Iwata expects Rev controller to become the standard gaming interface

by Ben Striegel { Dec 16th 2005 at 6:30AM }

CNN's Chris Morris recently took a shot at those eight Revolution controller demos that everyone's been raving about since TGS, and offered a few pennies for the thoughts of a few of Nintendo's higher-ups in the process. His insights on the controller itself aren't anything we haven't heard a hundred times before (it's so light/intuitive/subtle/revolutionary!), but some of the quotes he snags from Iwata and the Regginator do shed some new light on Nintendo's ultimate scheme. Iwata doesn't just expect the Revolution to bridge the gap between gamers and non-gamers alike, he also expects the Revolution's control scheme to become "the standard in video game controls." That's some big talk, implying that Microsoft and Sony would abandon the hyper-evolved NES interface in favor of Nintendo's newest implementation. Rather than dreading, is Nintendo perhaps expecting their competitors to imitate their designs?

When asked how the general public would react to such a radically new interface, Iwata compared selling people on the idea of the Rev to selling people on the idea of the DS's touch screen, and how the lessons learned from marketing the DS will help them communicate the idea of the Revolution's remote. However, if you stop and think about it, not all that many DS games have made great use of the device's touch screen (by which we mean that the game couldn't have functioned at all without the inclusion of a touch screen in the first place). Only Kirby: Canvas Curse, Meteos, and Wario Ware DS immediately spring to mind (Animal Crossing may have suffered without a touchable interface, but it was by no means necessary). Should we really expect third-party developers to push the boundaries of gameplay on unproven technology?

Reggie had less grandiose words to offer for our consumption, though he did remark that he earnestly hoped that the Revolution would realize a massively multiplayer online game on a console, an endeavor which has in the past been met with merely mediocre success. Could a Nintendo-developed MMORPG be in the works? They've got more than enough untapped intellectual properties—is an Earthbound MMOG really that hard to imagine? Finally, Reggie reminds us yet again that we'll be seeing more from the Revolution before E3 rolls around. Come on, Reggie! Enough with the demos, we want Smash Bros. dammit!

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Zero_ @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

The standard? I -highly- doubt it. Nintendo pulled it off once, I doubt they could do it again. Besides, when they actually did do it, that was when gaming was in it's primitive infancy when it was open to changes and such.

Rhine @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

How can you forget Under the Knife Atlus did a great job on it and is challenging yet fun great use of the screen as thats the whole game and is a great third party title!

Macon Cheese @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

Trauma Center was good, but it does seem like more games are focusing on how to use the DS's two screens or its WiFi to create games rather than implementing its touch screen abilities. Of course, we'll have to wait until MP:H to see if the touch screen ends up being all that it's cracked up to be.

James @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

Well, look at the eye toy and the dance mat? They are controller formats that in the outset must have seemed bizzare but now are taken for granted. I reckon that Nintendo are right to be confident.

Popularity of controllers rises and falls, i mean, look at the status of the Joystick in the 80's and compare it to now. From the standard device for nearly all games to it being relegated to arcade games and fight sims.

Things change. I for one welcome the new controller. :)

Jay @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

It will become standard. Its a running joke with a few big studios, when asked "what do you think the next gaming generation will be like?" a common response is "What did Nintendo do the previous generation?".

This sort of controller will be standard. Maybe not as unique as Nintendo's wand shape, but I would happily bet all my gaming systems that the next gen consoles will have some for of gyroscopics... and if they're brave a method for predicting the position of the controller.

MCM @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

It will become the standard, perhaps not in a silly-pointy-remote-control sorta way but expect to see more of this kind of thing in years to come.

Jeff @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

"The standard? I -highly- doubt it. Nintendo pulled it off once,"

No, they pulled it off twice, depending on how you look at it.

Nintendo didn't *invent* either the gamepad or the analog stick. The gamepad appeared on systems at least as far back as the Mattel Intellivision, and the Atari 5200 had an analog stick.

But that's like saying they didn't invent motion sensors either. There have been motion-sensing controllers before, but the Revolution will be the first real mass market system to incorporate them standard (assuming the system really does make an impact when it hits) and implement them in an intuitive manner.

Nintendo made the gamepad standard equipment across the industry and then they did the same thing later to the analog stick. And it's a smaller issue, but they also popularized the trigger button, which is now standard on all console controllers.

So Iwata's not just talking out of his ass. Nintendo's used to having their controller designs copied. I think the trend over the past few years has been towards getting people more physically involved in their games (DDR, Eye Toy, etc.) and this controller *could* end up making the PS3 and Xbox 360 look like last-gen machines in terms of interface. In which case Sony and Microsoft would be forced to respond, as Nintendo competitors have done in the past.

PodMonkeys @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

A combination of Power Glove and wand... Thats the future.

Seriously, the gyro motion sensitive controllers are definately here to stay.

As for the DS games, Zoo Keeper would be really hard to play with any competitive speed without the touchscreen. You can't forget that one when talking about the touchscreen. Now if they can do something about the music... <_<

Roku @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

Well, I will have to agree with Jeff. What I don't think most peple relieze is the fact that you can DL old games from later systems. Look at the controller. If you turned it side ways it would be perfect for your NES and SNES games. If you had an option to tell the system that the controller was turned or something it would be perfect.

Hopefully Nintendo did this on purpose. It would be a shame to know they didn't. I can't wait to play Zelda on the new controller. Think of FPS's. You will have the choice of accually feeling like you are controlling the gun and shooting it. I mean sure you know from the start put now it is accual. Point and shoot.

Think about this. Nintendo doesn't rely on graphics for games. They rely on how fun a game is. Some of the funniest games I have played are from Nintendo. Playing them more interactivly with the new controller will make it just that much better. Mario Party will be different now. I am sure they are thinking of 10000000 differnt ways to make use of the Gyroscopic control. Trust me. Nintendo knows what they are doing. They always have. They will always be the leading company for FUN and Innovative games.

Lagomorpho @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

Actually, I don't play Zoo Keeper with the touchscreen at all. Maybe I'm just used to it from the hundreds of hours playing Tetris.

I do agree that a Power Glove/wand hybrid is where things are headed though Im pretty sure the player's movements won't be as exaggerated as depicted in those Nintendo commercials.

GlitchCog @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

I like it when Nintendo doesn't boast that it definitely will become the next standard, or at least when I don't hear about it. It's much better and more humble to just be honored when your innovation is accepted. The former only leaves room for disappointment and embarrassment should it not happen. It seems like this was supposed to be a private statement that was never supposed to be heard by the public anyhow.

I'd play an Earthbound MMORPG, but I doubt Itoi would make one no matter how much Nintendo Power's Steven Grimm wants it to be.

ChronoDK @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

Pac 'n Roll should not be forgotten either. That games use of the touchscreen is splendid.

GlitchCog @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

I guess it was meant to be a public statement. Ballsy.

Mazinkiaser @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

Standard? I seriouly doubt that. There will be some variations, there will be some immitations, but this isn't the end of the line of new concepts for controles. Some people will embrace the Revo's new control and others will shy away from it. Your tradition controler will always be around because some games work better on them and as bored as people are potentially becoming, the familiarity of the traditional controler will always bring it back. Your car's steering hasn't changed in its fundamental concept and people still drive! Options will always be around and bring a welcomed change or altrernative, but in the end, its back to basics.

zero2dash @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

-Nintendogs wouldn't be as good without the touch screen.

-As for the controller becoming the new "standard"...let's all remember that everyone hated the N64 pad at first (I know I did) but after using it for awhile, it was great. It also made possible the controllers that we have now (ie analog controls). Same goes with the Gamecube controller...I thought it wouldn't work since it only had 4 face buttons and a somewhat nontraditional layout. After using it for 10 minutes, I loved it.

I have nothing but the utmost faith in Nintendo...they've never let me down.

Chad Thomas @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

I can think of a few more games that have made excellent use of the DS touch screen:

1. Advance Wars DS - Command your troops & infantry by tapping on units & orders.

2. Electroplankton - A staple of my DJing deit. Create music by rubbing the screen.

3. Super Mario 64 - Controlling the game itself was tough, but the touch-based minigames include some of the best on the system.

4. Where Do Babies Come From? - This sequel to Feel the Magic is better designed and more enjoyable than the first.

5. Pac Pix - Is this a classic? No. Is it fun? Undeniably.

6. The Sims 2 - The ability to play scratch off lottery tickets on your DS saves $1-5 a pop.

7. Nintendogs - Love it or hate it, its the best utilization of the touch screen yet.

I could go on, but since no one cares, I won't.

Natiahs

Zaki @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

What about FPS on the DS? When will that happen?

It's also good to know that Iwata acknowledge problems with the FPS genre on the consoles. Heck, Iwata acknowledges everything about doing those genres that are usually exclusive to the PC onto the consoles. Think about it. We will able to play Age of Empires and Command & Conquer on the consoles, any console with that kind of control in the near future.

Is Iwata really playing a fool's game when it comes to attracting the hardcore PC gamers to the consoles? It's not a rhetorical question, please answer.

e2 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

What's with all these BOLD statements as of late? Sony was saying true HD won't arrive until the PS3, now we hear Nintendo saying their remote will become the standard for video games. I dunno. I've never used it so I cannot really comment to that. Seems like one of those things that is sure to come back and bite ya in the ass. I sure hope Nintendo can pull it off, but I'm somewhat underwhelmed by the demos I've seen thus far.

Zaki @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

mybigfinger @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

I...Dont....Think....So.....Mr....Iwata.

R @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

God you gamers are such a bunch of sanctamonious know-it-all gits.

Anyone would think you were the presidents of an obscenely profitable multi-billion dollar gaming empire that still sells more hardware than all its competitors combined and does so at a profit whilst they make a loss.

Sven @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

Firstly, I'm 99% sure the MMORPG will be Pokemon (which, like it or not, is Nintendo's cash-cow RPG). Nintendo's not nuts enough to ignore that possibility. Heck, I'd think we're more likely to see a Fire Emblem MMO game than an Earthbound / Mother game.

Secondly... while the DS has been great for a lot of things thus far (Trauma Center is so much more fun than you'd think), it isn't being used to its full potential largely because developers can fall back on the traditional GBA interface if they're not comfortable with the stylus. That doesn't explain why, for example, there haven't been any RTS games on the system of note thus far, but it does explain why you're still seeing a lot of ports.

Looking forward, that's going to be tougher with the Revolution. What's the staus of the "shells"? No one seems to know. But it wouldn't shock me that, now that Sony and MS have adopted the wireless controllers (that'd be controller standard #3, for those of you just joining us), they're going to think about building in some form of motion control just in case a non-Nintendo developer comes up with something brilliant and they don't want to be left out of the loop. Sony's changed controller designs in midstream once before, it wouldn't surprise me to see them do so again if it was to their advantage.

Nin10dude @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

"is an Earthbound MMOG really that hard to imagine?" Maybe not, but as a huge fan of the series, I definitely wouldn't want it... THat would fit with EarthBound at ALL.

Matthew @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

How on earth did Nintendogs not spring to mind? I still think that game makes the best use of the DS.

Matthew @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

It's good that everyone is skeptical about Nintendo's controller, as you should be. But let's look at something. Nintendo's track record is incredible for creating standards in console controllers. Although I'm still skeptical, I'm going to give Nintendo the benefit of the doubt. I remember Miyamoto said something that I thought really makes a lot of sense. He said, and this is not an exact quote, but he said, "one day it's a flat disc, and the next day it's a frisbee." In other words, the Rev controller might seem weird now, but we could potentially be saying, "wow, I never realized how dated the standard controller seems compared to the Rev controller." Or whatever.

Dakara @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

Ummm, if games ever go into the virtual realms, the only way you could play them productively is with controls like or similar to this. If they ever what to evolve off the TV they will addapt. The problem with most VR is they had no way to make you walk effectively without exspensive equipment. Nintendo solved that problem. So if you want your games to evolve, you'll eventually change over. Plus, if Microsoft and Sony take it, they will only try to inprove and perfect it.(I can see it now, the boomerang probably is already being fitted with it for driving games.)

XanderC @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

You forgot Sonic Rush and Mario & Luigi 2(even though they don't use the touch screen).

Pikachelsea @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

"There have been motion-sensing controllers before, but the Revolution will be the first real mass market system to incorporate them standard (assuming the system really does make an impact when it hits) and implement them in an intuitive manner."

There have? Name one, please. And no, a gyroscopic mouse is neither a console controller nor a controller with depth perception like the Rev controller, so that doesn't count.

"What about FPS on the DS? When will that happen?"

Metroid Prime Hunters in 2006.

"Plus, if Microsoft and Sony take it, they will only try to inprove and perfect it."

Which is why I hate them. They sit around and let Nintendo take all the risks, then jump in and steal their idea when it takes off, and then all the MS/Sony fanboys who were ripping into Nintendo before suddenly have an inexplicable change of heart and LOVE the new idea now that it's on THEIR console.

Nintendo better get some bulletproof, airtight patents on their technology. Patents didn't stop anyone from stealing the D-pad or analog stick, and unless they get a team of the most anal lawyers ever born drawing up the Rev patents, it's only going to happen again. Just wait.

Zack @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

Well, I understand that Metroid Prime Hunters will come to DS, but what I want to know is:

Would the DS be THE premier handheld for all portable FPS gaming on the go?

FEEZY @ Dec 18th 2005 10:05PM

the D-Pad - standard
shoulder buttons - standard
[the return of] the joystick - standard
rumble ability - mostly standard
wireless - about to be entirely standard

so far, whatever nintendo started with soon becamce a standard. sure right now the whole 3d point idea sounds waaaay different than expected, i remmeber that the return of the joystick at the time was controversial, but turned out to be a success....

it will be a standard someday, when looking at nintendo's history of evolutions.

John Lucas @ Dec 22nd 2005 10:06AM

Iwata's right.

Nintendo is the leader in innovating games & game interfaces. Period. Argue if you want but it's for futility. Nearly every controller standard we have now started with Nintendo's design.

People were playing with flimsy square stick/button combos & devices that resembled Texas Instruments calculators before Nintendo set the standard with the NES control pad. Sega copied that design near to the letter. They brought the L/R triggers. They brought the modern-day analog stick. They brought the rumble. And most overlooked is they brought color coding to controllers. Americans didn't see this last thing until N64 came out but Super Famicom did it first. They pioneered the shape, the style, & the function of controllers today.

With this track record only the most severe Doubting Thomases could question Iwata's declaration that the Rev controller will be the new standard.

The history is there to study.

It's not a matter of IF the Revolution controller will become standard but a matter of WHEN.

John Lucas