Devs: Next Xbox easiest to work with, Wii U "most challenging"

[Dodece]

There is a difference between mandatory and obligatory. While developers may not be forced to build their games around the interface the implication is that they will be compelled to do so. By how Nintendo uses the interface themselves, and by the expectations that will generate in owners of the platform. Developers can and will be judged by how much they build their games around the unique interface. To put it in real simple terms they will be punished if they don't do what Nintendo does, and since Nintendo doesn't have to worry about porting games, or building games that will work on multiple platforms. They are free to take it to the extremes.

They did the exact same thing to developers with the Wii. Which was a console built around the needs and desires of what Nintendo wanted to do, and not necessarily what developers wanted to do. Remember it is naturally in the best interest of Nintendo to make their console the lead, and make it prohibitively expensive for developers to port their games. Sure Nintendo gives lip service to supporting a traditional controller setup, but they did have standard controller support on the Wii. Which they themselves hardly supported.

The developers aren't being lazy when it comes to this interface. They are being pragmatic with good reason, and fairly earnest about what it means they should do. You shouldn't think for a moment that good developers think they are going to get by with a redundant inventory screen, or leaving the screen blank. They know that isn't even a real choice they can afford to make. Since when has it ever been in good taste to let two thirds of the interface space go fallow.

I guarantee those on these forums that are complaining right now that they don't have to use the screen. Will be front and center bitching up a storm if some developer doesn't make real good use of that screen. You can put that comment in the bank, and I hope some have the foresight to bookmark this thread. So you can throw these comments right back in their faces when they try.

Using that touch screen is mandatory even though it isn't being stated explicitly. You can say that drinking water is not mandatory, but that doesn't change the fact that if you decided to stop drinking water you would die of thirst. There isn't a real choice being offered up here. Nintendo doesn't have to make developers use that screen. They are going to make it real hard to not do so. By their first party software alone.