One question I've had is if a CAT-DEV could be run by an unauthorized developer? Does it have any online checks or special dongles to run software? What PC side tools are needed to get one up and running?
No, it can't be used by unauthorised Developers as much as by an Authorised one. Of course you should be able to simply turn it on and off, and explore some options, but it's useless for actual Reverse Engineering. Online checks: So far, I've only seen it happening to Middleware, which require you to sign a Contract, before you can use them. In addition, one required Developer Environment requires an Up-to-Date license file (just like CodeWarrior for DS, GameCube, PSP, etc.). PC side tools: All can be found on WarioWorld (https://www.warioworld.com/wiiu/downloads/) (Login required). None of them are leaked so far (except for the old portions), and I can't leak them, because that would only cause trouble for me. Also good to know, having the SDK and DevKit alone is not enough to make a complete Wii U game, you must have access to OMAS and such, and your game must be Approved on all the sites other than WarioWorld, before you can actually begin.
Thanks for that. Had an oppurtunity to buy strictly the hardware a little while ago and decided not to jump on it since I figure I wouldn't be able to do much with it. Although it sounds like with some time this may change as tools get leaked (not by you of course) and cracked then it might be possible for someone to make a full Wii U software (assuming the system supports homebrew in the future) One thing I'm not sure about is. What is OMAS? Did some quick googleing and only found it referenced in a someones resume.
OMAS is Online title MAnagement System, where 3rd Party Developers can register their game to Publish to the Wii U and/or 3DS in Japan, America, Europe, China, Korea, Taiwan, and 'other'. Nintendo of Japan (together with Nintendo of Europe and Nintendo of America) then Reviews the concept, environment, release date, etc., and either gives you either an Approval, or Denial. OMAS also includes BMAS (Ban Management), CMAS (Community Management), DMAS (DataStore Management), and RMAS (Ranking Management), and all systems are available in Japanese and English only.
The files are still there, but you must have a license for them to access. For example: I can see the N64 pages in the Sitemap, but every time I try to access it, I have to login. And every time I try to login, it refuses me access, and have to login again for anything. Once I'm logged in again, I can only access the DS, 3DS, and Wii U pages, as these are the systems I have Applied for.
I have a question that Im not sure has been answered. What can one dev expect to pay for everything they need to develope a eshop game. I ask because im starting to getting into developing my own game, in about a year or so id like to launch a kickstarter campaign to raise the funds to finish development. How much should i expect to get game running and self published on the eshop. Id like to assume the cost of hardware, esrb rating, etc too if you or anyone has that info.
No idea about ESRB pricing, but I'd ballpark around $15,000-30,000 for the whole shebang for one person assuming you get it through lotcheck in one pass.
Lotcheck is where Nintendo verifies your game complies with their standards for release. Presumably it costs money, so it's better if you pass it in one go.
Good news folks. I think I may have come across the only pic of a Green/White Wii U GamePad. Was watching a presentation on Web Framework/Unity while I spotted it sitting on the desk. The color scheme looks sick! https://www.dropbox.com/sc/28c4hw3d71z8vvd/AZmHFlx8cZ
That looks pretty ballin'. I wonder how a CAT-R looks like... wonder why there's no CAT-H. I always found those disks a bit unwieldy as opposed to an easily rewritable HDD.
yes. iirc first sub is free, then later ones are extremely expensive. mhmm. thats the gamepad connected to the latest cat-dev. cat-r is just the white wii with a green faceplate. has 3 extra male cable parts in the back to connect 2 wired gamepads and bluetooth stuff. also has a switch to swap between wired and wireless of bluetooth and gamepads cut out on the top of the device.
The reason why there is no CAT-H is, it's not needed. The CAT-DEV comes with a 320 GB HDD already, and as long as you keep it on an eShop-only release, you won't need a CAT-R neither. I've never started on going through Lot Check yet, as I'm working on my first Wii U release, at the moment. Aka, it was useful information to me too, Meso.
There is still a need for the CAT-R regardless of it being an eShop release or not. Testing on actual hardware yields better results for performance. Plus if you ever attend a trade show and have multiple titles to show off to press, swapping discs is easy. Question for you, do you use Unity for your project? If so, is it as easy as loading your project and pressing play.
