Topic: Gamepad ideas

I've just got myself a Wii U recently and I really enjoy it. However, it is no secret that Nintendo doesn't really use the gamepad to its full potantial. In my opinion even Nintendoland, except for the multiplayer games, doesn't focus much on the controler (or focuses too much like in Metroid minigame where you can throw TV out of the window, cause it's simply not neccessary). ZombiU on the other hand used gamepad to it's full potential and mixes it's features with TV in a balanced way. I really enjoyed the game (haven't finished it yet though)!

So, my question here, did you think of any special and unique usage of gamepad? Let the brainstorm begin!
My ideas so far:

1) 2nd eye in shooters/sci-fi games. You hack into camera and whatever this camera sees is screened on your gamepad so you can be alerted whenever enemies are approaching.
2) In action RPG Gamepad could be used as a magic spell book where you have to draw runes on it in order to cast a spell (I've heard something similar is neccessary in W101, but i've never played the game?)
3) Night-vision. But make it cooler and get some night predators in game! So you need to watch the gamepad to see where to talk, but you also need to keep an eye on TV because those predators are not visible when the night-vision in on.
4) Eyes of your companion who always walks next to you but who can see the world in different way (future or past or simply just different way to seeing thing). Moreover it is neccessary to mix object together from different worlds in order to solve the puzzle. This could be for example used in a new Zelda game.

Project Guard?

Yes, it sounds like Wonderful 101, although there you have the option to draw the shapes with the stick as well.

Lego City: Undercover and Deus Ex: Directors Cut?

Haha, seems like I need to check out and learn about more games before reaching the conclusions about usage of gamepad
Can someone list other ideas and say in which games they were used?

Hearthstone/card battle game and a D&D dungeon master type game

Here are some other features that comes to mind:

• Using the Gamepad as a communication device (Lego City: Undercover and Pikmin 3)
• Different things displayed on Gamepad when placed vertically (Stick it to the Man!, when doing the brain scanning)
• Commentary on the gameplay on the TV while playing on the Gamepad, or the opposite (Scram Kitty)
• Blowing into the microphone to create wind in gameplay (SM3DW)
• Moving troops (Pikmin 3 and Swords & Soldiers HD)
• Inventory and map on Gamepad to avoid clutter on TV (Wind Waker and Steamworld Dig U)
• Additional casual "help" player on the Gamepad to make gameplay easier (NSMBU and Rayman Legends)

I look forward to learning more about it.

Best way to utilize the gamepad? Put it in storage and break out the pro controller...

Has there ever been a Wii U game that involves using the Gamepad to scan the environment? I don't think I've seen any.

@Bolt_Strike Zombiu has that where you scan the environment for items and other important things.

Also Lego City Undercover had you scan for criminals, etc.

And Lego City: Undercover scan is both visual+audio. You see all the possible suspects, all bricks to find, etc on the Gamepad screen. When you scan a suspect, you can also listen to the conversation on the Gamepad.

Lego City: Undercover sounds like an interesting game! I might get it as soon as my wallet feels a bit heavier than it does now
Also @DiscoGentleman I'm looking forward to see your game! Are you on kickstarter?

The gamepad has almost infinite possibilities, most of which will never be explored.

1. Could be a great Tome of Eternal Darkness
2. View of your feet in any FPS
3. Rayman Legends used brilliantly with the drawing/erasing platforms levels. I reckon Donkey Kong could have at least used it for mine cart barrel sections
4. Squad commands on gamepad map. (ME3 does this well but it would be perfect for any tactical squad based game)
5. RPG crafting and character set up on the fly
6. Blowing dust off a dusty scroll or wiping condensation off a mirror
7. Could be used a keyboard in a simple software development tool.
8. Asymmetric multiplayer. Only a couple of games have actually done this.
9. Lightworld/Darkworld on TV/Gamepad to make interesting puzzles
10. I've said this one before but I think Eternal Darkness could use it to film your face in secret and then project your face onto a painting or statue in the game. It could make you jump twice. Once when you see your own face and a second time when you realise it's not the face you're pulling at the time.
11. Actually decent avatars. The Photo'd Mii creations are rubbish and all look the same. Zombi U rendered a nice Zombie face on mine so why not use it to make a realistic looking character in a game.
12. Abstract talking puzzles using the mic. Imagine a LotR game where you were at the gate of the mines of Moria and have to say the elvish word for friend to open them.
13. Singing missions in GTA
14. Use it to make hand written notes on a tough game. i.e. long passwords or sequences.
15. Use it as a steering wheel with Wiimote for drive by shootings.]

I think the Game Pad was already used greatly in games like Zombi U, Deux Ex, Mass Effect:SE, Arkham City: AE and more. The problem is that third parties aren't going to make more of these games, so Nintendo has to take advantage of the Game Pad on its own, and they can't do everything. Expect Zelda to use it .. immensely.