IBM Shipping Broadway to Nintendo

Wii

September 10, 2006, 10:36 am EDT
Total comments: 18

The "digital heartbeat" of the Wii is now ready to be put inside the revolutionary console.

IBM Ships First Microchips for Nintendo's Wii Video Game System

Advanced IBM Technology Brings Wii to Life, Using Less Energy

Armonk, NY - 08 Sep 2006: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that the microprocessors that will serve as the digital heartbeat of Nintendo’s upcoming Wii™ video game console are being shipped from IBM’s state-of-the-art East Fishkill, N.Y., fabrication facility.

Earlier this year, IBM and Nintendo signed a multi-year microchip production agreement to support the upcoming launch of Nintendo’s eagerly anticipated Wii video game console. The chip, code-named “Broadway," will deliver experiences not previously possible on video game consoles.

“The first chips are in our possession," said Genyo Takeda, Senior Managing Director/General Manager, Integrated Research & Development Division, Nintendo Co., Ltd. “Today’s milestone marks the final stage of our drive to reach both core and nontraditional gamers with an inviting, inclusive and remarkable gaming experience."

Under the terms of the agreement, IBM will produce millions of fully tested, Power Architecture-based chips featuring IBM Silicon on Insulator (SOI) technology at 90 nanometers (90 billionths of a meter), based on the specifications of the custom design agreement previously agreed upon by the two companies. The chip is being produced at IBM’s state-of-the-art 300mm semiconductor development and manufacturing facility in East Fishkill, N.Y.

Silicon on Insulator technology from IBM helps deliver to Nintendo a generous improvement in processing power while achieving a 20 percent reduction in energy consumption.

Microchips based on the Power Architecture are the electronic brain of devices large and small, and are inside automotive safety systems, printers, routers, servers and the world’s most powerful supercomputers.

"The IBM team has worked hard to design, develop and deliver this customized Power microprocessor for the worldwide launch of Nintendo’s new system," said Ron Martino, director, IBM Technology Collaboration Solutions. “When millions of gamers take the controls of Wii this holiday season, the IBM logo will once again be front and center on this innovative new product."

The relationship between IBM and Nintendo dates to May 1999, when IBM announced a comprehensive technology agreement to design and manufacture the central microprocessor, often referred to as the “Gekko" chip, for the Nintendo GameCube™ system from its Burlington, Vt., production facility.

IBM’s Technology Collaboration Solutions unit helps clients collaborate with IBM to rethink and reinvent their R&D operations and the products they bring to market. It helps clients leverage IBM technology, intellectual property, research, process capabilities, systems and expertise to drive innovation into their own core products and services. Technology Collaboration Solutions provides expertise in the rapidly growing world of digitalization and network connected products and services - - complementing existing customer skills with IBM's 50+ years of digital and information technology, insight and experience.

Talkback

DarkheartSeptember 10, 2006

OH GOD THIS IS SO OLD LOLOLOLOL FOR I HAVE LEARNED THIS ON THE GREAT SITE JOYSTIQ HARHARHARHAR!

TJ SpykeSeptember 10, 2006

That was funny, Joystiq promised everyone that they had big news and it would be worth waiting for, then we find out the big news was just a PR statement saying that IBM shipped the Broadway chip to Nintendo. Didn't somebody at the website get fired for this?

StrellSeptember 10, 2006

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Originally posted by: nintendogamecube86
That was funny, Joystiq promised everyone that they had big news and it would be worth waiting for, then we find out the big news was just a PR statement saying that IBM shipped the Broadway chip to Nintendo. Didn't somebody at the website get fired for this?

Yea. The guy that kept stoking the coals - Robert Summa, or whatever his name is.

WindyManSteven Rodriguez, Staff AlumnusSeptember 10, 2006

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Originally posted by: Strell
Quote
Originally posted by: nintendogamecube86
That was funny, Joystiq promised everyone that they had big news and it would be worth waiting for, then we find out the big news was just a PR statement saying that IBM shipped the Broadway chip to Nintendo. Didn't somebody at the website get fired for this?

Yea. The guy that kept stoking the coals - Robert Summa, or whatever his name is.

You can read about that fiasco here. Apparently, Joystiq is the more guilty party, but no one knows for sure.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorSeptember 10, 2006

People seem to be flaming Joystiq for firing the guy... saying the guy didn't do anything. I don't really agree at all. The post even got our own Rick Powers hyped up enough to start a thread here. That's a pretty trashy thing to do.

Bartman3010September 10, 2006

He seems happy where he is now, so its not all bad, I dont think...

King of TwitchSeptember 10, 2006

"That was funny, Joystiq promised everyone that they had big news and it would be worth waiting for, then we find out the big news was just a PR statement..."

>>Joystiq'd

Karl Castaneda #2September 10, 2006

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Originally posted by: Pale
People seem to be flaming Joystiq for firing the guy... saying the guy didn't do anything. I don't really agree at all. The post even got our own Rick Powers hyped up enough to start a thread here. That's a pretty trashy thing to do.

Pale, the point is, this is a situation where Joystiq should've had the guy's back. They had the entire day to question or alter his post, but they didn't, and as such, they're accessories to the mishap. If I posted something similar on PGC, I would've gotten an email/IM/phone call from someone about its validity within an hour, because that's the way a good management team works. And if Jonny or Dan or someone from the Senior Staff hadn't inquired, I know for a fact that we'd take the fall as a group - I wouldn't just be ousted.

Here's what probably happened: this Joystiq guy got bad info from a contact, posted on it, and got the shaft. For that, he lost his job. It's also ridiculous to fire him thinking that they can come back from that kind of credibility loss. When people read websites, they rarely read the byline - they read the banner. It was "Joystiq" who made the mistake, not this one guy. Firing him is extremely harsh, and does nothing to heal this wound - it just makes them one man lighter.

It's not as if he posted false information - he simply said that Joystiq would have great exclusive content later that day, and it turned out he was wrong. If he'd posted something to the effect of, "Wii launching on November 1st with 15 games (listed) for $149," then I could see something to this effect. But this? Ridiculous.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorSeptember 10, 2006

Point taken Karl. I guess I'm just still pissed that I stayed up for that.

There is something to be said for the kind of site Joystiq is though. For me it is a more personal thing than PGC because of the nature of the site. I mean, they post crap about cool cosplay or home made nintendo cakes and stuff. But you are right. When i read the original story I didn't say oh 'so and so' had better be right about this... I said "Joystiq has a scoop? That's a little strange."

ShyGuySeptember 10, 2006

Ahem, ON THE SUBJECT, the CPU consumes 20% less power than Gamecube's CPU! Woot!

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 10, 2006

Well, we already knew it was weak, but 20% less power than the GameCube? Tim Taylor would not approve.

We need more power ::grunts, then plugs an XBox 360 power supply into his Wii::

CericSeptember 10, 2006

Yeah the press release is pretty interesting for a press release. I personally think Joystiq firing the guy hurts their credibility more than it helps.

wanderingSeptember 10, 2006

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Originally posted by: Robert Summa
I went to game blogs to not only get info quickly without resorting to sites like IGN, but also to have a little fun with the whole thing.

I think he's confusing fun for himself and fun for other people.

But, yeah, I agree ViewtifulGamer. Joystiq approved of what he was doing, and firing him to save face was pretty scummy.

On topic! So, this press release, like, confirms an October launch, right? Good.

EasyCureSeptember 11, 2006

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Originally posted by: UncleBob
Well, we already knew it was weak, but 20% less power than the GameCube? Tim Taylor would not approve.

We need more power ::grunts, then plugs an XBox 360 power supply into his Wii::

mantidorSeptember 11, 2006

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Originally posted by: ShyGuy
Ahem, ON THE SUBJECT, the CPU consumes 20% less power than Gamecube's CPU! Woot!

I don't understand why this is such a huge deal, is this a big concern in Japan? Ive never heard of anyone who complains that consoles consume "too much energy", they are consoles to begin with, Im sure the TV alone consumes a lot more.

UltimatePartyBearSeptember 11, 2006

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Originally posted by: mantidor
Quote
Originally posted by: ShyGuy
Ahem, ON THE SUBJECT, the CPU consumes 20% less power than Gamecube's CPU! Woot!

I don't understand why this is such a huge deal, is this a big concern in Japan? Ive never heard of anyone who complains that consoles consume "too much energy", they are consoles to begin with, Im sure the TV alone consumes a lot more.

Perhaps, but less energy use also means less heat production. That's a necessity for the small form factor Nintendo wants, and it saves them money on cooling systems. The small form factor probably gives them reduced shipping and storage costs, too, compared to the much larger competing consoles. Those cost savings have an impact on the final price, plus we get the benefit of a much quieter console.

steveySeptember 11, 2006

It most likely because the wii never sleep, stops, or turn off (like reggie ) and nintendo dose want people unpluging it after they get their power bill.

KaironCarmine Red, Associate EditorSeptember 11, 2006

Not to mention, a more efficient, quieter, more streamlined and better designed console is just artistically pleasing. And it satisfies the Japanese concept of "Kaizen."

But yeah, the whole purpose for this direction (power efficient, cool, quiet, small) is so that the Wii can be left on 24/7 and remain inconspicuous noisewise, space-wise, heatwise, and electricity-bill-wise. Plus it can be lugged to a buddies house with exceptional ease, and non-gamers have faster start-up speeds. I don't know what Nintendo plans to do with this always-on concept now, but since they had this in mind since long ago I'm hoping that they've got some neat (I don't want to get my hopes up for awesome) tricks they can do, like with that whole Animal Crossing thing, or new at-your-doorstep additional content to unexpectedly flavor and spice up games.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

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