Thu, Jun 21, 2012 | 02:00 BST

Miyamoto: Console design not just “a power competition”

Nintendo creative powerhouse Shigeru Miyamoto has dismissed concerns the next generation of PlayStation and Xbox consoles will leave the Wii U looking under-powered.

Although Nintendo has refused to reveal the Wii U’s specifications, while speaking to IGN Miyamoto said it doesn’t matter; the Wii U can do what it needs to do.

“In today’s living room, where there are a lot of HDTVs, but they’re not yet mostly 3D TVs, I think the console is certainly adequately powerful to create gaming experiences that will look really good on those displays,” he said.

“But whenever we talk about who’s winning in a power competition, I think it’s easy to lose sight of whether a game is fun or not. Which is certainly going to be more important to me.”

Miyamoto said Nintendo’s job is to make sure it offers the best possible experience to users and developers at a reasonable cost.

“The cost to performance ratio is something we do spend a lot of time thinking about,” he said.

“If the conversation is only really about whether the power is going to match up to another generation of hardware from, say, Sony or Microsoft, I can’t answer that question yet. [Wii U] might not be as powerful as those systems when they eventually do come around.

“But I think that the more important question is – It’s not just about power alone, but how to balance what you’re offering in terms of power with cost.”

The Wii U is yet to be dated and priced. Crytek boss Cevat Yerli has hinted that the new console is on level with current generation standards.

111 comments

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#101

Da Man
21/06/12, 10:08 pm

No, that’s what I’ve been saying from the start.

Sir, you’re intoxicated, your baby is over there..

#102

Ireland Michael
21/06/12, 10:12 pm

@101 Well, you’re not my baby anymore, anyway. You’re just somebody that I used to know!

You said that we would still be friends, but I’ll admit that I was glad that it was over. You treat me like a stranger though, and that feels so damn rough…

#103

Da Man
21/06/12, 10:16 pm

Sir, you’re intoxicated. You never knew me, we just met a few times the rest is your imagination, and I never said that.

You ‘re creeping me out, sir.

#104

Ireland Michael
21/06/12, 10:17 pm

You lie..!

*hic*

#105

Da Man
21/06/12, 10:24 pm

I never lie, sir.

Take him away.

#106

OlderGamer
22/06/12, 2:15 am

Holy crap!

See what I miss by, um, actually playing games instead of just talking about them? Silly me.

As for what Doc said, and you were the onyl one to respond really, so kudos to you friend. Iwould agree that it suits Nintendos best intrest to make cheaper hardware. I also think the software pricing is reflective of dev costs. As is dlc, preorder pushes, and whatnot.

But my point really was, isn’t it smart for nintendo to do what they do? Rather then put more power in a box then they can afford to effectivly manufacter and then that prices them out of the market. Kind of like Sony did with both PS3 and Vita. Looks like MS will be going chepaer next gen too, still remains ot be seen tho.

But in essance, what Miyamoto said, makes perfect sense to me.

I know I don’t want another 600usd+ console.

And because G1GA also asked me if I play PC games online?

Of course. But I also play a mega ton of them offline. And I did specify, saying I hadn’t played a console game online in two years, but I forgot about BF3. That was my last online game on a console that I played. I play most of my games solo and offline.

there is nothing wrong with online, but ifthe entire experience is built around playing omp shooters overflowing with foul mouth raciast kids, then no thanks. And that is how most of my console online game experiences have felt.

I also whole heartedly agree that a M rating doesn’t ensure the content is mature. It just means violent, sex, language, etc. Infact just the type of stuff that sells to teens.

Sometimes the most mature games are the ones that avoid those things because they don’t need them, rather then to include them because they are driving sales. There is no foul language or skin in Civ V. The violence(if you can call it that) is in troop icons attacking each other. And I dare anyone to call that game anything except Mature.

#107

poketrainer
22/06/12, 2:56 am

I’m sure the Wii U will be more powerful than people are expecting but it won’t stand up to PS4/720.

In other news I’m upset that Nintendo finally has an HD console to show Travis Touchdown in glorious HD but No More Heroes 3 doesn’t look like it’s coming out and I love that series.

I guess I’ll have to pick up Heroes Paradise for my PS3 if I want an HD trip to Santa Destroy.

#108

G1GAHURTZ
22/06/12, 3:40 am

@106:

Nobody said anything about the WiiU needing to be ‘overflowing with shooters’.

You simply can’t say that you’re focused on fun, when you neglect such a huge part of (incredibly fun) gaming, and treat it like an optional extra.

Simple as.

#109

Dragon246
22/06/12, 4:26 am

@107,
“I’m sure the Wii U will be more powerful than people are expecting”
Really? Any proofs for your surety?
I have proof for the contrary,
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-vs-wiiu-e3-2012

Meanwhile , ninty is not doing a good thing by outsourcing smash bros to namco. Outsourcing leads to poor game most of the time.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/22/namco-bandai-developing-next-smash-bros
Maybe feeling the pressure from all stars battle royale and releasing a product quickly?

#110

DrDamn
22/06/12, 9:12 am

@OG
Yeah I understand – it’s just I think yes this suits Nintendo, but the other approach also suits Sony and MS.

Oh and … http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-06-22-new-super-mario-bros-2-dlc-details-revealed

#111

stealth
22/06/12, 12:23 pm

Hes 100 percent correct

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