In the PC era, Nintendo and others The days of manufacturers can be described in three words: selling consoles, selling game CDs, and making profits. Until six years ago, Nintendo took the lead in launching the Wii, which challenged the design thinking of existing game consoles, to break the traditional "body game" as a selling point. Although it was inferior to the other two major platforms, Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox, in terms of hardware specifications and image processing ability, it still became the most popular game console. Now, Sony and Microsoft have launched their own somatosensory game solutions, but with the launch of the Wii U and GamePad controller, Nintendo seems to have taken a step ahead in exploring new directions.

Today's game companies still rely on the basic model of "hardware+software sales", but it has changed: more business models have been derived in software, such as digital distribution, free value-added, game service subscription, advertising, etc; In terms of welcoming hian, current game consoles not only compete with each other, but also compete with Blu ray players, Tivos Seize the living room and provide a better gaming experience. Let's see what changes the Wii U has made:

Game controller

If we compare the GamaPad of the Wii U with its predecessor Wii Remote, we can find the difference in the design concept behind it: the function of Wii Remote is to simplify the game and create a more natural user experience, thus introducing the concept of "body feeling" and reducing the number of buttons in the design; But on the GamaPad, we not only see the return of buttons, but also the GamaPad is equipped with a 6.2 inch screen, through which you can perform more flexible gesture operations.

However, such manipulation may make users feel unaccustomed. They may watch TV, then look down at their GamePad, and then watch TV again - but Nintendo's vision should be that users can not only play games with the GamePad in the living room, but also take the GamePad out of the house alone when they go out as a handheld. The future of this new multi screen interactive game is still to be further tested by the market.
cloud

As can be seen from the Wii U, Nintendo has stepped up its support for online game functions. Wii U brings the eShop online store on 3DS to this platform, from which you can buy all kinds of games (although the price of games may be much higher than that of iOS). In addition, Nintendo has built infrastructure for other developers to develop multiplayer games and online games on this platform.

However, for Wii U, the function of "cloud" is more just reflected in storage. Due to the limitations of network bandwidth, hardware processing ability, etc., the game process is processed entirely through the cloud. At present, the "cloud game" that transmits game images back through the network still has great limitations. The bankruptcy of Onlive, a cloud game service provider, is an example.

Content Services

At the launch of the new Wii U, Nintendo also released the TVii service. Wii U users in the United States and Canada can access the content of Netflix, Hulu and other streaming media content providers through the Wii U. In addition, a few days ago, Google launched a YouTube application specially developed for Wii U, where users can search for other wonderful content, preview videos or share in their social networks while playing YouTube videos on the TV screen.

Compared with the uncertainty in GamePad game controller or cloud games, Nintendo said that this is a service that Nintendo has considered carefully. Nintendo WIIU is the best time to launch this service. With more and more subscribed streaming media services, this service will also show greater value. In addition, Nintendo may consider licensing the TVii service to other tablet manufacturers.

One advantage of TVii is that it will not fundamentally change the experience of watching TV even if it is paired with other compatible Internet video services. Perhaps this is the deeper layout of the Nintendo Wii U: watching TV and interacting through the second screen outside of the TV.

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