22 Cans co-founder and outspoken developer Peter Molyneux never misses an opportunity to speak his mind. So of course, the man has something to say about the recently launched Nintendo Wii U.
“I think the Wii U is good, but I don’t feel it’s great,” Molyneux said. “I’ve played the experience, I’ve played Nintendo Land, I’ve played ZombiU, and they’re good. I find holding the device in my hand–looking up at the screen and looking down at the device–slightly confusing as a consumer. It’s good, but it’s not great. And we really need these new pieces of hardware to be great in today’s world, because the competition is not just consoles anymore. The competition is everything, all the technology. When you’re holding a Kindle Fire or an iPad in your hand, it’s just amazing technology. It really is. It’s expensive, but it’s amazing technology. And people like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft need to match that. They need to match that in my mind, and exceed it. And I’m not sure the Wii U really did that.”
This isn’t the first time Molyneux has mentioned the confusion of having to use two screens at the same time, a man who’s clearly never played a Japanese-developed game on the Nintendo DS.
Despite his concerns, Molyneux said he has “enduring faith” in Nintendo, and notes that the industry had their doubts about the first Wii, and were swiftly forced to eat their words.
“I’ve got unvelievable respect for Nintendo. They created our industry in a very real sense. I can remember everybody in the industry laughing and giggling about how stupid the Wii was, what a stupid name it was, and who would want motion control. And then it went on to sell what, 60, 70 million copies? It got people who never considered computer games to play them.”
Is the Wii U just a flash in the pan? Are you buying one? Sound off in the comments.
Source: GamesIndustry
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One aspect in which I think a screen on the controller is awesome is in multi-player games when played on the the same screen – like cricket or similar – each individual can use the screen on the controller to manage tactics which the other player won’t get to see. Other than that… we’ll have to see.