Although a number of journalists and analysts have expressed trepidation over the Wii U’s lack of raw horsepower, Electronic Arts (EA) COO Pete Moore isn’t at all concerned over the next-gen console’s spec sheet.
“I think the [tablet] controller [is huge]. This is not about specs anymore… This is about, as it was with the Wii: is the controller a unique way of enjoying a game experience, regardless of what the graphic fidelity is?” Moore told IndustryGamers.
”Look, you saw Battlefield – how much better could this stuff look at some point? There’s a point of diminishing returns… I don’t even know if there’s anything better than 1080p.”
According to Moore, things have obviously changed since the early days of the industry, when companies frenetically competed by attempting to create ever shinier helmets and greener grass.
“But that’s no longer the case any more. Now it’s about interfaces. Now it’s about building a community in a rich, powerful way. And now it’s about, ‘What is the way we can control the game?’
“You’ve seen that with Move, you’ve seen it with Wii MotionPlus more recently, and you’ve certainly seen it with Kinect.”
Moore emphasized that Nintendo’s job is to create a “better mousetrap” with regards to the way players use the controller – which is what both Microsoft and Sony will be doing for their next-gen Xbox/PS platforms.
The EA COO also confirmed Nintendo would be taking the Internet challenge “seriously,” as the Japanese-based corporation attempts to significantly expand its online presence.
“It’s critically important to us and we are relieved, if anything else, that they have made a huge commitment. Online certainly was not [initially] a factor with the Wii, as you know; although they had capabilities, it just wasn’t there at the level that both Xbox Live and PlayStation had.
“But I think Nintendo totally gets that multi-player, building community, co-op play, having the ability to bring games that are deeper – all of these things are now very important,” he added.
