Post by: StrikerObi on July 13, 2004, 10:03:57 AM
In an interview recently posted on the website of Earthbound creator Shigesato Itoi, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto made some comments about the Nintendo DS's 802.11 (also known as WiFi) wireless functionality. According to Mr. Miyamoto, the possibility of a wireless internet connection on the Nintendo DS is there, but Nintendo is not currently developing any software that will enable to DS to access it. Apparently, Nintendo is leaving this part up to third-parties. He said that Nintendo is not interested in developing internet software for the DS. The company is very interested in keeping the DS an "out of the box" experience that will require no accessories, such as a wireless router to link systems over the internet via broadband connections.
Mr. Miyamoto was quoted as saying: "We added the wireless LAN (IEEE802.11) to the DS mainly for the handhelds to communicate between each other, but if someone releases appropriate software that allows it to connect to wireless LAN access points, it could also be used to connect to the Internet."
Update: There has been a lot of confusion surrounding Mr. Miyamoto's quote. Apparently Miyamoto-san is only saying that Nintendo will not be making an application to browse the internet over the DS. They are only interested in using the WiFi to link DS systems in remote areas. According to a close friend of PGC, independent gaming journalist Chris Kohler, "If you look at the questions that Itoi asks, he's talking about using the DS as a web browser. He says it's a 'technical' question, not a 'game fan' question. And he asks if the 'specs' of the machine would be enough to support its use as an 'Internet terminal,' as Miyamoto puts it." Thanks to Chris for clearing this up for everybody.
Post by: Jale on July 13, 2004, 10:18:11 AM
Post by: Syl on July 13, 2004, 10:25:41 AM
stupid... very stupid thing to say.
Post by: ssj4_android on July 13, 2004, 10:26:00 AM
Post by: Jale on July 13, 2004, 10:29:52 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Syl
It also means that no first party titles are going to be online, nor was nintendo planning online to begin with >_>
stupid... very stupid thing to say.
Not many first party titles are well suited to online play anyway. Four Swords type games would work better in LAN and so would Mario and Metroid games.
Post by: Kairon on July 13, 2004, 10:33:50 AM
Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Ian Sane on July 13, 2004, 10:37:22 AM
I hope not. I've read this on other sites and it came across that he meant internet access as in web surfing not being included. I have no problem with that. However this line freaks me out: "The company is very interested in keeping the DS an 'out of the box' experience that will require no accessories, such as a wireless router to link systems over the internet via broadband connections."
No link over the internet AT ALL? That likely does mean no online. ARRRRRRRRGH!!!!! WHY ARE THESE F*CKS SUCH BACKWARDS THNKING OLD FUDDY DUDDIES?!! If the Revolution isn't online Nintendo = third party by 2010. This bullsh!t can only go so far.
And don't anyone think that a third party is going to bring the DS online. If Nintendo doesn't do it it means it's offline period.
Post by: ssj4_android on July 13, 2004, 10:38:45 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: JaleQuote
Originally posted by: Syl
It also means that no first party titles are going to be online, nor was nintendo planning online to begin with >_>
stupid... very stupid thing to say.
Not many first party titles are well suited to online play anyway. Four Swords type games would work better in LAN and so would Mario and Metroid games.
Mario Kart, SSB. And about Four Swords, did you notice that there was a microphone built in? I find it weird that now their saying no online, since they've pretty much said there will be online play. Did they say internet at the press conference? Here's some quotes from Nintendo.com's E3 DS page: "The voice capabilities also could allow gamers to chat with one another over the Internet while playing." "...and compete at a central game hub on the Internet, even if they're thousands of miles apart."
BTW, couldn't PGC call NOA's press phone number and ask them about this? I'm hoping it was just lost in translation.
Post by: Jale on July 13, 2004, 10:39:07 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on July 13, 2004, 10:49:51 AM
That really bugs me because they made us all think at E3 that they would go online and if they're not then they lied to us. Third parties MAYBE going online is not the same thing. If there are no online plans from Nintendo then they f*cking lied to our faces at E3. However this would be some pretty blatant deception here though which suggests either this is a mistranslation of sorts or NOA has very different plans than NCL.
I guess we'll find out everything for sure in the next day or so. If this is a mistranslation then NOA will get a statement out ASAP because this is REALLY damaging. If we hear nothing from them then Nintendo did lie to us and they are going to completely kill their so far positive DS momentum.
Post by: SgtShiversBen on July 13, 2004, 11:14:16 AM
Post by: Syl on July 13, 2004, 11:16:15 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Jale
They have put the stuff in there so it is capable of it. They just don't want to have to sell WiFi adapters and internet as well.
I *REALLY* hope thats what this means, its not like a WiFi router is expensive or hard to get, hell, a local Schlotzky's of all places now has free WiFi.
I doubt it will be that long till some 3rd party goes online though, once that happens things should pick up.
I want nintendo to SHOW SOME REAL SOFTWARE already. Theyre not going to have enough time to pimp this thing if its still planned on being released this year.
Post by: Ian Sane on July 13, 2004, 11:32:49 AM
Having lied to us before (Zelda demo at Spaceworld 2000 though I guess it's not a lie anymore) doesn't make it acceptable. I actually don't think the DS needs online support to be successful. However the Revolution will and the fact that they're still being so anti-online suggests that they're going to f*ck up online gaming for that system too. And the Revolution HAS to have online games. It will be completely inexcusable if it isn't. And in order for it to be online Nintendo has to make online games. Even though third parties can make online DS games they're not going to because Nintendo will be spreading their anti-online propaganda all over the place which will ensure that it won't take off on their systems.
Post by: SgtShiversBen on July 13, 2004, 11:39:58 AM
Post by: Jensen on July 13, 2004, 11:40:28 AM
1. Except that the DS comes with the "adaptor" built in.
2. Almost every Multiplayer DS game will be multi-console multiplayer. Gamecube has very little multi-console multiplayer support, thus there is little for services such as Warp Pipe to support.
If we can play Nintendo made games multiplayer over the internet, I don't care who makes the computer connectivity/matchmaking software. I wasn't expecting DS Live!
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 13, 2004, 12:01:30 PM
Quote
No link over the internet AT ALL? That likely does mean no online. ARRRRRRRRGH!!!!! WHY ARE THESE F*CKS SUCH BACKWARDS THNKING OLD FUDDY DUDDIES?!! If the Revolution isn't online Nintendo = third party by 2010. This bullsh!t can only go so far.
Eh, I don't know about you, but what I got from that was you wouldn't have to buy any accessories to hook up to a wireless router and connect to other DS's over the internet.
Post by: Ian Sane on July 13, 2004, 12:12:58 PM
Well this:
"the possibility of a wireless internet connection on the Nintendo DS is there, but Nintendo is not currently developing any software that will enable to DS to access it."
suggests that yes you won't have to buy any accessories because Nintendo isn't going to make any. In order to connect to the net you're going to have to buy a third party product that may or may not be made. It's kind of ironic to promote "out of the box" functionality when if I want to go online I have to not only get a wireless router but also buy software for it. This is making me have to buy TWO third party products instead of one. "Out of the box" my ass.
Post by: SgtShiversBen on July 13, 2004, 12:18:32 PM
Post by: WuTangTurtle on July 13, 2004, 12:26:17 PM
Nintendo needs to explain themselves!
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 13, 2004, 12:28:14 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on July 13, 2004, 12:32:28 PM
Still that's a huge hassle for third parties and it's going to really limit online gaming on the DS. Why would a third party create an online DS game when Nintendo is not providing any assistance? This is virtually the same as the Cube online model: Nintendo does nothing and so everyone else does nothing.
Post by: ruby_onix on July 13, 2004, 12:41:16 PM
Quote
According to Mr. Miyamoto, the possibility of a wireless internet connection on the Nintendo DS is there, but Nintendo is not currently developing any software that will enable to DS to access it. Apparently, Nintendo is leaving this part up to third-parties. He said that Nintendo is not interested in developing internet software for the DS.
AFAIK, "The Internet" and "Online" are two different things. (Like IRC, Usenet, and e-mail. They're all "Online", but none of them are "The Internet".)
Quote
Mr. Miyamoto was quoted as saying: "We added the wireless LAN (IEEE802.11) to the DS mainly for the handhelds to communicate between each other,
AFAIK, the DS has two wireless modes. The 802.11 standard, and a custom Nintendo-designed one that has an even longer range. So if the Nintendo-designed one is superior, how does having the 802.11 help the "handhelds communicate better"?
Quote
but if someone releases appropriate software that allows it to connect to wireless LAN access points, it could also be used to connect to the Internet."
Notice they didn't say "connect to another handheld via the Internet." Of course, that could've just been a translation thing.
I know that Nintendo has seemed rather bullish and belligerant about online gaming. When asked about it, Miyamoto has frequently said "Online support is "an extra", like a multiplayer mode, but that said, how many times have I gone the extra mile to give you guys a multiplayer mode?"
I know it's tough, but have some faith that Nintendo knows what they're talking about.
Post by: mouse_clicker on July 13, 2004, 12:41:24 PM
Honestly, though, I always viewed handheld online play as being little more than using the internet to connect to other DS's the same way they're already using the wireless LAN- am I off base here? And if not, would you even really need servers or anything to support online play? If not, I'm at a bit of a loss as to why Nintendo refuses to support online play, since they seem to love LAN so much.
Post by: Berto2K on July 13, 2004, 12:49:37 PM
.
Post by: nickmitch on July 13, 2004, 12:54:50 PM
Nintendo should just say, "Hey, 3rd parties, go for it!" and if it works for them then go for it themselves.
Post by: theRPGFreak on July 13, 2004, 12:58:41 PM
Post by: Bill Aurion on July 13, 2004, 01:21:43 PM
The company is very interested in keeping the DS an "out of the box" experience that will require no accessories, such as a wireless router to link systems over the internet via broadband connections.
Now unless I'm mistaken, he says that it will be used for gaming "online" here...
Not to mention that Reggie brought up the "online gaming with the DS" thing during the press conference, I think this interview may have been taken out of context...
Post by: Ian Sane on July 13, 2004, 01:26:12 PM
Every time I read it it means "no accessores like a wireless router which is used for linking systems over the internet." The last part is a description of what a wireless router does. It's not saying that Nintendo wants to link systems online using something else. If that were the case it would read "...experience that will require no accessories, such as a wireless router, to link systems over the internet via broadband connections." Note the extra comma which complete changes the meaning of the sentence. If the extra comma were there that would be great but it's not so that to me means the last few words are merely a description of what an wireless router does.
Post by: ssj4_android on July 13, 2004, 01:31:56 PM
Post by: Jensen on July 13, 2004, 01:40:57 PM
As I said before, it is nothing like the Cube online Model. With the DS, every multiplayer game will be able to be played online, because every multiplayer game requires a network connection. What gamecube games have network modes? Mario kart DD has a crippled network option...
What I want to see is the multiplayer Revolution/DS connectivity games over the internet.
Post by: Radiostorm on July 13, 2004, 02:02:30 PM
Post by: Kairon on July 13, 2004, 02:42:28 PM
Really the biggest disappointment here is the revelation that Miyamoto doesn't have any working ideas for online gameplay yet, at least for the DS. Nintendo's certainly onboard with the wireless LAN opportunities of the DS (since every multiplayer game will use that feature), and they've thrown on Wi-fi so that they can keep their future options open, especially for third-parties.
But despite making allowances on the hardware side of it, it doesn't look like DS online titles are in development at Nintendo... not that playing portable games Online is necessarily a good idea... actually, it's downright weird. Forget it...
I just wonder if Miyamoto's and Nintendo's Online "writer's block" is limited to the DS, or if it extends to the console arena as well?
Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Blaster009 on July 13, 2004, 04:32:10 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: theRPGFreak
............I want AC online!!!!
As do I... I thought that with the use of LAN displayed at E3, AC DS could go online as well, and people could trade items without having to go through the whole "password" thing...
Post by: Uncle Rich AiAi on July 13, 2004, 04:43:14 PM
Post by: Kirby_PopStar on July 13, 2004, 05:09:22 PM
Nintendo won't let us down... there has to be a way to use Picto-Chat with someone really really far away... right?
Post by: Renny on July 13, 2004, 05:30:47 PM
Post by: ruby_onix on July 13, 2004, 05:34:36 PM
Quote
Everyone who says online and internet are two different things is getting confused. The world wide web it the http stuff. The internet is what it goes through. So online gaming would be on the internet.
*holds up hand*
That would have been me. But the core of my opinion still stands. I think Miyamoto was referring to "the Web".
He's saying that the possibility for a web-browser on the DS is entirely there, but that Nintendo has no interest in developing one.
If Nintendo's "custom wireless protocol" is superior to 802.11, then why is 802.11 there at all? Apparently to connect to other consoles (via the Internet). But not to connect to the internet (for it's own sake). Unless of course, some third party wants to go in that direction.
Or at least that's my take on this.
Post by: Perfect Cell on July 13, 2004, 05:59:59 PM
Post by: Mario on July 13, 2004, 06:55:27 PM
Post by: Syl on July 13, 2004, 07:28:51 PM
So, nintendo won't be making a web browser for the ds, big deal.
The cool thing, however, is that there *IS* a possibility of a web browser for the DS. But the resolution is probably too small for comfort.
Post by: Urkel on July 13, 2004, 08:27:40 PM
I missed all the rage-over-absolutely-nothing bit.
"This is virtually the same as the Cube online model: Nintendo does nothing and so everyone else does nothing. "
The main difference is that the Cube modems were sold separately. Third parties don't believe that enough Cube owners have broadband adapters to warrant putting in an online mode if not enough people can even use it. The DS has these capabilites built right into it, so Nintendo itself doesn't need to pimp online in its own games in order to get people to buy some modem.
Post by: Ian Sane on July 13, 2004, 08:54:41 PM
Post by: Bill Aurion on July 13, 2004, 09:26:08 PM
Post by: Cubik83 on July 13, 2004, 11:36:00 PM
Post by: KDR_11k on July 14, 2004, 02:41:15 AM
Post by: Koopa Troopa on July 14, 2004, 08:51:13 AM
Quote
That's because Nintendos' pins are usally in the 5 tons> weightclass...
I think you mean "Never Happening" weight class
Post by: Chode2234 on July 16, 2004, 11:33:26 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Cubik83
That's because Nintendos' pins are usally in the 5 tons> weightclass...
you mean the Never Happening type.....?
