Topic: "Project Cafe" controller possibilities

If you haven't heard, it's going around that the new controller will sport a screen on the controller (supposedly HD).

Before you say "That's dumb" or "Battery hog", let's look at the positives.

(This isn't a REAL controller. It's a mockup by IGN)

First Person Shooters: I remember playing on the N64 and how us 4 argued about looking at each other's screen. With a personal screen, you don't have to worry about that and even though you'll be looking at a screen that's apparently 6 inches, you won't have to look up at the TV with 3 other tiny screens (which I personally found distracting but I got used to it).

Adventures: So, a new Zelda for Project Cafe (rumored Skyward Sword may be delayed like Twilight Princess to coincide with the new console's release). You no longer have to press start to go through a menu but rather look at the screen on your controller to select items and set them to buttons on the fly. Of course, that's if it's touch enabled. Or, how about Monster Hunter? You can set to have items display on the controller's screen, map and even use it to chat with a virtual keyboard.

I'll leave people to think of some possibilities to use this supposed screen- if it's even 'real'. I do know Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles should be considered now that we don't need to have separate Gameboys or DS/3DS'. That'd be sweet.

There's limitless possibilities with this. I'm really hoping it's real after all...

it`ll certainly be ideal for keeping a tab on stats and stuff.
other possible uses.
the action can keep on rolling on screen while you choose your load out on fps games.
it could be usefull for poker and other card ganes, may be as a gane for the equivalent of the wii speak channel on the next console.
managing, moving, and swapping players in games such as madden NFL, or fifa.
edit
just thought, i doubt the battery life would be major worry considering the ds battery life lasts for a good few hours. and it would be easy to supply, or buy spare rechargable batteries.

Perhaps it could be used to play ds ? The touch screen is displayed on the controller and the top screen could be displayed on the tv

Also the controllers would be a bit pricey if they all have a touchscreen
Perhaps we could use dsi and 3ds as a controller

After some of the crazy ideas about how the Revolution would turn out, I'm trying to keep my feet on the ground this time.

In the real world, what good would it do to potentially have to charge a fortune for a controller that merely allowed you to have less clutter on the main screen? Controllers are expensive enough as it is. £40 for a Wii Remote Plus and £15 for a nunchuck. I remember the days when controllers were £20!!

Applications like inventory management etc. are all fine, but ultimately unnecessary. So far, every game has managed to do these things without such drastic controller designs. It just sounds too gimmicky for that.

The rumor (IGN) that you'll be able to stream a whole game on it sounds cool and would explain why it would have to have such huge dimensions (6'' according to rumors), but ultimately also a bit pointless. After all, why would I care to play stationary console games everywhere in the house, instead of the living room, in front of the big TV? It sounds as cool as it's a bit pointless (unless for separated screens in multiplayer), but would it sell consoles?

I've thought about another application:
Supposing there is something to it and the controller has a 6'' screen, what could there be, that's absolutely not possible on a big stationary screen? Might Nintendo be putting an autostereoscopic 3D screen into the controller and stream whole games, in order to circumvent the limitation associated with the currently available large stationary 3D-screens of having to wear glasses?

All in all, I fear the more fancy speculation we are doing now, the more we will be disappointed when E3 comes.

I've stopped using the 3D on my 3DS, so that for me at least, wouldn't be a selling point.

You know what would be awesome? If the controller was the console, and you could wirelessly connect it to any TV or computer without having to lug around a huge console and hook it up. I can't see there being technology good enoigh for that at this stage, but I'd love it.

Possibilities for a screen on the controller? A HUD is only the start. It could be a keyboard, or add new buttons and control methods, or even play full games. It could add a new level of interactivity never before seen on a home console.

Soooo, it's basically like what the Dreamcast did 10 years ago?

Not quite. The Dreamcast had a tiny little LED screen. The screen was essentially capable of detail on the level of the original Gmaeboy. Plus it wasn't a lit screen so it was difficult to see unless you had a lot of light. If this rumor is true and the controller does have a screen, I'm pretty sure its gonna be an actual screen with a back light and pixels and what not. Plus if it does turn out to be a touch screen, it would automatically be way more functional than that unfortunate thing on Dreamcast.

...There would be wires involved with the controller...console...thing as far as I know...I hate wires...so yeah, doubt it. lol

...Project Café? Is that what it's actually codenamed or did IGN pull a random word out of its gelatinous ass?

It's been reported from various sources independently, I believe . At the very least the french site 01net. reported it and claims to have the information from insiders. They also reported the 6'' screen with sub-HD resolution (sub 1280x720) and claim to have the information from insiders.

3DS screens is sub HD and looks sharp as hell, so it will still look pin-sharp even at a low resolution.

Yeah, I don't think the tech exists yet for that to happen wirelessly. But, who knows, maybe in a few years it'll be possible. Anyhow, I'm sure "Project Cafe" will have some other cool innovation other than the screen thingy (if that rumour is indeed true).

By the way, it's nice to see a lot of familiar faces on the forums. I hadn't been visiting regularly for a few months, then I remembered how awesome this site and its users are.

wait, so were gonna be playing a system called "cafe"? really nintendo? really? this better be just one EXTREMELY stupid rumor.>

It's just a code name for the project, like "Dolphin"(gamecube) and "Revolution"(Wii) before it.

I refuse to believe all this crap until it becomes official. I have a hard time just nodding my head and saying "Oh goody" every time some French guy(s) or game "journalists" claim to have inside knowledge. What irks me most is that IGN reports it as fact. At least other blogs and sites I have seen are categorizing the rumors as rumors.

Eh, I don't think it's a gimmick if it enhances gameplay.

If these rumors are true, I keep wondering if there will still be motion control. I'm thinking it would be completely camera-based, like Kinect, if it's there at all. I just can't imagine them saying, "No, we were wrong. Motion control was a dumb idea." While it's not right for every game, it is absolutely perfect for some genres.

As long as I can play it on my TV I dont care. I hope it has sometime of Motion like the Wii.