With the current and projected sales of the Switch, Activision would be stupid not to port CoD to it. By all accounts the system is easy to port for (unlike the Wii U), so it would just be leaving money on the table if they didn't.
Hmm, interesting. I'm guessing that the framerate drops and possible memory lag are artifacts of the game's origin as a Wii U title and being ported to the Switch, which, to be fair, uses a very different architecture than the Wii U.
Also, I wouldn't put too much stock in DF calling the portable the "definitive way to play." DF has always put too much emphasis on high framerates, IMO, while frequently ignoring visual issues that bother me more, like issues resulting from resolution upscaling or screen-tearing (my biggest issue when it comes to games, since if physically hurts my eyes). It's an interesting bit of analysis, but let's not defer to DF too much on this point.
Makes sense. The Switch is going to drop at least a month after the initial launch date, and "AAA" titles like For Honor make almost all their money in the first month. If the system isn't going to be out for a simultaneous release, there's not much point to making a port, as anybody seriously interested in the game will have bought it on another platform by then.
That's the mistake Ubi kept making with their Wii U ports; not only did the games they were porting have established fanbases on the Playstation and Xbox platforms, but they almost never had launch date parity on any of them. Maybe Black Flag launched same-day on the Wii U, but everything else was several months behind and suffered because of it. It's smart of them not to make the same mistake this time around.
I thought it looked pretty cool in the initial reveal, and seeing people's live-play footage and impressions has really sold me on it. It sounds like a fighting game on the same wavelength as Smash; something easy to get into, but with levels of depth for those who want to commit the time and effort to reach them. Sure, there are people who will flip out just because it has motion controls, but as has been stated numerous times, there is a standard button configuration if you want it.
Personally, it's not a system seller, but assuming it doesn't turn out to be a complete turd (not likely, but you never know), I'll probably get it when I pick up a Switch towards the end of the year along with Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2, Breath of the Wild, etc.
Specs matter far less for the Switch, simply because of its portability. That's the real draw here, being able to play a game at home on your TV or take it on the go, possibly with hardly a break in between (if the reveal video has any truth to it). As long as it's specs are good enough for ports to be relatively easy and require minimal compromises, it doesn't need to exactly match the PS4 and Xbone or try to keep up with Neo and Scorpio. As long as the games look "good enough" at home, the portability and exclusives can be enough of a draw to pull people in and at least purchase the Switch as a secondary system.
Microsoft and Sony are off chasing 4K and VR when neither of those has proven commercially successful, and that's where their extra hardware power is focused. By coming in with a strong hook and a low price point, Nintendo is poised to carve out a strong niche in the market...provided they don't screw it up and remember the mistakes they made with the 3DS and Wii U.
This is pretty obvious. The dock has no additional computing hardware in it; it's just a HDMI passthrough and charger. Any additional power the Switch has while docked will be the result of higher clock speeds and active cooling, which would only engage while the system is docked to preserve battery life. The dock probably costs pennies to make; no reason not to bundle it and run the risk of confusing consumers.
Honestly, I don't get people who say framerate isn't a priority for them. A low framerate (especially if it'a unstable) strains my eyes and it's hard to play. Screen tearing has the same effect on me, so VSync and a high, stable FPS are very important (I can live with 30 FPS for some games if it's stable, but I prefer 60).
That's why I really find Sony and MS's hardware approach very unappealing this generation. They're tanking FPS for the sake of running extra effects and textures and hitting a resolution benchmark (or not, in the Xbone's case). And now they're doing the same thing with the "refreshes," avoiding a target of 1080p/60 FPS in favor of fake 4K. It's like they're making screenshot machines instead of consoles.
As far as what I want out of the NX, I just want something affordable that plays Nintendo games. I made the jump to PC gaming this year, so all my third party needs are met, and the hardware I have curb-stomps the current PS4 and Xbone, and will outperform their successors by a substantial margin. All I want is an affordable companion device that Nintendo continues to release kick-ass titles for.
As for the general market, Nintendo needs to nail the right balance of price point, uniqueness and power, enough so that people will see it as a good companion device and pick it up. To do that, Nintendo's marketing needs to be on point this time around; they can't rely on Directs and half-hearted commercials. They need to be aggressive, catchy, and properly lay out what makes the system unique and why people should buy it. If Sony has proved anything this generation, it's that marketing is far more important to a console's success than its hardware, it's software or its quality. If Nintendo can manage that, they will build a strong install base, and with a strong install base, they can bring in third parties to get a piece of the pie.
Normally I get annoyed by all the whiny entitlement from the Metroid "fans" every time an issue like this one comes up, but honestly, this strikes me as being rather petty on Nintendo's part. Other people here have suggested making the costume an Amiibo extra, and I think that's a great solution. Throw us a freakin' bone here, Nintendo!
@abbyhitter Actually, the chemical composition of a flatus (the scientific term for fart) is largely the same as the composition of the air we breathe, just with some additional hydrogen and methane from bacterial activity. So there are breathable proportions of oxygen in it, though obviously in real life the amount of gas passed wouldn't be enough for a lungful of air...but we are talking about a game where an anthropomorphic chameleon and bat turn into a bulldozer, so some suspension of disbelief is called for.
Comments 11
Re: Social Media Post Prompts Speculation That Beenox Is Working On Call Of Duty For Switch
With the current and projected sales of the Switch, Activision would be stupid not to port CoD to it. By all accounts the system is easy to port for (unlike the Wii U), so it would just be leaving money on the table if they didn't.
Re: The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Runs Better In Switch's Portable Mode
Hmm, interesting. I'm guessing that the framerate drops and possible memory lag are artifacts of the game's origin as a Wii U title and being ported to the Switch, which, to be fair, uses a very different architecture than the Wii U.
Also, I wouldn't put too much stock in DF calling the portable the "definitive way to play." DF has always put too much emphasis on high framerates, IMO, while frequently ignoring visual issues that bother me more, like issues resulting from resolution upscaling or screen-tearing (my biggest issue when it comes to games, since if physically hurts my eyes). It's an interesting bit of analysis, but let's not defer to DF too much on this point.
Re: Nintendo Switch Version Of For Honor Out Of The Question Right Now
Makes sense. The Switch is going to drop at least a month after the initial launch date, and "AAA" titles like For Honor make almost all their money in the first month. If the system isn't going to be out for a simultaneous release, there's not much point to making a port, as anybody seriously interested in the game will have bought it on another platform by then.
That's the mistake Ubi kept making with their Wii U ports; not only did the games they were porting have established fanbases on the Playstation and Xbox platforms, but they almost never had launch date parity on any of them. Maybe Black Flag launched same-day on the Wii U, but everything else was several months behind and suffered because of it. It's smart of them not to make the same mistake this time around.
Re: Soapbox: You're Going To Love ARMS, And Here's Why
I thought it looked pretty cool in the initial reveal, and seeing people's live-play footage and impressions has really sold me on it. It sounds like a fighting game on the same wavelength as Smash; something easy to get into, but with levels of depth for those who want to commit the time and effort to reach them. Sure, there are people who will flip out just because it has motion controls, but as has been stated numerous times, there is a standard button configuration if you want it.
Personally, it's not a system seller, but assuming it doesn't turn out to be a complete turd (not likely, but you never know), I'll probably get it when I pick up a Switch towards the end of the year along with Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2, Breath of the Wild, etc.
Re: Switch Will Succeed By Offering Something You Can't Get On PlayStation Or Xbox, Says Randy Pitchford
Eww...I actually find myself agreeing with Randy Pitchford on something. I just got done taking a shower and now I feel like I need another one...
Re: Soapbox: The Nintendo Switch's Final Specs Don't Matter
Specs matter far less for the Switch, simply because of its portability. That's the real draw here, being able to play a game at home on your TV or take it on the go, possibly with hardly a break in between (if the reveal video has any truth to it). As long as it's specs are good enough for ports to be relatively easy and require minimal compromises, it doesn't need to exactly match the PS4 and Xbone or try to keep up with Neo and Scorpio. As long as the games look "good enough" at home, the portability and exclusives can be enough of a draw to pull people in and at least purchase the Switch as a secondary system.
Microsoft and Sony are off chasing 4K and VR when neither of those has proven commercially successful, and that's where their extra hardware power is focused. By coming in with a strong hook and a low price point, Nintendo is poised to carve out a strong niche in the market...provided they don't screw it up and remember the mistakes they made with the 3DS and Wii U.
Re: Report Suggests Nintendo Switch Won't Be Offered With a Portable-Only Bundle at Launch
This is pretty obvious. The dock has no additional computing hardware in it; it's just a HDMI passthrough and charger. Any additional power the Switch has while docked will be the result of higher clock speeds and active cooling, which would only engage while the system is docked to preserve battery life. The dock probably costs pennies to make; no reason not to bundle it and run the risk of confusing consumers.
Re: Poll: Exceptional Graphics or 60fps, Which is More Important for the NX Generation?
Honestly, I don't get people who say framerate isn't a priority for them. A low framerate (especially if it'a unstable) strains my eyes and it's hard to play. Screen tearing has the same effect on me, so VSync and a high, stable FPS are very important (I can live with 30 FPS for some games if it's stable, but I prefer 60).
That's why I really find Sony and MS's hardware approach very unappealing this generation. They're tanking FPS for the sake of running extra effects and textures and hitting a resolution benchmark (or not, in the Xbone's case). And now they're doing the same thing with the "refreshes," avoiding a target of 1080p/60 FPS in favor of fake 4K. It's like they're making screenshot machines instead of consoles.
Re: Talking Point: Unique and Affordable - Nintendo's NX Needs to Avoid Direct Competition With PlayStation and Xbox
As far as what I want out of the NX, I just want something affordable that plays Nintendo games. I made the jump to PC gaming this year, so all my third party needs are met, and the hardware I have curb-stomps the current PS4 and Xbone, and will outperform their successors by a substantial margin. All I want is an affordable companion device that Nintendo continues to release kick-ass titles for.
As for the general market, Nintendo needs to nail the right balance of price point, uniqueness and power, enough so that people will see it as a good companion device and pick it up. To do that, Nintendo's marketing needs to be on point this time around; they can't rely on Directs and half-hearted commercials. They need to be aggressive, catchy, and properly lay out what makes the system unique and why people should buy it. If Sony has proved anything this generation, it's that marketing is far more important to a console's success than its hardware, it's software or its quality. If Nintendo can manage that, they will build a strong install base, and with a strong install base, they can bring in third parties to get a piece of the pie.
Re: A Samus Costume Was Almost in the Wii U Axiom Verge Port
Normally I get annoyed by all the whiny entitlement from the Metroid "fans" every time an issue like this one comes up, but honestly, this strikes me as being rather petty on Nintendo's part. Other people here have suggested making the costume an Amiibo extra, and I think that's a great solution. Throw us a freakin' bone here, Nintendo!
Re: Video: Yooka-Laylee's Gamescom 2016 Trailer Contains Transformations, New Enemies And Farting
@abbyhitter Actually, the chemical composition of a flatus (the scientific term for fart) is largely the same as the composition of the air we breathe, just with some additional hydrogen and methane from bacterial activity. So there are breathable proportions of oxygen in it, though obviously in real life the amount of gas passed wouldn't be enough for a lungful of air...but we are talking about a game where an anthropomorphic chameleon and bat turn into a bulldozer, so some suspension of disbelief is called for.