DS Dev Kits On The Way!

March 2, 2005, 2:57 pm EST
Total comments: 3

SN Systems and Hudson team up for DS development kits and software tools.

SN Systems and Hudson in Dual Project.

2nd March 2005 . Bristol, UK. SN Systems, the highly respected videogame tools developer, and Japanese hardware and software producers Hudson, are pleased to announce a joint partnership to produce official hardware development kits and software tools for the new Nintendo DS TM handheld console.

Andy Beveridge, Director of SN Systems stated "Working with Hudson on this joint venture has been particularly important as it allows two established and successful companies to develop an all-in-one solution for Nintendo DS TM developers. We have continued to lead the market by offering a range of comprehensive tools for all the major platforms, while Hudson has the rare and valuable experience of being both a game developer and hardware manufacturer. Working together we will be able to offer a package that will cover all the requirements of the developer."

Having already developed the popular GDEV hardware development kit for the Nintendo GameCube TM , Hudson has a wealth of experience and expertise that few other companies can match or offer. Coupled with extensive knowledge of the game development process, they are in prime position to deliver hardware that meets and exceeds the game developer's requirements. The new development kit will be supported by 'ProDG' software tools specifically designed by console tools specialist SN Systems. Users of 'ProDG' will instantly recognise the look and feel of the tools, ensuring teams will be able to quickly commence development.

Satoshi Murakami, General Manager of CT department, Hudson commented, "Hudson is continually improving internal development tools and procedures, as well as focusing on developing and selling content like games. NPDP-GDEV for Nintendo GameCube TM was developed using our experience and understanding of technology that we had established over time, so it was very pleasing to see it being used and praised by game developers globally. Working with renowned tools specialists SN Systems is excellent news for us as well as all Nintendo DS TM developers, they understand the importance of delivering professional tools and it is the perfect partnership to our new DS Dev hardware."

Due to the popularity of existing products, SN Systems and Hudson are confident of making an immediate impact on a global scale and demand is expected to be high. The development kit is expected to be available to all authorised Nintendo DS TM developers in all territories during late Q1 2005.

Talkback

ruby_onixMarch 02, 2005

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...while Hudson has the rare and valuable experience of being both a game developer and hardware manufacturer.

After the TurboGrafx-16 got off to a rocky start in North America, NEC brought in Hudson (their biggest software supporter) to try and "redesign" the TG-16's image. After that failed too, NEC just sort of "gave" the system to Hudson and walked away.

Just an FYI for anyone who was wracking their brain thinking "which console did Hudson make again?"

DjunknownMarch 02, 2005

So that's what happened. I always wondered why Hudson(soft?) was a little friendly to NEC back in day.

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Having already developed the popular GDEV hardware development kit for the Nintendo GameCube TM

Question(s): Who uses it? And is it really that efficient? Is it taboo for Devs to let the public know what dev kits they use?

georges_tiaMarch 05, 2005

When I read this article, my first thoughts were of the Turbografx-16 as well.

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Originally posted by: ruby_onix
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...while Hudson has the rare and valuable experience of being both a game developer and hardware manufacturer.

After the TurboGrafx-16 got off to a rocky start in North America, NEC brought in Hudson (their biggest software supporter) to try and "redesign" the TG-16's image. After that failed too, NEC just sort of "gave" the system to Hudson and walked away.

Actually, Hudson designed the Turbografx-16 hardware. They've had a hardware group for a long time. In the mid-80s they developed an IC memory card technology and mated it with an 8-bit home computer design to come up with the original PC Engine (nee Turbografx-16). NEC, a big computer maker in Japan at the time, wanted something to compete against MSX machines, so they bought the PC Engine design from Hudson. For whatever reason, NEC ultimately decided to recast the hardware as a game console to compete against the Famicom. Hudson also developed the hardware behind the 32-bit PC-FX console system that NEC released in 1994. And they developed the hardware and OS for the X68000 computer released by Sharp in the late 80s (basically a high-end home computer similar to the Amiga that was great for games). So Hudson has a pretty long history with game hardware.