Details from Nintendo’s Unity GDC Europe session
Nintendo’s second session at GDC Europe 2013 focused on the console’s support for Unity tools. Details from the presentation, courtesy of Polygon, can be found below.
– Devs can use just about all of the console’s features with Unity Wii U tools
– Unity tools can be acquired for free to those who are authorized Nintendo devs
– Simple click-through application
– License’s cost is waived for developers on Wii U
– Builds generated in Unity still have to run through a Wii U dev kit purchased from Nintendo
– Price unknown since devs must sign a non-disclosure agreement
– At the presentation, a Unity rep went through how the development tools had been optimized for the Wii U SDK version
– Wii U version of Unity supports DX10 level graphics, deferred rendering, GFX output support on the Wii U GamePad (using its forward-facing camera) and a few other specification-heavy tweaks
– Using similar console or PC inputs as the other versions of Unity, devs can use the GamePad, its second screen, camera, microphone, and secondary or Wii-generation devices
– Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Remote, Wii Motion Plus and Balance Board support
– Wii U software can also be accessed through Unity
– This allows devs to use Miiverse connectivity in their games through a native plugin distributed with the Wii U Unity installer
– Looking to develop a repository for these plugins to let devs take advantage of even more system-side tools like showcasing games users are playing on other players’ friends lists, user accounts and voice chat
– Wii U software demoed was a cinematic showing the tools’ visual capabilities
– Wooden Sen’Sey is a Unity project
– Game is playable at GDC Europe
– Wooden Sen’Sey was ported to Wii U within a couple of days of the dev owning a kit
– Release candidate for Unity for Wii U is available now
– Final release and launch of Unity-made games for Wii U eShop are unclear
