... how do you know these things?


Why does Nintendo keep flailing around with hybrid devices?
Why weren't they involved in the VR bubble?
After the success of the Wii, you'd think VR would have been a natural fit for their product strategy.

Hu, what other hybrid devices did Nintendo make?

VR seems like it still needs some years to get to the level where it's good enough on console price niveau. At least everything I have heard of PS VR indicates a sub-par experience.
But you called VR a bubble yourself, so I'm confused about what your criticism is here.


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Chronosfear

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Re: Nintendo Switch
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2017, 11:44:04 AM »

I will sooner or later get one.

Hell , I grew up with the NES and SNES. ( Zelda , Mario Cart and such )

I don`t need high-end graphics and I do like the hybrid aspect very much.
Also I like local multiplayer. Get some friends around. Have a beer or two and have fun.
I am missing that on my ps4 ( except for some pearls [Indie-Devs!] )
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xenoargh

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Re: Nintendo Switch
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2017, 10:19:47 PM »

I don't want to bet against Nintendo, because they usually get it right... but I feel like it is the wrong product out at the wrong time.

Switch would have looked brilliant 5 years ago, when it would have looked like a strong competitor against playing mobile-phone games and it would have landed right on the Millenials.  Now, it just looks old, late, and like it's trying too hard to be everything for everybody, instead of really good at something, and none of it looks comfortable; the controls look small, the parts look easy to lose (hence probably why the ads are all aimed at mid-20s people, not kids), etc.

I agree, they should have gone for the throat with VR.  Pokemon Go was the future, not Switch.

But IDK, maybe I'm wrong, and this is what people want.  I just think they should have realized that the Wii flowed naturally into augmented-reality, and they should have gone there.  Not VR, but things like the Minecraft AR project, where kids and adults could participate as a family, for example, in an active way... not yet another handheld device that will be low-powered when it arrives and steadily look weaker and weaker.  But some of this hinges on how well things like SteamBox go; if that takes off, I predict a big split in the console market between those who want all of the power of PCs but none of the hassles and those who just want a cheap game station for the kids.  Young adults will just use their phones; products like Switch won't have a niche.
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Gothars

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Re: Nintendo Switch
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2017, 02:50:10 PM »

I agree, they should have gone for the throat with VR.  Pokemon Go was the future, not Switch.
Not VR, but things like the Minecraft AR project, where kids and adults could participate as a family, for example, in an active way.

You mean like with MS HoloLens? But... that's a 3000$+ device. And only a dev version, with a tiny viewing angle and all kinds of problems. I'd love a fully featured AR console, but the technology just isn't there yet, and certainly not on a mass market compatible price level.


I just think they should have realized that the Wii flowed naturally into augmented-reality, and they should have gone there. 


Now this is speculation, but Nintendo might be preparing for AR/VR with the Switch. The controllers would be quite suitable, with their single hand use and the advanced rumble. They also have a recent patent about putting a tablet like device in a head mounted configuration.
Spoiler
[close]
I wouldn't be surprised about a lighter Switch+ with a high resolution display, that can do VR.



About the Switch's general market appeal I don't feel qualified to judge, I just know that I really like it (and that a lot of people really seem to hate it). Then again I'm quite puzzled by the success of Xbox and Playstation, to me they look like worse PCs.
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Megas

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Re: Nintendo Switch
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2017, 06:18:37 AM »

About the Switch's general market appeal I don't feel qualified to judge, I just know that I really like it (and that a lot of people really seem to hate it). Then again I'm quite puzzled by the success of Xbox and Playstation, to me they look like worse PCs.
Probably an outdated notion (from the '80s and '90s), but with a $200 or so console, you just pop in your Atari, NES, or Sega cartridge and play.  Computers were not so... accessible back then.

Although, today, I walk into an electronics department of a store and see plenty of console games and related toy merch.  The PC game area, if present, is almost non-existent and what few games are there are mostly dominated by Blizzard titles (Diablo and Warcraft).
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SafariJohn

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Re: Nintendo Switch
« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2017, 08:03:59 AM »

Consoles are great for sitting down with your friends and playing together.

PCs require more effort in a number of areas.
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Gothars

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Re: Nintendo Switch
« Reply #9 on: January 26, 2017, 11:08:19 AM »

Haha, the marketing is on point  :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBIjJmXESQQ


Consoles are great for sitting down

How right you are ;D


Although, today, I walk into an electronics department of a store and see plenty of console games and related toy merch.  The PC game area, if present, is almost non-existent and what few games are there are mostly dominated by Blizzard titles (Diablo and Warcraft).

I believe that is because of the dominance of digital distribution on PC. Steam and co. are just so much easier and cheaper. For consoles that change is yet to come, although it is certainly on its way.
From what I read brick and mortar game stores are fighting for their survival already.
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The game was completed 8 years ago and we get a free expansion every year.

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Midnight Kitsune

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Re: Nintendo Switch
« Reply #10 on: January 26, 2017, 03:15:12 PM »

I believe that is because of the dominance of digital distribution on PC. Steam and co. are just so much easier and cheaper. For consoles that change is yet to come, although it is certainly on its way.
From what I read brick and mortar game stores are fighting for their survival already.
With consoles, the day they go full digital is the day I drop them completely. F*** not owning your game, F*** not having used games and F*** the loss of consumer rights
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Megas

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Re: Nintendo Switch
« Reply #11 on: January 26, 2017, 03:52:37 PM »

I hear you.  I have refused to purchase games from the store simply due to requiring a Steam account or similar online service.

I got Starfarer instead of SPAZ because of the old-fashioned key.  SPAZ would have won over Starfarer if they offered a key or some way to install the game offline.
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