Gearbox Co-Founder Calls Wii U a ‘Stop-Gap’

Will the system just fill the void between bigger, more powerful console launches?

 
Speaking with IGN, Gearbox Software co-founder Brian Martel provided some interesting thoughts on the Wii U. Not much was said about the console’s specifications during its unveiling last month, but information has been trickling out steadily ever since. According to Martel, not even the developers know what will finally end up in the box, however. “Right now we’re still finding out what kind of final tech specs the Wii U is going to have.”

That aside, he’s still had an opinion to share about Nintendo’s next platform. “But we like the system a lot; we think it’s going to be a really cool stop-gap in between this generation and the next generation. We think it’s really smart of Nintendo, and the fact that as a platform it’s a lot more capable for hardcore first-person shooter-style gaming – for us that’s fantastic.” Yes, you read that right. Martel referred to the Wii U as some sort of temporary holdover until the big boys can bring out consoles later down the road that provide a more substantial graphics bump. You gotta wonder how Nintendo is going to feel when they read that statement.

He went on to praise the controller and talk about how the Wii U is more powerful than anything on the market now. “We’ve got the [Aliens: Colonial Marines] engine running on the Wii U, and as far as the console goes, you’re going to see textures at a resolution that you haven’t seen on [the current] generation.” But the big story is him absentmindedly referring to the Wii U as a “stop-gap.” I can’t imagine any manufacturer would like to hear their console spoken about in such a way. Again, I’m very interested to see if Nintendo issues a statement in response to that quote. Let us know in the comments section if you think those words will prove true, and how that makes you feel about the system.

[Source: IGN]

[Image via Fragland.]

Nick Santangelo
Nick Santangelo
Nick Santangelo

MASH Veteran

Nick has been a gamer since the 8-bit days and a member of the MTB editorial team since January of 2011. He is not to be interrupted while questing his way through an RPG or desperately clinging to hope against all reason that his Philly sports teams will win any given game he may be watching. Seriously folks, reading this acknowledges that you relieve MTB of any and all legal liability for his actions.

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