How the Wii U "MIGHT" innovate gaming

[xaszatm]

DISCLAIMER: This is not a topic about the predicted success or failure of Nintendo's new console, the Wii U. While the likelihood of this thread being derailed into such a discussion is high, this post is more of a think test on Nintendo's new "gimmick"

Now, with that out of the way, let's talk about the Wii U. Or, rather, the Wii U's controller, which is the "gimmick" of the Wii U. The Wii U GamePad incorporates a 6.2 inch LCD touch screen in its controls in addition to the more standard control scheme most of us our used too.

Now, my question or topic for this board is "How can one use the Wii U GamePad for innovative game-playing ways?" More specifically, what genres do you think the Wii U GamePad can improve upon or think about in a more unique way?

In answer to my own question, I believe that Real-Time Strategy games hold the greatest potential for this GamePad. The use of a touch screen could cut down on time delay if implemented right. In fact, I would argue, if the Gamepad is used as a "keyboard" while the screen shows the action. It could lead to faster human response and reaction times in game like Starcraft or Command and Conquer (Your Millage May Vary, of course). Another way the GamePad can be used is as a quick-item slot, like the 1-9 keys on a keyboard.

The above are a few examples. What do you think the Wii U GamePad can be used for gameplay?

DISCLAIMER THE SECOND: I am not stating that all genres need the GamePad nor am I stating that the Wii U is the innovative thing of the century. I'm just saying that I believe that the Wii U's GamePad has potential for gaming. Whether Nintendo's uses said innovation is a whole different matter entirely.
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[1] http://www.computerandvideogames.com/351710/nintendo-releases-updated-wii-u-specs/

 

[kingthrall]

I believe that the greatest failure of nintendo is its failure to provide adult mature content that provokes peoples beliefs. Conquers bad fur day was their greatest success and yet they never did anything along the sort of black satire taste.

I have yet to see a nintendo game bring up issues such as race or religion its just way to childish in a world subject with much sexualised advertisement and violence (which I dont think is a bad thing) but it destroys that innocence and poor "dad jokes" i like to call them that nintendo once had back in the 90's.

This Wii nonsense is targeted at families yet its a fact that most families are quite busy and are divided at home during the teenage/adult years from work and other lifestyle choices.

In the end my argument is not the controller that the origonal poster has explained nor its features but the content which is outdated, too conservative and not versitile enough to accommodate family members who are older and want something normally found on a playstation or xbox such as call of duty.

edit: that said I dont think wii should head down the same path as other consoles but provide games that are in the R, Rating and MA content so when jimmy is slightly older he can play Rambo 7000 on a wii with his father and its not gathering dust because of lost interest in playing zelda all the time.

 

[skywolfblue]

One of the big problems is, you have to look at a touchscreen while you're using it to make sure your finger is in the right place. If you're looking at the controller, you're not looking at the TV screen, and vice versa.

I suppose it would allow for some limited RTS control. But RTS's do tend to require a high number of actions per minute, in Starcraft 2 50+ APM is pretty much standard for low-level play, pro players have 300+ APM. Looking back and forth between controller and TV 50 times a minute would just be painful.

So what kind of tasks could it be used for that don't require a back and forth?

Inventory is about the only one I can think of. But that's not really "exciting".

 

[kingthrall]

One of the big problems is, you have to look at a touchscreen while you're using it to make sure your finger is in the right place. If you're looking at the controller, you're not looking at the TV screen, and vice versa.

I suppose it would allow for some limited RTS control. But RTS's do tend to require a high number of actions per minute, in Starcraft 2 50+ APM is pretty much standard for low-level play, pro players have 300+ APM. Looking back and forth between controller and TV 50 times a minute would just be painful.

So what kind of tasks could it be used for that don't require a back and forth?

Inventory is about the only one I can think of. But that's not really "exciting".

why would the Wii have starcraft 2 for starters, it has blood, violence and a semi-dark atmosphere? This is why wrote that nintendo is way too conservative for such software to be introduced. the game Black and White would be more of a nintendo style if anything was such to happen.

 

[skywolfblue]

One of the big problems is, you have to look at a touchscreen while you're using it to make sure your finger is in the right place. If you're looking at the controller, you're not looking at the TV screen, and vice versa.

I suppose it would allow for some limited RTS control. But RTS's do tend to require a high number of actions per minute, in Starcraft 2 50+ APM is pretty much standard for low-level play, pro players have 300+ APM. Looking back and forth between controller and TV 50 times a minute would just be painful.

So what kind of tasks could it be used for that don't require a back and forth?

Inventory is about the only one I can think of. But that's not really "exciting".

why would the Wii have starcraft 2 for starters, it has blood, violence and a semi-dark atmosphere? This is why wrote that nintendo is way too conservative for such software to be introduced. the game Black and White would be more of a nintendo style if anything was such to happen.

The Wii has Call of Duty on it (or at least I know World at War was). That's more blood & gore then SC2.

Not to mention that the WiiU is getting a lot of M titles on launch date, like Mass Effect 3 and so on. Nintendo themselves may not make "M" titles but other companies can.

I do mostly agree with you. Nintendo has targeted the casual market and hasn't done much to coax the companies making titles for older people.

 

[StriderShinryu]

I feel that the best uses for the WiiU controller is really going to be Nintendo using it like they've done in the past with their similar add ons.

First, use the controller as, basically, a handheld display like the second screen on the DS. Make it something with useful, sometimes even vital, information, but don't force the player to constantly stare at it.

Second, use the controller to provide an alternate perspective for multiplayer play with, potentially, the TV display becoming the secondary display that no one has to constantly keep an eye on. Thing something like that multiplayer Pac Man game or a Zelda 4 Swords experience where the TV shows the map or something but each player is basically playing independently.

Of coruse, neither of these are overly new or exciting but I feel that they are probably the best ways to use the multi personal screen approach without ending up in ackward, silly gimmick land.

 

[xaszatm]

One of the big problems is, you have to look at a touchscreen while you're using it to make sure your finger is in the right place. If you're looking at the controller, you're not looking at the TV screen, and vice versa.

I suppose it would allow for some limited RTS control. But RTS's do tend to require a high number of actions per minute, in Starcraft 2 50+ APM is pretty much standard for low-level play, pro players have 300+ APM. Looking back and forth between controller and TV 50 times a minute would just be painful.

So what kind of tasks could it be used for that don't require a back and forth?

Inventory is about the only one I can think of. But that's not really "exciting".

I'm not sure I'm following you on the fact you have to look at the touchscreen to use it. I can certainly see a person constantly looking up and down from the touch screen to the actual screen at first, but...maybe I should describe this in more detail.

What I'm imagining is the touch screen literally the same screen as on the television. If you want to move the screen, just "flick" the touch screen in the direction you want to move and maybe stop the camera when you put the finger on it again. Selecting units could be from touching a unit or from dragging your finger like you do on a mouse. If you select a building, a build menu pops up, allowing you to select which troops, vehicles, etc. to make.

Now, initially, there will be some up-down motion as you get used to the controls. However, if certain things are implemented (build screen choices large, good rts to begin with), players can be "taught" to just look at the computer screen instead of the touch screen. After all, you don't need to look at the keyboard constantly while playing Starcraft II (well, if you play it professionally anyway...).

I really think that the RTS genre is the Wii U's best chance at the "hardcore" (I hate that term, to be honest) gamer crowd, as it had the potential for getting RTS players into the mix IF they follow up on this. One of the few thing I hated about the Wii was this lack of games to fully use the Wii's potential. I personally thought that the Wii was perfect for point and click adventure games (Sam & Max) and Rail Shooter Games (Sin and Punishment). Yet, there was a complete lack of titles from those genres to really use the Wii. It was, in my opinion, wasted potential.

But so far, there are a few interesting ideas here. Shame this thread isn't that popular. Although that probably has to do with my horrible writing skills than anything else.

 

[ToastiestZombie]

I believe that the greatest failure of nintendo is its failure to provide adult mature content that provokes peoples beliefs. Conquers bad fur day was their greatest success and yet they never did anything along the sort of black satire taste.

I have yet to see a nintendo game bring up issues such as race or religion its just way to childish in a world subject with much sexualised advertisement and violence (which I dont think is a bad thing) but it destroys that innocence and poor "dad jokes" i like to call them that nintendo once had back in the 90's.

This Wii nonsense is targeted at families yet its a fact that most families are quite busy and are divided at home during the teenage/adult years from work and other lifestyle choices.

In the end my argument is not the controller that the origonal poster has explained nor its features but the content which is outdated, too conservative and not versitile enough to accommodate family members who are older and want something normally found on a playstation or xbox such as call of duty.

edit: that said I dont think wii should head down the same path as other consoles but provide games that are in the R, Rating and MA content so when jimmy is slightly older he can play Rambo 7000 on a wii with his father and its not gathering dust because of lost interest in playing zelda all the time.

Wut the fuck was this comment about... you first say you want games that "provide adult mature content", and then go onto say Nintendo can deliver this by putting CoD on their console. Dafuq dude, dafuq. Also, I guess all of these games are simply kiddy shit in your eye:

-Batman: Arkham City
-Mass Effect 3
-Assasins Creed 3
-ZombiU
-Pikmin 3
-Darksiders 2
-Metro: Last Light

 

[Amondren]

Inventory on the controller could make Skryrim interesting on it for example. It could be a small list that you scroll through that would most likely be your favorites.

 

[Vivi22]

In answer to my own question, I believe that Real-Time Strategy games hold the greatest potential for this GamePad. The use of a touch screen could cut down on time delay if implemented right. In fact, I would argue, if the Gamepad is used as a "keyboard" while the screen shows the action. It could lead to faster human response and reaction times in game like Starcraft or Command and Conquer (Your Millage May Vary, of course).

I have to disagree with the notion that it would be good for any RTS, other than the slowest, most methodical RTS ever made. A touch screen keyboard would be horrid in games like Starcraft because you have no sensory feedback to distinguish between keys, and if you're constantly looking down to see what you're pressing, you just lost the game.

The other common suggestion you see for RTS games is the idea of touch control replacing mouse control and the action being controlled and displayed on the touch screen. This would be less of a problem than trying to use a touch screen for complex control while the action is displayed on the TV, but it would still be less ideal for competitive games like SC because your hands now block large portions of the screen every time you do anything at all. This might be fine for something slower paced and more casual, but when action gets frantic and heavy this would be more of a hindrance than a benefit to the player.

Now turn based strategies on the other hand could make great use of a large touch screen since the time pressure is removed.