Revolution a tactile touchscreen?

[if76]

Gamerfeed (http://www.gamerfeed.com) has posted some info about a touchscreen (http://www.immersion.com/industrial/touchscreen/) that's capabale of giving the user the physical sensation that he's pushing a button. Could this be the secret behind the Nintendo Revolution?

With Immersion TouchSense technology, instead of feeling just the hard surface of the screen, graphical buttons can seem to depress and release. This responsive action supplies a more intuitive, natural, multisensory experience.

I may not be a "casual" gamer, but I've never had a problem of too many buttons. I only see this being useful for taking away buttons on a controller, not adding them.

[yellowoystercult]

we're getting conflicting information left and right, aren't we? wasn't it just a short while ago that iwata said the controller wouldn't have a touch screen? what am i missing?

[DaedalusFolly]

Could also be useful for customizing button layouts for different games and/or users. Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with (most) current controllers, but I am willing to be blown away with something thats entirely superior and not just a gradual evolution of what we have now.

[Rommel]

I think that by not releasing information Nintendo is hurting themselves. There is a good chance that their revolution will not be as good as the speculations their fans denote. That leads to disappointment.

[Hellstorm]

I think that by not releasing information Nintendo is hurting themselves. There is a good chance that their revolution will not be as good as the speculations their fans denote. That leads to disappointment.
Kinda how Xbox fans are disappointed in the 360? Disappoinment only come from having lofty expectations. Nintendo for the most part always seem very conservative in the spec game. They clearly gave out the low end of the GC spec wise, as RS and RE4 were easily pushing above the 6-8 million polygon level Nintendo stated with the Cube.

As far as touch controllers, if this allows you to create your OWN button layouts, and as long as you can still press 2+ buttons at the same time, this is great. Heck developers could create their optimized button layouts for THEIR games and not be forced to use the hardware makers standard layout.

I say bring it on.

[Kamalot]

I'd have to get my hands on something like this before I make any decisions.

Personally, I thought the GameCube controller was FUGLY until I got my hands on it and realized how intellligent the design decisons are. I won't discount this one until I can actually try it with my own two hands first.

[Chandler]

the cool thing about this idea is that developers can make their own controllers basically

the problem with this is it'll increase learning curves a bit but not really.

[King Drewsky]

A touch screen controller would allow developers to finally bring over the RTS games from the PC. RTS games just do not translate well to consoles when using a standard controller.

Oh, and Xbox fans aren't disappointed with the 360.

[KarmaGhost]

Could also be useful for customizing button layouts for different games and/or users. Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with (most) current controllers, but I am willing to be blown away with something thats entirely superior and not just a gradual evolution of what we have now.Anyone remember the Atari Jaguar? They had those interchangeable button layouts that you attached to the controller. I remember that in Wolf 3D, for example, they let you select your weapon and in another game, the name of which escapes me, pushing different buttons make your vehicle morph into different shapes.

[netcraazzy]

I may not be a "casual" gamer, but I've never had a problem of too many buttons. I only see this being useful for taking away buttons on a controller, not adding them.

I can tell you've never experienced the joy that is playing an Atari Jaguar. If the graphics didn't make your eyes bleed then the controller will surly give you carpel-tunnel. It also puts the rev1.0 Xbox controller to shame for sheer size and clunkyness.

Gah, KarmaGhost beat me to the punch. Funny how revolutionary controller designs bring up the Atari Jaguar of all things. Oh wait...you liked the controller?

[Heretic Machine]

I don't see how a touch-screen controller could EVER be comfortable...

[RandomViolence]

I'm not sure about the whole idea of touchscreens and changeable interfaces. I do think that tactile feedback would make them a lot more viable... but still. And, by the way, Xbox owners haven't been disappointed at all with the 360.

[Hellstorm]

I don't see how a touch-screen controller could EVER be comfortable...
Cause you would still be pressing with your thumb??? Considering I haven't ever used a touchscreen controller, I am not about to guess if it is uncomfortable or not.

[Hellstorm]

And, by the way, Xbox owners haven't been disappointed at all with the 360.
Keep the dream and damage control alive, I suppose.

[lurker4hire]

Maybe the whole controller will be touch sensitive and provide realistic tactile feedback over the whole surface? And maybe it'll sense when your response time slows down and pulse a gentle massage into your fingers to ease the carpal tunnel. Maybe they'll release Mario Rez and you'll have to fight with your girlfriend to get the controller back...

Maybe we should all just stfu and accept the fact that Nintendo isn't going to release details for awhile...

l4h

[DriveALW]

First, good reference on the Rez Japan-only peripheral, lurker.

Second, does anyone know how this would actually work? By making areas of the screen vibrate? They're not very clear. The company's website says that "TouchSense" has been in use since 1996 in peripherals and in car controls, etc. They must mean something else, right?

[Dr.Finger]

I just don't think a touch screen controller, even with tactile feedback, would be useful. How much of videogaming is muscle memory? I don't have to look down at my controller because I have, at most 3 options available (PS2, XB, & GC controllers) which all have fundamentally similar layouts. If you had a different controller, not just for each system, but for each game, how confusing would it be? You'd probably spend more time looking at the controller than at the screen. It's a nice theory but likely not practical for gaming.

[SAMIAM779]

I don't think the Revolution controler is going to BE a touch screen, but I definitely think it will HAVE a touch screen.

Look at the compatability the Cube has with the GBA. Now for a lot of games, it's not that significant. However, if any of you played some multiplayer Final Fantasy:Chrystal Chronicles, then you've seen how useful it can be. I think Nintendo was using that connectivity to experiment with the idea of having a controler that incorporates a screen.

Then you look at the DS, where again a screen is built in with regular buttons as part of the controler. Except, with the DS, the touch features of the screen could be used to partially control the game.

Neither of those things tries to replace the standard buttons with a screen. They just use the idea of using the second screen to enhance the first.

I think the Revolution controllers will have a touch screen along with the kind of buttons we're used to. In some games, you might use the screen to control the game directly (like with the DS Metroid) and other times it will work as in FF:CC, giving you a personal screen to work with.

[EyesNoMore]

I think the button layout will be reconfigurable somehow. In an interview on G4 at E3, Reggie posed a question similar to this: The Revolution will play games from all previous consoles. If you look at all the controllers from those systems, they are very different. How would we overcome this?

My thought for a while has been that the controller may be a generic looking gamepad with a surface that would rise up where the developer wanted to put buttons.

[ben_bot]

I think the button layout will be reconfigurable somehow. In an interview on G4 at E3, Reggie posed a question similar to this: The Revolution will play games from all previous consoles. If you look at all the controllers from those systems, they are very different. How would we overcome this?

My thought for a while has been that the controller may be a generic looking gamepad with a surface that would rise up where the developer wanted to put buttons.

thats an idea i have not heard before. the controller will create buttons that arent just fake buttons but ACTUAL buttons.

for some reason that makes me think of those things you see at the mall shops that have tiny metal pins that are against a clear plastic screen. and if you pressy your hand against the other side the pins drop around your hand leaving the other pins against the glass forming a three-dimensional mold of your hand.

i might not have explained that the best way.

[dr_wily]

speculation pure and complete..

[Vjornaxx]

I think you guys are thinking too much in the box here. Imagine the gameplay mechanics of having a haptic surface. Trying to feel around for a pulse, applying pressure to your character's wound to prolong his life for a little bit, feeling the grain of something, finding the secret door because the texture of it is different than the texture of the surrounding wall.

[cjrizzo]

Anyone remember the Atari Jaguar? They had those interchangeable button layouts that you attached to the controller. I remember that in Wolf 3D, for example, they let you select your weapon and in another game, the name of which escapes me, pushing different buttons make your vehicle morph into different shapes.
The game was CyberMorph for the Jag...

[Borys]

Uhh... this was already debunked by Iwata (or was it Miyamoto?, hmmm) a while ago. NO touchscreen on Rev. controller.

[Tricky Thumb]

Besides this technology isn't exactly new here, I remember seeing this stuff at CES a couple years back for media centers. A company won "best of CES" from some publications for their touch sensation screens or whatever.

Either way, whatever the revolution could be, it should be something none of us could guess to truly be a revolution.

[Stupid Fat Hobbit]

This sounds quite plausible, especially hiven some of Reggie's comments at E3 that someone mentioned earlier.

However, I have a question: with this type of display, is it possible to feel where the buttons are on the screen without pressing them? Looking at the website, it seems not, but it doesn't actually say for sure.

An infinitely configurable controller like this would be really cool, but if you can't tell where the buttons are without actually looking at it, it just wouldn't work as a game controller.

[KDups]

Side note: I may be wrong, but didn't Sony remove two of the shoulder buttons on the new PS3 controller? I haven't seen the thing in full, but from reflections on those official shots it looks like it only has two shoulder buttons. That would be a pretty silly decision, especially since it's backwards compatible with PS2/1 games.

[if76]

I can tell you've never experienced the joy that is playing an Atari Jaguar. If the graphics didn't make your eyes bleed then the controller will surly give you carpel-tunnel. It also puts the rev1.0 Xbox controller to shame for sheer size and clunkyness.



Ok the problem with the jaguar controller wasn't that there were too many buttons it was that the button layout was horrible. In other words, you couldn't hit very many buttons at the same time. There were no shoulder buttons and only 3 face buttons. Then you had nine lower buttons in the completely non-ergonomic layout of a telephone. That's 12 buttons total. The PS2/X360 controller has 10 buttons all accessible at the same time if you count the R3 and L3 joystick buttons. So in terms of useful buttons the PS2 trumps jaguar by 7

[[HATE]MyLife]

The PS2/X360 controller has 10 buttons all accessible at the same time if you count the R3 and L3 joystick buttons.

I defy you to press all of those buttons in a realistic manner simultaneously.

[Rommel]

A company won "best of CES" from some publications for their touch sensation screens or whatever.

I've had several for various home media centers. They would be death for video games.

[yutt]

While we're making up random shit; I think the Revolution controller will be a giant phallus, that you must control only orally. It will have fluid sensors and force-feedback.

It's going to be crazy.

[Kagger]

Wow yutt....just wow man.

I think at the same station Nintendo has their hotspots, will be a drilling station. You merely sign a waver, they drill a whole into your brain, and you plug the cord straight into your brain. Very matrix, but in a world were sequels are a good thing

[Royal Fool]

And, by the way, Xbox owners haven't been disappointed at all with the 360.

Well, I am. I think Microsoft's direction with the new X360 pretty much stinks, why change the whole image they spent years building up and why make the system so.... ugh.

I'll still be buying one, but I was expecting far better things from Microsoft.

[Hellstorm]

I've had several for various home media centers. They would be death for video games.

No, the controller will still have analog sticks, just the buttons will appear on a touch screen, which can be reconfigured to the placement that the user or developer finds optimal.

They are not going to get rid of the analog stick. Just buttons.

[Jiguryo]

I think the button layout will be reconfigurable somehow. In an interview on G4 at E3, Reggie posed a question similar to this: The Revolution will play games from all previous consoles. If you look at all the controllers from those systems, they are very different. How would we overcome this?

My thought for a while has been that the controller may be a generic looking gamepad with a surface that would rise up where the developer wanted to put buttons.

You might have missed some of the newer renders for the Revolution, which features a hidden slot on its top (or its right, if you use it horizontally) with 4 gamepad and 2 memory card slots, apparently Gamecube-compliant... that should cover the retrocompatibility stuff, and we'd still get our kick on the new wireless interface... whichever it is.

[mister_slim]

Nintendo understands design and usability, so this will not be in the Revolution controller. Reading some of the comments I have to question if some of you have ever used a controller or even played a video game before.
However, I have a question: with this type of display, is it possible to feel where the buttons are on the screen without pressing them? Looking at the website, it seems not, but it doesn't actually say for sure.

An infinitely configurable controller like this would be really cool, but if you can't tell where the buttons are without actually looking at it, it just wouldn't work as a game controller.
The one linked is just a touchscreen with vibration. You can't actually feel the buttons, but the screen vibrates when you push a button.
Side note: I may be wrong, but didn't Sony remove two of the shoulder buttons on the new PS3 controller? I haven't seen the thing in full, but from reflections on those official shots it looks like it only has two shoulder buttons. That would be a pretty silly decision, especially since it's backwards compatible with PS2/1 games.
I think they added triggers, actually. I haven't seen a good angle on the concept controller, but I think they would have replaced L2 and R2 with triggers (probably labeled with symbols).

[EyesNoMore]

You might have missed some of the newer renders for the Revolution, which features a hidden slot on its top (or its right, if you use it horizontally) with 4 gamepad and 2 memory card slots, apparently Gamecube-compliant... that should cover the retrocompatibility stuff, and we'd still get our kick on the new wireless interface... whichever it is.
That is true, but Reggie asked the question when they were pressing him for info on the new controller. If they were just going to use a gamecube controller for the old games it wouldn't make sense for him to mention that, would it?

[RandomViolence]

Keep the dream and damage control alive, I suppose.

(sigh) Wonderfully intelligent and insightful, as usual.

i'm going to become rich and famous after i invent a device that allows you to stab people in the face over the internet

[Furious Wang]

Guys guys. The Revolution controller has already been revealed:

http://gurno.com/adam/images/updated_controller.jpg

[mister_slim]

Great, now MS and Sony will rip it off.

[Furious Wang]

Well, I am. I think Microsoft's direction with the new X360 pretty much stinks, why change the whole image they spent years building up and why make the system so.... ugh.

I'll still be buying one, but I was expecting far better things from Microsoft.

Umm...how are they changing direction?

Is it by continuing to offer gameplay on their console? By offering strong online support? By moving the black and white buttons? By offering better graphics and faster processing?

How are they changing their image? What makes the system so ugh?

Is it by changing the color and design of the system?

What exactly were you expecting? Prerendered videos like killzone 2?

[Furious Wang]

While we're making up random shit; I think the Revolution controller will be a giant phallus, that you must control only orally. It will have fluid sensors and force-feedback.

It's going to be crazy.

I think you're on to something here. Think of the gameplay possibilities! It could be touch sensitive. There could be games where you must stroke the phallus in a rythmic motion in time with beats on the screen ala Donkey Konga. Of it could include gyroscopic technology so you'd have to angle the phallus to guide characters through tunnels and tight situations.

[Heretic Machine]

Here is the problem... imagine holding a SCREEN in your hand. Imagine trying to push your thumbs over the edge and onto the screen to try and get to the buttons. Ergonomics just died.

[Liquidize105]

While we're making up random shit; I think the Revolution controller will be a giant phallus, that you must control only orally. It will have fluid sensors and force-feedback.

It's going to be crazy.
That's YOUR wet dream, yutt.

It's okay, nobody cares.

[Chris_D]

Kinda how Xbox fans are disappointed in the 360?

Apart from needing a bit more software support from Japan, all looks golden for the 360 right now...

[Hellstorm]

(sigh) Wonderfully intelligent and insightful, as usual.
Hey, reality is a bitch.

[Hellstorm]

Here is the problem... imagine holding a SCREEN in your hand. Imagine trying to push your thumbs over the edge and onto the screen to try and get to the buttons. Ergonomics just died.
So you if this new is true, I take it you have taken the Rev controllers for a spin then?

[Rommel]

No, the controller will still have analog sticks, just the buttons will appear on a touch screen, which can be reconfigured to the placement that the user or developer finds optimal.

And as I said, having used touch screen controllers I can tell you this will be nearly impossible for a video game. You have to look at the screen to know where the buttons are, it is heavy, flat and uncomfortable.

[lowlevel]

Kinda how Xbox fans are disappointed in the 360?
Hey, reality is a bitch.
So you if this new is true, I take it you have taken the Rev controllers for a spin then?
Why is it that you seem incapable of any discourse that doesn't have a confrontational tone to it? Bad day today?

Just bear in mind that your perception is not everyone else's reality. :)

[Shifteh]

A teacher of mine told our class he thought the "secret" would be that Nintendo used the touchscreen idea from the DS to make controllers. I think that would be an awesome idea.

[sol740]

Sweet a vitual button with virtual tactile response. Why its almost as good as an ACTUAL button ...