Messages

1

Nintendo Gaming / RE: (Piracy) Gamecube

« on: October 19, 2003, 09:06:14 AM »

Caliban: Nice avatar.

KDR has a point with the RIAA. fact is that even if people couldn't copy a single album, and had to pay, sales would still be down. Piracy is a problem, but its far from the only cause of decreasing sales. The cost of a CD is exorbant; RIAA isn't releasing as many albums as years previous; CD burners have pushed a grassroots movement in production, namely, independent artists; and just becuase someone downloads a song doesn't mean they were going to buy it, and also the economy is down. These are all factors. I also think that exposure from file sharing will on average increase sales of an album. All the industry has to do is switch to DVDs and they have a good 3-5 year window b4 the broadband catches up. More likely is that the RIAA is waiting to leapfrog DVD because this will be a big year for DVD burners. They will not only save money by hanging on to an old (and outdated) medium, but they can invest in new DRM to deter the swarm.

Concerning DC's death: Hype killed DC, not piracy. Broadband was not nearly as prevalent 4 years ago as it is today. A high speed cable connection cost about a $C/month, and distribution was limited. And again, not every pirate is a lost sale, but yes, it doesn't help one bit.

2

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Spring Quarter Anticipation

« on: October 19, 2003, 08:36:29 AM »

Fascinating stipulations. I'm aghast with awe.

Information is slim I suppose.

And it doesn't hurt that it's not as easy to be insightful as it is to be a jack.

3

Nintendo Gaming / Spring Quarter Anticipation

« on: October 17, 2003, 03:41:02 PM »

We all know Nintendo has something up their sleeve - always an ace just in case. I think we'll see some surprise games this winter, and ofcourse get some announcements about this springs line-up about 2-3 weeks after xmas. Until we get confirmation, what type of games would you like to see represented this spring? More lan? More connectivity? Any publishers you'd like to throw their hat onto Nintendo's rack? How do you think this rumored 40gb hard-drive will play a role this next year? And finally, when oh when will the lcd get released?

Toodles.

4

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Gutted!

« on: October 17, 2003, 03:35:13 PM »

Another added benefit of stopping production is that you get to let component prices drop a bit. I'm sure Nintendo made a lot of Cubes because its cheaper to manufacture larger quantities. On top of that, labor costs are being deffered until this spring when production begins again. There are many added benefits that don't seem apparent. This may in fact be why Nintendo made the press announcement to begin with. Smart investors read between the lines.

I am looking forward to Conker's Bad Fur Day online, and their MMOG should be fun. It's this latter game why Rare wanted to move on. Besides, Nintendo got Zoonami, and its the people that make games, not franchises.

(Going off topic)
For a laugh, check out www.shonner.com Their subliminal section is hi-larious.

5

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Nintendo Nexus: Next-gen name?

« on: October 13, 2003, 09:53:11 PM »

Ultra Fun Machine?
capitulation?
toybox?
synertia?
Blueshift?
Infrarez?

Copyright 2003 Qbric Frezno

6

Nintendo Gaming / RE: My new controller idea.

« on: October 13, 2003, 09:45:21 PM »

Interesting idea Molobert. It'd be like the equivelent of the garage in f-zero. Mix and mach basic parts. But it's really a large investment for such a minor issue. You'd inevitably would lose many of the parts and also end up with many left overs of the uncommon pieces.

Ofcourse giving the option to include non-standard buttons is ludicrous. There are times when this would be novel and I see where your going, Molo, but the effort far out wieghs the reward. Firstly, you can't have analouge and digital buttons and apply the same response to them. The developers wouldn't be able to design the game properly if they didn't know what kind buttons the user has access to. It's a kin to giving an actor free rein over his lines. A little leeway is fine but not that much!

2nd, part of the developers responsibility is to come up with the best control scheme. I highly doubt Molo that you steer very far asray from a games orig config. Also I believe there are deeper psychological obsticals that go into making an intuitive control scheme. Like left brain right brain stuff.

If a new controller idea comes up, use it the next gen. If its for a specific game, sell it specifically for that game. No matter how you design a controller, you are still limited to the number of receptors inside the orig unit. Besides, its a controller not an erector set. But thats just me. Maybe I'm not seeing what you've intended to express.  But keep on with the ideas, bro.

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Nintendo Gaming / RE: is thier a good shooting game for the cube.?

« on: October 13, 2003, 09:27:35 PM »

For OG shooter, look up Ikaruga. Top down old school shoot 'em up made by the best. There's also PN03, but its getting mediocre reviews. I'm for that one to hit the discount rack myself.

If you can wait 3 years, there's Project Unity from Lionhead Studios. That'll be a fun one.

I don't know mate - I guess I have to admit that the GCN isn't a frag box just right now. No bleedin' LAN games to play on, fer chrissake. Free Radical must have been pissed at Nintendo. I know I am for it.

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Nintendo Gaming / RE: New wavebird color and its......... almost the same?

« on: October 13, 2003, 09:15:32 PM »

The new wavebird is out. It became incorporated into the orig.

No new colors yet. I thought there was but guess not. Maybe check out the digital controlers for GBA player. I think the controller still works for games that don't use analog but don't take my word for it.

Here's what you do for a new color wavebird: switch out the led for a different color. change the dongle's too. It will be a subtle but powerful modification.

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Nintendo Gaming / RE: VR goggles the "new and unique product"?

« on: October 13, 2003, 09:04:11 PM »

The problem with VR glasses is getting a wide enough view angle. With both eyes, humans can see about 180 degrees across. Unfortunately, most helmets use small LCDs that have a much smaller degree. So it's hardly anything like a virtual reality.

But the motion detection is one step that brings this "vision" (couldn't resist - too punny) into light. Once we can begin using other muscles besides our eyeballs and hands to experience the simulation, the illusion becomes more entrenched.

So this is a great idea. In fact, the PS2 already has this device!!! You move your head, the camera moves too. It came bundled witha flight sim game. But the resolution was pretty low (like 320x240, maybe less), and again, the veiwing angle is too limited.

What do you think a good method would be to get a wide veiwing angle? Anyone fluent with optics and displays? I guess what I'd do is get some pentagonical or hexagonical LCDs, super hi-res of course, and then stitch like 12 or so together, depending on the shape, to build 2 geodesic half-spheres. Then you jack 'em in, and BAM!, you've got yourself a personal omnitheater. Except that the resolution in the omnitheater is outstandingly huge, but mp3s are a pretty descent substitute for a wav.... No reason that can't work here.

Here's some crude 1st gen vr. Can't wait until round 3 - should be pretty good at that point: http://www.eyetop.net

10

General Gaming / RE: Hooking up to a monitor

« on: October 13, 2003, 06:17:56 PM »

This is an ageold and worthy challenge.

Stay away from the upscan convertors. They just take your crappy interlaced RCA output and rewrite every line twice to fit on a hi-res monitor. You don't get any improvement in resolution. I think it looks worse in fact.

Thats all I've got. Be back when I figure it out.

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General Gaming / RE: A possible GBA mod....

« on: October 13, 2003, 06:10:05 PM »

Asimov, its a piece of cake.

At least it is with the right tools. Why you'd want to add a controller that bigger than the console I'll never know but it can be done.

You just hook up switches between the GBA's. I think you could even wire it in parrallel so you can still use the original controlls. I'm not an electrician so....

But I try neways. But you know what? You're better off using the GBA player in conjunction with the soul calibur 2 joystick. Should work fine. Also look at the digital controller
made specifically for the GBA player.

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General Gaming / Digital Out into RGB?

« on: October 13, 2003, 05:55:43 PM »

So I finally got an RGB monitor. It's an Ikegami brand monitor, has ntsc and v-sync, and also (duh) RGB. A beaut from 1988!

I'd like to get the full depth of clarity using the digital-out. What do I need to know to keep everything hunky-dory? Is it something about the refresh rate, or hz? Or something?

Ty.

13

Nintendo Gaming / RE: My new controller idea.

« on: October 13, 2003, 04:27:08 PM »

nemo, i can put them up on the webspace I got. Just email them 2 noriego_ai2yahoodotcom

The "2" is an encrypted "@". It's a 1 bit encryption scheme - i don't know if its legal but it should stop the bots.

I likw GCN controller and think the z button is just fine. It's always there when I need it and never when I don't. The push-down button on the xbox stick annoys the hell out of me. It interferes with whatever else it controls and annoys the hell out me.

Nintendo should just stick to the old controller, no changes whatsoever. We're all just going to upgrade to super controllers (GB64/128) anyway. And if its not broke, don't fix it (imo).

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Nintendo Gaming / RE: Nintendo in Xmas '04 and beyond

« on: October 13, 2003, 04:10:04 PM »

Thnaks for the comments. I'd have started this thread in Fadt Forward if I knew it exsisted when I started.

Good ideas Nemo concerning next gen connectivity. Thats where I think the trends are leading to (video on the controller), and its easy to see Sony building up to the same tech. Ever since I saw Johana's glasses in PD I've kept a low flame in my heart for such a device.

Will Nintendo make it's new console backwards compatible? The answer isn't so clear. The GCN is the only dedicated games machine and this reflects Nintendo's commitment for simple and elegent design. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't even bother, but if they got everything right the first time, maybe they can scale the hardware and still slip in some streamlined code for the N5 games. Whats interesting to consider tho is how moore's law could affect Nintendo's choices over the next few years.

I can get a 400mhz PDA for an average price of $500. But just last year a 200mhz pda would cost the same. So the cost of making a GCN portable could be feasible in the next 2 years. This is one way nintendo can extend the lifespan of the GCN. It's really more a matter of time than a question of it occuring at all. I suppose this is why, Nemo, you kept referring to a "Gamecube Advance". It's a natural development.

If Nintendo gets leapfrogged on their portable by Sony, the PSX Pocket will have more lasting power out in the market, so while it will be expensive at first, they will get cheaper and cheaper. Sony will prolly even release new models of the PSX Pocket, upgrading storage and OS functions, but while keeping the game hardware compatible. Nintendo wants to be right in the middle with their portable. Since both Sony's and MS's portable will have a high initial price, they can afford to come out a little later if they undercut in price. But they can't be dragging on the graphics side of things, and they are also going to need to be competitive with PDA type functionality. This means a camera, chat, email, calender, and a storage bay (SD) for mp3. This eaither means a gamepak with access to these features, or preferrably, an imbedded OS in the hardware. Most GBA oweners are over 18 and they'd (Ntd) do good to recognize this. Most GBA games are horseshit licensed games based on television series.

If developers don't take the new portable seriously, neither will the market. This means adding the features developers need and the features consumers want. By releasing a portable rendition of GCN that connects to N5, you give developers technology they already know and give the public all of GCNs games, past, present, and future. But its not going to happen for at least 2 more years. There's no way Nintendo would imbibe potiential sales of the vanilla GCN.

GCN is far from dead. We'll be seeing new games for 3 more, and longer if Nintendo releases a portable form. I don't know why everyone imagines it to be on its way out.

The Gameboy Color hooked up to your cellphone. There's a gamepak out that does video-confrencing (http://www.dynamism.com/campho/). Nintendo won't make a Gameboy/phone combo, but you can be sure that it will incorporate communication technology. Aren't they already about to release official wireless gamelinks for GBA? Next round we'll see 802.11 instead - it's more versatile than expensive cellphone infrastructure, and its definatley more prevalient (coffee shops, homes, etc).

Thats all for my game market chatter today. I'll try to create something closer to a report next time, more organized.

L8.

15

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Half Life 2 on the N5!!

« on: October 11, 2003, 08:54:13 AM »

I agree, Canuck. Keyboards are a useful interface because the number of buttons allows for a great many configuration schemes, but its far from ideal. Keyboards were designed for typing words. If a controller were designed from the ground up for intuitive control in fast paced environments, well it might look a lot like the GCN controller.

Mice suck for computing IMO. Can you imagine driving a car with drop down menus? This is very similar to todays popular GUIs. They work swell for POV (point of view) rotation, ala FPS, but its a limited mind set that believes this is an optimal controller. How great can it be if you require a table for it to work?

Fortunatley this is a recognized problem and there are many on the case. The P5 comes to mind, also I saw this touch sensitive keyboard that doubled as a mouse that promises to hit my pocketbook at some point.

If you could design your ideal input, for computers and consoles alike (versatility is a sign of good design, remember), what would you make?

I personally would like a small (10") 640x480 touchscreen to launch apps and display command prompts on, and then have my main hi-res monitor (or 2) up on the desk. I would then mesh the touchscreen with voice recognition and a gesture pad mounted on my arm rest. It would look akin to a captains command post.

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Nintendo Gaming / RE: Another reason why it may be N5 and have VR

« on: October 11, 2003, 12:41:19 AM »

Vr is a feasible venture thats waiting for the right technology and market. The right time is soon and the right market is gaming. I mean for this to apply to the mass amrket. VR is abundant in specialized high tech sectors. Neway, its VB was an amazing feat, and served as proof of concept. It failed but times change people. Did you see Tomb Raider, the new one? Well that was a panasonic VR "helmet" lara was wearing and if you think they dont exist ina lab somewhere, getting its kinks ironed out, you guessed wrong. I think that was the only product panasonic placed in that movie that wasn't on the market. They were essentially a real product. Also, there's tech out there that dsplays right onto your iris, looks as big as a 42" plasma. Good stuff I tell ya.

And to top it off, if you will: http://www.eyetop.net/home/default.asp

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Nintendo Gaming / RE: my ideas on what the Gamecube's successor needs to be succesfull

« on: October 10, 2003, 11:57:19 PM »

I hate the DVD argument. GCN doesn't need it becasue:

A)My Ps2 already has one!
B)Size counts!
C)So does cost! DVD lisences aren't free.

I don't own more than one toaster or coffee maker, I don't need 2 DVD players, and I esp. don't need to buy it twice. Nintendo made the right deciscion, why can't people see this?

EDIT

Should N5 have DVD? I'm going out on a limb and I'm going to stand against it for the reasons above. Besides, my Dreamcast plays CDs and Mp3s just fine. V-CD too.

18

Nintendo Gaming / Nintendo in Xmas '04 and beyond

« on: October 10, 2003, 11:50:54 PM »

Sorry, I hope I didn't double post.

So the N5 is just beyond the horizon. 2005 is just around the corner and the faithful Nintendo userbase will be growing in anticpiation with each new newsweek as this point inches near. Craven for information, the clever and cunning alike eek out their own anwers as evidense trickles in. The pendulem of the GCN has reached it's zenith and it has come time to somehow put this peaking energy into new ventures.

The GCN is a success. This is clear at this point. Now at only $99, the competition is dramatically undercut and it's line-up has a classic in every genre. Except for the painful absense of LAN interactivity, there is a lot to proud for on the GCN, and much of this completely exclusive. It's now time for Nintendo to play it's hand, show it's cards, and set itself up for round 2. Sony will be introducing the market to a new portable, abeit at a higher price, and MS has plegded to do the same.

When these portable hit, there will be a lot of pressure on Nintendo and so this is a critical period for them. They have to turn the successes of today into their advantage. If they don't, they're sunk. If all they do is wave goodbye to GCN and introduce a new console, they're going to lose ground or stay entrenched in a increasingly swelling river. This is why the GCN will play a pivotal role in the market over the next 3 years.

Everyone seems to think that once n5 hits, thats it for GCN, but I think this far from true and will be where Nintendo's strength will lie in the coming years. My question is: "how this will occur?" We've already been teased with that sleek and sexy hi-res LCD. I think the LCD will make it to the market. There's no question (or very little) about that in my mind. The LCD will not only enable a practicle option for LAN, but could expand gaming into the N5. If the GCN gets a formfitting progressive scan LCD, besides *improving* screen quality for most players, the GCN has a strong case for being the best platform for LAN gaming period. Better than PC and all the rest. Size really counts. So the LCD will help maintain the cube's value rating, but if that's it, it won't remain a player for long.

Please mind that I affrim the GCN will retain market presence along side the next major Nintendo console. I'm thinking GCN will compliment N5 with connectivity.

I'm a little shy to suggest it, but maybe we can hook up 4 GCNs to the N5. N5 acts like a dedicated server with a Gameboy Ultra and tv as its referee and spectator interface, respectily. What do you think of that?

There's so many directions possible, its hard to settle on one prediction. One thing I'm stuck on is the newest statement about a new platform in q4 '04. It feels to soon to release a new handheld, tho I admit the GBA is showing its age. Hell, it's shown its limits ever since it deputed with only 2 face buttons! But Somewhere there has to be a place for GBA beyond 2004. The GB Color is still selling games, but the problem is unrealized possibilities. Are we to expect FF:CC to be the only game that uses connectivity in actual gameplay? The lifecycle will be stunted if we see a new GB next year. But I suppose they'll release it a year a head of n5.

So this is my opinion. Right there for all you great guys (and girls) to rip apart. Please have a go. I'm particualrly interested in the technical feasability of the GCN-N5 compliment. Why wouldn't it work out and if it could, what is required to make it work?

Can anyone think of other technical or in-game situations that take advantage of my idea? I really like the idea of more spectator focused games. Briefly, another situation would be where the GCNs had wireless transmitters on top of the braodband connections. Spectators could send chats from their wirless GBAs to the team leaders who would utilize the info into their gameplay or base team commands from it. Sorry this last paragraph is crude. I have to goto bed and do some real work tomarrow.

Ty for listening.

19

Nintendo Gaming / RE: NTSC Question

« on: October 10, 2003, 10:02:19 PM »

So does anyone know how do hook up the digital out into an RGB monitor?

20

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Atari questioning further Cube support??

« on: October 10, 2003, 09:59:19 PM »

Plugabugz, Atari published Unreal, lets not forget. That game is the arcade of FPS. Good clean gameplay mechanics that one. With the power of the link gun and the numerous tech jumps, they are the marks of both an expert gamer and excellent design. But Atari didn't make the game, so it's not much of an argument.

Anyway, it seems like with all the games that use the unreal engine that'd Atari would be maiking some money, so what gives?

P.S. How do I get webspace for my avatar? I don't want to suffer banage, nor do I want to post w/o my nifty avatar! Oy, the pains of this world!

21

Nintendo Gaming / RE: GameCube on "The Man Show"

« on: October 10, 2003, 09:46:59 PM »

The show itself is pure drivel, whcich some people like I guess, but whats important is the exposure. How many times have you heard "Do you have a Ps2 or Xbox?". Um, hello? You forgot to mention the most important one. The cube is worth it for load times alone while playing SC2 in the story mode. Or in any game for that matter, unless were talking about Little Nemo.

22

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Half Life 2 on the N5!!

« on: October 10, 2003, 09:36:45 PM »

If HL2 can play on Xbox, the GCN can handle it too. Hell, maybe even throw in a mapmaker for dl into the GBA for while you're out, or a character builder.

We haven't seen the GCN maxed out yet. It's proposturous to consider playing the game on the N5. Maybe an enhanced version, sure, but the n5 is years off. Too long a period for a vanilla release of HL2.

Oh about the post contesting mouse superiority for FPS controls: Thats not true. Sony has already shown working prototypes of a wand that mirrors your arm movement on screen, vis a vis like a laser pointer. Gyration has a made a mouse thats on the market right now that does the same thing. In fact, I'm surfing the net right now with it with my feet on the desk. Well it just so happens that Nintendo invested like 10 million in that very company, concievably as a good faith gesture for a future joint venture. Console FPS control could be as accurate, but no one has stepped up with a product yet. Maybe Nintendo is waiting until the next console to release this? The gyro-mouse is bound to get a release next console cycle. Maybe it'll even be compatible with GCN.

Also, no one said the GCN is dead once N5 comes out. It's a little short sighted to assume this.
L8, y'all.