Develop - Nintendo working on Wii U support for two tablets

Develop-Online: Console specs still in flux, but sources say Nintendo now has ambitions for touch-screen multiplayer.

[Shackdaddy836]

I am so incredibly confused.

First I hear it can only support 1
Then I hear it can support multiple but you can only buy one
Then I hear you can buy separate controllers
Then I hear it only supports 1 again
Then I hear it supports multiple
And now I'm hearing they are developing support for 2

[maniacmayhem]

You sure get easily confused over nothing.

The system is in its very early infant stages. Just wait until you hear official specs from the source.

[Shackdaddy836]

Well when I say incredibly confused I mean I just don't know. Just like when people say "lol" they aren't actually laughing out loud :P.

[AWBrawler]

Because it's still in development

[darklordzor]

I don't know why they wouldn't be working on this. I'm sure they're trying to get it figured out just to make people happy and ensure a larger audience. Plus that way they can then make different colored tablet controllers and sell them separately.

[2EHO]

The console will have to be powerful to do this. It will drive up the cost of the console. IMO nintendo can't launch this console for more than $400. That's the magic number.

[ChickeyCantor]

Like many games today, MP = graphical fidelity down.

Most games do splitscreen as well, so why not on the tablet?

[Voxelman]

with splitscreen you are still outputting the same resolution (each player gets half teh screen) for the Wii U each aditional tablet will add another screen's resoultion and the usual increase in the number of unique assets that need to be displayed (which is why spltscreen usally comes with lower quality visuals and lower framerate).

And then there is the fact that there will need the console's Wifi (or whatever wireless spec they will use to stream video to the screens) which has to be fast enough for at least 30fps video with low latency per screen without interferance. When you add probable wifi for internet, blutooth for up to 4 controllers (2 tablets plus two people with Wiimotes/CCP)that is a lot of different wireless signals for one device.

[ChickeyCantor]

@voxel,
U-Tablets resolution is not the same as the tv output.

No developer is restricted to use the optimal resolution of the tablet. No developer was restricted to use the 720p output of both PS3 and 360 ( some went lower )

Splitscreen works no different.
It isn't working with unique assets. There are no "camera's" in 3D nor do you move the player( well in some games you do lol). What happens is that you move the whole world by applying a certain projection. It's still the same world.
Yes it needs to render twice as many PIXELS, but it's probably going to render on a different resolution anyways. If not the assets will be downgraded and you will hardly notice it on the tablet ( smaller screen so fewer details to follow)

"(which is why spltscreen usally comes with lower quality visuals and lower framerate). "
This applies for the tablets as well. right?

The signals of different kind are irrelevant. Why would they use signals that interfere with each other? You're all up close to the console, you aren't playing it from a far.

[admiralthrawn87]

i cant wait for the wii u. however i sort of think they did bad announcing it so early with so many undetermined details. a lot of people hear early specs and never get into their heads that things change. unfortunately i'm sure theres a lot of people that still think its just a new wii controller.

they should have unveiled it along side the other 2 companies at this years e3. then it wouldnt have seemed like old news by the time all 3 come out

[callcollectplz]

It would be nice to bring one tablet to another persons house and have more connectivity options. Maybe 3DS compatibility in the future?

[danny818]

hmmmm... idk im confused too :/ so it cvan be a portble? the tablet they will release with the wii u? so having a 3ds will be shot in the face now by nintendo themselves?

[Khordchange]

No it is not portable, it works like a controller, it only works when you are near the console.

[danny818]

hmmm very interesting, well we'll have to wait till e3 2012

[nevin1]

The Wii U is looking more of a disaster.

Seems odd that in a situation with a family of 4, 2 of them could use a Wii U tablet but the other 2 have to use Wiimotes?

[matey]

nintendo are not having problems with supporting 2 tablets its capable of 4 tablets its a beast cant wait 4 it day 1i will pay £350/£400 straight up if it came with 2 tablets they say final version of WiiU june E3 out a few months later.

[CaptainN]

I believe it will deffinetly support at least 2.... but I am hoping for 4. Imagine playing a multiplayer FPS on 4 tablets with your friends in the same room but not being able to see each others screens. That would be madness :p

[Ddouble]

Handhelds do that already.

[CaptainN]

How often have you seen 4 people with a DS or PSP playing together in the same room? Unless its a videogame event...never.

[Ddouble]

Yea it's a must for it support at least 2. It may be expensive but it has to be done.

[Titanz]

An individual Wii U console can probably stream, "two images simultaneous, onto two Wii U pads."

Without streaming - the Wii U is capable of supporting 4 Wii U pads on a single console.

[AJBACK2FRAG]

I can't wait for the oppurtunity to buy one.