Author Topic: "Networking Gamecubes" (Read 22801 times)

The Caucasian Cubist · « **on:** February 13, 2003, 05:42:14 AM »

First off, I'd like to thank PGC for FINALLY sending me my password.

Now. I gots complaining to do. I thinking this concept of "networking Gamecubes" is overrated. From the recent "Just Sniffing Around" article, Louie wrote "The word is on the street that certain big name titles will be networkable. Meaning you’ll be able to connect multiple GameCubes and televisions and get your game on. " OH GREAT!!! I'll just go get my other Gamecube and other TV and we'll be having lots of fun!! Anyone else have this feeling?

Don't get me wrong. I am interested in getting online with the cube. I am really hoping Animal Crossing 2 will be online. But LAN "online" games seem too cumbersome and awkward to set up.

End.

jme · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2003, 05:50:03 AM »

No more awkward than setting up for a PC LAN party.
And you can bet your bottom dollar that IF Nintendo is going to be announcing LAN games, they are going to be unveiling those LCD screens. How cumbersome would that be? You could fit everything you needed into a bookbag, or one of those larger GC Travel packs. Picture a card table with 1 person sitting on each side, and a cube with a screen in front of them and a bunch of wires all over the place.

At least this way your bandwidth isn't sucked up by voice chat features... you got something to say, lean over and say it. And you won't be matched up with Ricky The Retard and his "Robot" voice filter.

jarob · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2003, 05:51:10 AM »

I think it is a great idea. Many households already have more than one tv, so why not network them? People bring the PCs to network game parties all the time, and carrying a CUBE will be much easier than a PC.

The Caucasian Cubist · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2003, 05:57:24 AM »

BAH!!!!

More people need to think like me.

Jarob, households may have more than one TV, but they're often not in the same room. I, for instance, would half to unhook it from the entertainment center downstairs, and drag it upstairs. and also, other guy, not everyone has a $100 LCD screen.

vudu · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2003, 05:57:34 AM »

networking gamecubes? this is something i've been waiting for for a loooooooong time. a few weeks ago some buds of mine setup a 4 xbox lan party. you cannot imagine how much fun capture-the-flag halo can be when you can't see where the heck the other team is. especially when you have teams of 6. well...come to think of it, if you've ever played a pc game i bet you can imagine. but still. it's fun. shut up.

jarob · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2003, 06:01:55 AM »

Cubist, it is called networking. String a cable to the rooms. Or use one of the many other home network ideas. Not that tough to figure out :-)

The Caucasian Cubist · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2003, 06:06:13 AM »

Bah!!!

Oh well, I've never had a PC LAN party or any other kind of "LAN Party," so this is one reason I dissed the idea. Never mind, it sounds like fun, just maybe I'll pass on it. Still sounds kind of complicated. But whatever. I'm looking forward to seeing what the two said games are.

Christberg · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2003, 06:27:48 AM »

However lengthy you can buy a cable (wouldn't recommend much over 50 feet) is how far away your cubes can be.

It's really pretty damn easy to set up. You just get a BBA, run a cable (provided it's wired right) between them and you have a 2 player game. For more than that you need a hub, but you can buy an 8 port 10mbs hub for like 50 bucks these days. and then you just plug all the cables into that and turn it on. No big deal at all.

Mingesium · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2003, 07:09:52 AM »

Nintendo is probable going to release the LCD for the GameCube.

RickPowers · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2003, 08:24:58 AM »

Networking GameCube's is going to be simplicity when you can just use a simple hub and snap-on LCD screens. In fact, you have to wonder if maybe Nintendo was thinking along these lines very early. They showed off their own LCD screen at E3 2002, then a little birdy tells us that Nintendo's working on games with "networking" rather than "online" capabilities. I think Nintendo realizes that Online is still too tough to make money at, but being able to string Cubes together much like you can with the GameBoy is an easy win.

The concept of connecting consoles like the Xbox or PS2 in a network config with multiple TV's is ludicrous ... the only place you could do that with reasonable benefit is in a dorm environment. It's just not practical in a house with large TVs. With the Cube's small size, and cheap LCD add-ons, it's a lot more practical. (Yes, I know there are LCD's for the PS2 and Xbox, but it's still not even close to convenient.)

It's things like this that make me realize just how smart Nintendo can be. The GameCube is super-portable for a next-gen console, and they've basically got a way to make the entire thing not only self-contained, but locally networkable with your friends. God, I can't wait for Nintendo's LCD screen.

Cubist: We weren't ignoring you, trust me.

Your ISP was blocking our e-mails, since our e-mail server was originally insecure and vulnerable to being used as an open relay for spam. Luckily, they had a process for re-testing the server for open relays, and we passed this morning. As soon as I got the message, I had your password sent. I personally worked on getting your password to YOU for about five hours total, trying to get your ISP to accept our mails.

SteveStL · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2003, 08:39:31 AM »

Quote
God, I can't wait for Nintendo's LCD screen.

Wait... I thought the Gamecube already had Portable Screens available now. Is the LCD screens something different?

Steve

Sir Pinch-a-Loaf · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2003, 08:48:27 AM »

as someone else said in an old post, LAN gaming is great for college dorms. That's one reason why Xbox is doing so well, because it is unbearably fun to hook them up for LAN games of Halo. If Mario Kart or F-Zero had LAN capabilities, that would definitely be welcome. Hell, I really liked the idea that someone had of making a LAN version of Goldeneye. I would weep tears of joy if this came to be (enhanced graphics and sound, of course).

Oh my, i've rambled. someone stop me

Christberg · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2003, 08:48:45 AM »

3rd parties make them, but Nintendo is going to be making their own inhouse screens- and supposedly they're much, much nicer than the 3rd party ones.

Uglydot · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2003, 09:00:47 AM »

Considering my clan has had 11 people with 11 computers set up in one average living room, I doubt this would be hard. No one said you needed a 50" HDTV to play these. And no way am I going to say no to more features.

nolimit19 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2003, 09:02:46 AM »

yes lan is very important. there are lots of college students that live in dorms with not much to do. if u can get a good lan game that appeals to college students, u will sell a lot of games. i think its important that nintendo gets its stuff out as soon as possible. not to mention lots of houses are networked nowadays.

KrazyJ1098 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2003, 09:19:05 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: nolimit19
yes lan is very important. there are lots of college students that live in dorms with not much to do. if u can get a good lan game that appeals to college students, u will sell a lot of games. i think its important that nintendo gets its stuff out as soon as possible. not to mention lots of houses are networked nowadays.

i completely agree with that last statement, seeing as how im a college student and all. i plan on bringing my cube with me when i transefer to isu next fall so hopefully they will have theses games out by then. oh and by the way, those games that are rumored to be able to do this stuff, i know mario kart is rumored to do it. later

WindyMan · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2003, 09:32:11 AM »

System link play is not as ludicrious as it seems. I can vouch for this personally since I've played three-Xbox Halo and Unreal Championship at Adam's house, and he's got a 61" HDTV and two 27" TVs. Really, the only problem you're going to have when linking up GameCubes is to make sure you have enough of a length of ethernet cable. When I go to link up my GameCubes (if I ever do it at my house), all I'll need is 40' worth, and it wouldn't be a problem.

For anyone that plays PC games regularly, you would know that LAN parties are a lot more fun than online games. Why? If those people are in the same room (or house) as you, they're going to hear your shout as you kill them, and vice versa. It's just more fun when you can see or hear the other person react to what you did (hence, mantatory voice in Xbox Live games), which is why LAN gaming is so popular.

And as for LCD screens, they're totally optional. Like I said, if you have another TV anywhere in the house, you can use it. If you have a smaller 13" or 19" around that's easily moveable, use that. Trust me, I know from experience that linking systems, no matter how cumbersome or akward it is, is well worth the effort to setup once you start playing it.

EL Pollo DIablos · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2003, 09:33:02 AM »

I still don't think LAN gaming will be as popular as online gaming or even multiplayer.
It''s risky beacuse then developers will either not work on the LAN part or to much ( which will affect normal multi).
But maybe things will work out in the end.

Me for one amnot so excited about LAN. Cause just like u guys said it'sjust irritating to set it up.
And im not gonna buy another gamecube( well maybe if this one's broken but that's another story).

El Pollo Diablos( the devil chicken).

The Caucasian Cubist · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2003, 09:34:14 AM »

Quote
Cubist: We weren't ignoring you, trust me. Your ISP was blocking our e-mails... ...I personally worked on getting your password to YOU for about five hours total, trying to get your ISP to accept our mails.

Oh it's not a problem... I was being serious.

And, wow I didn't know that. Thanks alot! I feel special now.

RickPowers · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2003, 09:47:19 AM »

Quote
System link play is not as ludicrious as it seems. I can vouch for this personally since I've played three-Xbox Halo and Unreal Championship at Adam's house, and he's got a 61" HDTV and two 27" TVs. Really, the only problem you're going to have when linking up GameCubes is to make sure you have enough of a length of ethernet cable. When I go to link up my GameCubes (if I ever do it at my house), all I'll need is 40' worth, and it wouldn't be a problem.

There are still few households in the US that have more than one television, and even less that have more than one that are big enough to give a decent gaming experience. And regardless of what anyone might suggest, lugging TVs to your friends house just isn't a realistic option except for the most diehard gamers. Adam is quite fortunate to have not just that many decent sized TVs, but a home network as well. But he's on the high-end of the scale, it certainly isn't the norm. Fact of the matter is, for MOST people, System Link play IS ludicrous. You are fortunate to have a friend with the equipment. Most people don't.

Quote
For anyone that plays PC games regularly, you would know that LAN parties are a lot more fun than online games. Why? If those people are in the same room (or house) as you, they're going to hear your shout as you kill them, and vice versa. It's just more fun when you can see or hear the other person react to what you did (hence, mantatory voice in Xbox Live games), which is why LAN gaming is so popular.

Right, it's absolutely more fun. But still a relative rarity for most gamers. I've been in one LAN party in my life where I brought my own computer, and that was at Microsoft. All the others had the computers provided (LAN parties on the corporate network, etc). But your reasoning is sound ... the fun factor of hearing the other guy celebrating a kill or bemoaning a death is a big part of the reason why Xbox Live is getting such great reviews. But when it comes right down to is, all Online play is LAN gaming without the "Local". There are voice over IP options that give you the same LAN feeling, even if you can't see the other person.

Quote
And as for LCD screens, they're totally optional. Like I said, if you have another TV anywhere in the house, you can use it. If you have a smaller 13" or 19" around that's easily moveable, use that. Trust me, I know from experience that linking systems, no matter how cumbersome or akward it is, is well worth the effort to setup once you start playing it.

Maybe for you. Remember who Nintendo's target market is. Most of those people (i.e. Kids) would get thier asses kicked if they even suggested moving the TVs, or running cables all over the house. Home networks are still relatively new. Plus, there's the cost of all the cables, hub/switch, TV/LCD screen, etc. ... it's a significant barrier to entry.

All that said, I still applaud Nintendo's adding the feature rather than ignoring the market completely. And as I said before, I'm convinced that the GameCube's portability and the availability of inexpensive (relatively) LCD screens is what's pushing this forward. If you have the means to have multiple TVs and a home network, great. If not, you can still have a "LAN Party" in the middle of a single room, and with a minimum of fuss. It's an option that will give hardcore gamers their "LAN" fix, and still gives kids the same fun on a smaller scale as well. Brilliant.

Regardless, I still think that ignoring Internet play is a mistake ... because regardless of how easy it is to hook up a LAN game, you still have to coordinate with people, get the hardware to one location, hook everything up, etc. The beauty of Internet play is being able to log on at any time, and finding someone to play with. Hopefully, GameSpy will create a tunnelling software like they did for the Xbox so that these networkable games will be playable over the Internet.

Either that, or maybe our little birdy heard "networking" when they were talking about TCP/IP, which is used both locally, and for the Internet!

manunited4eva22 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2003, 11:27:36 AM »

There really is something about a lan party environment that makes me excited about this. I have hosted 4 in the last year, but they are usually extremely difficult to set up. I have had to call hotels to book conference rooms, call pc renters, get food set up, it is insane. I mean having 64 guys in a room is fun as hell, but having 16 guys at this level of work is something I will gladly take.

Don'tHate742 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2003, 03:04:27 PM »

You could you possibly use a wireless ether connections, though it would cost a heep of money.... Like from your real broadband modem, you would have a wireless router attached. Then you would have a wireless connection from your wireless router to a wireless usb network adapter and then convert it to an ethernet cable and plug it in your gamecube. Lastly, do the same for the other gamecubes! Volaa! Wireless Gamcube Networking!

here's a link showing Computer wireless networking.....look for the small wireless usb network adapter

Wireless usb network adapter

But I don't know exactly how the Nintendo's Broadband adapter works so....maybe my idea could work or maybe not.

sonic · « **Reply #22 on:** February 13, 2003, 03:58:56 PM »

Er... What's the point of having a LAN if you're going to play on 3' LCDs?? That doesn't seem like any fun, considering a 27' could house a 4 player splitscreen, with bigger individual windows. Seems like a bad idea.

Mingesium · « **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2003, 04:01:13 PM »

think bigger. 30 players in F-Zero. 8 karts in Mario Kart. The fact that other players can't see your screen. There are many pluses for LAN.

Stimutacs Addict · « **Reply #24 on:** February 13, 2003, 04:09:37 PM »

could the GCN handle 30 racers in F-zero? That sounds ludicrous

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Author Topic: "Networking Gamecubes" (Read 22801 times)