Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video] • Hacker News Board

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#301

Post by cpmsmith » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 5:33 PM UTC

onewaystreet wrote: post #138

Retr0spectrum wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In that form factor? Unlikely. My guess would be somewhere around PS3/360 performance, perhaps with better graphics.

The Switch uses a custom Nvidia Tegra processor which would give it at minimum the performance of the PS4, likely better: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2016/10/20/nintendo-switch/

Would it necessarily? I can't imagine them packing that kind of power into a battery-powered tablet, especially with Nintendo's historical priorities.

Edit: Pastebin has what purports to be a spec sheet[1], but this 1024 FLOPS/cycle business sounds inscrutable to me and it's not verifiable anyway.

[1]: http://pastebin.com/UD1Vx9rf

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#302

Post by Synroc » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 5:34 PM UTC

shuntress wrote: post #67

Raphmedia wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> But I also don't see us returning to gaming together in person either. Really? I gather with friends to play Smash on a gamecube every two weeks or so. Bring a few beers, play some good music, pass the controllers around and it's lots of fun. I also co-op a lot with my girlfriend.

I know theres something pleasant about the older smash games, but the new one is really just as much fun and supports 8-player matches. If you are already meeting >4 people bi-weekly get them to cough up some extra cash, or just buy cheaper beer for a few months and get yourselves a wiiu.

the older smash games such as melee have a higher technical ceiling also, which a lot of people enjoy. For example, the competitive melee scene has never been as big as it is now, even though the game was released 15 years ago.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#303

Post by squidbidness » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 5:34 PM UTC

vlunkr wrote: post #216

jakebasile wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. If you can't have both systems available at the same time and location you need to call in to have your account transferred. This requires you to answer some questions about the account such as what games do you own and when did you buy them. Then they take a few days to get around to unlocking your account. It's awful and easily the most user hostile of the modern gaming platforms' stores.

I don't understand why they do it this way. Buying a game on any other platform feels so much nicer, because I know if my console dies I can just log in and re-download. I assume it's something about piracy, but it does feel hostile towards regular users.

A plausible financial incentive for them would be rent-seeking: they might be afraid they lose money on the balance if you only have to buy the game once. Doing it this way they have a shot at getting money from you again for the same game when new consoles come out.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#304

Post by fullshark » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 5:34 PM UTC

Unbeliever69 wrote: post #280

I must be very out of touch with the gaming habits of millenials. The intro movie itself seemed like some nerdy wish-fulfillment. Who acts like this? Where can I meet some stunning gaming hottie like the one in the airport? Will the Switch make my life this fantastic?

Yeah the video seems to be selling a use case that likely isn't very common. How often are people going to go a bar and sit around a switch playing video games? Maybe once or twice? I imagine the dominant gaming habits are what Xbox/PS focus on (one person in a room, possibly connected by internet to others).

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#305

Post by criddell » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 5:37 PM UTC

deelowe wrote: post #176

gdulli wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Console with graphical power that rivals Xbox One and PS4. Check. Where do you get this from? The specs haven't been released and they're showcasing some previous-gen games. I doubt this will have the processing power of the original Xbox One or PS4, let alone the souped-up versions of those consoles that are coming soon.

Specs haven't been released, but nvidia has a press release claiming it is powered by a custom tegra processor: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2016/10/20/nintendo-switch/ It's probably safe to assume it will be a customized version the latest or an upcoming model. I believe this puts the system in the PS4/Xbone ballpark.

> I believe this puts the system in the PS4/Xbone ballpark

That's it? The PS4 is three years old now. They should be able to make something significantly better at this point.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#306

Post by daodedickinson » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 5:38 PM UTC

mentos wrote: post #211

daodedickinson wrote: post #141

I dunno... I never play games except at home now, so there's nothing interesting here for me. It's just gonna come down to whether I want to play Smash / Mario Kart / Mario, like it pretty much has since the GameCube.

Heh this is how I feel, Nintendo Switch is the on the go gaming system for the generation that doesnt leave home

I mean, back in 2002 I bought a power converter once so I could hook up my small CRT and GameCube and play Wind Waker in the back of our truck on a 10 hour road trip so I understand the appeal, just commenting that it's not longer there for me.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#307

Post by ketpat » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 5:42 PM UTC

rebootthesystem wrote: post #257

It's interesting to me to watch a video about a new gaming platform and have that video show me all the ways in which said platform will destroy nearly all forms of real human interaction with others, reducing us to unthinking drones looking at screens moving little virtual characters around while our brains whittle away. This is the problem with the gaming industry. It's the equivalent of very smart engineers using…

I actually agree with you, a lot of games are being designed to keep you hooked. Which is not the fault of the developers as they have no choice but to try and extract money from their users if they are to survive. Those addict like qualities you saw in your kids, I saw in myself a couple of years ago and made my self go cold turkey. My drugs of choice were team fortress 2 and left 4 dead. I have thousand of hours logged between the two. I've made a lot of positive steps in my life since then and can't help but wonder how far I would have come if I had stopped playing a long time ago.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#308

Post by chongli » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 5:42 PM UTC

hendryau wrote: post #233

mcgrath_sh wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm in the opposite camp as you are. I'm thrilled that this appears to be a gaming only device. I have devices that do what my tablets do. My 3DS has hundreds of hours into it. I love having a portable device that is for gaming only. I don't want notifications popping while looking for Rupees or a phone call when trying to hunt for legendary birds. I also have no issues carrying a separate device for that. IMO, touch…

Let's be honest, no one has ever had to farm for Rupees in Zelda :)

Having to farm for rupees is the reason I never finished the Windwaker. That damn reinforce hunt quest sucked all the air out of the room and destroyed the game's momentum entirely.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#309

Post by erikpukinskis » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 5:43 PM UTC

jakebasile wrote: post #179

takingflac wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or maybe it isn't graphics that make the game but rather the gameplay itself?

Mostly true, but improved graphical fidelity can add to the immersion and experience. But also, compute power doesn't mean solely graphical compute - more power means more advanced AI, faster menus, higher maximum players in multiplayer, and so on.

> graphical fidelity can add to the immersion and experience

Does it? Do you think people playing Doom this year have a more immersive experience than I had playing Doom on my 486? A better experience?

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#310

Post by PrimHelios » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 5:43 PM UTC

slantyyz wrote: post #60

zelias wrote: post #23

Nintendo has been trying to blend mobile and console gaming since the Gamecube (anyone else remember the GBA link??). I think they've finally succeeded in a way that can make the transition between the two seamless. In a space currently dominated by two nearly-identical competitors (XBONE and PS4), I think Nintendo has the opportunity to capture a large portion of the market.

I'm very intrigued by this console. I switched to Steam after the PS3 and thought I'd never get a TV based console again. I really love the slide-in controllers. A few things I hope for would be: * Open specs for the slide-in controllers so that third parties can satisfy various niches (like the fighting game community) * A standard USB-C or micro-USB charging port so that people can use their existing power banks/ch…

> Compatibility with Nintendo's older wireless controllers

Well, it looks like it uses bluetooth. If it uses a standard bluetooth stack, they might let other BT controllers (such as the PS4, Wii U Pro and Xbone) work with the system.

I really have a lot of high hopes for this, but I don't wanna get super excited without knowing any of the specs.