Post by: Kairon on July 15, 2006, 11:34:48 AM
Say it ain't so!
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The British Government is enforcing a new law which requires standby features of appliances to be slashed from product designs.
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on July 15, 2006, 12:03:32 PM
It's only bad news for the "wannabe" media boxes!
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on July 15, 2006, 12:50:04 PM
Edit: If this law also applies to fridges and freezers how the hell are people going to have their food properly refridgerated.
Post by: ThePerm on July 15, 2006, 01:02:24 PM
Post by: Ceric on July 15, 2006, 05:24:55 PM
Post by: Smash_Brother on July 15, 2006, 06:57:54 PM
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Some mentioned products by the Government include set-top boxes, chargers, televisions, lighting, freezers, fridges, washing machines, and computers. These must be created in a more energy-efficent manner, and standby features will no longer be tolerated.
Doesn't anyone in England realize that there are no televisions, freezers, fridges, washing machines, or computers being manufactured in England? How do they plan to alter how these devices function when they're made primarily in Asia?
Post by: IceCold on July 15, 2006, 08:46:02 PM
Post by: wandering on July 15, 2006, 09:47:33 PM
Anyway, Kairon's anti-UK propaganda to the contrary, the Wii should be in the clear:
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Fortunately, it's not going to happen. The source for these claims, a new Energy Review (large PDF) produced by Her Majesty's Government, does point out the need to reduce Britain's thirst for standby juice, which consumes nearly 8 percent of all electricity in UK homes. As the report notes, though, all the government wants to do is "limit stand-by power consumption."
...
To reduce their electric draw, the UK is helping to push the International Energy Agency's One-watt Plan (PDF), which (as the name implies) wants such devices to use no more than a watt of power while in standby.
Post by: Kairon on July 15, 2006, 10:02:16 PM
I want to see Mr. Darcy in a wet T-shirt! I DO!
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Renny on July 16, 2006, 08:56:11 AM
Post by: Ceric on July 16, 2006, 09:08:08 AM
Post by: Plugabugz on July 16, 2006, 10:03:55 AM
Gaming online wont be a problem, but an "off" console nipping online to do it's laundry isn't helpful for those who may have monthly bandwidth quotas.
Post by: Ceric on July 16, 2006, 01:08:20 PM
.
Post by: wandering on July 16, 2006, 01:12:36 PM
edit:
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But theres always pulling the plug
Not with the Wii's internal battery! There's no escape! Nintendo's taking over the world, living room by living room!
Post by: Ceric on July 16, 2006, 01:24:42 PM
Post by: Infernal Monkey on July 16, 2006, 01:59:06 PM
Post by: Ceric on July 16, 2006, 06:28:39 PM
Post by: thejeek on July 17, 2006, 03:37:52 AM
Oh, and BTW, @whoever said one nuclear power plant would do us FOREVER - we already have 23 and they provide less than a fifth of our power...
Post by: Ceric on July 17, 2006, 06:20:08 AM
Edit: Take that back. I found this. Ok so we have over a hundred. Where I live most of power comes from Hydroelectric dams, some coal, I think 1 nuclear is in there jurisdication, and we have a Wind Power Plant, Solar arrrays (Some on top of the busses to an amusement park that feed to the grid. How weird is that?) and 1 plant that uses sewage to produce electricity.
Post by: Ian Sane on July 17, 2006, 08:06:30 AM
I wouldn't really consider a fridge to ever be in "standby" mode. It's pretty much "on" and doing its function all the time. I assume the idea is for devices that are functionally "off" but are still sucking juice. Personally I hate "always on" stuff so I really don't care if they put a law in preventing them. Electronics that never really turn off have never provided me with any advantage but a higher electric bill.
I think the WiiConnect24 idea is dumb anyway so if this will make Nintendo reconsider it that's good. I'd like the ability to turn the 24 thing on or off so if I choose to download things while I'm sleeping I can but I can turn the whole thing off too if I want. If they put something like that in they can just disable the ability to turn it on for units shipped to the UK.
Post by: Requiem on July 17, 2006, 08:43:41 AM
Nintendo is giving you the oppurtunity, through WiiConnect24, to have content readily available, even while you sleep. Wanted to try out the next new Wii/DS game? Hell, just turn on your Wii and it's there. Want to send your buddy, who lives thousands of miles away, a message? Have at it. And don't worry, even if he isn't presently there, the next time he boots up his Wii he'll see that you sent him something.
How is that a "dumb idea"? I think it's brilliant!
Nintendo, as a company, is trying to give us incentives to actively participate with our Wii's (har har) everyday. The only way to acheive that goal is if there is a reason to turn on the damn thing everyday.
What would you propose? How else could you acheive the same goal?
Post by: Ian Sane on July 17, 2006, 09:10:58 AM
Same thing only I can turn the damn thing off if I want to save energy or bandwidth without having to unplug the thing. It's as simple as that. Just put a setting in the menu that says WiiConnect24 On/Off. If you turn it off it's only online when you have the console turned on. Plus I want the ability to pick and choose what I download. I don't want Nintendo deciding that for me. I f*cking hate it when any company decides things for me. What if Nintendo decides to change a game and I like it the way it is? If I don't have the choice then I can't stop them from doing that. All of the functionality of the WiiConnect24 would still be available if it was optional (ie: I want to download a demo overnight so I just temporarily turn the function on for a night) and most of it is usable even without it (ie: you don't need to keep your PC on 24/7 to receive email or get automatic updates). There really is no reason to FORCE a 24 hour standby mode on everybody.
Post by: Requiem on July 17, 2006, 09:36:04 AM
Instead, I think once you turn on your console (which boots up really quick btw), it'll go to a menu showing you that you have this many (#) downloads available, this many (#) messages unread, someone left you a gift in AC etc. etc.
Basically, it'll become your little hub world for all things gaming (especially with the inclusion of Opera). And if you want to download something, I'm sure it will have an option to this effect "Download next time I power off the console." So you can check off a bunch then pass out only to wake up to new games and such.
But, I see your point. There really is no major reason to have your console on 24 hours a day. Unless........... unless there is something like that AC example Nintendo always mentions. Where I can roam your village while your asleep. Something like that would NEED your console on in order to work.
However, that idea isn't even that intriguing (unless of course, AC is dope as sh!t). Still, the possibilities are out there, we just aren't creative enough to see them.
/rant
Post by: Smash_Brother on July 17, 2006, 10:28:32 AM
In AC, you can tell the system whether or not you want it to receive bulletin board updates. I expect Wii24 to be no different: the only content it'll download automatically is content you've told it to download beforehand. I'm sure you can check the "give me everything" box or you can choose to go in and download it manually.
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Originally posted by: Requiem However, that idea isn't even that intriguing (unless of course, AC is dope as sh!t). Still, the possibilities are out there, we just aren't creative enough to see them.
Second, my guess would be that this is indeed the case.
Nintendo wouldn't go out of its way to put money into a feature and a service which they themselves didn't have some big plans for. I can't think of what they'd do with it, beyond an AC town (which would still be pretty damn neat, as currently, you need to schedule the arrival of others in your town because you can't just leave your DS on all day), but I'm sure they have some ideas which we haven't considered.
It's just not like them to go the distance on something which will require additional money even AFTER it's created unless they planned on using it to offer some features which will make games more salable as a result.
Post by: Ian Sane on July 17, 2006, 11:32:16 AM
People can screw that up by just unplugging their console anyway. Whether Nintendo likes it or not we CAN still turn off our Wii's. I'm merely arguing that there should be a more official way of doing it than just yanking the cord from the wall.
"First of all, Ian, you don't have to worry about downloading things you don't want. Why? Because it costs Nintendo money in bandwidth every time a user downloads ANYTHING. They're not going to literally throw money away via spending bandwidth on something the user didn't want in the first place."
I was thinking more of patches or upgrades like when Windows automatically downloads updates.
Post by: Smash_Brother on July 17, 2006, 11:48:35 AM
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Originally posted by: Ian Sane I was thinking more of patches or upgrades like when Windows automatically downloads updates.
What patches or upgrades do you expect?
It will cost a decent chunk of change in bandwidth every time Nintendo decides to release a patch to the Wiis of the world. They've come this far without ever needing to release a patch or upgrade to any of their software or hardware that I can recall and I'm sure they'll demand the same of 3rd parties.
WiiConnect24 sounds like a system which will be ideal for people to do things like start a large game file downloading and leave it downloading overnight or receive special visitors, items, etc. in AC and other features in games like it.
I'm not imagining something like "Windows Auto Update" which will be busy doing things to your Wii's firmware while you sleep.
It costs Nintendo money and they've never actively sought to "update" games in the past. I don't see why they would start now when they seem to instead prefer making QA good enough that no one ships buggy games.
Post by: Ian Sane on July 17, 2006, 01:46:25 PM
Well they've never had the ability to "update" games before. I was thinking more like fixing exploits in games like some of the weird sequence breaking stuff people have done with Metroid Prime, Missingno, Minus World, snaking in F-Zero GX, etc. Nintendo also pretty much always tinkers with the difficulty on re-releases and might see fit to make a game easier after release. They probably are going to do some bonus material upgrades of some sort and might tie in "fixes" with those releases that we don't really want.
Nintendo are control freaks and I honestly just don't trust them to not f*ck around with this 24 Connect stuff.
Post by: Louieturkey on July 17, 2006, 02:34:02 PM
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Originally posted by: Ian SaneI was thinking more of patches or upgrades like when Windows automatically downloads updates.
Actually, you can turn that function off.
Post by: Requiem on July 17, 2006, 02:45:22 PM
It's true they never had the option to "update" --- with a console that is. They have the DS, and there is the definite ability to update your firmware and/or games through the use of your own internet connection or the retial stores Download station.
The option is there, yet Nintendo and third parties have not had to patch a game or firmware. But in the other corner, the PSP is patching firmware left and right.
Now, with a console, Nintendo might have to patch some things up. My bet would be the Opera browser and maybe a couple Wiimote related patches. Everything else, except a few stragglers here and there, will not need or have patches (including third parties).
An interesting question would be, how often are games patched on the 360? That's Microsoft's console, and therefore the one with the highest risk for patched-games. If they don't patch games up much, then that might mean Nintendo and their third parties will do the same or most likely, a hell of alot lower.
Post by: Ceric on July 17, 2006, 03:08:35 PM
Anyhow. The temptation will be their but if Nintendo really looks at why people like Apple, which in my opinion they've been getting a little lax in, and why we Nintendo fans like Nintendo. They'll make sure that all software and hardware is up to the same quality that it is now. Especially in regards to bugs.
Post by: wandering on July 17, 2006, 08:33:36 PM
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People can screw that up by just unplugging their console anyway. Whether Nintendo likes it or not we CAN still turn off our Wii's. I'm merely arguing that there should be a more official way of doing it than just yanking the cord from the wall.
OF COURSE WiiConnect24 will be optional. Nintendo said as much during their E3 presentation. You seriously think Nintendo is going to make a console that uses up your bandwith without your permission, whether you like it or not?
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Apple on the other had can break compatibility and charge for point releases. Is that fair?
Apple's "point releases" are point releases in name only, though. Compared with, for example, the jump from Windows 2000 to XP, the updates are perfectly justified. They just want to keep the 'X' for branding purposes. Also, Apple gives people free patches and updates, just like Microsoft.
Post by: Stimutacs Addict on July 17, 2006, 09:27:37 PM
I want Christmas presents in my games -- that means new characters in Smash Bros., new microgames for WarioWare, a better fishing rod in Twilight Princess.
also, I expect Smash Bros. Brawl to be a nearly unbroken fighter -- they need to get in there and tweak characters' (cheap) throws and lame combos... I have no problem with some of the chain throws but sheik's is too f*ing lame in NTSC (lucky PAL players)...
If the designers realise that they completely nerfed a character, then they can get back in there and change damage/knockback and maybe extend hitboxes for priority.
Post by: Kairon on July 17, 2006, 10:17:34 PM
NO NERFING OR BUFFING OR PATCHING SSBB. DO NOT MAKE SSBB WOW. DO NOT MAKE SSBB UNDEPENDABLE.
MAKE SSBB AS GOOD AS POSSIBLE AT RELEASE AND DO NOT TINKER WITH IT AFTERWARDS, COME HELL OR HIGH WATER.
IAN HAS POINT. NINTENDO CHANGING GAMES BAD RAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWRRRRRR!!!!!
~CARMINE M. RED
KAIRON@AOL.COM
Post by: Requiem on July 17, 2006, 10:21:02 PM
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Originally posted by: Stimutacs Addict
My only problem with WC24 is that Nintendo might not do enough with it.
I want Christmas presents in my games -- that means new characters in Smash Bros., new microgames for WarioWare, a better fishing rod in Twilight Princess.
also, I expect Smash Bros. Brawl to be a nearly unbroken fighter -- they need to get in there and tweak characters' (cheap) throws and lame combos... I have no problem with some of the chain throws but sheik's is too f*ing lame in NTSC (lucky PAL players)...
If the designers realise that they completely nerfed a character, then they can get back in there and change damage/knockback and maybe extend hitboxes for priority.
I have to agree with Kairon.
I don't want any of that stuff. It's such a waste of value time. Instead, they should be working on the next batch of games.
Post by: Ceric on July 18, 2006, 04:36:54 AM
Theirs a cheap combo with Sheik? Really. I find that player extremely hard to play. I guess it goes with your skill level. Which can't be tweaked. Whatever is most effective will become cheap in a fighter.
Post by: Smash_Brother on July 18, 2006, 12:09:24 PM
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But it seems like they update once a year and they don't always give you that much more for the money you have to spend to stay current. Bah. I never like that scheme with Apple.
Each subsequent system release does not come without an assload of new features, apps and drastic improvements over the previous system.
However, most apps will run from the earlier iterations of OSX anyway. It's not like you're forced to upgrade unless you legitimately WANT the features.
Post by: Kairon on July 20, 2006, 08:21:24 AM
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Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
Er, has Nintendo actually MENTIONED anything about altering games after they're released or is that all just speculation on our part?
No, Stimutacs Addict did.
All Nintendo has really mentioned is the animal crossing example: wake up and you've got mail in AC, gifts from Nintendo, neat new stuff like that!
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
