Topic: Nintendo DS Download Service Revealed in Japan

[Plugabugz]

I'm not saying that cost is prohibiting people to get it. I have it myself.
Here in South London I know next to nobody with WiFi, minus businesses - It's yet to get "out there" on a mass scale.
If all my friends wanted to play (for example) Metroid Prime Hunters 8-player online co-op against another group, they would all have to come here to do that, or go trekking to a Wifi Zone to do so.

One potential way to "fill any hole" could be for Nintendo to partner with Netgear to offer wireless hardware.

All their wives and children know what broadband is and have it - Knowing what broadband is is no longer an issue (vs pre-2001 to most) whereas it'll take a little realising that you don't have to be a millionaire to go WiFi.

[Pale]

But do your friends have broad band?  My point is that it is only a 50 - 60 dollar accessory if you already have broad band and i think that is low enough that people are likely to do it even if their only use for it is the DS.

[Bill Aurion]

I have no idea if kingvudu's question was answered, and I don't feel like digging through this angst pool to find it...DS carts are slightly cheaper to produce than GBA carts, which still makes them fairly expensive...Definitely not worth the price for making demos...

[Robotor]

I think this would work great with the Play-Yan.  It could act as a little harddrive saving the extras and new data.  The characters wouldn't even have to be preprogammed in, the game would just need the capability for added characters.  You could save the demos onto the flash card, and when you ran out of room on the card you could just dump it onto your computer,  and put whatever you needed or wanted back onto the card.  I'm sure some sort of secuirty tag could be applied onto the files to stop hackers.  Not only this but you could go to Nintendo's website and download the demos onto your computer, then upload them to the card. This would provide for the internet distribution, instead of Wifi.  You could also trade demo's with friends who couldn't get them.

But I think game stores offering the demos would be cool too.  You would meet people with DS's and could play multiplayer, it would seriously bring out the communication feature.  Even more so if the demos were multiplayer based.  All in all I find it to be a great idea, it just needs to be expanded a little bit.

[JonLeung]

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Originally posted by: Robotor
The characters wouldn't even have to be preprogammed in, the game would just need the capability for added characters.

Great.  Just great.  I had this really nice reply about unlockable bonuses vs. actual upgrading, and my browser decided not to let it go through and I lost some nice writing.

Somewhat more concisely, again:

I had hoped SSBM's Trophy Gallery would've not just unlocked the Pikmin trophy from a Pikmin save, but rather got "trophy data" from every save file from every first-party Nintendo game, to allow for a continually updated trophy collection and incentive for people to play Nintendo's games.  If that sounds too crazy then consider it a nice extra to the people who buy a GameCube for first-party games - and that's probably most of them.

So while Band Bros.' expanded song list is neat, it would be cool if isn't just unlocking them, like Mew/Celebi/Jirachi/Deoxys of Pokémon, but actually adding them in.  That would mean that upgrading/bug-fixing would be possible.  Not major upgrades, but stuff like new levels or missions or soundtracks or characters.  Certain DS games could get better with time, if Nintendo wishes to put in the resources to do so.

[Bill Aurion]

So while Band Bros.' expanded song list is neat, it would be cool if isn't just unlocking them, like Mew/Celebi/Jirachi/Deoxys of Pokémon, but actually adding them in.

Um, that sounds like what the download is actually doing from the article...The songs are actually saved on the DS card...

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Bill is correct.  In fact, if you explore the Band Bros. website you'll find that they have PDFs of (at least some of) the scores of these songs.  Downloading is simply an alternative to transcribing by hand...both will save to one of the 8 save slots. In fact, it's likely using the exact same protocol as for transferring custom Band Bros. songs among game DS systems.

Sadly, this means those songs will have the same limitations found in any other custom song.

[kennyb27]

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Originally posted by: JonLeung
I don't know if this is something that Nintendo would ever consider doing, but releasing a GBA cartridge as a memory card to store downloadable content on the DS would be cool.

Isn't that pretty much what the Play-Yan is?  I mean, it is a GBA cart that a SD card fits into, which can store downloadable songs/videos, etc.

[JonLeung]

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Originally posted by: TheYoungerPlumber
Bill is correct.  In fact, if you explore the Band Bros. website you'll find that they have PDFs of (at least some of) the scores of these songs.  Downloading is simply an alternative to transcribing by hand...both will save to one of the 8 save slots. In fact, it's likely using the exact same protocol as for transferring custom Band Bros. songs among game DS systems.

Sadly, this means those songs will have the same limitations found in any other custom song.

Sorry, I haven't read much about Band Bros.  My mind was on the track of like, you know, DDR and Donkey Konga song lists.  That kind of thing.

[Don'tHate742]

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Originally posted by: Robotor
I think this would work great with the Play-Yan.  It could act as a little harddrive saving the extras and new data.  The characters wouldn't even have to be preprogammed in, the game would just need the capability for added characters.  You could save the demos onto the flash card, and when you ran out of room on the card you could just dump it onto your computer,  and put whatever you needed or wanted back onto the card.  I'm sure some sort of secuirty tag could be applied onto the files to stop hackers.  Not only this but you could go to Nintendo's website and download the demos onto your computer, then upload them to the card. This would provide for the internet distribution, instead of Wifi.  You could also trade demo's with friends who couldn't get them.

But I think game stores offering the demos would be cool too.  You would meet people with DS's and could play multiplayer, it would seriously bring out the communication feature.  Even more so if the demos were multiplayer based.  All in all I find it to be a great idea, it just needs to be expanded a little bit.

A nice thought but you said why it wouldn't work yourself. Hackers would be all over it, and no "tag/protection" would be able to stop them. Physical restrictions work best ala the cube. Why? There too smart...really they are. Any added help by Nintendo would be horrendous. Actually, I think the hackers are going to get the DS online before Nintendo (which to me isn't odd with how long Nintendo is taking.......don't even mention DemaSked).

Anyways, don't be surprised if Ian rants......he's the devil's advocate of sorts and helps us think (continuously) about why Nintendo is losing in the market they created. So Ian, keep doing what your doing. In a way it's good for us. (Did I say that?! :0) IMO this is a good move, but really like Ian said, unless this goes on-line it doesn't differ much from what we get today. Also, I like that "viral" type of transfer, it's better than on-line downloading....it would help bring up the DS in more conversations, thus more talk "advertising" for Nintendo. I know what your thinking "no it won't", but really it will. People talking about anything, then "hey, you played that new demo _____" -- "No, no, I haven't" -- "You serious! it's freaking sweet. Here check it out *whips out DS*, let me use my pda features for a second (for the love of god please). You got your DS, cuase I could just put it on yours." -- "Actually I do".................you know the rest.

It would be even better with multiplayer demos like MP: Hunters. Or maybe even multiplayer games that will be made for the DS. So you could download the multiplayer pack you need to play, but if the DS with the game senses that you have an accessory to hold information (and your DS would tell the other DS that) it would download a single player demo for you to play later, and ultimately keep it on your mind. Maybe, when the DS evovle's, it could have a feature that comes with that information-storing accessory (or the first time you take it online) that organizes a list of games that you do have, so you don't keep downloading the single player since you already have the game, or don't want it period (two different options). Also, it could be used to instantly update the games you do have, instead of searching your system information or you telling the service the game names; both which take time. I don't know I'm putting to much thought into this. *uses generic celebration* YaY Nintendo!

[The Omen]

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I'll stop complaining when Nintendo stops being a restrictive stubborn jerk all the time and others stop defending them for being so. Most of my "complaining" is directly related to others being all "Nintendo is perfect in every way so don't criticize anything they do ever."

You should keep complaining.  Nintendo is F'ing up again.

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I'm going to have to agree with Hostile and say stop complaining. Those little game carts cost money. Nintendo doesn't like to give up money. Most companies don't. Plus, what are the chances we'll see widely available PSP demos?

And why do you care if Nintendo decides to spend money?  You have to spend to earn.  That's just the truth.  And since so many fanboys spout out how Nintendo makes the most money on their console, why shouldn't they lavish their very loyal fans with freebies?  And yes, I see the PSP doing everything Nintendo won't, including demos.  Sony has never been afraid to lose money short term.  Nintendo ONLY thinks for the short term.  Sony is an aggressive company.  Nintendo has done absolutely nothing to gain ground.  Yes they make money, but being a consumer, why should I cheer for that?  I cheer for product...

[Caillan]

Well as far as the DS goes, this is as good as we can expect. Because the media is more expensive to distribute and they will have infrastructure already set up, having demos downloadable is probably a good idea. There hasn't been an announcement stating Nintendo will not produce physical demos. This is the sort of thing Nintendo would never had announced a few years ago. This is Nintendo acknowledging the importance of demos and extra content, and even if it is belated and flawed it can't be a bad thing.

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What I do think is a majority, however, are people who are tired of hearing news that is optimistic only to know that what is coming is a post from you ranting about what is wrong with said announcement and how Nintendo sucks and on and on.

I don't think so. The logic is always outlined. The rants are well written, and they are nicer to read than fanboys praising Nintendo when they give up money to please consumers, and praising them again when they refuse to match their competition to save money. They never insult other members or otherwise screw up the forums by starting flamewars or anything, and last of all they are not always negative as you imply.

[Hostile Creation]

Omen, don't encourage him.  You're second on my list of annoying whiners anyway.

I'd like an explanation, for example, of how Nintendo is f'ing up.  You say in the next paragraph that you want freebies.  Well, that's what they're f'ing doing, so what exactly is the goddamn problem?
Demos could come out in the future.  I think demos are a waste of money.  I don't give a crap about them, and no one I have ever talked to bought a game solely because of a demo disc (I'm sure some do, just no one I know well).  They're all nice and good, but they're definitely over-rated.  Maybe not even worth the cost it takes to make them, even in the long run.  But I'm not sure, and you've got to face it and admit that you're not either.  I don't think Sony got its success from demo discs.

Nintendo may release them.  This is certainly a step in the right direction.  So for now, stop your damn bitching.

[Nephilim]

There have been awsome demo's
The final fantasy 8 demo which has all the summons at the start of the game, which came out like 6months before its release got alot of people buzzing..sure might not be a big deal these days, since u can download a 10min in game movie from most games in 5mins on broadband. same for the orginal crash games, I think the early demo's got alot of people into the game, before it became mainstream.

someone brought up wifi router again, seriously think people are going to buy a new moderm just to download demo's?
I think it would only be a small percent, much on the scale of the people who  used warppipe and such

[Caillan]

Please do not tell people that you don't like them and therefore should stop posting. Then the discussion won't just degenerate into a flame war

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But I'm not sure, and you've got to face it and admit that you're not either. I don't think Sony got its success from demo discs.

From experience, I know that demo discs are popular among kids and young teenagers. I think this is because they usually get a console for christmas and can only get one or two games a year from that point on. They are too young to get a job and earn enough money to buy games. Of course, this is probably prevailant only among a certain income group.

[Hostile Creation]

Like I said, I don't know.  I was saying from my experience no one plays demo discs that much, and hardly anyone purchases a game because of them.

I have no problem with them posting and stating their opinion.  It's the fact that even if Nintendo did release a demo disc, with plenty of awesome demos on it, all they would do even then is complain.  They wouldn't even stop to say thanks, good idea.  They could have some respect and not just whine, it's really annoying as it is.

[PaLaDiN]

I don't see how this can possibly be a bad thing.

It's an option. It's better than what they've done so far.

You can complain about lack of demos in another thread.

[Jonnyboy117]

You know, this service may very well end up being offered over the DS wireless network...but we won't know until the details of that service are announced, and who knows when or even if that will happen.

Until then, I think it's a nice offering.  Playing games for free is always a good thing.  If you really want to get militant about keeping the demos, I'm sure there will be a hack to let you do it.  But I can appreciate that publishers might prefer the implicit time limit placed on these demos.  Of course, since the DS has a sleep mode that can keep it powered up for several days at a time, AND it can be kept plugged into the wall to stay powered indefinitely, the only thing really forcing you to dump the demo is when you want to play a different game on your DS.  Boo hoo.

[vudu]

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I was saying from my experience no one plays demo discs that much, and hardly anyone purchases a game because of them.

My sentiments exactly.  Demo discs rarely sell games.  They're nice to have, especially if you can get them several weeks or months before the full game is released, but as a selling tool, their power is diminishing.  Because there are so many previews/reviews/in-depth coverage, etc on just about every single game available, most people can decide which games they will like and which they won't just by doing a little research on the Internet.  Demo discs might have been useful tool several years ago, but they've been replaced by cheaper, readily-available means.

[ruby_onix]

^^^  I don't think it was on purpose, but when I read that I honestly thought you were talking about Nintendo Power.

Things like Nintendo Power (which REALLY needs some work) and demo discs are a good thing in that they build a sense of "involvement" and "community". You feel like you're a part of something.

IMO, Nintendo needs these things. You need to do more than sell good games. You need to make the entire experience of owning a console "fun".

Nintendo hasn't really been very good at this lately. Back to the original topic, these downloadable demos are a step in the right direction, but I really hope that Nintendo isn't "satisfied" with just that.

[KnowsNothing]

You know what would be cool?  If, in the future, I could download some new games for Wario Ware Touched.  I don't know if the DS's writing capabilities can go that far (I would imagine it could), but I'm sure that the game cart isn't filled to full capacity  

[KDR_11k]

I doubt they added more changeable memory to the card than necessary.