Escapist: Developers struggling with Wii U. Cheap and faulty controller!

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/112551-Rumor-Cheap-Components-Hurting-Wii-U-Development

(Can't seem to link for some reason, what's up with that?)

Sorry if repost (didn't see anything like it)

Anyways,

French technology site, 01net, is reporting that developers are having difficulties making games for the Wii U. Sources suggest that the problem is the hardware built into the Wii U's unique controller, which isn't doing what it's supposed to be doing.

... the wireless function of the Wii U's controller does not work at all even after three different prototypes.

... developers are using a wired controller, which still doesn't work properly, even with Nintendo sending software updates for it on an almost daily basis. Supposedly, the chip that powers controller is a little on the cheap side, which is making it impossible for developers to work on the Wii U's more interesting and unique features.

If the rumors are true - and 01net has a good track record in that department - it sounds like someone at Nintendo has made a really, really big mistake. Nintendo has hardly been secretive about the fact that it wants to keep manufacturing costs down for the Wii U, but it sounds like it might have to go back to the drawing board - literally - if it can't get the current hardware to work.

Escapist

If Nintendo has to redesign a whole new controller.... that will completely kill my hype for the Wii U. This is the one console I was actually thinking about picking up launch day but...

Who knows? Maybe many development phases for all systems are like this... that's why it is called development right? I'm no industry expert though and could very well be wrong :P

Anyways, discuss.

Kind of old news, and if they are struggling with it its because, a) still in development b) early dev kits.

So, nothing to be worried that cannot be fixed by Nintendo.

Oh noes! A console in development is having problems! What ever shall we do!?!

Does this mean it'll hurt my chances of getting No More Heroes 3!?:cry:

Oh noes! A console in development is having problems! What ever shall we do!?!

Wasdie

Why send them dev kits? I don't really understand what nintendo is about here, wouldn't their own internal teams have encountered this problem before 3rd parties?

Kind of old news, and if they are struggling with it its because, a) still in development b) early dev kits.

So, nothing to be worried that cannot be fixed by Nintendo.

madsnakehhh

This is the one console I was actually thinking about picking up launch day but...

commonfate

I don't think it's a big deal at all. It's new tech and it's in the development phase anyhow. All will be well. I just want one of those damned controllers in my hand!

Hmmm... to trust some French site saying developers are having a hard time making games, or trust the CEO's and directors from those companies who are saying it is simple to develop for. The Darksiders developer ported their engine in a few weeks with a couple people. The big wigs were praising the ease of use of the place-holder SDK's at E3. So what has changed? And which developer is complaining? foxhound_fox

Porting something to the Wii U is not the same as the controller is giving is problems the game can run well and be ported easily, that doesn't mean the controller is fully co-operating with them..... the issue that developers are having is using the features of the Wii U controller apparently so..

[QUOTE="madsnakehhh"]

Kind of old news, and if they are struggling with it its because, a) still in development b) early dev kits.

So, nothing to be worried that cannot be fixed by Nintendo.

MrGrimFandango

In the worst case, the console will be delayed, is not the first time that Nintendo delays a console.

Oh noes! A console in development is having problems! What ever shall we do!?!

Wasdie

Call the presses! :cry:

Guys learn not to cherry pick.

The problem isn't with the Wii U itself but the controller.

[QUOTE="commonfate"]

This is the one console I was actually thinking about picking up launch day but...

II_Seraphim_II

[QUOTE="commonfate"]

This is the one console I was actually thinking about picking up launch day but...

II_Seraphim_II

What are this "gamer" games you speak of?

the wiiu will be DOA and it will take nintendo down with them. clealy something going wrong during development means its all over :P. seriously whether its true or not its nothing to worry about. hell the PS2 needed to be recalled because of a bug with DVD playback or somehing close to launch and both the PS2 and xbox1 power cables needed to replace over fire concerns and yet they ticked along nicely. the wiiu is still in development....its not final and its not even close to out yet. if its true then ninty can change and fix it. nothing to worry about..its all part of the process.osan0

Thank you for quelling my fears.

Hype for Wii U still at 100% :P

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

Oh noes! A console in development is having problems! What ever shall we do!?!

GD1551

Why send them dev kits? I don't really understand what nintendo is about here, wouldn't their own internal teams have encountered this problem before 3rd parties?

I wasn't buying this at launch anyway. My PS3 will still be able to handle my gaming needs. The only way I would get it at launch is if Smash Brothers or Pikmin 3 were launch games.

[QUOTE="commonfate"]

This is the one console I was actually thinking about picking up launch day but...

II_Seraphim_II

I hate bringing out the massive list of games I still have to buy.

[QUOTE="II_Seraphim_II"][QUOTE="commonfate"]

This is the one console I was actually thinking about picking up launch day but...

super600

I hate bringing out the massive list of games I still have to buy.

You won't do it!

[QUOTE="super600"]

[QUOTE="II_Seraphim_II"] Son, please don't. If this gen has taught us anything, its don't buy any Nintendo products on day 1. We had the Wii, which I only has like 5 "gamer" games worth playing on it, then we had the 3DS which nintendo is practically admitting to being a flop. I would wait on the Wii u for a 9-12 months, and see if its actually doing any good, then buy it. Chances are, if u buy it day one, it will be 50% off within the next 3 months.commonfate

I hate bringing out the massive list of games I still have to buy.

You won't do it!

I would do it now, but I'm not wasting my time.

[QUOTE="commonfate"]

[QUOTE="super600"]

I hate bringing out the massive list of games I still have to buy.

super600

You won't do it!

I would do it now, but I'm not wasting my time.

You won't do it!

[QUOTE="II_Seraphim_II"][QUOTE="commonfate"]

This is the one console I was actually thinking about picking up launch day but...

super600

I hate bringing out the massive list of games I still have to buy.

Go for it. Lets see this "massive" list. :P

Seriously. The Wii has hardly had any games the last TWO years (other than a busy holiday season). What more downtime do you need to catch up on this "massive" list? :question:

HEH I knew! The WiiU is going to be delayed!

[QUOTE="super600"]

[QUOTE="II_Seraphim_II"] Son, please don't. If this gen has taught us anything, its don't buy any Nintendo products on day 1. We had the Wii, which I only has like 5 "gamer" games worth playing on it, then we had the 3DS which nintendo is practically admitting to being a flop. I would wait on the Wii u for a 9-12 months, and see if its actually doing any good, then buy it. Chances are, if u buy it day one, it will be 50% off within the next 3 months.2Chalupas

I hate bringing out the massive list of games I still have to buy.

Go for it. Lets see this "massive" list. :P

Seriously. The Wii has hardly had any games the last TWO years (other than a busy holiday season). What more downtime do you need to catch up on this "massive" list? :question:

I'll link it in this thread when GS fixes their annoying linking problem.Just search the list up on Metacritc and I think a couple of the wii users that have more games then me can give you an accurate representation of the list.

Guys learn not to cherry pick.

The problem isn't with the Wii U itself but the controller.

commonfate

Surely the controller makes the console what it is... Without it it might as well be an xbox/ps3.

I'll believe it when I hear more from other developers also complaining about the same issue.

darksider devs siad it was pretty easy to develop for.... :? oh well. ill just wait & see

Hmmm... to trust some French site saying developers are having a hard time making games, or trust the CEO's and directors from those companies who are saying it is simple to develop for. The Darksiders developer ported their engine in a few weeks with a couple people. The big wigs were praising the ease of use of the place-holder SDK's at E3. So what has changed? And which developer is complaining? foxhound_fox

I think there is a big difference between how easy it is to make games for the Wii U and whether or not hardware malfunctions are keeping those games from working properly. These are two completely different issues. The article clearly states the problem is that cheap components in the controller are preventing things from working the way they are supposed to.

That has nothing to do with whether or not developers can easily make games for the console. It is the difference between saying "drawing is easy" and then trying to draw with a crappy pencil that keeps breaking.

All Nintendo has to do is find out why the Wifi/sensor chip isn't working properly and fix it. It is one piece and they have a while yet before the console even comes out.

You'd think Nintendo, a company that has standardized wireless controllers (wavebird & Wiimote) would have easily made a properly working wireless controller tablet. Especially with all the a cash they made from Wii sales, youd think R&D would have some high standards.

[QUOTE="II_Seraphim_II"][QUOTE="commonfate"]

This is the one console I was actually thinking about picking up launch day but...

Shinobishyguy

Does the term "development" not ring a bell?

im not worried, its not like nintendo will just release the console not working properly lol, when has nintendo ever released unreliable hardwareTH1Sx1SxSPARTA

:P

Oooops, my mouse slipped.

Pfft. I posted this a few days ago and didn't even get a 2nd page of comments :(

But from actual devs such as Vigil, who we know are working with it, have stated no problems what-so-ever working with the machine. Rumors just be rumors this time.

[QUOTE="Shinobishyguy"][QUOTE="II_Seraphim_II"] Son, please don't. If this gen has taught us anything, its don't buy any Nintendo products on day 1. We had the Wii, which I only has like 5 "gamer" games worth playing on it, then we had the 3DS which nintendo is practically admitting to being a flop. I would wait on the Wii u for a 9-12 months, and see if its actually doing any good, then buy it. Chances are, if u buy it day one, it will be 50% off within the next 3 months.II_Seraphim_II

Hell they even brought back IP's like DK, punchout and kirby.

Thank God it's not being released tomorrow.

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]Hmmm... to trust some French site saying developers are having a hard time making games, or trust the CEO's and directors from those companies who are saying it is simple to develop for. The Darksiders developer ported their engine in a few weeks with a couple people. The big wigs were praising the ease of use of the place-holder SDK's at E3. So what has changed? And which developer is complaining? ZIMdoom

I think there is a big difference between how easy it is to make games for the Wii U and whether or not hardware malfunctions are keeping those games from working properly. These are two completely different issues. The article clearly states the problem is that cheap components in the controller are preventing things from working the way they are supposed to.

That has nothing to do with whether or not developers can easily make games for the console. It is the difference between saying "drawing is easy" and then trying to draw with a crappy pencil that keeps breaking.

All Nintendo has to do is find out why the Wifi/sensor chip isn't working properly and fix it. It is one piece and they have a while yet before the console even comes out.

If I remember correctly the Playstation 3 had a bunch of problems with teh Cell, blu-ray laser diode, controller issues, a good amount of RSX problems before it launched.

Oh Noes!!! The Playstation 3 is going to FAILZ!!!

oh btw: this was 4 months before launch as well. Not a year before launch like this. =p