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Deleted member 86764
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If this is for some new console, it sounds like it's going to have some kind of camera tech. That doesn't get me too excited.
Nintendo GOing Forward.
- Thread starter Wynix
- Start date
nintendo has been using camera on Wii, Wii U, DS series to the latest new3DS. But the most useful for user were only on Wii (tracking wii remote) and new3DS (seeing eyes) where the user did not even understand that it is the works of the camera.
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Deleted member 13524
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For Redmond.. does this mean the hardware R&D for the next console will be done outside of Japan?
tongue_of_colicab
Veteran
They are looking for a software engineer so I don't see how that has anything to do with hardware R&D.
Besides I don't think Nintendo that much hardware R&D anyway. They will develop the ideas and performance requirements but pretty much all of it will have to be build and designed by contracted companies.
Besides I don't think Nintendo that much hardware R&D anyway. They will develop the ideas and performance requirements but pretty much all of it will have to be build and designed by contracted companies.
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Deleted member 13524
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http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...s1=Nintendo.AS.&OS=AN/Nintendo&RS=AN/Nintendo
HAND-HELD VIDEO GAME PLATFORM EMULATION
Abstract
A software emulator for emulating a handheld video game platform such as GAME BOY.RTM., GAME BOY COLOR.RTM. and/or GAME BOY ADVANCE.RTM. on a low-capability target platform (e.g., a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone) uses a number of features and optimizations to provide high quality graphics and sound that nearly duplicates the game playing experience on the native platform. Some exemplary features include use of bit BLITing, graphics character reformatting, modeling of a native platform liquid crystal display controller using a sequential state machine, and selective skipping of frame display updates if the game play falls behind what would occur on the native platform.
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A method of adapting an emulator, the method comprising: executing, on a processor, an emulator capable of running a plurality different binary applications; recognizing, by the processor, an identity of a binary application based on an inspection of the binary application; automatically adapting, by the processor, a behavior of the emulator to the binary application based on the recognized identity of the binary application; and generating, by the processor, an audio visual presentation using the adapted behavior of the emulator.
HAND-HELD VIDEO GAME PLATFORM EMULATION
Abstract
A software emulator for emulating a handheld video game platform such as GAME BOY.RTM., GAME BOY COLOR.RTM. and/or GAME BOY ADVANCE.RTM. on a low-capability target platform (e.g., a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone) uses a number of features and optimizations to provide high quality graphics and sound that nearly duplicates the game playing experience on the native platform. Some exemplary features include use of bit BLITing, graphics character reformatting, modeling of a native platform liquid crystal display controller using a sequential state machine, and selective skipping of frame display updates if the game play falls behind what would occur on the native platform.
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A method of adapting an emulator, the method comprising: executing, on a processor, an emulator capable of running a plurality different binary applications; recognizing, by the processor, an identity of a binary application based on an inspection of the binary application; automatically adapting, by the processor, a behavior of the emulator to the binary application based on the recognized identity of the binary application; and generating, by the processor, an audio visual presentation using the adapted behavior of the emulator.
I'm curious what people feel with regards to the WiiU successor. Any one else think 2016 will be the year they launch a new home console?
2015 seems pretty well stacked with games for the WiiU (Yoshi's World, Xenoblade Chronicles, Star Fox, Zelda), but beyond that? They obviously have stuff for beyond that, but will it be significant titles of a Zelda or SMW3D caliber? Would they go back to the well of existing IP for the WiiU?
2015 seems pretty well stacked with games for the WiiU (Yoshi's World, Xenoblade Chronicles, Star Fox, Zelda), but beyond that? They obviously have stuff for beyond that, but will it be significant titles of a Zelda or SMW3D caliber? Would they go back to the well of existing IP for the WiiU?
Fourth Storm
Newcomer
I think 2017 is more likely. The 3DS successor is almost certain to launch in 2016 and despite the unified architecture, it will be very difficult for Nintendo to launch two products and have them compete for holiday sales. Also, the home console will likely need a few big exclusives to entice people who already own the handheld to buy it. That will take more time.
For Wii U, 2015 looks pretty much as good as you could possibly hope for in the absence of third party support. They still have some more franchises they could dip into (Animal Crossing, Metroid, Starfox episodic content, HD remasters of old games, etc) for 2016, although it likely won't be as big a year as 2015. 2017 will likely be a dead year, unless...
I have a crazy idea that Nintendo might initially make software cross-platform for their next handheld and Wii U. With the two likely sharing much in architecture, it might just take a few tweaks and a recompile (if they finally switch from IBM) to get "4DS" software to play on Wii U (note: I am not suggesting the other way around). Perhaps it will discourage some early adopters from purchasing the 4DS hardware, but Nintendo gets a software sale either way, and I would think the portability and newness of the handheld would still be a huge draw. It might also help to rally the core of Wii U owners in the dark days to come...
Rambling about stuff, apologies if any of it is off topic. Only four years for a Nintendo consoles seems a bit soon, then again considering the sales it may be the sooner the better for them. Depends what approach they have with the console too. They stuck closer to the others rather than trying to have a large jump over them this time with a lack of third party titles and it hasn't worked too well. In a couple of years they'll also have to contend with the others with a reasonable price cut more than likely so they'll have to either provide a large enough jump worth a higher price or go for something similar to the competition. Would a similar performance console sell to the masses 3 years later? Granted we're not talking 6/7 years for the Wii U so it'll be better/less bad in that regard. Then you'll also not want to alienate/disregard your Wii U users, if they do release a new console and they drop support completely after four years would they get some consumer backlash? Do they go for some new hardware (in the vein of tablet/motion controls), VR? If they do drop the extra hardware stuff and just go for the controller and powerful console approach (with good third party support!) and obvious "Nintendo quality" first party games, would that be enough?
Didn't they say they underestimated the jump to HD with the Wii U too? Yes they don't have to completely saturate the hardware but a good jump in specs brings with it expectations. Ooooh, maybe they should really tie in their handheld and new console. Really try and integrate them. So for example, play on the home console, cloud saves available from your handheld and continue playing at work on the toilet or something. Get home and continue. Maybe have it as the second screen too (take some of the tablet ideas and use them in the handheld) or maybe with two player integration or slight assistance? Like with The Division, buffs and stuff. Have a player mark things (waypoints, enemies), maybe in a Zelda game in a dark cave a person "joins" the game as the fairy sprite thing and provides a bit of a light source, they go off and scout while you're somewhere else.
Didn't they say they underestimated the jump to HD with the Wii U too? Yes they don't have to completely saturate the hardware but a good jump in specs brings with it expectations. Ooooh, maybe they should really tie in their handheld and new console. Really try and integrate them. So for example, play on the home console, cloud saves available from your handheld and continue playing at work on the toilet or something. Get home and continue. Maybe have it as the second screen too (take some of the tablet ideas and use them in the handheld) or maybe with two player integration or slight assistance? Like with The Division, buffs and stuff. Have a player mark things (waypoints, enemies), maybe in a Zelda game in a dark cave a person "joins" the game as the fairy sprite thing and provides a bit of a light source, they go off and scout while you're somewhere else.
Fourth Storm
Newcomer
I think their next home console will fall in between Xbone and PS4 in terms of horsepower. It might end up having more RAM but I don't see them matching PS4's bandwidth in a unified pool. That's just too many RAM chips and too wide a bus for Nintendo's price point. Honestly, I don't see a point in trying to leapfrog those systems graphically. The AAA space is largely incompatible with Nintendo's philosophies and the best course of action is for Nintendo to try and innovate once again. If their system catches on due to this innovation and the system is capable enough, they'll get some ports just like Wii U started to get ports (when third parties still thought the Wii brand had value). It's all up to Nintendo. They need to price, market, and support their system correctly this time right out of the gate. That means under $300, no ridiculous dance video commercials, and a launch that has exclusives geared towards core gamers like a 3D Mario or Metroid (since the core will be their early adopters). Wii U had nothing that enticed their core fans for almost a full year. This can't happen next time.
why less powerful than the ps4 ?
Look the wii u is not selling great but its also still $300.... at some points this month it was only $30 less than the xbox one . heck the ps4 was at $350 at some points this month also.
Nintendo needs to figure out a way to get the price down. I don't know what is keeping the price that high but if they could get it to $200 they would sell decently.
Also I would not expect a new Nintendo console until 2016 at the earliest. I would expect them to simply be able to go to amd and grab a newer APU from them. AMD should have their new x86 core out then and 2 generations of graphics from now. Nintendo would also be able to add in stacked ram for the gpu at that point.
I would expect a console more powerful than the ps4 and if they do that in 2016 and come in at close to the price of the one and 4 they could steal the show with usable VR
Look the wii u is not selling great but its also still $300.... at some points this month it was only $30 less than the xbox one . heck the ps4 was at $350 at some points this month also.
Nintendo needs to figure out a way to get the price down. I don't know what is keeping the price that high but if they could get it to $200 they would sell decently.
Also I would not expect a new Nintendo console until 2016 at the earliest. I would expect them to simply be able to go to amd and grab a newer APU from them. AMD should have their new x86 core out then and 2 generations of graphics from now. Nintendo would also be able to add in stacked ram for the gpu at that point.
I would expect a console more powerful than the ps4 and if they do that in 2016 and come in at close to the price of the one and 4 they could steal the show with usable VR
That Wiiblet seems to have acted like a boomerang against Nintendo. I think it is a much more expensive component than it seems.
Or perhaps Nintendo is unsure about the elasticity of demand of the console.
I also recall something about someone new buying the fab that produced the chips for the system . So that could be hurting them.
I'm also sure their reluctance to drop the micron node on the hardware is a problem too I believe its a 40nm node ?
They might be able to get it all on a chip at 28nm or heck 16nm that should cut a lot of cost
I'm also sure their reluctance to drop the micron node on the hardware is a problem too I believe its a 40nm node ?
They might be able to get it all on a chip at 28nm or heck 16nm that should cut a lot of cost
Well it was about a year after 28nm was being used they went with 45/40nm. 2016 would be 2 years after 20nm is being used, maybe they'll go for it. With HBM round the corner maybe they won't use eDRAM/eSRAM either. Looking at the Xbox One's die, quite a chunk (~20%?) is the eSRAM. Take that away, make it 20nm and you'll have a significant reduction in die size. Granted, it's going to be quite a bit bigger than the Wii U from my rough guesses, but then again if they don't have a tablet/other hardware included that's a good chunk of change to save/spend elsewhere.
I personally doubt they will go with 20nm. Fudzilla had an article today how TSMC has 60 16nm scheduled tapeouts for 2015 and only 30 or so 20nm so far. The gist of the article is that companies are skipping 20nm, if that's the case either Nintendo will go with an advanced process 14/16nm or stick with 28nm which should be really cheap in 2016-2017. IMO, if the console isn't coming until 2017, then a finfet process makes sense as does HBM memory.
If a HBM memory can meet or exceed the bandwidth and latency specs of the WiiU's eDRAM, I don't see why it couldn't replace the eDRAM. I don't expect the world, but I don't see why Nintendo couldn't easily meet the X1's performance with a 28nm SOC + 4GB HBM memory stack at a probably really affordable price. If they shoot high, a 14/16nm FF SOC + 2x4GB HBM could be a monster.
If a HBM memory can meet or exceed the bandwidth and latency specs of the WiiU's eDRAM, I don't see why it couldn't replace the eDRAM. I don't expect the world, but I don't see why Nintendo couldn't easily meet the X1's performance with a 28nm SOC + 4GB HBM memory stack at a probably really affordable price. If they shoot high, a 14/16nm FF SOC + 2x4GB HBM could be a monster.
Its Nintendo but who knows.
I'm sure at this point they see a unique gimmick isn't enough to compete. So if they go 16nm in 2016 they can easily beat the current systems and perhaps by a wide enough margin.
If they go AMD they wont have to worry about games then since a faster AMD APU would simply run the games better .
16nm APU from AMD with say 4gigs of stacked ram and 4 gigs ddr 4 could make a powerful system and would give them a leg up on sony for any vr stuff.
They could become the de-facto vr console until sony and ms hit the reboot button. IF MS is able to say within 10m units of sony they both might be willing to wait till 2018/19 for a new console. So Nintendo could get a good 3 years with being the fastest system. Then stay the course for another 2 years as the cheapest console and hit the reboot themselves and regain the graphics lead. Could be interesting for them as an offset generation
I doubt nintendo would use state of the art finfet process and hbm on a console. To launch in 2017 and be low cost enough to compete with the price of the ps4 and xbox one, they probably will need to be conservative. I wouldn't be surprised at 28nm then. They didn't use 28nm for Wii u which launched a year after 28nm debuted in gpus. I doubt expect them on finfets a year after AMD gets finfets either.
HBM is probably out of the question too. Its just too new for nintendo.
I don't know if nintendo will even beat the ps4 and xbox one in specs even if they launch in 2017. Unless nintendo is wants to push performance again, which I have my doubts.
My realistic expectations, 8GB DDR4. ARM or x86 doesn't really matter much in the short run, probably 4-8 low power cores, I am leaning toward 4 because its nintendo. Some sort of esram or alternative A 10 CU GPU clocked at about 800mhz.
HBM is probably out of the question too. Its just too new for nintendo.
I don't know if nintendo will even beat the ps4 and xbox one in specs even if they launch in 2017. Unless nintendo is wants to push performance again, which I have my doubts.
My realistic expectations, 8GB DDR4. ARM or x86 doesn't really matter much in the short run, probably 4-8 low power cores, I am leaning toward 4 because its nintendo. Some sort of esram or alternative A 10 CU GPU clocked at about 800mhz.
Fourth Storm
Newcomer
Gauging by Miyamoto's comments where he pictures VR as one person sitting alone in a corner, I highly doubt Nintendo have any plans to implement VR. It's also prohibitively expensive to market a headset.
I believe Nintendo's next console will probably be in the ballpark of Xbone unless they go all-out microconsole (in which case it could be much weaker). But even if it isn't a micro, I still expect Nintendo to keep the case small in order to stand out from the other two. "Efficiency" is part of their DNA. And the efficiency of HBM is one reason I wouldn't rule out anywhere from 128 MB to 2 GB being on package with their SoC next gen. Nintendo has never shied away from specialty RAM in the past, using RDRAM, 1t-SRAM, GDDR3, FCRAM, and eDRAM in their various platforms. None of these are cheapest in class, and HBM is scheduled to debut next year afaik.
Fourth Storm
Newcomer
Nintendo didn't use 28nm mainly because they were working with Renesas as a manufacturer and they didn't have a 28nm process or 28nm eDRAM. While cost per transistor is not going down with each shrink anymore, iirc Gamecube and Wii were on the most current nodes available at the time when they launched. If AMD make a quick switch over to finFETs in 2016, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Nintendo use a 14nm/16nm process --especially since the energy savings of 20nm over 28nm are not all that drastic and it appears to be a troubled node. With their handheld, if they are using AMD (as I believe they are), they will want to shrink down the SoC as much as possible in order to improve battery life.
Another area of discussion is storage medium. I've been thinking lately, and with the unified architecture and shrinking shelf space, Nintendo might want to just use gamecards in both handheld and console. Providing both an optical drive and HDD is likely not an option, so given the choice, I'd take the latter. This way, 3rd parties can choose to release a home version digital-only or make a game card that then installs the game and/or downloads additional assets once you insert it. It's true that discs are cheaper to produce, but ditching the optical drive would also make the system quieter and smaller. I expect most games for Nintendo OS will be designed around the handheld with only a few blockbusters a year exclusive to the home console, so including an optical drive just for those seems wasteful.
