Post by: Robert on October 18, 2005, 04:24:15 AM
NINTENDO AND WAYPORT JOIN FORCES TO BRING FREE U.S. WI-FI ACCESS TO NINTENDO DS USERS
Players Access Free Wireless Video Game Service at Select McDonald's Hotspots
REDMOND, Wash. and AUSTIN, Tex., Oct. 18, 2005 – Nintendo has signed an agreement with Wayport, a leading provider of wired and Wi-Fi high-speed Internet access in public locations, to extend Wi-Fi service to Nintendo DS™ users at nearly 6,000 McDonald's restaurants across the United States. Through the agreement with Wayport, Nintendo will offer complimentary access to Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, the video game giant's new wireless gaming service that goes online Nov. 14.
"This agreement with Wayport will bring countless people together to play games in a single, simultaneous wireless community," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing. "Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is simple to use. Beginning with free access at participating McDonald's, we have removed one of the major barriers that have kept people from going online to play games."
"By enabling Nintendo DS customers to access Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection via our Wi-Fi World® network and business model at McDonald's, we are continuing to drive more customers to the restaurants we serve and increase the relevancy of Wi-Fi to a broader customer base," said Dave Vucina, CEO of Wayport. "Nintendo is a pioneer in providing a new way for their customers to play the games they want to while away from home or the office, and McDonald's is the perfect venue based on their ubiquity and accessibility."
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection creates a welcome, inviting community where gamers of all kinds can log on wirelessly and begin playing favorite franchise games like Mario Kart® DS and Activision's Tony Hawk's American SK8Land, and future titles such as Animal Crossing®: Wild World and Metroid® Prime Hunters. Game play will be free, and users will be able to connect easily to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in a variety of ways.
When a user brings a Nintendo DS unit and a Wi-Fi-enabled game into a Wayport-enabled McDonald's, the user simply launches the game in Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection mode. No setup is required.
From home, if the user already has a Wi-Fi network, the Nintendo DS unit will connect directly to it with minimal setup procedures. Those who have a high-speed Internet connection such as cable or DSL, but no wireless network, can use the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector, which will plug into the USB port of a PC running Windows XP to create a wireless access point to connect a DS to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector will be sold exclusively on Nintendo.com.
Finally, Nintendo DS owners who want to play games at Wi-Fi locations outside McDonald's or their home can use a laptop computer and the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector to access Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector enables the Nintendo DS to share an Internet connection established by a PC, providing a conduit to play games via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
Detailed information about Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, as well as a list of participating Wayport/McDonald's hotspots, will be available soon at www.NintendoWiFi.com.
Nintendo DS is just the first Nintendo system to connect via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The same service will be incorporated into Nintendo's next-generation home video game console, code-named Revolution, which is set for release in 2006.
About Wayport, Inc.
Wayport is the largest provider of high-speed Wi-Fi wireless and wired Internet access for mobile broadband customers in the United States, offering service at more than 10,000 locations (including directly enabled and managed locations) in 28 countries, featuring major hotels in the U.S. and Europe; airports; Laptop Lane airport business centers; McDonald's, and Hertz locations; and other retail brands nationwide. To learn more about Wayport, please visit www.wayport.net or to see locations nationwide, visit www.wayport.net/locations.
Post by: UncleBob on October 18, 2005, 05:58:06 AM
And thus, it be confirmed.
Post by: TJ Spyke on October 18, 2005, 06:02:10 AM
Post by: Pale on October 18, 2005, 06:39:49 AM
My guess is that the really reason is the same thing we have all been feeling, they aren't quite ready to go online but they refuse to push back this relesae, as the combination of Mario Kart and Animal Crossing is the only thing they have going for this holiday season.
On the complete other hand though, we (well I at least) didn't really expect this first party dongle to begin with and still thought it would succeed, so maybe we shouldn't worry so much.
Post by: Artimus on October 18, 2005, 06:42:11 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
I think their decision is stupid as well, and they are going to try and spin it as a strategical step as Mario Kart is testing the online waters... but as Ian would say, they aren't testing, they are causing it to fail.
My guess is that the really reason is the same thing we have all been feeling, they aren't quite ready to go online but they refuse to push back this relesae, as the combination of Mario Kart and Animal Crossing is the only thing they have going for this holiday season.
On the complete other hand though, we (well I at least) didn't really expect this first party dongle to begin with and still thought it would succeed, so maybe we shouldn't worry so much.
I think it's a bad choice but I don't think they aren't ready. Thousands will go online without it, they have to be ready.
Post by: Bloodworth on October 18, 2005, 06:46:42 AM
Post by: UncleBob on October 18, 2005, 06:49:06 AM
Post by: Renny on October 18, 2005, 07:05:43 AM
"So why not stop by our biggest client, McDonald's? And pick up one (or two!) of the all new Premium Chicken Sandwiches while you're there. A sandwich for the totally dope, hip, fresh and fly lifestyle of today's youth."
It isn't a trial, but a stipulation of their contract with Wayport. I'm lovin' it.
Post by: Pale on October 18, 2005, 07:07:37 AM
You honestly think that Nintendo thinks McDonalds is gonna increase its user base enough to warrant delaying the dongle?
Post by: Renny on October 18, 2005, 07:21:48 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on October 18, 2005, 07:28:40 AM
And how is this going to work for the Rev? Isn't the Rev wi-fi only? I can't bring a whole console and TV to McDonalds. The dongle HAS to be in stores for the Rev or the Rev's online will be incredibly niche. I think the Rev should come with the dongle because wireless internet is not that common and if they include the dongle then everyone with an interent connection is going to try some form of online play just because they can for free. Plus the download feature requires online users. Therefore it should be in Nintendo's best interest to have damn near every Rev and DS owner playing online. In order to do that the dongle has to be readily available.
Post by: Pale on October 18, 2005, 07:42:13 AM
Also, it is important to stress that "initially" has been thrown around too. As I said before, I just think they aren't ready to ship a million of these suckers out.
Post by: Pale on October 18, 2005, 07:45:04 AM
Circuit City has Linksys G router up for 50 bucks after rebate...
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Linksys-Wireless-Router-v-2-1-WRT54G-/sem/rpsm/oid/69086/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
On the chance that the dongle could be as much as 40, I think you'd be silly not to get this instead.
Post by: PaLaDiN on October 18, 2005, 08:19:12 AM
There was no ethernet port in the back of the system at E3.
Of course that's not confirmation but it does seem like pretty compelling evidence.
Post by: 31 Flavas on October 18, 2005, 08:59:05 AM
Post by: vudu on October 18, 2005, 09:11:52 AM
QuoteThere were also AA batteries in the controller. It doesn't mean they'll be in the final product.
There was no ethernet port in the back of the system at E3.
Of course that's not confirmation but it does seem like pretty compelling evidence.
Post by: Ian Sane on October 18, 2005, 09:20:00 AM
Post by: TMW on October 18, 2005, 09:47:58 AM
The dongle being sold "Online Only" is stupid, yes. But don't expect the Rev to be wifi only.
Hell, the Rev could act as a wifi router for the DS, so they want people to have one more reason to buy the Rev.
===
And the reason Nintendo keeps saying Wifi is just marketspeak. It will probably be wifi enabled at the very least, in addition to having an ethernet port.
Post by: Pale on October 18, 2005, 09:56:58 AM
Post by: TMW on October 18, 2005, 10:35:04 AM
Post by: Bill Aurion on October 18, 2005, 10:56:04 AM
Post by: Artimus on October 18, 2005, 11:26:15 AM
Post by: Polyethylene on October 18, 2005, 01:33:06 PM
Post by: PaLaDiN on October 18, 2005, 01:49:35 PM
It's no longer easy to go online if you have to know what you're doing.
Post by: 31 Flavas on October 18, 2005, 02:33:56 PM
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on October 18, 2005, 06:36:19 PM
Post by: Nephilim on October 18, 2005, 07:31:41 PM
BTW retailers will proberly stock the wifi anyway, I dont know why your paranoid
*example: play-asia is exclusive to nintendo japan site, yet webstores stock it*
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on October 18, 2005, 09:54:45 PM
Post by: Pale on October 19, 2005, 04:58:51 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on October 19, 2005, 07:18:55 AM
Retailers, as in brick and mortar stores, didn't carry the Cube component cables (or even third party cables since Nintendo didn't permit it) which also was only available from Nintendo.com and ended up selling poorly enough that Nintendo removed support of it outright from new Cubes a few years ago. So there's concern because the last time something was Nintendo.com exclusive it flopped big time.
Post by: trip1eX on October 19, 2005, 07:24:44 AM
Why buy the Nintendo USB wireless dealio when wireless routers are routinely $20 or less after rebate at all these electronics stores?????????
I don't understand it. The USB wireless dealio is surely going to be at least $20. PLus it takes up a usb slot.
And you'll have to have your pc on everytime you wanted to play a DS game on the net.
Make it easy on yourself and just buy a wireless router.
Tho I guess some of just have 56k or something. But if you have 56k you probably live in the boonies and aren't near a store anyway.
Also it's not you're not on the internet anyway if you want the USB dongle.
Post by: Mario on October 19, 2005, 07:27:51 AM
Post by: UncleBob on October 19, 2005, 08:03:22 AM
First off, I dislike ordering online. I hate waiting for stuff and I dislike paying in advance for stuff.
Second, if the USB Adapter was sold in stores, I'd have a good chance of picking one up for a cheaper price - as likely someone would have it on sale. With it only being sold on Nintendo's webstore, it likely won't be on sale.
Third, I don't have a high speed internet connection - therefore, I don't have or need a router. However, with the USB Adapter, I'd have a quick and easy option when I go to friends/family house's who do have high speed connections. Just pop it in go - no set up required - wherever I'm at (including being at work, if it works!)
Fourth, I have to justify the purchase to my wife (Yeah, I'm whipped). Since I can't really use it at home - unless I find a deal on it, it'll be a hard sell. However, if I could even use my 10% discount on it, then perhaps I could swing it.
Fifth, I don't use my USB ports anyway and generally, my computer is on all the time. So if I ever *did* get High Speed (I'm somewhat looking into Verizon's DSL for $15 a month... It's hard to convince my wife we need that when we have free Dial-Up access right now...)
Post by: Michael8983 on October 19, 2005, 08:37:27 AM
First being the assumption that anyone who actually knows what the thing is, how to hook it up and use it almost certainly is capable of ordering it online. So it's not like it's going to be inaccessible to potential customers. The second being that Nintendo doesn't want to confuse the general public into thinking it's needed for the DS to go online when all they have to do is go to any place that has wi-fi access which is going to be a much easier task after this McDonald's deal.
Just think of the disaster on Nintendo's hands when thousands of stupid kids would have coerced their stupider parents into buying the USB adapter only to take it home and have no idea what to do with the thing. So they call Nintendo's complaint department to find out they can't do anything with it because they don't have broadband. It's just better to make the thing accessible to those in the know and leave the simpler alternatives for the I LOVE HALO 2s and the echnologically impaired.
Post by: Arbok on October 19, 2005, 08:41:16 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Michael8983
I think Nintendo wants to just sell it online for two reasons.
First being the assumption that anyone who actually knows what the thing is, how to hook it up and use it almost certainly is capable of ordering it online.
The problem there is the highlighted portion, placing the item in stores is pretty much how you spread word that the product is around. Average joe, if they see it advertised in a commercail and can't find it at a store, will likely stop right there and not pursue it further.
Post by: UncleBob on October 19, 2005, 08:52:00 AM
You know, it seems to me that the simple solution of "High Speed Internet Access Required For Use" printed right on the package (as many current products/games do) would be a quick and dirty solution for this. I mean, what happens if someone orders the item from Nintendo's webstore only to find out they have to have broadband to use it... Then they have to pay shipping to mail it back in to get their money back, etc., etc..
Post by: trip1eX on October 19, 2005, 08:59:27 PM
Also it will be a pain to bring to a friend's house because you need to install software on your friend's pc.
A wireless router is probably going to be about as easy to setup as the USB thingie. They are getting pretty-idiot proof nowadays.
Post by: UncleBob on October 20, 2005, 05:20:30 AM
Umm... The software is probably on the Adapter (something like a Jump Drive, if you've ever used one) - I'm assuming...
Post by: wandering on October 20, 2005, 09:53:52 AM
Stephen Colbert: "McDonald's will offer free wireless hookups for Nintendo's DS game system, so you can sit at McDonald's and play Nintendo. All you need to know: You're gonna need bigger pants."
Post by: Arbok on October 20, 2005, 10:58:15 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: wandering
Stephen Colbert: "McDonald's will offer free wireless hookups for Nintendo's DS game system, so you can sit at McDonald's and play Nintendo. All you need to know: You're gonna need bigger pants."
In unrelated news, Colbert is my hero... well second to Jon. Still, any publicity is good publicity.
