The Wii U will support in-game voice chat, but you'll be forgiven if you're not sure exactly how that will work. Nintendo hasn't shown an official headset for the WIi U and the Wii U's Pro Controller—the one that looks a lot like an Xbox 360 controller—doesn't even have a port to connect one.
So how does it work?
The new Nintendo console will support in-game voice chat for "select games", a rep for the company tells Kotaku. Among the games supported will be Assassin's Creed III, Call of Duty Black Ops II and Mass Effect 3, all games with significant online multiplayer modes and all which support in-game voice chat on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
The Wii U GamePad—the console's signature twin-stick controller that contains a 6.2-inch screen—contains a microphone and speakers, but that mic does not actually work with the voice chat. Nintendo tells me that users who want to be able to talk to each other can use a licensed stereo headset from Turtle Beach or Mad Catz (Tritton). The headsets plug into the GamePad's headphone jack.
At least one of the aforementioned games, Black Ops II, supports the Pro Controller, but that controller's lack of a jack will require Pro Controller gamers who want voice chat to do something a bit counterintuitive. They'll have to plug their headset into the GamePad, the controller they are otherwise not using, according to a spokesperson for CoD publisher Activision. That rep believes that gamers might be able to use a standard set of headphones that contain a mic (iPhone headphones, for example) with the GamePad, but that's not something I've been able to clarify yet with Nintendo.
I don't give a shit about the pro controller. I give a shit that I can't use a mic on a controller that has one.
THE SOLUTION IS RIGHT THERE, WHY IS IT BEING IGNORED?!
THAT is my problem. And yes, the Wii U Pro Controller thing is fuckin' dogshit stupid, but it won't affect me that much and IMHO it shouldn't affect anyone. Why the fuck use that controller? It's merely an inferior Gamepad. And BO2 (and other games) will have touch screen functionality.
Controller Pro is for a) people who think they're too good to use Nintendo's new controllers b) people refusing to move on c) people who apparently can't handle using a "heavy and big" controller, even though it's been confirmed by everyone to be light and ergonomic
Which is what really pisses me off most. Nintendo is only offering this secondary controller in the first place to appease assholes who probably don't even give a shit about Nintendo in the first place. The Wii U Gamepad IS a traditional controller. It's bigger, and has a touch screen. It's not uncomfortable, heavy, or out there like a Wiimote.
So why does it exist? "For extended periods of play". Bullshit. It's made to appease whiners.
*And sure, maybe for the select few that genuinely might feel more comfortable playing with something smaller and lighter and more suited for old style games. But again, the Wii U Gamepad will have extra features in the touch screen, so the Wii U Pro Controller almost shouldn't even exist.
Just robbing yourself of features designed for the game cuz "wah, it's too heavy/big" even though it's confirmed to be ergonomic and light. I fuckin' laugh at anyone who's gonna use the Pro Controller over the Wii U Gamepad for basically any game. Missing out on functionality for, what reason? Black Ops 2 is better with touch screen. Assassin's Creed 3 is better with touch screen. Which game won't be?
I just find it extremely annoying that people are sacrificing innovation because they're stubborn. Shits on the work Nintendo's done by just saying they'll stick with dinosaur controllers. Like Sony with the dual shock. Fucking move on already.
/end rant (I've been sitting on this one for a LONG time)
I don't know how that isn't different from games WITH built-in voice chat though. Like you mention Monster Hunter Tri.The exact same 'distraction' potential exists there too. Even if the chat is game-related.
It's no different from talking to people over dinner, or whilst walking down a street. I dont know why you feel you have to be 100% focused on a game in order to play it properly.
@deathly_hallowsThere are eventually going to be wireless headsets, likely sooner rather than later. Depending on how things are set up they may require plugging a dongle into the gamepad to work, but there's no way all the third party manufacturers are going to let this go for long.
@carlosrox Well, it's also for local multiplayer (for example, someone playing CoD with two people would have one person on the Gamepad and one on the Pro Controller).
I'd also say it could be for multiplayer with Virtual Console games but....womp womp.
Anywho...they've actually confirmed that the mic on the Gamepad can't be used for online play? What is it there for then, outside of games that have yet to use it?
Edit: @DeputyVanHalen Likely sooner than later? I don't know about that. Is there any evidence that points to that? Turtle Beach said a wireless one is coming (I think?) but what would the rush be?
And wouldn't it just use Bluetooth, like a controller? Why would it need to plug into the controller? It would communicate wirelessly with the controller, which communicates wirelessly with the system? I think it's safe to say that a wireless headset would function in the same way the Pro Controller would.
Controller Pro is for a) people who think they're too good to use Nintendo's new controllers b) people refusing to move on c) people who apparently can't handle using a "heavy and big" controller, even though it's been confirmed by everyone to be light and ergonomic
In my case, if for an option for multiplayer in games that don't require player 2 to use the Wiimote. Also, it might end up being easier for fighting games, but we'll see.
@kriswright Hahaha, yeah I guess I forgot about that.
Anywho I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens. I can't really get too bent out of shape about this anyway, since I'm not getting a WiiU at launch.
@PogueSquadron Well, I meant that the wait's not likely to be years or anything. It probably will be a few months or so though. And yes, hopefully it would use bluetooth, but if the console isn't set up to handle it any other way, then I could see it being forced to still have it go through the gamepad. That we won't know until someone brings one out.
@DeputyVanHalen And are these 3rd party headsets going to be easy to set up? Will they be integrated at the OS level and work with every game seamlessly? Will the voice quality be good? Will the battery life be long? Will they fit comfy on your head? Will they look cool? Will they be widely available in stores or will they be Gamestop exclusives that are manufactured in tiny runs and difficult to find?
As someone who avoids 3rd party peripherals like the plague, I'm skeptical. Very skeptical.
Nintendo should have had a 1st party, affordable, stylish, high-quality headset widely available at launch and guaranteed that it was easy to set up with your console and worked seamlessly with every game that supports voice chat. That is the bare minimum of what they should have done if they were serious about offering a good experience for their customers.
Controller Pro is for a) people who think they're too good to use Nintendo's new controllers b) people refusing to move on c) people who apparently can't handle using a "heavy and big" controller, even though it's been confirmed by everyone to be light and ergonomic
But MH is a co-op situation. That is HELPING you play. If you're like "AWW BALLS, ZOMBIE" and I'm like "YES, SQUIRREL SUIT"...whay? (Thats like "what" and "why"..apparently)
@Mr_Mustache In any game on 360 (or PS3, I assume?), you have the ability not to listen to strangers.
Not sure there are games that require the Pro Controller, except maybe for local multiplayer. The Gamepad offers all of the same functionality as the Pro Controller, and then some.
