darkjak Posted February 24, 2006 Posted February 24, 2006 I saw the pics of the Revo controller, and when I looked at the rear, there was a long hatch, that looks like the one on the Wavebird and the old time gameboys. Could this mean that Nintendo are dumb enough to make it run on regular AA batterys, that have to be replaced, or at least removed to be charged, every time they run out?
Hellfire Posted February 24, 2006 Posted February 24, 2006 Rechargeable AA batteries don't have to be removed to be charged. As far as I know the X360 controller has batteries too.
Nintendork Posted February 24, 2006 Posted February 24, 2006 AA batteries is a freaking great choice. It is easily replacable so there is no iPod fiasco about batteries dieing out and companies not offering a replacement despite it being covered under warranty. [insert class action law suit] You can get 18 AA batteries down my local pound land, you put them under your sink and when your controller begins to run out (i'm hoping for red LEDs down the bottom) you simply replace them. The idea of having a dock is very pretty but it's also very ***king over the top and far less child friendly.. You're taught as a kid not to play with plug sockets but batteries are much safer and easier to replace. But also when it's in a dock you can't play. The technology is there for either the system to give a warning when batteries need to be replaced (my TV remote does by determining the strength of the signal) but it is also possible for Nintendo to add a bleeping sound or even make the LEDs on the bottom of the system turn onto red, or make all 4 flash in advance. So the system can pause, or if you're playing on Nintendo wifi next time you enter the lobby after a match you can replace the batteries.. what's it take? 3 seconds to unlock a little hatch and pop out 2 AA's and chuck in 2 more. It's not the end of the world like it is on xbox live. Of course you could splash out on a uniross recharger kit from argos, 4 AA batteries with a charger for about £15 and good for 800 charges. While one set are in the controller the others charge.. mine used to last me weeks in my disc man because they were high capacity Ni-Mh batteries designed for flashes in camera. Quit your fricking whinging because I think it's the best move possible and ensures a great lifespan for the console's controller on an abundant universal power source at a minimal consequence on the design of the system's controller (the hatch you speak of) which is why iPod designers wont add a replaceable battery just yet. At least this way we can play wirelessly forever, xbox controllers are listed in Joystiq's 360 annoyances because they don't unplug their controller's from the charger because they're too lazy to get up every 4 hours or so to plug it back in, especially with xbox live being so competitive. Joystiq Before we get all nitpicky it should be noted out of fairness that the Xbox 360's designers had no easy task. They wanted to give gamers the beauty and convenience of a wireless controller, but they also needed to make sure that help is near when batteries run low in the middle of a critical Xbox Live competitive experience. Hot-swapping of batteries isn't an option in high-stakes scenarios (those of you who are in league 1 of Project Gotham Racing 3 know what we mean). The only solution to these conflicting concerns is to create a controller that accepts a power cord for charging at any time. Unfortunately, Microsoft's designers underestimated gamer laziness. Rather than use the play-and-charge kit only when the controllers need to be charged, we find ourselves just leaving them plugged in all the time because it's too much trouble to neatly wrap up then put away the play-and-charge kit. Once we started leaving it in the system, we were able to recharge the controllers more conveniently, but now our living room looks messy! The core wireless design aesthetic has been ruined. Like us, most gamers are going to leave their play-and-charge cables plugged in to the Xbox 360 so that when their controller runs out of juice they can charge it up conveniently. At that point, it doesn't matter if you disengage from the play-and-charge for wireless gaming because you've still got a spaghetti monster's worth of wires spilling out from your Xbox 360. Essentially, we're now back to wired controllers. Even if Microsoft were to release the mysteriously absent battery charger, we'd be subject to the fundamental risk of play interruption. But at this point, anything's better than these damned wires. The solution? See photo. In sum: a beautiful controller is marred by a jumble of wires. It's still the best controller to ever grace a game system, but that doesn't mean it's perfect.
Charlie Posted February 24, 2006 Posted February 24, 2006 AA batteries are much better. If you had a built-in rechargable battery what would happen if you were at an important part of the game but ran out of power, with AA you can just change them. Some games don't even let you save at some points of the game so you might have to play a whole section over again.
darkjak Posted February 24, 2006 Author Posted February 24, 2006 No problem in itself using AA's, but I'd preffer to have a dockingstation for it. I don't like one time batterys, as they're not enviroment friendly, and I can tell you that I once had a Gameboy (the one called just gameboy), and now I have a DS. I feel much more comfortable with the DS. Felt really weird going to te mall to buy AA's every week when you were playing the GB a lot. And allso, I've quit using my wavebird cuz it's so annoying to have to keep an extra charger the isze of an N64(yeah, I know, there are smaller now, but still) in my room in case I'd hjave to charge. Give me a small dockingstation, or just a cord to connect to the controller when you're not playing, and I'll be happy!
Nintendork Posted February 24, 2006 Posted February 24, 2006 Why do you need a Nintendo branded docking station or a Nintendo supplied cables? Basically every country in the house has one of these: If you're concerned about the environment, which personally I am.. rechargeable batteries are a great cost effective and convenient way. Charge one set of 2 while you rock the other 2.. With a cable you are not 'wireless' as mentioned in the Joystiq article and with a dock you cannot play while you charge meaning you have to wait 3 hours for a full charge. I don't see why you would need that function, it's not even a messy alternative to use AA rechargeable batteries.. there are no cables at all, you can even plug it in next to your sofa so you don't need to get up!
Kurtle Squad Posted February 24, 2006 Posted February 24, 2006 I'd like a docking station. Or for them to use the same as the DS charger. I hate batteries, they last okay in the Wavebird, but they will run out A LOT faster with rumble. Maybe they could give battery packs that u put in like u would normal batteries or something so if one wears down, you can put the other in. I hate normal batteries!!!
Shyguy Posted February 24, 2006 Posted February 24, 2006 I would suggest a layout of television and revo pluged in together, and then seperatly, the docking station placed next to your sofa/bed/wherever acting as though a remote stand. OR even better.. have the controller have an 18 hour lifespan with say... a 5 hour charge.. so that you can let charge overnight
Kurtle Squad Posted February 24, 2006 Posted February 24, 2006 i dont think it'd last that long; but a 9 hour lifspan would be fine really...
pedrocasilva Posted February 24, 2006 Posted February 24, 2006 I'd like to have the option to dissable rumble pack and get a trade-off at least as good as the 100 hours wavebird offers. Also i'd like to use some kind of proprietary battery in it being sized like 2 AA's together... but I would like to be able to use regular AA's in it, if needed. take the battery and trade it for 2 regular AA's... nothing better, I'd say
Jay Posted February 24, 2006 Posted February 24, 2006 I'm not sure which I'd prefer...it's difficult. Obviously a rechargeable battery is far cheaper and if you run out and you have no AA batteries in and its a sunday so either nowhere nearby is open or you can't get out then (worst possible situation) then at least you can charge it! At the same time if it goes mid-game then its far easier to change the batteries rather than leave it charging for a few hours, they could make it so you can plug a lead directly into the revolution but I can imagine with the idea of the freehand controller it'd probably come out fairly easily. As long as they make sure it doesn't run down batteries too fast and only needs two (No GB Printer/Virtual Boy style 6 battery abominations please) then I think AA batteries is the best option and as Nintendork said you can use rechargeable batteries (Which beats down by worst possible situation fault)
James McGeachie Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 Batteries are actually the biggest worry I have about the Revolution just now, above visuals and everything. The controller is going to be doing the wireless thing, motion sensors and possibly rumble as well. This thing sounds like it's gonna drain batteries like crazy. Assuming we have rechargable batteries, how often are we going to have to charge them? I've never used a wavebird so I don't know how long it lasts, but the whole idea of having to use batteries for a controller really annoys me to be honest, it's a shame it's impossible to do wireless any other way.
ndreamer Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 is that the offical dock or a mock up ? i really like using dock's. you really can not have a cable hanging of the revolution controler since it whould effect the movement.
pedrocasilva Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 I've never used a wavebird so I don't know how long it lasts, but the whole idea of having to use batteries for a controller really annoys me to be honest, it's a shame it's impossible to do wireless any other way.Wavebird lasts for more than 100 hours, and it only uses two regular AA's, the rumble is nowhere to be found because, I guess, it would drain the batteries in no time, what I want for Revolution, say... at least 20/50 hours with rumble, but as normally even the cube games allow you to turn off the rumble, I'd probably do the same with revolution controller most of the time if the batteries lifecycle would rise to 100 hours or so, it would be a good trade off, we just need to have the option. EDIT: also for wireless without recharging... kind of possible, in 2001 or so, Compaq was investing in a technology that created energy in a keyboard when you pressed the keys, not enough for keeping a laptop working for any means, but probably enough to send a wireless signar each time you click a button, that is... if the controller doesn't have rumble turned on... still... this is simply not gonna happen with Revolution.
Nintendork Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 God, you guys are so worried.. Nintendo will engineer this so you don't have to change the batteries that often. They wont have a wire because that would fall prey to the current xbox problem, the controller wouldn't truely be wireless and also you forget that the free hand controller's port will be used when you're playing some games. What happens if you're playing a FPS with the nunchuka add on plugged in and the battery goes? you can't take it out and plug in a recharge cable to carry on playing.. you wouldn't be able to move! The dock idea is stupid, really you can have a dock for the AA batteries, they take a few hours to charge and I guarantee even with the most rigorous vibration technology it will last long enough so you can use them once they're charged. If you're worried about not being able to play without fresh AAs well then you're just lazy and not preparred enough, if you can afford a £200 console and game set up you can afford a set of rechargeable batteries. Docks don't let you play, rechargeable battery packs are more expensive and suffer the 'memory effect' if it's charged in a dock before the battery is entirely run down. rechargeable AA batteries for teh win Mid-game, your batteries start to run out, say there is only 1 hour left at your current rate of gameplay. The system reckognises your signal strength has dipped and calculates you have less than an hour left to play.. it displays an on screen message of a low battery metre, just like on your laptop or mobile phone. Perhas in system set up you can tell it to bleep at you too. When the battery completely dies the system pauses and asks you kindly to replace your batteries.. this isn't going to be some basic ass technology, laptops have done this for years, your battery has 10 minutes left, it saves your files and gives you a warning with a beeping sound. You plug it in or it goes into sleep mode (which will be a paused game on Revolution) The (virtual) world will not end when your batteries run out.
AshMat Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 What's wrong withg AA? i've been using the same batteries in my wavebird since christmas, it's better than using Li-on etc
DCK Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 AAs always run out/break down when you need them the most, and built-in batteries last much longer. I really hope there's a half-decent power pack in the controller.
Nintendork Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 Oh well you can always plug it into a tree. AA batteries might not last as long in the short term, but in the long run they do. There wont be a powerpack, it's confirmed effectively. Everyhouse has AA batteries, they're everywhere. If a NiMh battery can serve my CD player which has a constant rotating CD motor in it for weeks of average use (2-4 hours per day) then AA can serve Revolution. No spare batteries? Playing over Christmas and the shops are shut for a few days? No rechargeable batteries in the house? Can't take the ones out of the 100s of appliances you have in your house that you're not currently using? Then simply turn off the rumble feedback in the menu. A feature which has been available since the days of Sony's Dual Shock 1 for playstation 1. If you can't manage that you deserve not to play on your system because you're so lazy. Clean up your house and do something else in that case, and get a life because you've probably been playing too much. I rest my case.
DCK Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 Where is it confirmed? There's an important reason why Nintendo need a rechargeable battery built in - because they don't know how much power the controller is going to consume. If third party's are going to attach screens and speakers or other rumbling devices to the thing AA batteries are only going to last a few hours.
Nintendork Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 Batteries go here. If it was user replaceable battery pack it would probably be screw fixed like on the DS for safety reasons. Iwata has said it will run on AA batteries like a Tv remote and coming home from work will be as habitual as flicking through TV stations as we do. I can't be arsed to find the article, it was back at TGS.
DCK Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 Actually they said the prototype used normal batteries, but the final version might use rechargable batteries.
Nintendork Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 Might not though, the cost of a charging cable, or docking station outweighs the cost of not having them and merely using AA batteries which have the following advantages: Minimal disruption to play. An international standard opposed to having to ship the console with 2 individual localised plug sockets. The ability to play wirelessly all the time with the Nunchuk add-on. Safety to children. No memory effect that lowers the maximum charge capacity of the controller's battery. No distribution problems for Nintendo internationally.. it was a common problem trying to find a Nintendo USB wifi adaptor in many countries, and distribution did not meet the demands of consumers at all.. by using AA batteries they have eliminated problems of people in countries needing a replacement battery. And ultimately it lowers the production and shipping cost of the console. I don't see any sane reason why they would use a power pack.
DCK Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 It's probably the same reason why mobile phones don't use AA batteries. (I'll stop spamming this thread now)
Guest Stefkov Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 nintendork is right. if you had rechargable, then if you didnt have a spare youd be waiting for it to recharge, unles they make a charge and play... also itll cost quit a few pennies for a new battery when(and probably will after time) it dies. batteries at maplins ona sale are very cheap. i think only a couple of quid for good quality about 20 + AA batteries!
Nintendork Posted February 25, 2006 Posted February 25, 2006 DCK Revolution's controller doesn't use such an intensive bandwidth of data, and also the Revolution controller doesn't have a screen, and at the end of the day it's running a whole operating system of functions. I see your point but mobile phones are designed to be small form factors, only battery that would fit in a RAZR from motorola would probably be a watch battery. But actually, our home phone is wireless and uses AA batteries dude, you do have a point and you're not spamming. Also there is much money to be made in having proprietary batteries, a new battery for my iBook costs £90, and inside it is actually about 12 AA batteries all packaged together. But look: what do we have here? Probably less than £40 worth of parts casing and assembly costs. This may be why companys chose to put their own branded batteries even in the old brick mobile phones.
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