Topic: N5 Nintendo's trojan horse for LAN gaming

[Mannypon]

Ive mentioned this in a few other topics so I decided to start a topic on this just to get some feedback on what everyone thinks bout it.  I was thinking, since nintendo seems to be getting into LAN gaming that maybe they'll use the N5 to help LAN overtake the current fad of the slow to grow and little profitable internet gaming.  

All that nintendo would have to do is release the N5 in a portable shape (such as the gamecube) and have it come with an lcd flip top screen.  Since they will most likely not be including dvd and whatnot that the competitors will be puttin into their next systems, they can use that money designated for those extra options and put it into the lcd screen.  The lcd screen cost wont be as big as a prob since it'll most likely bump up the price of the system to the range of its competitors.  Even so, if the price is still a lil much, nintendo should have the balls to release their system at a loss to stay competative, they can afford to do it.  A broadband connect will be standard on the system and the cables for LAN gaming will come bumdled with the system.  Another nice feature that nintendo has created with the gameboy advance generation is the ability to link up games on one cart.  This should be applyed with the N5.  Have games with limited LAN games if useing just one cd but full LAN options are opened when all systems have the cd.  This will give uneasy consumers a taste of LAN gaming and will hopefully hook them into havin everyone buy the game in order to get the full experience.

All these extras included with the system (lcd screen, broadband con, wires) will ensure that everyone that buys the system will be LAN enabled and thus will not segregate the consumer base as if they sold everything seperately.  The prob with LAN is that its too much work and too expensive to take advantage of.   In order to get the LAN experience now, one will have to gather as many tvs possible, all the required cables, the systems and all the games, not to mention a room big enough for all this.

All in all, I think its quite possible for nintendo to pull this off.  It wont be seen as a gimmick to the consumers IMO.  It aint as risky as goin into the internet fad and for everyone thats played counterstrike on a LAN network knows the pluses it has over playing through the internet.  You dont get all the extra downloadable extras but its more secure, besides you have to pay a price for glitch free gaming.  If marketed right, this could be the next big thing.  With the lcd screens, everyone can just bring their N5s over and gather around in a circle or whater, flip up their personal screens and play LAN with a crowd and have the excitement of seein everyone's faces after youve snuck up behind them fragged them and whatnot.  Its always good to see the person you talking sh*t to in a game lol, makes the win that much sweeter IMO.  I've made this long enough, let me know what yous think.

[Cell]

Well, in a nutshell, I don't agree.  Certainly, Nintendo should find a way to aggressively differentiate themselves and add value to their game-only product in the next generation, if they really are going to stick with that, which as most people I fully expect.  I just don't feel the investment/expense in this whole thing with the built-in LCD screen to relieve some of the complications inherent to LAN gaming is justified, I'd rather they put those resources into other aspects of the machine, which is the subject of a different topic altogether.  It's true you eliminate some of the hassle of LAN gaming by providing people with what is basically a TV with each GameCube, but that hardly solves all the problems.  You still have to have enough power outlets, which means a power/surge protector strip for most people, thats just one thing.  And then there's the actual size of the screen in question.  

Even if the system ends up the size of the Xbox, which it won't, I could almost gaurantee a similar foot-print to the current GameCube, you can't really incorporate a substantial enough screen to get the job done right.  A 15 or 17 inch screen is really only good if you have it plenty close, as you would with a computer monitor, which makes for an awkward image in my mind, a bunch of people in odd positions trying to get comfortably close to their respective machine, some out right planting it on their laps... just not kosher. If you take into account the possibility of multiple players on any one console... oohh boy.. forget about it.. that'd render anything unplayable with such miniscule display space.  LAN gaming is simply no substitute at all for online gaming, >it< is the supplementary element, not the other way around.  As for whether or not people would consider it gimmicky, well, I can conceive of few things that could be more gimmicky.  There's nothing particularly wrong with a gimmick, but if it's just blatent, and not something I value, then I simply will pay it no mind and won't find the subsequent price point acceptable.  

LAN gaming should be available for any of their games, but so should an online option next generation, or at least leave it open-ended, so people could enjoy a LAN match while they wait for the infrastructure to be set up for outright online play, if they so choose to go through the trouble.  For the most part, I'd just let third parties figure out their infrastructure themselves, and simply provide the means for players to access that, with LAN options available from the get-go if the third party in question sees it fit.  Just because Nintendo sees no profit with online gaming it doesn't mean third parties would agree, for the most part they don't.  Eventually, they're going to have to leverage their capital some, I feel when they do it should be to design and build an infrastructure for online gaming that >is< profittable, or at least inexpensive enough that they can absorb the costs and have a reliable, secure, friendly service for gamers available.  Maybe that's asking for too much, I don't know.  But, to fight that trend, to continue resisting it into the next-generation, that's futile, and it's a battle they'll lose.  I don't give it much importance this generation, but next it'll be an entirely different matter as far as I'm concerned.  

My true point of contention does simply come down to the fact I want the resources built-in LAN-facilitating features demand to be spent in some other way.  A little extra RAM, some extra specialized writeability option, built-in GB player, that sort of thing.  The idea of having some sort of peripheral that makes the system easily portable is still viable in my opinion.  Maybe not for LAN play specifically, but some screen/hefty battery combo, some packed in AC/Car adapter, make it real easy for someone to take it on a camping trip or a long road trip or some such.  Third parties are right now providing this >sort< of peripheral product, but you know how it goes, a first party rendition of any peripheral tends to be of higher quality overall.
 

[pandora2day]

Really interesting read fella's , on the LAN issue, I've long wondered how difficult it really is to game on 2 or more TV's with only one console??? I admit I'm not that informed on the more tech aspect of these things but think about it, cable and satelite is viewable on multiple TV's, my point is, you really don't need 2 consoles, just harness the technology on splitting the Visual signals from the console (as with your average sky digital set top box) and then fellas we could be talking about some proper trojan horse stuff. I'm a great N fan and I'm rooting for them to make a strong comeback on the next gen and I strongly believe that if this technology could come bundled (coupled with all the other prerequisites of course) it would really give them the edge on the LAN front at least and I'd also Imagine that would prove a big hit with public video gaming (arcade centers and all)

Also, it's a bit likely N will join the dvd band wagon on this one, they've already confirmed they'll be adding a HDD and apart from the online abilities of a console being second to the gaming, I feel multi media (audio & video dvd) comes in a close third (xbox sales have proved that portability - size that is, is not a question in the face of power and ability)

Hey! I may be off by a mile but I'd really like to hear what someone else thinks k?

cheers

[the whatz that?]

i think it wouldn't be such a bad idea to make LAN gaming idea into a separate add on package.  You know, set up in a box for two players, and then you could just sell add ons at a smaller price.  People like LAN parties, think about, those LAN shops could be the biggest investors.  Rather than having to go through the trouble of setting up hubs and switchers and such, they could just buy the cheaper Nintendo hardware.  The N5 could just make it that more simpler.  As for multimedia, I think some extra options than "it's a gaming machine, nothing more" mentallity isn't good.  I tell you why: I've seen many places where this doesn't work.  Parents are one thing: little timmy likes movies and games, ok, you could A) back when the cube was still over 100 dollars) buy a game system that is just coming out and buy him that cheap 60 dollar DVD player or buy one that does both.  B) in organizations that provide them for kids(i.e. hospitals) for something to do.  It nice to have that extra function so they can have the latest movies and don't have to invest in the extra systems as well.  I think many people are tired of memory cards, although honestly with a much gaming i do, i haven't filled up my card 251(i delete the games im not interested in anymore on a reg. basis).  On another topic in this fast forward here.  Stackablity i think is a must for the cube, people who buy systems now reguarly link them into their home theatre systems and the cube honestly just doesn't cut it here.  Top loading works for boom boxes cuz your on the go, but game systems sit in entertainment systems, just like how i think it's a bit of a clumbsy design by sony to put the power button on the back, thats just annoying when it's in a entern. system.  i think that Nintendo option tho, will either A) go software only and take advantage of PS's and Box's new capabilities and maybe make the ultimate portable gaming devices.  B) Make a game only system the pushes the limits of what gaming has to offer, make online gaming a super easy setup.  ( this taint' easy when you don't already have a network setup, lets see you have to get a router and a network adapter(for the PS)  and wireless oh boy)  and make the system super cheap.  Gaming next gen just isn't gonna be the same as what were all used to, Sony and Microsoft are just going to make sure of that.   Just take a look at the multimedia extender kit for the Xbox.  Which is sad b/c gaming has always been about getting deals and systems cheap and not having to invest in getting the video cards and sound cards for the computer b/c the software was optimized for the hardware, oh well.

[Mannypon]

goog points, I never thought of lan shops taking advantage of the n5 if it goes that root.  But yeah, lan shops are quite popular now adays specially with fsp like counter strike.

[Tryonic Prinv]

Attention Nintendo:

If you want N5 to offer something truly innovative, give it two built-in ethernet jacks. That's right, two. Think about it, then we'd be able to daisy chain the systems together, eliminating the need for BBA's and a hub altogether. If one length of ethernet cable also comes standard in the box, then anybody who bought an N5 would immediately have all the equipment needed to join a LAN of infinite size.

This would GREATLY increase the popularity of lan gaming because everybody would be capable of it, even the non-techno savvy. Most kids (and their parents for that matter) probably don't even know what a hub is. If every regular Joe Schmoe is capable of throwing a LAN party with his friends, then third-party developers would jump on the bandwagon as well. It could spark a multiplayer revolution.

Think about N5 as being "the ultimate lan console". It would exist in a completely different category than other consoles - it would serve a different purpose. Even the Xbox and PS2 fanboys would want to have one for joining in on the lan parties. These are the kids who like to put down Nintendo. But lots of them own GBA's, right? That's because the GBA provides a unique experience that their xbox never could.

[manunited4eva22]

Daisy chaining?  As in a token ring network?  Mind if I call you nuts?

[Tryonic Prinv]

Would token ring really be that horrible? I'll admit that I don't know all of the pros and cons of that particular architecture... but it at least works, right?

Let's brainstorm... If you can think of a better architecture that would be just as easy to set up, (thereby appealing to the mass market), and could come standard in the box at a low cost, i'd like to hear it. (Hey i'm not looking for an argument, just trying to get some ideas going).

There is a huge population out there and a huge potential that is going untapped. If Nintendo can open up LAN gaming to the casual gamers... it could turn into the next big thing... and they could emerge as the industry leader once again. But regular people are scared of hubs, ethernet cables, and shelling out $40 on a BBA that will be useless if none of their friends would own one as well.  

[KDR_11k]

The problem is it DOESN'T work most of the time. Look it up and you'll know why.

[Draygaia]

Or they can get someone else to REALLY do the online gaming for them if they won't.