[Philip Lelyveld comment: this could be the framework for an in-theatre, massively multi-participant gaming and social experience, as well as a new class of 'third place' centers to compete with coffeeshops.]
...The Gamepad sports a pressure-sensitive touchscreen along with traditional buttons and directional pad. Nintendo also packed an NFC reader/writer and a gyroscope/accelerometer.
The Wii U will support two different Gamepads.
The new controller will allow for viewing multiple screens (one on the TV of course, and one on your Wii U Gamepad), which the company showed off at their keynote this morning at E3. For example, in PikMin3, the Gamepad will display a three-dimensional map, allowing for a little added perspective.
The company is also introducing MiiVerse, which Nintendo refers to as a Main Street for gamers. Each of your friends will be displayed there in avatar form, and you’ll be able to share screen images, send text messages, and display your recent scores within the bubble hovering above your Mii.
Eventually, you’ll be able to join MiiVerse from any web-enabled device including the 3DS. ...
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