Jaymin gives his thoughts on the DVD format and Nintendo's relationship with Panasonic in this editorial.

While I myself was always a proponent for 64 DD-ish tech in Dolphin (first publicly speculated by Steven Thomas,) I must admit that DVD RAM, or perhaps even the new MEI/Toshiba/SanDisk SD Memory cards (MEI's memory stick killers) are much more likely for the writeable aspect of Dolphin. DVD Ram drives will be cheaper than DVD drives are today in the middle of Y2K. DVD RAM is also the most reliable from of optical data backup out there (CD RW, and DVD+R/W, are not quite as reliable.) The SD memory cards are already likely to be integrated into the Dolphin, but knowing Nintendo's keen eye for innovation, a DVD RAM drive is not out of the question. Remember, DVD RAM drives inherently read DVD ROM content (as ruled by the DVD Forum,) so not all companies are forced to use the more expensive DVD RAM disks (only companies like NIntendo, Square, and Konami would opt for the writeable aspect, at least at first,) so the "more expensive disks" argument is quite weak against the proposal. Nintendo wanted a fully rewriteable media, but was forced to go DVD by the market conditions (IE: Sony went DVD.) Nintendo also had great timing. In early '97, MEI (or "Panasonic," the lead brand name) met with reps from NCL to discuss a future convergence on a series of digitally networked home appliances. Both knew full well Sony was allying with Toshiba to design the Emotion Engine, the heart of the PSX2, and that it would have an embedded MPEG-2 decoder, signifying DVD. MEI's arch nemesis was now completely dependant on PlayStation for its long term profitability, earning (then) 26% of its annual profits from PSX (now 26% of revenue, and 40% profits.) Sony was being kept competitive with MEI thanks to PSX, and was prospering. Panasonic needed to shut PlayStation down, or at least gain a similar success. Where else to turn but to the company that was actually challenging PSX with an inferior media, and Japan's #1 tech firm, Nintendo (who was then about to sign a DVD agreement with Sharp Corp.) Nintendo and Panasonic agreed to converge on digitally networked home appliances, beginning with Nintendo's next-generation machine, and Nintendo's part culminating with "Dolphin's" integration into MEI's future digital network components (DVD audio/Video players.) Nintendo soon signed a long term deal with IBM to design the heart of the videogame component of this network, and then settled a lawsuit with SGI, and signed on tiny upstart ArtX to design the "Gekko's" embedded buddy. "Dolphin" as we knew it was born.

OperationN2000 is dead, long live OpN2000! Actually, it's more of an assimiliation. Presenting, the new & improved PlanetN2000!

This is a special thank you to Justin Nation and the entire staff of OperatioN2000. I had a great time being part (a very small part) of the staff while it lasted. I would also like to thank (not only Justin) Desmond Gaban, Rick Powers, and Cptn Sisko for their donations of Dream Games and Developer Profiles. These additions to the site alone are incredible :)! The OperatioN2000 Forums and our new mailbag will be making their debut here in a couple of days. Keep checking back!

I'd also like to personally welcome these new members to Planet Staff: Justin Nation, Cptn Sisko, and Steven Thomas. I am looking forward to continue working with you.

Planet is going through some changes, for the better of course!

42 empty cans of Mountain Dew on the Floor :) So far a few changes have been added...feel free to check out the new chat room...or see some transplanted OperatioN2000 items like the Developer Profiles, or Dream Games!!! As far as why OperatioN2000 items are on this site....is...well....I plead the fifth. I currently have no comment. So please don't ask.

Outside of that...I'd like to thank all who have helped with testing and fixing. Please be aware that changes are still going to happen here. Nothing major, but a few tweaks here and there. As far as the forums are concerned....they will be added in a couple of days. There will be a more formal announcement of what the hell's going on here when I am allowed to speak about it. I'd much rather someone else got a chance to explain, than to speak on his behalf. The main reason I am putting the site up prematurely is the fact that there is news out there. :) So on to the update...

What? Billy sell out? No way!! Well, maybe...

Yes, yes I did. Well not completely. People have been asking me if I'm going to affiliate with IGN or something along those lines. (nothing against IGN of course) Well, as of right now I don't think I want to go that way. There was another site I know of that stayed independent that did really well. :) So yes, for now on there will be banner ads on most of the pages on the site. Please click on them daily for it will help pay for the expenses of this site. Remember folks we do this stuff for free. :) No one helps pay for the sites hosting, domain name, programming, software, etc. The staff has been on my ass to get them a freakin foosball table for the party room. But seriously folks, all the help you can do will be appreciated! Thank you!