Dreaming up new ideas for the Wii U

Shoe_headshot_-_square
Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Aliens: Colonial MarinesBitmob staffer Mike Minotti won't appreciate what I'm about to write.

After seeing a demo of Aliens: Colonial Marines at this summer's E3 trade show -- the same trade show where Nintendo's future console, the Wii U, debuted -- I had only one thought in mind: "The developers better be turning that tablet screen into a motion sensor."

Not that I think this is the most brilliant idea in the world. It just makes sense if you're a fan of the James Cameron sci-fi flick, which Mr. Minotti has never seen (and the rest of the staff gives him plenty of crap for).

In the movie Aliens, the iconic motion sensor created a lot of tense moments with its subdued thuds turning into high-pitched whines when invisible threats loomed nearby.

The Wii U tablet controller, with its independent screen, would be able to replicate this almost perfectly. And it's probably easier to hold up compared to those unwieldy devices from the film, too. While it seems developer Gearbox has thought of this match already without my help, that got me wondering: What other ideas might we gamers come up with for developers to take advantage of this new console?

Here's what some of the Bitmob staff had to say, with mock-up images by our very own Samir Torres. Please contribute your own ideas in the comments below!

 

"The Wii U controller is clearly intended for use in a submarine simulator. Who holds the rights to the Up Periscope! franchise!?" -James DeRosa, editor

Up Periscope

"It'd be interesting to see an overhead action-adventure game, a side-scrolling platformer, or a twin-stick shooter in which you manipulate two planes of gameplay at once, one with each analog stick and one on each screen. I'm thinking of something similar to From Software's The Adventures of Cookie and Cream but with two separate screens instead of a splitscreen.

"You could dive in and out of many layers of the background and foreground, playing both at once. When you move inward (the direction of the TV screen), the background (displayed on the TV screen) moves to the Wii U controller, and a new background emerges (on the TV screen). You could also do a twin-stick shooter in which you move in and out of higher and lower levels of reality, sort of like a cross between Ikaruga and Jason Rohrer's Inside a Star-filled Sky.

"You could probably add some really cool morphing effects as the Wii U controller screen moves to the TV screen or vice versa. This crazy game would probably be made by Treasure or an indie developer." -James DeRosa, editor

"With the Wii U controller, switching between different views in games becomes a lot more dynamic. Imagine using it as Samus's scanner in a Metroid game, where you hold it up to the TV to interact with an environment. Just thinking about it makes me giddy with anticipation." -Eduardo Moutinho, editor

Metroid

"The Wii U gives developers new options for HUD design. The main gameplay screen becomes less cluttered with data, while statistics and menu options are accessed with a quick tap of the controller touch screen." -Eduardo Moutinho, editor

"Taking a cue from the 3DS, the Wii U controller has the potential to put an exciting spin on augmented reality. What if you could flip the controller around and use it as a camera in a new Pokémon Snap​ game with your living room as the environment and your TV as a giant viewfinder?" -Eduardo Moutinho, editor

Pokemon Snap

"The Wii U controller is the offspring of a Wii Classic Controller Pro, iPad, and Dreamcast VMU [Virtual Memory Unit]. All in all, that's a pretty intriguing combination. Now I just need to make sure I can use it to raise Chao." -Eduardo Moutinho, editor

 "I can think of lots of uses for the Wii U in sports games: You could choose plays in Madden where your buddy can't see, hold the controller up to the screen to block a penalty kick in FIFA, or diagram your own basketball play. I'd also love to have the Wii U controller become a radar screen in a space-combat game. (Side note: Can I please have more space-combat games?)" -Layton Shumway, community manager

NBA

"I really like the idea of using the tablet as a window within a window. You could use the Wii U controller to scan for items, solve puzzles, and even access smaller, harder-to-see elements on the main game's screen. This opens up endless puzzle possibilities!" -Jasmine Rea, writer

"Here's a funny thing from Reddit posted under the title 'This game would go perfectly on the Wii U!':

I'll think up a serious idea soon." -Alex Cronk-Young, moderator [Editor's note: Alex never did.]

"The best functionality that I can think of for the new Wii U controller would be if that screen could do some sort of slideshow presentation explaining what the hell it is. I wasn't at E3. I didn't get to play with the new controller. What was I even looking at? I don't understand!" -Jeff Grubb, writer

"If shooters handled well when the controller is used traditionally, specific situations could call for precision aiming via pointing the controller at the screen. For example: You're sniping a target only a few pixels tall -- the controller's screen could translate to a pair of crosshairs." -Ryan Perez, intern

FPS

"I'd want to see a Metroid game where you scan your surroundings by holding up the Wii U's controller and looking at its screen. I'd also want to see some use out of the swipe to/from screen functionality...maybe to solve puzzles, throw projectiles, or fire the super-charged arm-cannon blasts (using a lock on). I've tried the tilt-aiming on Nintendo's demo games, and it felt way too loose to really work, but I could see using it as a shield to reflect attacks, a la Link's shield." -Rus McLaughlin, writer

"A Wii U Metal Gear Solid game could use the extra screen and speakers for Codec communications, sonar, and radar display without interrupting the action." -Samir Torres, intern

Metal Gear Solid

 
Problem? Report this post
BITMOB'S SPONSOR
Adsense-placeholder
Comments (21)
Default_picture
August 09, 2011

Sweet! You could listen to Otacon's whiny voice all the time :P

Waahhninja
August 09, 2011

Really? Motion sensors? This supposes (much like the not-really-all-that-great Aliens did) that soldiers in the future lack NIGHT VISION GOGGLES. This is an oversight I can not abide by and do not wish to see it repeated over and over in my games.

At best, use the Wii U controller as the night vision scope on a gun...while you still walk around with a tiny flashlight. See? I can't even come up with a half-decent reason to use it.

Shoe_headshot_-_square
August 09, 2011

But motion sensors would let you know about movement in areas you can't see, like on the other side of walls. "They're in the ceiling!"...remember? :)

Yes, I know it's not *that* vital for gameplay purposes, but it's definitely a must-have for a true Aliens experience.

Waahhninja
August 09, 2011

I just don't see it as "realistic" in the proper sense of the universe. If they're in the walls, they can't bust through metal. They have to use acid which takes a bit.

 

But I see your point.

 

I still think a lack of night vision is BALONEY though.

Sexy_beast
August 09, 2011

Clearly you've never had to deal with a wave of Xenomorphs, Tom.

Night vision just doesn't cut it.

Robsavillo
August 10, 2011

Yeah...the xenomorphs in Cameron's Alien film burst through metal doors and ceilings without using acid on several occasions. In fact, the "using acid to break through metal" thing didn't really surface until the later films, where Fincher gave the xenos the ability to spit acid and Jeunet had them cannibalizing the weakest to break out of their cages.

Besides, the scanner's first appearance is in Scott's original Alien, which is used for tension to great effect (and this was a mining crew, the scanner was ad-hoc, so we have little reason to think our protagonists would have night vision). I imagine Cameron wanted to bring that aspect of horror from the original film into his sequel. Hence the motion scanner.

Also, all of the Alien vs. Predator games do include night vision goggles. So, I think there's a chance that we'll seem them in Colonial Marines, too.

I actually think the motion scanner on the Wii U tablet is a horrible idea. I don't want to have to keep looking away from the screen to track unseen movement. That scanner should be part of the HUD on the main screen!

Shoe_headshot_-_square
August 10, 2011

What Ryan just said proves he's cooler than Mike Minotti. Oh, poor, poor Mike Minotti....

Sexy_beast
August 09, 2011

Be careful with these pre-release fantasies. Remember all of the "possibilities" that people thought the Wii had after it was first announced? Not many of those came into fruition.

Maybe you should become a designer down the road, Shoe.

Sexy_beast
August 09, 2011

By the way, I say "be careful" because I would TOTALLY get a Wii U if used these ideas.

Don't want to get my hopes up, though. Nintendo has broken my heart a lot in the past.

Comic061111
August 10, 2011

I think putting the ideas out there is pretty important, especially when people are fairly prejudiced against it to begin with.  Also unlike a lot of those ideas, most of these seem incredibly possible- most of them could've been done on the Gamecube with a GBA as well.

If it doesn't happen, I won't blame anyone but the third parties. Potential is there as well as possibility, if it's taken.

Default_picture
August 10, 2011

I think horror games would be fitting for the Wii U. The controller screen could be the point of view (POV) of the enemies/killers, making the suspense exceed when they chase you while your view of your character is on the TV. Old horror flicks do this all the time.

Shoe_headshot_-_square
August 10, 2011

Oh man, that's a pretty awesome idea. You just see them closing in behind you...a view you normally wouldn't get unless they want to really pan out in third-person.

Default_picture
August 10, 2011

Of course, they have to add intense music to it as that happens. Maybe Resident Evil "U "will offer it?

Shoe_headshot_-_square
August 10, 2011

I don't want to go to Resident Evil U.

230340423
August 10, 2011

Isn't that just Ohio State? :)

Default_picture
August 10, 2011

Haha..20 bucks that's what they name it! I almost went there..

Shoe_headshot_-_square
August 11, 2011

I need someone to program a "like" button for Layton's OSU comment.

Default_picture
August 10, 2011

Lots of good ideas.

While there are tons of games I can't imagine without a menu, thus making the whole "second screen is the menu" idea appealing, there's also an argument for incorporating the HUD into the gameplay and eliminating that menu screen altogether.

I think the most exciting ideas let you look in another direction - the rearview mirror, periscope, binoculars, view through the shield, etc. 

I like the perpetual radar / metal detector type ideas too, since they keep you in the action and treat the controller like a real-world device. 

I wonder if there will be top-down targeting systems too, like if you could call in an air-strike or plot troop movements with the touch-screen, rather than pointing to a spot in 1st person like you do in Mass Effect and Battlefield.

Shoe_headshot_-_square
August 10, 2011

That's a great idea, too...for example, using the screen to direct Predator missile strikes or Mortar Team targets in Call of Duty, without having to leave the main screen. Though I also appreciate that you're temporarily a sitting duck while calling in those killstreak rewards in-game, too.

Default_picture
August 10, 2011

I want a new Pokémon Snap. Or at least a true 3D console Pokémon game. As I've said before Pokémon Snap is probably the most 'live' feeling Pokémon game ever.

Twitpic
August 11, 2011

This is more along the lines of a menu system, but I think it would be cool to manage music playlists with the controller. For instance, being able to stream music stored on your PC, or even utilize Pandora or last.fm (or whatever) straight through the controller -- all while playing a game.

You must log in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.