Rumor: Concept Designs for Nintendo's "Project Cafe" Surface

[Johnnyallstar]

I'm just wondering how much the controllers would cost individually. I can almost guarantee they won't be cheap, unless they're okay with taking a hardware cost hit on the console and the controllers.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the whole "touchscreen controller" idea tossed around left and right with Nintendo Revolution speculation?

I mean, this was before it was even called the Wii.

 

[warprincenataku]

Looks like buying an extra controller or two could be expensive.

 

[rapidoud]

PS3 cost over $1000, wouldn't be surprised if this was less and beats the PS3 at the same time.

 

[ace_of_something]

A screen in the controller? You mean... like the dreamcast?

 

[Eternal_Lament]

My reaction when seeing the screens and description: Most likely fake, and if even real I'm not sure if it would work well. For one thing, the controllers alone would make some deep cuts into your wallet (further, I'm not even sure if they would serve a practical purpose). If this console actually existed, it would most definitely cost more than the PS3 did at launch. Further, it actually seems like a system that would by its design mean there would be less potential for games on it. Why? Because this is Nintendo we're talking about here. Sure the system can try (if it existed) to say that its graphics will be better than either the 360's or the PS3's, and it probably can, but only the first-party Nintendo titles would really benefit from that. With every other title they would actually have to contend with the system more and it would be harder to make a game for this system than the Wii, meaning the third-party titles are going to be noticeably absent because of the high barrier point.

My reaction when we end up seeing what the actual product is: Meh. Nintendo home consoles haven't really interested me before, it probably wont interest me now, its only really their handhelds that keep me interested (even then, I think the 3DS may lose interest from both consumers and designers next year if Nintendo doesn't step their game up)

 

[Jumplion]

ah, here it is:

http://kotaku.com/#!5794002/and-here-come-the-flood-of-fake-wii-2-mock+ups

Congratulations, you have just reported on a source THAT CAME FROM 4CHAN.

Ah, the internet, how I love it so.

So, yeah, I'm pretty skeptical. If all those rumors are true, then the controller is basically a 3DS or something. Some rumors say that it will sell at around $400 and I find that ludicrous for Nintendo. The Wii started, and stayed, at $250, the Gamecube at $200. No way in hell this "Pii" will be $400 even with the supposed tech behind it, I just don't see Nintendo going that route.

 

[GeorgW]

Wow. I'm actually impressed. That's innovation that doesn't destroy the bases for once. Still, why not just connect the 3DS? If this is true, I'll buy it.

 

[NickCaligo42]

I wonder if they're going to address those issues with the new system.

If they fix those, then Nintendo could be a major player for a console again.

It's less that and more that if they don't fix them then the new console is sunk. Middleware is one of the most important developments in the game industry in the last five years. It's one of the things that's making mainstream game development actually affordable and attainable again. It isn't quite there yet, obviously, but with some of these kits getting free or cheap indie licenses? [a href="http://www.udk.com/"]Unreal Engine 3 included[/a]? Just a matter of time. If Nintendo doesn't manage to get good middleware support, then they won't have developers, plain and simple.

 

[Alar]

It looks like the controllers themselves would have to be packing some serious hardware, as well as the console itself pumping out all that streaming goodness. We're looking at some seriously buffed up specs if this is the case. And likely a big price tag.

 

[samsonguy920]

Unless Nintendo has an ulterior motive to screw up every gamer's vision with tiny screens, those controllers are going to be as large as if not larger than the original Xbox controllers.
This isn't the first time a controller with video was conceived. Wasn't the PSP going to double as a controller for the PS2/3? And unless N has their own Kinect-like motion detector, no way a controller with that much hardware in it is going to have motion control.
I'm calling these shots as bogus.

 

[Antwerp Caveman]

Okama Gamesphere!

 

[Ben Legend]

Hold on. Screens in the controller. This will cost a bomb for each one.

 

[Pontus Hashis]

Left sticks's in the wrong place, but otherwise okay...

 

[Demoliboy2]

To me this looks fake, but for the sake of argument, let's assume it's real.

To those people saying the 3DS will double as a controller, take a good look at the controllers: They have 2 analogue sticks and 4 shoulder buttons. The 3DS has half of that. There fore, it WON'T double as a controller.

 

[EKmannen]

Meh, just reminds me of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEfoQvwOTgg

 

[TheGuy(wantstobe)]

I was so hoping you wouldn't post these fakes. Still grabbing a Print screen to hold over your heads for bad journalism later on down the line.

 

[Gameonicon]

>easy portability from PC and Xbox 360

Basically, that translates to "runs DirectX". Since DirectX is a Microsoft technology and I really doubt that Microsoft will give Nintendo such a leg-up, I'm going to assume that's phony.

That said, if it does turn out the controllers have touch screens, then I called it elsewhere.

Depends how much they paid microsoft. Pretty sure microsoft wouldn't say no to yummy yummy license fees.

Also, does anyone think microsoft would really defend the 360 or their future console if they can make tons of money from doing nothing extra? microsoft have as much loyalty to their platforms as the money they make off them. Look at how much they tried to destroy PC gaming in 2006/7 because the xbox could make them more money due to licensing fees from games and DLC. Microsoft would no doubt partner up with Nintendo it it meant free money.

OpenGL is multiplatform, therefore easy portable and already used by the Wii and the PS3. The portability hints more at the CPU and memory usage and if it is true will make ports to the TWii easier. Forget the TWii as a lead platform because there is no incentive or reason to change the development pipelines as long as the other two hold back.

 

[harvz]

*clap clap clap* i could draw that and all i have is a 3 yr course in highschool of graphic drawing...and 1 of those years were architecture.

if it were true i think i would consider getting one but wouldn't make more sense for them to allow the 3ds as a controller instead of these controllers? it was only released so short a time ago that integrating it would be simple. but i would expect them to probably aim at the $400-500 mark and the controllers about $50-$80 so they turn a profit quickly.

it wouldn't surprise me if they manage to get it at =>the 360's/ps3's specs because, despite them being really good, they are a bit old and parts such as that are cheaper now, though this is nintendo so lets hope its not based entirely around a gimmick...like the wii...which it probably will be.

 

[jpoon]

If these are real then damn, this just seems like an unimpressive piece of tech. The screen on a controller is damn pointless when you have a HDTV to play the game on. I guess they must have something in mind but to me the controller itself sounds like an expensive waste of time so far.

 

[Fasckira]

First we hear about "Project Cafe" from some French site and now we have pictures from 4chan.

If they are real Nintendo seriously needs to tighten its security policies.