The fact that someone can't imagine good uses for the tablet doesn't necessarily mean they have a lack of imagination. It could be there aren't many uses. We had a thread about motion controls on sixaxis, that threw up lots of possibilities, and none really happened. We can present ideas on how the tablet could be used, and at the moment it's not looknig particularly exciting. If you can shed some light on how having a screen on your lap will revolutionise playing games on the TV, feel free to enlighten us.
Personally I see the tablet screen as a break from the big-screen experience. Like the DS, the second screen offers no more functionality than having one larger screen divided in two, other than the touch input. As a touch interface, applications will be limited in typical code games (shooters, sports, fighters) as it lacks immediacy and flexibility. Short of putting customised button layouts on it, how can it help with an UE shooter or Street Fighter? Certainly it has useful application in strategic interfaces, such as handling inventory and drawing tactics for a sports team, or moving a radar or map from the TV to the tablet, but those things aren't massive game changes that couldn't be implemented in convnetioanl controls. They'll just be a bit more convenient.
This is different from Wiimote/Move though. It seems like a more natural evolution of current controllers . Not much different from when more than two buttons were added to controllers or shoulder buttons or dual analog sticks.
It's kind of annoying to see gamers start whining as soon as something changes when past evolutions are what gave us the controllers we currently have.
As for what I can see the screen doing for games, besides the obvious such as AR, HUD and menus and such things on the screen, here are a few examples:
- Ghost Recon online's CrossCom 2.0 which is similar to devices soldiers use. In the game you can use the touch screen as a command centre to communicate with team mates, lay out strategies, guide drones and call airstrikes.
-More intuitive interface for customization of weapons/characters .
- Ubi's Ghost Feed idea where even if you are not playing and the TV is off or being used you can use the controller to track and communicate with friends and match-make.
- Console MMOs and RTS (Nintendo will shows us with Pikmin 3) games don't have to be crappy. In Skyrim for example, no need to pause to change spells or equip items.
- For fighters, you could have two people playing on the tv while a spectator could watch it on the tablet. He could turn on input display, frame data, etc. and maybe even change camera angles and special effects to make some dynamic looking replays. Possibly allow for in game brackets and things for tourney play. Could be pretty useful for commentators . Then there are Harada's ideas for Tekken Wii U such as Level editing in real time, etc.
-Batman AA's detective mode or Aliens Colonial marines radar on the screen.
- asymmetric cooperative & competitive gameplay. Game Master gameplay like in Killer Freaks.
-It could also work well alongside the system's online system. Video chatting, more intuitive way to browse the system, get notifications, messages, check leaderboards/rankings and such while the console is in standby, blah blah blah..
So many things can be done to enhance gameplay and user experience.
