Project Cafe - Requirements for Success

So Nintendo's E3 Press Conference is just days away - as is the public unveiling of their new console - codenamed Project Cafe. Ignoring all the speculation, I thought I'd have a think about what Nintendo needs to do with Cafe, to ensure that the console is a success - and by success I mean 'accepted by gamers'.

OK, so in my eyes there are 4 key areas for success:

1. A functional and easy to use online system
2. Hardware comparable to the next-gen Sony & Microsoft machines
3. Triple-A third party support
4. Killer apps at launch

Now, points 1 & 2 will both contribute to point 3, which will also contribute to point 4 - but I'm going to run through these one-by-one regardless, so relax.

A functional and easy to use online system

It's simple, rip off Xbox Live and rebrand it. As long as it has a single sign in (not game specific), and the ability to download demo's, virtual console, Cafe-ware, downloadable content and patches we'll be sweet. Also the ability to add randoms after an online match (although this may be game specific) would be nice. 

I've been hearing things about spectator modes - and I like the idea - but baby steps, we need to be able to see at a glance which friends are currently online and what they're playing. The ability to join them/send them a message at that time is a must. If I'm playing Game X, and my friend logs in an starts playing Game X too, I need to know about that.

Voice chat needs to be integrated through the console itself (not game specific), but also the option to use a wireless (bluetooth/usb whatever) keyboard too. Acheivements/Trophies/Stars (for a Nintendo-themed option) needs to happen. Too many Wii games are adding similar systems that have zero impact on anything else. Obviously developers want to include this type of thing - it needs to be integrated.

Hardware comparable to PS4 & Xbox720

Who knows how far away the next iteration of Sony & Microsofts machine's are - I suppose that depends on how well Cafe is received - but Nintendo need to ensure that they are not technically gimped again. I'm not just talking about graphical power here either.

The Cafe controller needs to have all the features and the same number of buttons as PS4/Xbox720 controllers. This is a biggie. The Gamecube only had one less button than PS2/Xbox, but they also didn't have  'clickable' analogue sticks. That's essentially 3 less buttons. And the Wii Remote? Don't even get me started. The Classic Controller (Pro version) needed to be bundled with the Wii. Note that additional features - such as the rumoured touch screen  - won't detract from this, so long as the touch screen is not expected to be used as a substitute for buttons.

If Cafe has a robust online system (see above), it needs to have some form of storage - preferably a hard drive (storage is so cheap these days it's ridiculous). It needs to be big storage too - at least 50GB - and preferably the ability to add storage via an external USB device too (just in case). Demos, save data, virtual console, cafe-ware all take up space. We don't want the 'cleaning out the fridge' debacle that the Wii suffered, and we don't want Cafe-ware developers to have to be restricted to stupid size restrictions ala WiiWare either.

In terms of graphics and RAM etc, Cafe needs to ensure that it's comparable. If the system is far less powerful that PS4/Xbox720, multiplatform titles either won't come, or they'll be B-team ports with limited features. 

Finally the little things - HDMI/Component/Composite out is a must - preferably all provided in the box. Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is a must. I'd say Nintendo will use a proprietary disk format again - but it needs to be high capacity - 30GB at least. As for resolution, 720p minimum for developers, 1080p maximum resolution. 

Triple A 3rd Party Support

History tells us that if we get my first two points right, Triple A third party titles are much more likely to come to Cafe - but Nintendo need to do more! They need to make partnerships with Western developers and publishers, offer incentives - get those exclusives (timed or otherwise). 

Things like having Link & Gannondorf in Soul Calibur V (remember how big Soul Calibur II sold on Gamecube??) ensures that the Cafe version is the definitive version. Make deals with Activision, EA, Rockstar - get Call of Duty, Dragon Age, Grand Theft Auto etc on Nintendo systems. If Western developers don't already have Cafe DevKits they need to get them quick smart - throw money at them to support it.

I remember when Wii was announced, and it had all this 'awesome' third party support.While Konami had Metal Gear Solid 4 for PS3/Xbox360, Wii had Elebits. While Ubisoft had Prince of Persia for PS3/Xbos360, Wii had Red Steel. While SquareEnix had mainline Final Fantasy titles on PS3/Xbox360, Wii had Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. While Capcom had Resident Evil 5 on PS3/Xbox360, Wii had a remake of Resident Evil 4, and some RE light-gun spin offs. Notice a trend here? I bet you can guess which games sold more copies too, despite the higher Wii install base.

Simple fact, B-team games will get B-team sales. If Nintendo can convince developers to put their AAA titles on Cafe, and they are full-feature or have exclusive content for Wii, they will sell. 

Killer Apps at launch

The 3DS launch showed Nintendo exactly how not to do things. You need killer apps - whether they are Nintendo made or 3rd party. I'm talking a main-line Mario, an online F-Zero, Super Smash Bros from Nintendo (at least one of) and from 3rd party's: Soul Calibur V, Mass Effect 3, Grand Theft Auto 5.

Something that is so hot, that you can't afford not to have Cafe. Cafe needs a Super Mario 64, it needs a Halo.

Now, here is my semi-off the wall idea for Cafe. Include Animal Crossing in the Project Cafe firmware. Your Animal Crossing house is the OS. Play games by using the TV. Use the Cafe shop by using the computer. See achievements at your trophy cabinet. See friends by using the diary. The interface for this is menu driven - not avatar-driven, but choose to leave the house, and you're full-on playing Animal Crossing.

I'm ready Nintendo - it's time to drop the bomb.

Just a small leap across the pond

Here's the state of play. The Wii for all intents and purposes is dead in the water. Nintendo have confirmed that they will be showing off their new console at E3 2011 (like 11 days away) - and that it will be released early 2012. So what does that mean for the Wii - well the software has all but dried up.

Sure we've still got The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword to look forward too - but that is about it.

Hold up, that's not entirely true, Japanese Wii owners are getting a new Nintendo published game every month until the end of the year. Western gamers however haven't had any guarantees. This shits me. I hate region locking (in the technical sense), but I hate it even more in the physical sense. If a game is finished - release it everywhere. Every other publisher in the world has this figured out - except Nintendo. It shits me to tears.

Here's a quick list off the top of my head of some games that I've had to import to play this generation on Wii - games which all have English voice acting and English text mind you:

• Trauma Team (NTSC-J and NTSC-U only)
• Excitebots (NTSC-J and NTSC-U only)
• Punchout (Exclusively stocked in Australia by JB HiFi)
• Disaster: Day of Crisis (NTSC-J and PAL only)
• Lost in Shadow (All regions - but NTSC-J released with English text 8 months before NTSC-U & PAL release)
• Kirby's Epic Yarn (PAL release delayed over 5 months)
• Zangeki no REGINLEIV (NTSC-J only - no English voice or text)

Note that I've also missed out on Fatal Frame IV because Nintendo refused to localise it (a franchise which has traditionally done better in Western markets) - and also Captain Rainbow, a new IP which features D grade Nintendo characters, and looks off-the-wall crazy - again, because Nintendo refuse to localise it.

Now, what is the point of my rant? My point is, at this stage my 3 most anticipated Wii titles are: Xenoblade, The Last Story and Pandora's Tower. The problem - well The Last Story & Pandora's Tower don't have NTSC-U or PAL release dates yet, and given that it has taken Xenoblade about 10 months to be localised, I think Nintendo will but these games in the too hard basket.Talk about infuriating!

So let's look at these games individually - try and figure out why I'm looking forward to them so much.

Xenoblade Chronicles (developed by Monolith Soft) 

I just gave you the answer right there - it's developed by Monolithsoft. Seriously, I don't think these guys have a bad game in them. I'm replaying Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean at the moment, and it is the greatest RPG I've ever played - and I've just imported Baten Kaitos Origins to play after it (yep BKO suffered the same fate I'm ranting about during the Gamecube to Wii transition)!! Anyway, Xenoblade has such a massive, expansive world - a world in which the inhabitants live on giant robots who are locked in eternal battle. Fucking hell - it is easily the most awesome thing EVER! The good news is that it's scheduled for a September release in Europe (and I'll be importing). Cannot wait!

The Last Story (developed by Mistwalker)

OK, so Mistwalker is the new studio of the original Final Fantasy creator (before Square whored the shit out of the game). Anyway, this one has an interesting battle system, and looks absolutely epic. IGN were nice enough to record the first chapter (of which there are 44) and upload it with commentary, and the set pieces, and the environments look amazing. Truly breathtaking stuff. It released in Japan in January, so theoretically, we could see a Western release by years end if the localisation team have been having a go (read: me desperately hoping that this is the case)

Pandora's Tower (developed by Ganbarion)

This one is a little dark, but I think it is a direction that Nintendo could really find an audience if they were willing to explore it. This is basically an action-adventure title, much in the same vein as The Legend of Zelda, but the themes are darker, the level progression is jumbled up, and much like Xenoblade, there is a huge emphasis on verticality. I'm gonna explain this a little more, because it is honestly the one I am most excited about. 

Basically this chick Ceres has a curse, and it transforming into a hideous monster. The only way to save her is to collect the hearts of beasts from the 12 Towers, and feed them to her. Thing is, Ceres is a vegetarian (read: queer), and she has to eat the hearts raw (I know right - brilliant). Anyway, apparently there is a timed component to this - if Ceres isn't fed quickly enough, the effects will come back - this means that you may need to race through some Towers again and again to continue to feed her. I like this idea - especially, if they mix up the Towers a bit - higher class enemies etc.

Also, these Towers feature some amazing architecture, and as I mention, the focus is on verticality - that is moving up and down, rather than just left/right/forward/back. As a video gamer, this confuses the brain, because most games don't deal with this! It's a huge paradigm shift. One that I'm very excited for!

Pandora's Tower releases today in Japan. I will riot if Nintendo don't mention it at E3. I want it. If they don't release it outside of Japan - I'm going to learn Japanese. It's that critical.