Topic: Broadcom Announced as Partner...WiFi Confirmation

[cubist]

Looks like the new system IS going to be online based on the new report.  Iwata's message makes me feel like Nintendo is actually starting to move in the direction I thought they always tended to ignore and make their loyal fans (like me) swallow it all up.  Good stuff.

[Strell]

All I have to say is this:

I hope Broadcom does a better job with the Revolution than they do on laptops.  

I work for a company that uses Broadcom wireless cards (I will keep the company unnamed for the time being) as tech support.  All I know is that the cards SUCK.  They are absolutely terrible.  They have poor reception, lose connection frequently, and generally are inferior to any other card on the market, with the EXCEPTION of perhaps Ralink, which is the most abyssmal damn card I've ever seen in my life (and, obviously enough, the only other wireless card my company uses).

While I have faith in Nintendo (the Wavebird is a work of art, after all), I can only hope this partnership is developed and researched heavily with a huge emphasis on quality.  I don't want my Revolution to be 10 feet from my wireless network and not be able to connect because Broadcom uses ancient technology and the worst cards in human existence.

Of course, this is all speculation and I can't say anything until we see some sort of true prototype, but please, PLEASE, Nintendo, PLEASE don't screw this up.  This might be one of the best moves you've made lately.  Don't screw it up.

[cubist]

There are 3 issues that we have WiFi now that Nintendo has committed.  

(1)  What's the quality going to be like?  As Strell previously mentioned, he's had a problem with Broadcom's cards.  What can we expect?

(2)  Is it going to be free for Revolution as it is for the Nintendo DS?  Iwata confirmed that the DS WiFi is going to be free based on his speech at the GDC.  Can we expect the same for Nintendo Revolution?

(3)  Is the development community going to open their arms to Nintendo in terms of going on-line?...OR  Is it too late?  There are other questions on whether or not Nintendo can deliver an experience wirelessly that XBOX Live has on its Broadband network.  What's Nintendo and Broadcom going to do to close the gap?

 

[darknight06]

Wouldn't you probably be using a router at home for this thing like you would for the DS?

[thepoga]

Quote
Originally posted by: cubist


(1) Where are the "hotspots" going to be.  Am I going to have to move my Rev to the same side of the house where my cell phone gets a signal?

Do you even know how a router works? Or what one is? Or what it does? The Rev isn't going to connect through a satellite or something.

[Praxis]

CRAAAAAAP.


I was hoping to install Linux on the Revolution, then go online.  Yay.

But Broadcom is one of the few companies whos chipsets do not have Linux or Mac drivers...

Quote
Originally posted by: cubist
Looks like the new system IS going to be online based on the new report.  Iwata's message makes me feel like Nintendo is actually starting to move in the direction I thought they always tended to ignore and make their loyal fans (like me) swallow it all up.  Good stuff.

We've know it was online and WiFi since GDC.

[RABicle]

Whatever they put in there, it better respond to my Apple AirPort.

Quote
(3) Is the development community going to open their arms to Nintendo in terms of going on-line?...OR Is it too late? There are other questions on whether or not Nintendo can deliver an experience wirelessly that XBOX Live has on its Broadband network. What's Nintendo and Broadcom going to do to close the gap?

You worry too much. Why wouldn't they support Nintendo online with their multiplatform titles? That's like asking wethor devs were going to support the Dual Shock controller because you know, Nintendo did thumbsticks first.

[nemo_83]

i already have twenty dollars worth of cable running through my house and i do not feel like buying a wifi router.  can't this thing work so that the Revolution is plugged into the broadband cable and is only wifi as an option for LAN with other REVs, wifi online routers, wifi with controllers, and wifi with the portables?  the more i think about wifi as a consumer the more i hate it.  it is supposed to be user friendly yet it is going to force the user to have to buy a new router and throw away the cable they have already bought and spent the time running through the attic.  there is possible lag and other interference.

the reason i feel now is the best time to go online for gaming for nintendo is because people have broadband now.  the system is already in place.  now is not the time for online just because now the wifi gimmick is affordable and it wasn't five years ago.  so far the only thing keeping online from becoming a hugely popular standard of gaming just as four ports has is actually Nintendo because they own multiplayer gaming.

[Artimus]

Nemo, twenty dollars of cable? Is that supposed to be a joke? That's like two cables! A router will only cost you 50 bucks and that way you can put your console anywhere. You don't have to touch your cable at all. Routers are exceedingly simple to use...

I'm shocked how confused people are. And I have NEVER had lag or interference with my router. You guys don't know what you're talking about...

[cubist]

Yeah, the home router...I know all about it.  Unfortunately, I live away from DSL and Digital Cable land.  No home router will work within a few blocks.  I fee like I'm living in the country or something...sheesh...or maybe I'd be better off living in the country...
Look at me trying to play this off...

 

[Switchblade Cross]

Nemo, just buy a Wireless Access point.  It will take one of those wired network ports and transduce to 802.11.  YOu can get them for like $20, if that.  No need to complain.  Wireless networking is becoming very cheap.  I've seen 4-port WiFi routers for $15 after rebates...  

[nemo_83]

What I am saying is that the REV should be optionally wifi.  I already own and have in place cable internet.  If I wanted wifi I would have bought it originally.  I think though that this technology will be mostly used so that gamers will not have to buy a wifi router as the REV will act as one.  You will plug the cable into the REV and it will allow you to use your DS online.

[Switchblade Cross]

No such thing was mentioned by Nintendo.  Where are you getting this information?

[thepoga]

i think Nintendo will package it's own router-like thing. It may even just plug right into the phone line. This would make it very accesible to those who aren't skilled in the setting up of a wireless network. And maybe several consoles can connect through a LAN this way.

[Switchblade Cross]

Ok, phone line?  Revolution as a router?

Well, no insult is intended here guys, but you should really look into how WiFi and computer networking in general works, and the correct terminology.  

Nemo, I think the idea behind Nintendo's choice  is more to do with having ease of connection.  Nintendo has said they want the game experience to be simple and enjoyable for everyone.  I think they invision sombody bringing their console over a buddy's house and only having to connect to the video monitor and a power outlet without having to worry about hubs and cables and all the whoopla of seting up a quick LAN game.  While I am sure Nintendo has some vision of an online community, I think type of model is really what drove them...

[nemo_83]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v334/VideoGamerJ/NC.jpg

this picuture shows what I am talking about, but I could not tell you if it is real.

[nickmitch]

The revolution logo and the Nintendo Connect logo do the double 'O' thing where there are two of them (one ontop of the other) and they're squared off.

[Artimus]

Nemo, that makes absolutely no sense. You said if you had wanted wifi internet yuo'd have bought it? Wha? Wifi isn't an ISP or an internet type. It's a connection type. It has nothing to do with your ISP, but the cable. Instead of an ethernet cable, you use wireless. There is nothing sucky about it. It will cost you hardly anything. Why should Nintendo pay even more money to stick a port on the back? It's redundant. Wireless is the way of the future, and wireless internet is fantastic nowadays. The only reason you have to object is that what you have isn't good enough and therefore it's someone else's fault. It's one thing if Nintendo expects everyone to purchase a brand new HDTV or something. It's another thing altogether if all they ask is you pop down $30 to make everyone's life easier.

No lag. No wires. No battery. Just clean, smooth, online fun.

[kirby_killer_dedede]

Nemo, you have to pay extra for some things...thats like saying "memory cards should be optional."  Or hell "controllers should be optional."  Even "my TV set should be optional."

[nemo_83]

I am telling you that every person I know with broadband internet already owns the equipment including the cables for cable internet and will not be willing to purchase wifi just for Nintendo's Revolution.  That is why I said that wifi should be an option.  Because people are going to look at the system when they get home and look for where they plug in their broadband in, and they are not going to be happy if they find out that after they bought the system they now have to go to the store and purchase extra equipment to access the internet through the bloody device because it does not feature a built in port.  It is such a simple solution to what could prove a huge invisible wall for the REV.  

[IceCold]

I had originally thought that the Revolution would be a Wi-fi "hub", and you would plug the cable into it. This could allow for easy connectivity between the Rev and the DS, the DS could have a hotspot to play online games if the person did not have a router, and it would also allow for easy controller connectivity. However, I don't think it will  be - it will just be Wi-fi enabled. And nemo, they might just give you a cheap "router" included with the Rev - you would plug your cable into it anywhere in the house and it would allow the Rev to use the Wi-fi signals. This would be convenient for whoever doesn't want to buy one.    

[TheYoungerPlumber]

I would think a RJ45 ethernet port on the back wouldn't be a big deal.  Then again, Nintendo made a new version of the GC to get rid of the component video port, so maybe they will not.    

If Nintendo can get LAN games working without a hub (like they can do with the DS), I'd say they could get away without a RJ45 port, especially if they cook up some deal to give Revolution owners a discount on a specific WAP model.  Heck, if they circumvented routers for wireless LAN gaming, they could ensure a 802.11g connection.

[Switchblade Cross]

Quote
Originally posted by: nemo_83
I am telling you that every person I know with broadband internet already owns the equipment including the cables for cable internet and will not be willing to purchase wifi just for Nintendo's Revolution.  That is why I said that wifi should be an option.  Because people are going to look at the system when they get home and look for where they plug in their broadband in, and they are not going to be happy if they find out that after they bought the system they now have to go to the store and purchase extra equipment to access the internet through the bloody device because it does not feature a built in port.  It is such a simple solution to what could prove a huge invisible wall for the REV.

I don't recall people complaing about having to buy an adapter and HDD to play their PS2 online.  Purchasing those and purchasing a wireless access point are really no diffrent.  I mean, there $15 for christ sake!  Quit yer moanin'.

[nemo_83]

I still have to use cable no matter what because I have other things in this house like four computers that use cables and an Xbox that uses cable.  We have already run five cables through this house.  All I need is an optional port for my cable on the back of the system.

It is like making a console with standard wireless controllers, but not giving the player the option of hooking a cord between the controller and console so I can charge while I play.  I may want wireless controllers, but I want force feedback more.  

[TheYoungerPlumber]

It is like making a console with standard wireless controllers, but not giving the player the option of hooking a cord between the controller and console so I can charge while I play. I may want wireless controllers, but I want force feedback more.

While I understand your complaints, and hope Nintendo does still allow for wired controllers and ethernet, I'm pretty sure you are in the minority on both the wireless issue and "force feedback."  The GC controller's rumble feature is hardly force feedback.