Nvidia Shield, Steam, PS Vita, Wii U and so on all gives gamers the option of playing games in a different location from their main gaming system. Is this a pointless feature or is there any other uses for this feature?
I suppose you've read the title and know what I intend to talk about. PC multiplayer games tend to be an impersonal experience, primarily being done over the internet. One thing that's so appealing about console gaming is couch multiplayer. Even though monitors are getting larger and larger, it is still difficult for multiple people to gather in front of a PC. Streaming gives players the option of playing PC games on a TV, though multiple controllers are needed (not so much an issue if you own an Xbox) and a game that supports it (much more an issue).
The Wii U though, has a unique feature not often seen in other streaming systems - that is, having the TV screen and controller screen display different scenes. PCs should make good use of this feature. Most people now have another device besides their gaming PCs, like a laptop or a tablet. Imagine if streaming can do what the Wii U is doing. An old laptop can be used for a LAN party, tablets can be used as well when a controller is plugged in. Instead of lugging gaming laptops or towers that weigh a ton around for LAN parties, even ultrabooks and tablet PCs like the Surface Pro will do as long as the host has a powerful PC capable of streaming
Of course, there are limits to what can be done, but there is potential in this. I've tried Steam Home Streaming and it works even on my old 10+ year old laptop, even though it is a little laggy and the screen leaves much to be desired. Hopefully the tech continues to improve and 'couch multiplayer' on PC will take off, bringing back the days of 'split screen' to PC players as well.
Showing posts with label Wii U. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wii U. Show all posts
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Wii U making things hard for Nintendo fans?
Following its announcement that the Wii U will be region locked, Nintendo has revealed that the system's voice chat will be limited to certain games, and will only work through the use of third party microphone plugged into the GamePad. With the basic set having only 8gb of hard disk space and the buzz regarding the system's lack of improvement over the current generation's consoles, it makes one wonder if even catering to hardcore gamers will help market the system to people other than Nintendo fans.
I was this close to making this the first console that I get on launch, partially due to the interesting launch line-up but mainly because it's backwards compatible (which is extremely important in the first few months of a console's life when games are few), but the region locking turned me away.
Perhaps I'm spoilt because I own a PS3, and the ability to play games from different regions allowed me to freely import and play games that are not ported over to the US system. That plus the sour taste the Wii left me when Fatal Frame 4 did not reach the US, and Fatal Frame, or Project Zero 2 was only released in Europe. The last few great games for the Wii, The Last Story and Xenoblade Chronicles took so long to be ported I lost interest in the system and games.
I've been reading on the reasons for region locking. Apparently it prevents people from purchasing games from 'cheaper' regions and also from importing a new release before it's been ported to their region. The benefits to this are purely for the local publishers responsible for the porting. The first reason can't be solved otherwise, but if the local version is readily available, most people would buy that instead, considering the language issues. As for the second reason, if developers can control the sale of their games and have world-wide releases, can't they also ensure the ports of different regions are already done before the release of the games?
It's curious that during this age of digital distribution, blue-ray and online connectivity that Nintendo would still stick to these 2 generations-old practices. Is this company really the innovative company that brought us the touchscreen and motion control?
I was this close to making this the first console that I get on launch, partially due to the interesting launch line-up but mainly because it's backwards compatible (which is extremely important in the first few months of a console's life when games are few), but the region locking turned me away.
Perhaps I'm spoilt because I own a PS3, and the ability to play games from different regions allowed me to freely import and play games that are not ported over to the US system. That plus the sour taste the Wii left me when Fatal Frame 4 did not reach the US, and Fatal Frame, or Project Zero 2 was only released in Europe. The last few great games for the Wii, The Last Story and Xenoblade Chronicles took so long to be ported I lost interest in the system and games.
I've been reading on the reasons for region locking. Apparently it prevents people from purchasing games from 'cheaper' regions and also from importing a new release before it's been ported to their region. The benefits to this are purely for the local publishers responsible for the porting. The first reason can't be solved otherwise, but if the local version is readily available, most people would buy that instead, considering the language issues. As for the second reason, if developers can control the sale of their games and have world-wide releases, can't they also ensure the ports of different regions are already done before the release of the games?
It's curious that during this age of digital distribution, blue-ray and online connectivity that Nintendo would still stick to these 2 generations-old practices. Is this company really the innovative company that brought us the touchscreen and motion control?
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