Wii U graphics specs, can support 4 controller screens

***Cosmonautical*** · 06-15-2011, 11:18 AM

Some Details On The Wii U’s Graphics Chip | Kotaku Australia

It's based off a custom chipset similar to the ATI Radeon HD 4890, although due to the "custom" nature you can probably expect some custom software/shader support. They're saying that it should technically be able to support up to 4 controllers with a standard definition screen for each.

The Wii U Will Not Play DVDs And Blu-ray Discs | Kotaku Australia

This story is covering that same old frivolous question, "Will the system support popular video disc formats?"

The answer is the expected "No."

***Marilink*** · 06-15-2011, 05:30 PM

Wait, so now it can use four controllers? Is that reneging what they said earlier?

**Loot** · 06-15-2011, 05:43 PM

OH BOY IT'S GBA/GC CONNECTIVITY ALL OVER AGAIN

***Cosmonautical*** · 06-16-2011, 08:01 AM

The GBA connectivity was low res and actually powered by an engine uploaded to the GBA. This system would run all resources on the console base wirelessly at over double the resolution, with all of the graphical benefits of the console.

ML, it technically can but that might be pushing the limits. The controllers will likely cost around 100 a piece maximum since they only need to transmit and receive wireless input and display, not to power the interactive software. Nintendo's move to bundle this with more recent but not bleeding edge tech at a comparable price to the 360 would make sense. It should support super-sampling well in excess of simple AA procedures on mainscreen applications, at resolutions up to 1080p.

The belief that the imagery will compare to the 360 or the PS3 is inaccurate, in effect it will output a resolution twice the size of the PS3's maximum 1080i - with the GPU churning out a hypothetical 16x the terraflops of the PS3's.

They aren't skimping on the CPU, but devs only suggesting something like 150% the power of the PS3. It doesn't sound like a lot, but for physics processing, which can power much more realistic animation systems, the GPU and extra CPU muscle can make a huge difference. Let's hope they don't skimp on the VRAM, as they'll need it to stream to controller screens.

The "have a friend bring their controller to your place" for 2-player would make sense. Connectivity with the 3DS makes more sense technologically, but that's not an installed base of controllers, it's a hypothetical base where the software would have to motivate the customers.

***CaptHayfever*** · 06-16-2011, 11:21 AM

I dunno, I liked the whole "backwards-compatible with Wiimotes beyond Player 1" idea.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

***Marilink*** · 06-16-2011, 05:08 PM

All of the ideas have been plausible and workable, which is why I hope that all of them get implemented.

06-15-2011, 11:18 AM	#1
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,100 Thanks: 2,151 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	Wii U graphics specs, can support 4 controller screens Some Details On The Wii U’s Graphics Chip \| Kotaku Australia It's based off a custom chipset similar to the ATI Radeon HD 4890, although due to the "custom" nature you can probably expect some custom software/shader support. They're saying that it should technically be able to support up to 4 controllers with a standard definition screen for each. The Wii U Will Not Play DVDs And Blu-ray Discs \| Kotaku Australia This story is covering that same old frivolous question, "Will the system support popular video disc formats?" The answer is the expected "No."

06-15-2011, 05:30 PM	#2
*Marilink* Gotta catch 'em all! Supermod! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Location, Location. Gender: Posts: 29,118 Thanks: 2,535 Thanked 1,822 Times in 1,007 Posts	Wait, so now it can use four controllers? Is that reneging what they said earlier?

06-15-2011, 05:43 PM	#3
Loot Apparently I'm a mod? Join Date: May 2001 Location: LEGITIMATE BUSINESS Gender: Posts: 13,208 Thanks: 236 Thanked 1,237 Times in 659 Posts	OH BOY IT'S GBA/GC CONNECTIVITY ALL OVER AGAIN

06-16-2011, 08:01 AM	#4
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,100 Thanks: 2,151 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	The GBA connectivity was low res and actually powered by an engine uploaded to the GBA. This system would run all resources on the console base wirelessly at over double the resolution, with all of the graphical benefits of the console. ML, it technically can but that might be pushing the limits. The controllers will likely cost around 100 a piece maximum since they only need to transmit and receive wireless input and display, not to power the interactive software. Nintendo's move to bundle this with more recent but not bleeding edge tech at a comparable price to the 360 would make sense. It should support super-sampling well in excess of simple AA procedures on mainscreen applications, at resolutions up to 1080p. The belief that the imagery will compare to the 360 or the PS3 is inaccurate, in effect it will output a resolution twice the size of the PS3's maximum 1080i - with the GPU churning out a hypothetical 16x the terraflops of the PS3's. They aren't skimping on the CPU, but devs only suggesting something like 150% the power of the PS3. It doesn't sound like a lot, but for physics processing, which can power much more realistic animation systems, the GPU and extra CPU muscle can make a huge difference. Let's hope they don't skimp on the VRAM, as they'll need it to stream to controller screens. The "have a friend bring their controller to your place" for 2-player would make sense. Connectivity with the 3DS makes more sense technologically, but that's not an installed base of controllers, it's a hypothetical base where the software would have to motivate the customers.

06-16-2011, 11:21 AM	#5
*CaptHayfever* Smash SuperMod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 27,659 Thanks: 1,991 Thanked 2,486 Times in 1,513 Posts	I dunno, I liked the whole "backwards-compatible with Wiimotes beyond Player 1" idea. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

06-16-2011, 05:08 PM	#6
*Marilink* Gotta catch 'em all! Supermod! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Location, Location. Gender: Posts: 29,118 Thanks: 2,535 Thanked 1,822 Times in 1,007 Posts	All of the ideas have been plausible and workable, which is why I hope that all of them get implemented.