Zelda: From Tech Demo To Game

[Diresu]

Are you talking about the Wii? They choose to do it, yes, but the Wii U is not inferior. It is in fact superior to the PS3 and 360, and will be on par (more than likely) with the other next gen consoles.

In terms of power I doubt WII U will be anywhere close to next PS and Xbox. Bottom line is it's caught in the middle as those systems will come out 1-2 years after WII U and therefore are bound to have hardware superior to it. Expecting the Wii U to match the NEXT gen Xbox/PS3 is really reaching.

As far as Wii U being more powerful than 360/PS3? Verdict is still out on that considering all they shown is concept videos and videos of games running on 360 and PS3. So while it might be, and let's face it...if it wasn't considering when it's launching Nintendo would need to have their head examined, there is still nothing concrete to compare.

[Viper]

In terms of power I doubt WII U will be anywhere close to next PS and Xbox. Bottom line is it's caught in the middle as those systems will come out 1-2 years after WII U and therefore are bound to have hardware superior to it. Expecting the Wii U to match the NEXT gen Xbox/PS3 is really reaching.

Likely that it won't in the same manner of PS2 and Xbox.

What separates that from the difference in Wii and PS3/X360 is the proper implementation of online, HD resolutions and modern shader architecture. I's more akin to the PC environment where the same game can be played on an HD 6970 and an HD 5770 despite one being vastly more powerful than the other. The same art assets, resolutions (at least console terms), and shaders are used for both. So even when the PS4 and Next X launch, it won't put the Wii U in the same development hell that the Wii ended up in.

[Diresu]

Likely that it won't in the same manner of PS2 and Xbox.

What separates that from the difference in Wii and PS3/X360 is the proper implementation of online, HD resolutions and modern shader architecture. I's more akin to the PC environment where the same game can be played on an HD 6970 and an HD 5770 despite one being vastly more powerful than the other. The same art assets, resolutions (at least console terms), and shaders are used for both. So even when the PS4 and Next X launch, it won't put the Wii U in the same development hell that the Wii ended up in.

The gap won't be as big as it was between 360/PS3 and WII, true, but there will be a noticeable gap still. Jumps forward will be a lot more incremental than they used to be simply because there isn't really much room left to grow. I am expecting something like the 3d MARK benchmark video, or that epic tech demo. Basically, focus on physics, lighting and ultra high resolution textures, AI and things like that. Things that will be noticeable, just not massive jumps. Also..we are yet to see how WII U online will compare to Xbox Live and PSN. Considering it's Nintendo's first real jump into a centralized online system...I will reserve judgement. I do however, seriously doubt that it will match either out of the gate.

[Viper]

Sure a gap will be there just as one was very evident between PS2 and Xbox but unlike the Wii to PS3 gap, it won't harm development. Art assets, game code and all that can still be used across all consoles. That was the problem with Wii. Developers couldn't use the same assets on Wii that were used on PS3/X360. The Wii U will be able to use the same art assets as the PS4 and next X because the resolutions are more compatible, the triangle and tessellation powers are there and the shader operations will work.

[AC!D]

[Crazybone126]

What's the contribution here haha? I think I missed it.

[Viper]

And that's running on 3 GTX 580's in SLI. I hope you guys aren't thinking the PS4 and Next X will have that kind of graphic muscle.

[TimmyJ]

I think that when you consider the kind of graphics we're currently seeing on 5 year old hardware, we'd all be setting our sights kind of low if we expected anything less than the above video (at least on graphical powerhouse titles).

[AC!D]

PS4 is still at least a few years away so im hoping for something close.

[TimmyJ]

Consider how mind-blowing the Killzone 2 demo looked when it was first - and under false pretences - shown to us. In my opinion, it has long since been outdone in all but texture resolution on pretty old hardware. Even if the Wii U releases with mid-range hardware by 2012 standards (or 2011 standards for that matter), it should still be able to pull off something pretty incredible, something comparable to the above video.

[Smokey]

theyd (PS4,box,wii2) have to go close just to bring in the next jump for consoles lol but i dont think personally theyd look that awsome but damn its perty

[Viper]

I think that when you consider the kind of graphics we're currently seeing on 5 year old hardware, we'd all be setting our sights kind of low if we expected anything less than the above video (at least on graphical powerhouse titles).

That video was rendered with 6 GB's of VRAM, 1,500 shader units, 112 Gpixel fill rate, 150 Gtexel fill rate, 577 GB/s bandwidth, $1,500 and 732 watts. The PS4 and Next X will not offer that kind of performance capability in a cost and power effective manner.

[TimmyJ]

And if, towards the end of the PS2's life, you'd have shown people God of War 3, Uncharted 3, Killzone 3, and told them that the latter two would be running in 3D, they'd have punched you in the ovaries.

[Chris]

I wonder how long it'll take them to turn that badass spider into a non-threatening, pastel colored, pokemon reject.

Your insecurity of playing Wind Waker, which was amazing, lies solely on you sir.

And that's running on 3 GTX 580's in SLI. I hope you guys aren't thinking the PS4 and Next X will have that kind of graphic muscle.

I took his point in being that with Wii U has been confirmed (correct me if I'm wrong) that Unreal Engine 3 will be on it, not that it will necessarily look like that.

[Otacon305]

Your insecurity of playing Wind Waker, which was amazing, lies solely on you sir.

Your use of that tired old accusation does nothing to aid you or discredit me.

[Viper]

I took his point in being that with Wii U has been confirmed (correct me if I'm wrong) that Unreal Engine 3 will be on it, not that it will necessarily look like that.

He was using it to suggest what the difference between Wii U and PS4 would look like.

[frosty]

And that's running on 3 GTX 580's in SLI. I hope you guys aren't thinking the PS4 and Next X will have that kind of graphic muscle.

I don't doubt that they'll be able to run the demo (nor does epic obviously, as they championed the demo as the first peek at "next gen" graphics). While I don't think it'll have those specs, I do think that by 2013 we'll have good enough hardware in those closed systems to come damn close to what is being done on today's PC's. Remember, by the time PS4 launches, 3 GTX 580's SLI'd together won't be much compared to the current crop of GPUs. Especially considering they're spread across 3 GPU's, so you're not getting an effective 3x increase.

Remember, just because it takes all that to make it run on a PC doesn't mean a console (closed system) with a GPU more powerful than a GTX 580 and a custom made CPU that most likely (like cell) will be able to aid the GPU in rendering won't be able to pull it off.

So, while I don't expect that power, that demo will be possible. Like Timmy said, if I showed you Uncharted 3 6 years ago and told you PS3 would be able to render it in 3D, you would have laughed and then started going into many reasons why it can't do that because not even current (at the time) high end desktops are doing anything like it.

[Viper]

I don't doubt that they'll be able to run the demo (nor does epic obviously, as they championed the demo as the first peek at "next gen" graphics). While I don't think it'll have those specs, I do think that by 2013 we'll have good enough hardware in those closed systems to come damn close to what is being done on today's PC's. Remember, by the time PS4 launches, 3 GTX 580's SLI'd together won't be much compared to the current crop of GPUs. Especially considering they're spread across 3 GPU's, so you're not getting an effective 3x increase.

Remember, just because it takes all that to make it run on a PC doesn't mean a console (closed system) with a GPU more powerful than a GTX 580 and a custom made CPU that most likely (like cell) will be able to aid the GPU in rendering won't be able to pull it off.

So, while I don't expect that power, that demo will be possible. Like Timmy said, if I showed you Uncharted 3 6 years ago and told you PS3 would be able to render it in 3D, you would have laughed and then started going into many reasons why it can't do that because not even current (at the time) high end desktops are doing anything like it.

No, Epic didn't say this was next gen graphics. They said this is the latest iteration of the Unreal Engine 3 with Direct3D 11 shaders.

As for the power of 3 GTX 580's being common in 2 years, let's take a look at what the power of 3 top end GPU's looked like 2 years ago. GTX 285. I'll list the power of 3 just as I did above for the 580's and below it a single 580.

3 GTX 285's: 6 GB's VRAM, 720 shader units, 60 Gpixels, 154 Gtexels, 477 GB's bandwidth, 3.18 Tflops, 612 watts.
1 GTX 580: 3 GB's VRAM, 512 shader units, 37 Gpixels, 50 Gtexels, 192 GB's bandwidth, 1.58 Tflops, 244 watts.

Obviously a single GTX 580 (which is top of the line) doesn't equate to 3 GTX 285's. In fact, it's closer to half that power. And the PS4 and X360 won't use the top of the line GPU of 2013 anyway.

[Fallax]

This is entirely based on speculation without a single fact to back it up. They have made no announcements about Wii U's innards. In fact, many are beginning to believe (based upon developer comments) that the hardware hasn't even been finalized yet (probably still trying to find a HW combo that works within the price margin left after the controller is paid for).

It is based on the current speculation, sure. But it comes from the same source that also released the info about a 6 inch touch screen controller. We all know that ended up being false.

It was 6.2 inches instead of 6. So I am going on a hunch and say that guy knew a thing or two.

In terms of power I doubt WII U will be anywhere close to next PS and Xbox. Bottom line is it's caught in the middle as those systems will come out 1-2 years after WII U and therefore are bound to have hardware superior to it. Expecting the Wii U to match the NEXT gen Xbox/PS3 is really reaching.

As far as Wii U being more powerful than 360/PS3? Verdict is still out on that considering all they shown is concept videos and videos of games running on 360 and PS3. So while it might be, and let's face it...if it wasn't considering when it's launching Nintendo would need to have their head examined, there is still nothing concrete to compare.

You do understand that the PS1 came out two years before the N64, and it's graphics was able to keep up with the (technically speaking, more powerful) consoles of it's day? That the Xbox 360 was released a year before the PS3 and that it was able to keep up with the PS3, right? The PS4 and Xbox 720 development has all ready begun, and chances are the GPU and CPU are at the very least picked out and being customized right now. And that the Wii U is at most 3 years behind, but more likely two years behind the other consoles.

And IBM has confirmed the processor is from the Watson CPU, although not exactly how many cores (I doubt it's 8, but probably 3-4 cores).

This means the Wii U will be able to keep up with any new console that comes out. And since Sony is unlikely to go superpower on us again and get a more affordable next gen -- since they seem to be doing that with Vita -- I would also assuming that Sony will have similar specs, but somewhat improved of what the Wii U has.

In the end, I am not sure the minor spec differences will matter. As long as it can run the next gen engines -- which it appears it can -- what else actually matters?

I also forgot to mention we did see early Wii U graphics with Ghost Recon Online and Killer Freaks on the show floor and developer round table #2.

[Smokey]

sony mighten go superpower again but they will go their own way as they always have lol