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Nintendo

Video Wii Street U Uses Google Maps to Create 'An Immersive Experience' (Video) 84

Posted by Roblimo from the we-would-love-to-love-you-again-because-you're-a-good-old-friend dept.
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Nintendo says, "With Wii Street U powered by Google, you can step into Google Street View with an immersive experience that feels like you’re actually there! View a 360-degree Google Maps Street View of locations all over the world using the Wii U GamePad motion controls. Use the GamePad touch screen to type in an address or location and explore, or instantly travel to over 70 fascinating, hand-picked locations around the globe." It all looks lovely, but can't we do most of this with Android phones? And couldn't a smart developer make the Google Street View Android phone experience even more immersive, so we wouldn't all need to buy a Wii U? Nintendo, we love you, but the Wii U still looks pretty dead unless it gets some major rethinking, and this Street View app doesn't seem to be it.



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Wii Street U Uses Google Maps to Create 'An Immersive Experience' (Video) More

Wii Street U Uses Google Maps to Create 'An Immersive Experience' (Video)

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  • I like my wii-u (Score:5, Interesting)

    by i kan reed ( 749298 ) on Thursday May 30, 2013 @02:21PM (#43864403) Homepage Journal

    I'm almost certain to not buy any other consoles this generation, and I like my Wii-U, but this app is really lame. The "tablet as window" input paradigm is kinda clever, but also not worth the physical effort involved. Oculus rift looks like a better approach to this same concept. I'd rather see street view with that.

    • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

      by medv4380 ( 1604309 )
      It's a cute little app that's interesting for all of about 5 min.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by rwv ( 1636355 )
        I played with this for 5 minutes at PAX East in March. I'd echo that 5 minutes was a perfect amount of time to experience this program. One thing I did that I've never seen on the real StreetView, was that I found I could actually go into one of the stores (Gnommon Copy, or something) in Cambridge's Harvard Square area. The BuildingView integration with StreetView was definitely neat.

    • I don't know how slow it is so I don't know if this is possible but what I'd love is the ability to defend my own street from zombies, help a team of my friends defend famous places, and stand outside and laugh while I don't defend my exgirlfriend's house.

  • Why not play games instead? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 30, 2013 @02:22PM (#43864431)

    >the Wii U still looks pretty dead unless it gets some major rethinking, and this Street View app doesn't seem to be it.

    Yes a video game system with only Google Maps would suck.

    That's why I'm playing the free Rayman Legend Challenges App and Tank Tank Tank!

    Not to mention Tekken Tag Tournament 2, and Super Mario Wii U.

    • Hmm. No Sports, no Call of Duty, no Browser, App, or TV. You've just identified yourself as not anyone's target demographic.

      • What if I told you, I've never played Call of Duty. Call of Duty is clearly a poor man's "Valkyria Chronicles".

    • Yes a video game system with only Google Maps would suck.

      I would pay for a video game system built into a force feedback wheel that let you race on streets in Google Maps, but they'd have to improve their road-sensing considerably. It needs to emulate the actual dips and bumps.

  • Android fanboy detected (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    And couldn't a smart developer make the Google Street View Android phone experience even more immersive, so we wouldn't all need to buy a Wii U?

    For all the non-Android phone owners out there, it would still require us to buy an Android smartphone.

    Fanboy logic fails again.

    • I don't know about you, but I find it very hard to have an "immersive" experience on something the size of a phone.

      • "Size of a phone"
        Hmm, I'm having a problem with this unit. Could you translate it to something like Fortnights times Domestic Laden Swallow Velocity at Sea Level?

        • Best I can do for you is about .5 of a European Swallow, unladen, and .435 of a laden swallow. If you wanted the data for an African Swallow, well, you're just SOL.
  • I saw a video and assumed this was another Slashdot advertisement disguised as a story but surprise! Why all the Wii U hate?
    • Who knows? I like my Wii U but it certainly isn't perfect. Now that the other two consoles have shown their hands, expect the hate to be redirected shortly.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by AdamHaun ( 43173 )

      Why all the Wii U hate?

      It's not just Wii U hate. The console wars are as old as consoles themselves. Buying a console costs a lot of money and limits your choice of games, which is a big emotional investment. People like to defend their purchasing choices, and are often unpleasant about it. Aside from that, there are some specific factors relevant to the new generation and Slashdot in particular:

      * Anti-Microsoft sentiment from Windows spills over onto the XBox.
      * Anti-Sony sentiment from ongoing IP-related arguments spills over on

      • Re:Why hate on Wii U? (Score:4, Insightful)

        by rsborg ( 111459 ) on Thursday May 30, 2013 @04:48PM (#43866349) Homepage

        * Anti-Microsoft sentiment from Windows spills over onto the XBox.

        Really, if so, it's just lazyness on the part of the complainer. There's plenty of annoyances/stupidity that Microsoft has done directly with Xbox that deserves scorn. Examples: RROD, requiring Xbox live subscription to use Netflix, requiring stupid "points" to buy stuff, etc.

        Anti-Sony sentiment from ongoing IP-related arguments spills over onto the PS3.

        Is the rootkit on cd an "IP-related argument"? How about Sony losing their customer records?

        A company putting out a decent product that makes missteps or show character issues like the above examples still deserves scorn and criticism. Haters who kick a dead horse repeatedly should be hellbanned.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Xest ( 935314 )

        "* Anything that involves DRM of any kind causes a fuss."

        Not really, DRM in Steam gets a free pass on Slashdot.

  • It may be a fun little time waster like spinning the globe on the Wii Weather Channel, but this is far from a killer app.

    That aside... the Wii U's far from dead. If anything I'd say it hasn't even lived yet. What it needs are games, first party, be they classic IPs or new ones. It's a game console, guys. Give us some good games and you can take all my money.

    • The Wii U is doing pretty poorly. Even the original Wii is outselling it.

      http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/pachter-wii-u-sales-hit-55-000-in-april-20-000-below-wii/ [joystiq.com]

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by Anonymous Coward

        Even the original Wii is outselling it.

        I'm not sure how relevant that is. The top comment on that link shows that the PS2 outsold the PS3 for quite a while immediately after the PS3 was released, and the PS3 didn't die.

        My guess is that people keep buying the old generation console until there are enough major games that only run on the new one. There aren't that many major titles for the Wii-U yet, so I wouldn't say its sales are too surprising.

        • Even the original Wii is outselling it.

          I'm not sure how relevant that is. The top comment on that link shows that the PS2 outsold the PS3 for quite a while immediately after the PS3 was released, and the PS3 didn't die.

          My guess is that people keep buying the old generation console until there are enough major games that only run on the new one. There aren't that many major titles for the Wii-U yet, so I wouldn't say its sales are too surprising.

          Quoted to reiterate what AC said.

    • Get a new SSB out and it will sell like hot cakes.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by vux984 ( 928602 )

      That aside... the Wii U's far from dead. If anything I'd say it hasn't even lived yet. What it needs are games, first party, be they classic IPs or new ones. It's a game console, guys. Give us some good games and you can take all my money.

      Agreed. Its having a similar start as the 3DS did. Its only real weakness is the dearth of good games. Even looking through what's coming out, its a bit weak.

      I've got one, and the family like it a lot for what it is. We've got nintendoland, super mario, skylanders giants,

      • Nintendo's been like this for a while now, for most of their launches- short on good launch titles, but picking up steam usually within a year of release. You're right in comparing it to the 3DS, which now has too many games for me to afford, compared to when I first bought it, and only one game seemed even remotely interesting.

        You list a lot of good games required- Mario Kart will undoubtedly be included, SSB will not only be included but cross-compatible with the 3DS version I hear, F-Zero's in the wor

  • Safe for kids? (Score:3)

    by dmomo ( 256005 ) on Thursday May 30, 2013 @02:40PM (#43864631)

    Is the contributed data public? I can just imagine a 6 year old saying: "Hey, strangers! This is my location. Here is a picture of me in my living room, playing with the Wii U!"

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by vux984 ( 928602 )

      Do you have any idea at all at just how much effort Nintendo has put in towards making their online interactions kid-safe? It actually blows my mind.

      The new 'social area' on the home screen, lets you post questions, comments, and even freehand doodles... and they pop up on other peoples wii-u.

      Any normal person would have expected it to be just a constant stream of pictures of cocks and cleverly slightly obfuscated vulgarity... but its not. I don't know how they did it, and its actually pretty impressive. Pr

  • ...and I don't mean street view. I'm glad to see Nintendo get the spanking they deserve on the Wii U. They need to step up, stop reshoveling the same old franchises and strategy. Your games are getting old, stop betting the farm on them every gen, branch out and CREATE SOMETHING. Make some awesome games, or you deserve what you're getting.

    • Re:I'm glad to see this (Score:4, Interesting)

      by fuzzyfuzzyfungus ( 1223518 ) on Thursday May 30, 2013 @02:59PM (#43864811) Journal

      ...and I don't mean street view. I'm glad to see Nintendo get the spanking they deserve on the Wii U. They need to step up, stop reshoveling the same old franchises and strategy. Your games are getting old, stop betting the farm on them every gen, branch out and CREATE SOMETHING. Make some awesome games, or you deserve what you're getting.

      I'd be happier about it if I thought that Nintendo were getting spanked for some reason other than the fact that they aren't releasing Mario Sequel X: HD Polygons as quickly and effectively as Microsoft and Sony are shoveling out their respective franchise warm-overs, and failing to get EA on board for FIFA 20-something-or-other-who-gives-a-fuck: Roster update edition...

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Xest ( 935314 )

        "I'd be happier about it if I thought that Nintendo were getting spanked for some reason other than the fact that they aren't releasing Mario Sequel X: HD Polygons as quickly and effectively as Microsoft and Sony are shoveling out their respective franchise warm-overs"

        The difference is that Mario has been effectively the same game for about 30 years, whilst games like Halo and so forth at least have distinctly new story lines with distinctly new environments each time. That's why Nintendo is getting bitched

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by PRMan ( 959735 )
      What do you mean? Wii U owners would be thrilled if Nintendo would release ANY of their franchises on Wii U. So far, it's only Mario and Ninja Gaiden.

    • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward

      I don't get how people say this. They re-use characters and art styles, sure. But the games themselves are usually pretty innovative, and even if elements are retained, gameplay is usually radically different.

      Compare the original SMB, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy.. How is this the same game?

      Now compare every Call of Duty title (and pretty much every other shooter).. Other than graphics, they really are the exact same thing.

      The people chirping about Nintendo retreading the

  • Wii U? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by sesshomaru ( 173381 ) on Thursday May 30, 2013 @03:03PM (#43864859) Journal

    Wii U looks a damn sight better than the new Xbox, which I believe Microsoft has named the Xbox Catastrophe. (It goes along with the Calamity operating system that they released for PC/Tablets.)

    • Even with no games mentioned, and soaked in DRM, the xbox still looks better, because the games will be better, and everyone knows it.

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by Anonymous Coward

        The mark of stupidity is faith.

      • Only when they are ported to the PC, because none of the new consoles will likely be better.

      • I know, right? I mean I can't wait to play Pikmin 3 on the XBox one... Uh... New Zelda? How about Super Smash Bros.? Perhaps Mario Kart? Sorry, XBox one is the Flareon of game consoles... except that it's ugly.

  • This IS the killer app... (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    I, for one, applaud Nintendo's decision to give up the game console war and focus their efforts on Super Mario Garmin Adventure.

  • I mean, seriously, bitching about apps that get on other systems is stupid. If you want it so bad, program it yourself. If you can't program, hire someone who can. If you can't afford that, then do a kickstarter campaign for it.

    Stop bitching about it, you sound like you think you are entitled to software like it, when you are not. It requires work, and if you aren't going to do the work, then move the fuck on.

  • Nothing wrong with Wii-U (Score:2, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward

    This is the same stupid shit I've heard about every Nintendo console. No way would anyone buy the 8 bit NES, when you can get a Commodore 64 or an Apple!

    Why would anyone buy an SNES? Genesis is already out!

    N64? Competing against Sega Saturn, Jaguar, Playstation, 3DO and CD-i? YEAH RIGHT!

    Gamecube? WHY IT HAS SMALL DISCS WHAT IS THIS SHIT

    Wii? It's only for people who like having fun, and IM A GAMER!

    Wii-U.. WHAT ITS NOT AS POWERFUL AS PS4 this thing is dead in the water.

    Nintendo is a small company, 5000

    • Every generation Nintendo loses more and more 3rd party devs. Its already at the point where buying a nintendo console means a rich but limited selection of games. This puts the machine at a distinct disadvantage in the marketplace. Add to the fact that they are being chewed at from both the top (PS4/Xbone) and the bottom (mobile/small consoles), Nintendo has a rough road ahead.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Xest ( 935314 )

      "Per employee, it's the most profitable company in the world."

      Um no, just no.

      This past year it made a relatively small profit ($142million), last year it made an outright loss.

      Even with this past years profit that's only $28,000 per employee. In contrast even Microsoft with it's profits down for the year made $197,000 per employee, Google made $200,000 per employee and Apple made $573,000 per employee. That's right, Microsoft/Google made roughly 7 times the profit per employee and Apple 20 times the profit

  • I don't know much about the statistics and trends of the console market, but the Wii U was just what the doctor ordered for myself and the wife. Have spent about an hour each day the last few weeks switching between N64, SuperNES, and Wii games and Mario U. All great and timeless short attention span games. I think I've made my choice this generation. She doesn't relate to very many XBox games and never had a reason to start up the Playstation. For me the interface is friendlier than the other consoles. I f

  • It seems that a lot of people are generating FUD, again, because they want the system to fail.

    The system is great, the games we have so far are fun, and that's probably about the same purchase rate as on the Wii. We have a PS3, but that is only used for watching movies, which I never thought would be the case. The games just aren't compelling.

    The Wii U will do fine, and will sell many units when the 'big' Nintendo titles release.

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