Post by: S-U-P-E-R on March 10, 2004, 07:57:17 PM
Discuss!
Post by: Bloodworth on March 10, 2004, 08:21:51 PM
Post by: WindyMan on March 10, 2004, 08:42:29 PM
Post by: RealmRPGer on March 10, 2004, 09:00:28 PM
Oh, and what is a microphone used for again? Oh, right, talking. And what is wireless communication good for again? Oh yes, now I remember, TALKING! So...um...Nintendo has included a cell phone afterall? If it's not included, 50 bucks says someone will make a "game" that turns it into a cell phone.
Post by: S-U-P-E-R on March 10, 2004, 09:21:19 PM
Quote
The Turbo Touch 360. My, that thing was a godsend.
Jonny and StrikerObi had never heard of them :mad:
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on March 10, 2004, 10:16:31 PM
-PSP walks over to DS-
DS: Let me tell you a little joke.
PSP: What?
DS: What did the 5 fingers say to the face?
PSP: Huh...?
DS: ::SLAP!!!:: -as DS slaps PSP across the face-
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on March 10, 2004, 10:35:34 PM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on March 10, 2004, 10:38:04 PM
Link
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on March 10, 2004, 11:01:08 PM
2^6 * 2^6 * 2^6 = 262144! Huzzah!
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on March 10, 2004, 11:10:07 PM
Post by: Uglydot on March 11, 2004, 12:23:31 AM
Post by: ruby_onix on March 11, 2004, 01:14:24 AM
GameSpot
I'm intrigued by the IGN comment about the DS's second CPU being there in part for GBA-compatibility. And we already know that the DS is supposed to use some new, bigger, carts.
I'm thinking this lets the entire classic GameBoy library live on in the DS line, through to the future (if it survives) (and I mean "the future", not "the DS"
), so the GBA2 (which I expect is still coming) will be free to explore non-cart based technologies.
Post by: oohhboy on March 11, 2004, 02:12:26 AM
Cart size, they would only be logically bigger, not in phyiscal size if they intend to maintain backward compatability. Also, given the power in the DS, it is more than posible that GBC games be supported through software, with reduced compatabilty as an expected result.
Post by: xanrastafari on March 11, 2004, 03:27:39 AM
Post by: couchmonkey on March 11, 2004, 04:04:42 AM
Must...stop...talking...like...Spiderman...from...70s...cartoon...
Must...concentrate!...Got to...Stop...Mysterio!
Hope it's all true and then some. Still don't think this is going to stop the PSP, but if these specs were real, and if it beats or meets the PSP release date, then Sony is facing a much tougher battle.
Post by: Cap on March 11, 2004, 04:43:01 AM
the specs look interesting though, hopefully they're real.
Post by: Pale on March 11, 2004, 04:58:53 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on March 11, 2004, 06:23:38 AM
Touch screen does seem somewhat likely though I assure you it will not be this dumb idea people have been having about it being designed as a customizable control pad. If anything it will be used for menus or any non-gaming features (if there are any). If the second screen is touch sensitive I really doubt it will be used for action controls, particularly when we already have other buttons.
I hope the X & Y buttons are added. Is there any good reason NOT to include them? People have complained about the lack of those buttons on the GBA from the get-go. It doesn't really make any sense for Nintendo to blatantly ignore such a valid complaint from their fans.
I predict the microphone wil be used for voice chat in wireless games. Either that or Seaman and Hey You! Pikachu are launch titles.
"I'm thinking this lets the entire classic GameBoy library live on in the DS line, through to the future (if it survives) (and I mean 'the future' not 'the DS' ), so the GBA2 (which I expect is still coming) will be free to explore non-cart based technologies."
That's a pretty good idea and it would make sense if Nintendo went that route. Though I think the whole concept of having two portables is dumb anyway so I imagine that if the DS has GBA support it's because Nintendo has come to their senses and realize that people aren't going to embrace two incompatible portables made by the same company. I would like to know who these "development sources" that IGN got this information from are. Are these guys just speculating based on the hardware or are they working on DS games?
Post by: KDR_11k on March 11, 2004, 06:52:53 AM
Post by: vudu on March 11, 2004, 07:11:07 AM
Quotei can see it now ... i'm sitting on a bus, looking at what appears to be a pda (to the untrained eye) saying "speak to me seaman", "do you have a boyfriend?".
I predict the microphone wil be used for voice chat in wireless games. Either that or Seaman and Hey You! Pikachu are launch titles.
Post by: Perfect Cell on March 11, 2004, 08:29:47 AM
Post by: Darc Requiem on March 11, 2004, 10:05:05 AM
Darc Requiem
Post by: SuperLink666 on March 11, 2004, 10:22:51 AM
It will work nicely as a secondary GBA for playing games like FFCC
Post by: vudu on March 11, 2004, 10:39:21 AM
Post by: Rich on March 11, 2004, 10:58:00 AM
Post by: Syl on March 11, 2004, 11:01:30 AM
of course, i could be wrong.
However, i love the touchpad idea, and i hope its true. I'm wondering how the hell this thing is going to look though, with the typical GBA controll's still on it. I'm sure its going to continue the clamshell design (just makes sense) but.. I'm leaning towards a design in my mind thats not quite... symetrical....
However.. the fact that the 2 screens aren't the same power seems to make me think that one of htem HAS to be secondary, considering that its dual processer, I'm not entirely certain thats 1 processer per screen.. hopefully not. However, what kind of buttom scheme or memory system wouldn't work on a GBA powered screen?
Backwards compatibility is huge in my mind, without it this things going ot have an absurd time selling, espicially with the 50million+ people who own gba's at the moment.
Post by: Ian Sane on March 11, 2004, 11:02:36 AM
While we're on the topic of things that will never happen I'd like to say that if I am some day able to fly I hope that my wings are leathery like a bat instead of covered with feathers. There's no way Nintendo will have all of those options in the DS. It's a game machine. And even if they did make it have PDA capabilities it probably woudn't use Palm OS. Nintendo would likely make their own OS for it.
Post by: vudu on March 11, 2004, 11:44:36 AM
Post by: savanna03 on March 11, 2004, 03:31:04 PM
Post by: Arbok on March 11, 2004, 04:03:08 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: savanna03
its the main reason that PS2 is number 1 because of DVD feature... instead of hooking up, GCN and DVD player on ur tv, u hook up PS2 that plays games and DVD... see what im saying???
Personally, I would rather hit a switch that would change between my settings from my console to my DVD Player. Less work than switiching out the game inside everytime I want to watch a movie, better DVD player too. Also, how many times do you hook up your DVD Players/Systems that this would become a "hassle"?
Post by: savanna03 on March 11, 2004, 06:23:46 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Hedorah64Quote
Originally posted by: savanna03
its the main reason that PS2 is number 1 because of DVD feature... instead of hooking up, GCN and DVD player on ur tv, u hook up PS2 that plays games and DVD... see what im saying???
Personally, I would rather hit a switch that would change between my settings from my console to my DVD Player. Less work than switiching out the game inside everytime I want to watch a movie, better DVD player too. Also, how many times do you hook up your DVD Players/Systems that this would become a "hassle"?
what??? i dont get it... beside, wouldn't u switch out the DVD inside everytime u watch a another movie??? its the same thing as switching from game to DVD. guarantee that DVD player is alot better than PS2, but can GCN play DVD??? it might not be the best DVD player out there, but it can get the job done. if u can only afford one machine, its either DVD player or videogame and you get two option, PS2 or GCN, what would u pick??? if u are smart, you would pick PS2 hands down. its like killing 2 birds with one stone.
what i meant about hassle, is for everyone who dont got "THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM" on their living room... how many people in here who only got one TV and have one or two input jack at the back of their TV??? most people in NORTH AMERICA dont get that luxury. get the picture??? there might be some external switch input availabe in various eletronic stores but the chances of those people buying those periphal has thesame chances of kids buying link cable just to play 4 multiplayer in CRYSTAL CHRONICLES.
back to NDS... if the rumour holds true, alot of $$$ would be in NINTENDO's pocket like what SONY have done with PS2. MP3, CELL PHONE and GAME MACHINE... where can you go wrong especially if it got NINTENDO game backing on it.
Post by: WesDawg on March 11, 2004, 06:48:09 PM
Lol.
#1. if you can afford a $180 PS2 or even a $99 GCN plus games and controllers and memory cards for the beasts, you can certainly afford to shell out a little more for a DVD player.
#2. While the DVD argument was true back when the system launched, DVD was new then and it was still in the exciting phase. I don't think it's much of a selling point anymore. A selling point maybe, but not a huge one. Anyone who's bought many multi-purpose electronics will tell you that in the end you're usually disappointed. They perform a lot of tasks, but do most badly, and with something that gets as much use as a DVD player, its worth it to shell out the extra money for something that does its job well.
Post by: Bloodworth on March 11, 2004, 06:57:33 PM
Post by: Smadte on March 11, 2004, 07:22:56 PM
Post by: Ocarina Blue on March 11, 2004, 07:31:33 PM
Quote
I poked Louie with my plunger and got him to update the colors spec. 262 colors... that's just absurd!
Eh? I can't understand because of my accent... How many colours does it have?
Post by: ruby_onix on March 11, 2004, 11:35:15 PM
But TYP noticed a "6:6:6" thingy in there, which apparently suggested that each primary color (red, blue, and yellow, or maybe green) will have six-bits worth of color-levels, and then they can be mixed together, making for 262,144 different color possibilities. Which makes it vastly superior to the GBA, which could put out about 32,000 different colors.
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on March 12, 2004, 12:47:46 AM
That comment on the DS's resolution for 3D games may or may not hold true. The two screens combined provides more resolution than the N64 320x240 standard. It is divided onto two screens, though, so games will have to intelligently place where they display things.
Post by: savanna03 on March 12, 2004, 05:25:07 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: WesDawg
"if u can only afford one machine"
Lol.
#1. if you can afford a $180 PS2 or even a $99 GCN plus games and controllers and memory cards for the beasts, you can certainly afford to shell out a little more for a DVD player.
#2. While the DVD argument was true back when the system launched, DVD was new then and it was still in the exciting phase. I don't think it's much of a selling point anymore. A selling point maybe, but not a huge one. Anyone who's bought many multi-purpose electronics will tell you that in the end you're usually disappointed. They perform a lot of tasks, but do most badly, and with something that gets as much use as a DVD player, its worth it to shell out the extra money for something that does its job well.
holy cow... u still dont get it... my argument wasn't about me, i wasn't even thinking about me. my argument was about the people who cant afford alot of things. GCN plus a memory card, plus a DVD player equals more than a PS2... plus you only get to hook up one machine instead of two. forget the extra features... all they care is about is that it PLAYS GAMES and MOVIES... PERIOD. that is my point. i even admit that a DVD player is better than PS2, but if u just want to borrowed a movie and watch it, you can do that with PS2... forget the extra stuff that the DVD player can do, my point is that PS2 can do it to.
beside bloodworth is right... this argument is useless cuz nothing is conform.... im just basing it in "what if" facts only conserning with the NDS.
Post by: vudu on March 12, 2004, 05:52:12 AM
anyone happen to have sales information on the xbox dvd kit? i'd be interested in seeing how well it's sold. (correct me if i'm wrong, but i don't believe you can play dvds on the xbox unless you purchase the $30 kit. so it would probably be a good indication of how many people use (or at one time used) their xbox to watch dvds.)
Post by: KDR_11k on March 12, 2004, 07:57:50 AM
BTW, Gartner Research believes that PDA users want dedicated devices that cost less, as opposed to super-versatile thingies that do things they don't need and cost 300 quid extra. Well, they didn't meantion the price, but said people are quite comfortable carrying around 2 to 3 different devices, each performing a specific task. People don't WANT extra functionality they don't need. The example was games on a PDA, except for a few people who should have bought a GBA instead, users expect the PDA to organize stuff, not play games.
Post by: couchmonkey on March 12, 2004, 08:16:43 AM
But on the topic of the specs, I wonder if the "touch pad" is perhaps the portable alternative to analog control sticks? In the past Nintendo has always used analog in its 3D games, and this is one reason why I usually preferred N64 games to the Playstation, it just feels more natural to me. Anyway, a control stick isn't really practical for a portable system, so if it's not a touch screen, this could be another possibility.
You can't spell speculation without specs...err, minus the s....
Post by: nemo_83 on March 12, 2004, 09:19:26 AM
Why they are chosing a low poly rate is bogling to me when they could easily push at least Dreamcast level hardware at a low price and in portable form by 05. I don't want to play low poly games ever again. I will play beutiful 2d games, but 3d is best left to the consoles that can do things like cel shading and real time lighting. I was hoping they would just make Cube portable but the hardware just isn't there according to this new news.
Most discerning is that it really seems to be the replacement for GBA for 05 and not a "third pillar" of hardware used to make games better or easier to control. I could imagine the replacement for GBA as a controller for not only Cube but more so the N5 which means it needs a more shoulder buttons.
A microphone in my belief is a neccesary element. It does imply cel phone technology and even the ability of this machine to interact with other DSs, N5s, and network N5s and DSs by sharing the wieght of the signals being sent in a "Cell" technology structure. I was expecting it to use addons like cameras, mp3 players, and cel phone anntennas; but I didn't think they would build in a mic. That's a
Sega has been into the whole mic gaming for a while and recently had some new info on how they will use the variances in the voice to animate the face. Thus there is no need of a camera being built in or added onto the controller to trace facial expressions or likenesses into the game. Though a camera or several cameras would be cool features to work directly with the console rather than the DS.
If the hardware is able to play a movie, then why not allow the gamer to do it. Especially when it is cheap and encouraging to the consumer for them to be able to watch a movie on an air plane through their DS in the privacy of their Sony head phones. Maybe this could require an addon, but I would rather have two versions of the system on the market. The game device and the all in one. Or at least the one and a half.
Post by: Koji on March 12, 2004, 09:47:14 AM
The microphone is likely used for playing games over a decent distance or for specific games. It would be really nice to see it support a rewritable standard for media (like SD or CF) for MP3 and such, but that's not likely as it would be easily abused (plus they said the limit is 128MBytes... SD and CF are both a lot larger)
Post by: savanna03 on March 12, 2004, 12:59:47 PM
PS. ill end the PS2(multi-purpose) vs GCN(gaming) argument by this statement... do you think the N5 can dent the PS3's armour if NINTENDO decided to stick with pure gaming machine in next round??? time will tell... beside in order to run a succesful business, you dont target what minority wants(hardcore pure gaming loyalist) you target the majority(mainstream who buys solely for the better specs)
Post by: oohhboy on March 13, 2004, 01:52:13 AM
The "Third Pillar" is indeed a gimmick. but you have miss read Nintendo's motive. The DS serves several functions for Nintendo.
1. Nintendo gets to try out on the mass market a new way of playing games without disrupting the status quo by separating the DS from the GB line.
2. Nintendo gets in a pre-emptive strike against the PSP by diverting attention away from it.
3. Nintendo while doing this pre-emptive stirke also allows them to hedge thier bets as to the future of handheld gaming. If the DS goes out and kicks some ass, then it is some thing that other companies can't go out an copy without extremly stiff resistance, which would be even more so than the current GB line. If the DS fails to get attention in the market, then Nintendo still has the solid GB line to work with.
4. Nintendo gets to differeniate themselfs from everybody else giving them a stronger brand name.
As for savanna03 comment about the GB line bcoming the next windows line up, you would be mistaken. The difference is that Nintendo has made real improvements to each device according to the demand out in the market. Look at the SP, If no one biched about the GBA screen, then Nintendo would have never have made and released the SP. Look at MS. Each version of thier operating system gets fatter and fatter at a near geomertic rate along with the very same bugs and security holes. MS has broken more promises than Saddam has killed people.
Post by: KDR_11k on March 13, 2004, 03:40:57 AM
Post by: xanrastafari on March 13, 2004, 04:36:20 AM
Post by: savanna03 on March 13, 2004, 08:23:39 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: oohhboy
Look, Nointendo is a gaming company, not a tech company. thier goal is not to make TVs and washing machines. By ading themselfs technology such as DVDs and MP3 playback, they would have taken the first step in to that direction which they have no plan, desire nor the resources to expand in that area.
The "Third Pillar" is indeed a gimmick. but you have miss read Nintendo's motive. The DS serves several functions for Nintendo.
1. Nintendo gets to try out on the mass market a new way of playing games without disrupting the status quo by separating the DS from the GB line.
2. Nintendo gets in a pre-emptive strike against the PSP by diverting attention away from it.
3. Nintendo while doing this pre-emptive stirke also allows them to hedge thier bets as to the future of handheld gaming. If the DS goes out and kicks some ass, then it is some thing that other companies can't go out an copy without extremly stiff resistance, which would be even more so than the current GB line. If the DS fails to get attention in the market, then Nintendo still has the solid GB line to work with.
4. Nintendo gets to differeniate themselfs from everybody else giving them a stronger brand name.
As for savanna03 comment about the GB line bcoming the next windows line up, you would be mistaken. The difference is that Nintendo has made real improvements to each device according to the demand out in the market. Look at the SP, If no one biched about the GBA screen, then Nintendo would have never have made and released the SP. Look at MS. Each version of thier operating system gets fatter and fatter at a near geomertic rate along with the very same bugs and security holes. MS has broken more promises than Saddam has killed people.
hmmm. u got a point... it is true that NINTENDO is a gaming company but the fact is, they aren't building a console by themselves anymore. N64 were the last system they made by themselves and even commented that after the GCN, they will match whatever the competitor has cuz they cant have a GCN vs PS2 match all over again... that is why they made partnership with the likes of PANASONIC and IBM who specialize different area. its pointless arguing what NDS can do when its shrouded with mystery and didn't really specify what their real motive is. all we got from them are mind games(IWATA mension that it would be cool if 10% of the people would find it interesting, then later YAMAOUCHI stated that if NDS do fail, this will end it all) but if they only revealed who partner is in this project, then we wouldn't have any argument at all.
PS... oh i might made a bad example between NINTENDO and MICROSOFT, but you cant deny that NINTENDO is almost following thesame path as MICROSOFT... that is why i hate monopoly. also, people weren't b**ching about the back lit during the start of GBA era. it all started during the GAMEBOY COLOR era but it took them years to finally listen cuz when you control the market, you play ur own rules, not what people wants.
Post by: ghostVi on March 13, 2004, 09:37:48 AM
on topic: my guess is these specs are simply fake.
Post by: KDR_11k on March 13, 2004, 09:38:09 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: savanna03
PS... oh i might made a bad example between NINTENDO and MICROSOFT, but you cant deny that NINTENDO is almost following thesame path as MICROSOFT.
Actually Microsoft is doing what Nintendo does, not the other way around. Microsoft went over to IBM and ATI after Nintendo used them, Microsoft ditched the HD after Nintendo used none, Microsoft started using a proprietary disk format after Nintendo did.
Also, the "If the DS fails that's a big blow for Nintendo" didn't mean their future is directly tied to the device, but it would be the ultimate proof that innovation is dead and people rather want sequels, rehashes and graphics updates than new stuff.
Post by: savanna03 on March 13, 2004, 11:10:45 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11kQuote
Originally posted by: savanna03
PS... oh i might made a bad example between NINTENDO and MICROSOFT, but you cant deny that NINTENDO is almost following thesame path as MICROSOFT.
Actually Microsoft is doing what Nintendo does, not the other way around. Microsoft went over to IBM and ATI after Nintendo used them, Microsoft ditched the HD after Nintendo used none, Microsoft started using a proprietary disk format after Nintendo did.
Also, the "If the DS fails that's a big blow for Nintendo" didn't mean their future is directly tied to the device, but it would be the ultimate proof that innovation is dead and people rather want sequels, rehashes and graphics updates than new stuff.
no... i wasn't comparing videogames... i was comparing metaphorically(sp?) being MICROSOFT with windows and NINTENDO with GAMEBOY... NINTENDO is almost following MICROSOFT footstep by relacing new product everyear with minor changes.
Post by: KDR_11k on March 13, 2004, 08:11:36 PM
Post by: Ocarina Blue on March 14, 2004, 06:36:07 PM
If hardcore computer geeks all used Windows, then it would be a safe bet that Windows would be a decent OS. But they don't. Almost every hardcore gamer I know has a GBA.
Post by: SgtShiversBen on March 14, 2004, 07:09:57 PM
Post by: KDR_11k on March 14, 2004, 07:26:04 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: SgtShiversBen
If I want a custom ringer, I don't have to download some horrible ring tones of Disposition by TooL, I just hook my phone up to my computer and transfer it. HOOWAH!! Disposition on my phone as my ringer.
Makes me wonder, is that legal?
Post by: Ian Sane on March 14, 2004, 07:52:09 PM
I think a pure gaming machine has a chance if marketed correctly. If the only difference is a DVD player than yeah the gaming machine is going to look inferior. However if the PS3 has tons of nifty features and gizmos it's going to cost more and if it costs a lot more than the N5 then the N5 has a solid chance. Plus targeting the mainstream would be suicide for Nintendo because that would turn away their loyal fanbase and realistically they have no chance of beating Sony in the mainstream demographic. The hardcore gamer route is the ideal route for them because they can build up a strong fanbase and make a profit doing so without Sony eating into their demographic. The Cube seems to be targeted to the general public as a whole which I think is a mistake because it's ultimately spread itself too thin and isn't really popular with any one group (except maybe Nintendo fans). Targeting the hardcore gamer specifically would probably be an ideal choice for the N5.
Post by: Ocarina Blue on March 14, 2004, 11:50:44 PM
If you look at th forums polls, you'll see lots of peopel here own a PS2 as well, but no-one owns only a GC and an X-Box: Nintendo fans see PS2 as a secondary console, the hardcore community as a whole sees the Cube as one.
Sorry if I'm not making sense, I'm a tad tired...
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on March 15, 2004, 01:00:30 AM
I thought I'd add that although the NGage marketing system was a failure, serious (online) cell phone games are quite popular in Japan. Cell phone gaming is a marketshare Nintendo loves to publicly ignore. If Nintendo believes they can gain significant consumers by offering a phone/gaming system, I'm sure they would seriously consider it.
Post by: KDR_11k on March 15, 2004, 05:19:46 AM
Post by: SgtShiversBen on March 15, 2004, 08:33:58 AM
uts Lord of the Rings: Return of the King he bought off a street into a DVD player in the front seat so that I can watch it while driving while drinking a 40 oz alcoholic beverage also while smoking crack cocaine:: P.S. everything in colons is for fun
Post by: savanna03 on March 15, 2004, 01:39:40 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"do you think the N5 can dent the PS3's armour if NINTENDO decided to stick with pure gaming machine in next round??? time will tell... beside in order to run a succesful business, you dont target what minority wants(hardcore pure gaming loyalist) you target the majority(mainstream who buys solely for the better specs)"
I think a pure gaming machine has a chance if marketed correctly. If the only difference is a DVD player than yeah the gaming machine is going to look inferior. However if the PS3 has tons of nifty features and gizmos it's going to cost more and if it costs a lot more than the N5 then the N5 has a solid chance. Plus targeting the mainstream would be suicide for Nintendo because that would turn away their loyal fanbase and realistically they have no chance of beating Sony in the mainstream demographic. The hardcore gamer route is the ideal route for them because they can build up a strong fanbase and make a profit doing so without Sony eating into their demographic. The Cube seems to be targeted to the general public as a whole which I think is a mistake because it's ultimately spread itself too thin and isn't really popular with any one group (except maybe Nintendo fans). Targeting the hardcore gamer specifically would probably be an ideal choice for the N5.
no not really... NINTENDO should keep their hardcore base while appealing to mainstream... that should be the case.... its really hard to loose the hardcore crowed unless you did something to piss them off... if NINTENDO should focus more on gaming machine then they should add features that we haven't seen before like the one that they are trying to do with NDS... in order for it to work, it should come out right out from the box and not do the GCN and GBA connectivity fiasco again. thats the only thing i can think of gaining market with pure gaming device. its kinda risky cuz if it fails, you dont want XBOX to gain another recognition for next time around...
Post by: oohhboy on March 15, 2004, 11:58:39 PM
not that adding features to a machine would directly anger the core customer base, but adding features would incariably change other variables like price, market perception. By increasing the casual proportion of your market share one might accidentally anger the hardcore. At this point you end up exchanging dependable customers with ones that are far less dependable while not gaining any market share.
One way to increase both the hardcore and the casual fan base is for Nintendo to work more closely with it's partners. In this generation Nintendo should have told Panasonic to release the Q to other terretories Even in a limited fashion would have a great publicity move if not a purely economic one. Cross adverting. IBM helps advertise GCs, Nintendo help advertise IBM. It was being done in Japan, but in a limited fasion along with that ATi sticker. Nintendo also needs to have a bigger market presence regardles of the actual market share. Xbox had survied due to one limitless pockets allowing them to project themselfs as a bigger player than they really were.
A theory I thought up of why Nintendo didn't release the Q any where else but Japan. It might have been that since the device was called the "Panasonic Q" or "Q", customers might have mistaken it for a coompeting console. Canabilising it's own market share. A simpl name change would have fixed this preceved problem. Something like "Nintendo Gamecube: Mod Q" or more generic "GCNQ". Of course maybe Nintendo didn't want to take the financal risk of eatting thier own market share and having to advertise this machine. We may never know.
With all that said and done how does that relate to the DS? Well Nintendo gets a fairly clean slate as to how to work the DS. They can mold the customer base into some thing that is more flexible with it's usual hardcore customers while allowing Nintendo to draw in new casual customers. Which in turn, by exposing these new people to a slightly diffenrent flavor of the Nintendo experience, would allow Nintendo to move them deeper into thier product range in hopes of converting some of them in to the hardcore catagory. Even if they don't go hardcore, once they move deeper into the product range they would be commited casuals meaning they like the system, they will buy the products found on the system, but they are not loyal. These guys are great for your current generation but don't nesscerely carry over to the next.
Post by: vudu on March 16, 2004, 06:00:42 AM
Quotewhat you seem to forget is it's really easy to piss people off.
its really hard to loose the hardcore crowed unless you did something to piss them of
to use the music industry as an example, when small, independent bands get signed to major labels, they often alienate the fans that got them to that place by putting out more "radio-friendly" songs. (you know the kind. the songs that last 3:30 each and have the catchy riff and an easily sung chorus.) then, when the band's second-major label release bombs, and they get dropped from their record label, they're left with a very small following. they pissed off their original fans, and their second set (albeit the larger set) forgot about them as soon as the next new thing came around.
Post by: Ian Sane on March 16, 2004, 10:39:25 AM
I'll take the Panasonic Q idea even farther. Why doesn't Nintendo license the technology of the their consoles to non-competing electronic companies? So Panasonic doesn't make an N5 that plays DVDs they make it so that some of their DVD player models play N5 games. If other electronics companies want to pay to add N5 playback to their devices they can (well aside from Sony of course). Not only does it make N5 seem like more of a standard than just a game console it's a strategy that Sony and MS could never quite copy because they compete with companies like Panasonic, Toshiba, etc and thus would never allow their console technology to be used in competitor's electronics.
The same idea can be used for the GBA and DS as well. Some of you want PDA or cel phone technology in the DS. Well why doesn't Nintendo release their own standalone DS and also allow cel phone companies to pay to incorporate that technology into their phones or PDA companies to add it to their PDAs? The REAL money is made by software anyway so Nintendo still gets all the third party licensing fees. Plus the whole strategy works as a trojan horse. People buy a DVD player or cel phone and end up bringing a Nintendo console into their home as well. This increases the userbase significantly.
Post by: vudu on March 16, 2004, 10:52:53 AM
it would be near-impossible for nintendo to test all these different models. in theory, every model should work with every game due to the same basic hardware involved. however, i find it highly unlikely that that would be the case. you'd have problems with game A not working with model B and it would be a mess. then nintendo would be no better than sony. it would be very similar to running a computer on a pc. developers would have to start developing games to make sure they would work with every variation of the hardware, therefore not utilizing the hardware to the fullest on any version.
Post by: Ian Sane on March 16, 2004, 11:58:35 AM
Why would Nintendo have to test any of the other models beyond their own? If some crappy electronics company can't get the N5 playback to work right well that's their problem. I mean I don't expect every DVD player model in the world to work perfectly. As long as the standalone unit by Nintendo can run every game then there's no problem.
And this idea would not result in a situation similar to running PC games. PCs have TONS of variables with not just different parts but different specs even. Obviously with something like this the memory, CPU, disc drive speed, etc would all be standardized. There wouldn't be the same variables as with a PC. They probably would even make the physical parts standard. Developers would design their games for the standalone unit and assume that the other devices the support N5 playback would work correctly.
How is this really any different than third party controllers or memory cards? Developers don't design their games to work with every memory card. If it doesn't work with Interact's card then it's because Interact f*cked up.
Post by: KDR_11k on March 17, 2004, 04:32:08 AM
Post by: vudu on March 17, 2004, 05:43:23 AM
Quotewouldn't that effectively turn nintendo into a third party developer? how many people are going to drop $200 on nintendo's console when they can drop an extra $100 and get a system that can play ps3 or xbox2 games as well? there's little incentive to get the nintendo console unless those are the only games you're interested in playing. plus, i imagine controller compatibility would be an issue. sony/ms would either have to allow nintendo's controller to plug into it's system or everyone would have to have very similar controllers. (that, or all developers would have to allow for complete customization for controls.)
I'd even go as far as to allow Sony and MS to license it.
again, this thread has gotten off topic.
Post by: Ian Sane on March 17, 2004, 10:44:24 AM
Exactly, which is not the intent of my idea. The goal of my idea is to increase the Nintendo userbase and make Nintendo a stronger name with the eventual goal of them being number one. Sony and MS have to be screwed by this or there's no point. All it would do is strengthen the competition's userbases if they could play Nintendo games. Why would anyone even make games for Nintendo consoles if you could play them on the PS3? They would just make PS3 games.
Post by: KDR_11k on March 18, 2004, 01:04:02 AM
Also, why develop for the N5 if the PS3 can play N5 games anyway? Well, how about having a larger userbase? A game written for the PS3 would be playable on a PS3, a game written for the N5 would be playable on the N5, the PS3 and any other licensee's devices. Now, if we imagine MS would license that as well (not happening, Microsoft wants a monopoly), you could reach N5, PS3, licensee's devices' and XB2 owners with one version of the game. And Nintendo would reap the license fees for all three platforms (MS and Sony would get zero, since they're licensees like everybody else and not entitled to any special treatment, if they want to benefit from those they should buy Nintendo stock).
And that's why neither Sony nor MS would license the technology, they'd kill their own software sales.
