Author Topic: Potential NDS HotSpot (Read 9222 times)

FenixRPGm · « **on:** November 06, 2004, 02:33:41 PM »

I was thinking about how Nintendo could make hotspots for its players and I came up with this idea that I thought I would share.

STARBUCKS (c) becomes offical HotSpot provider of NINTENDO tm.

Could you imagine? Having an official Nintendo HotSpot at every (or almost all) Starbucks? It would be great for both companies and users. And this seems to be the crowd Nintendo is aiming for anyways.

Imagine this. Nintendo DS players. "Hmm, I want to play with my friend who lives 500 miles away, so I'll meet him at Starbucks, and play via WiFi." After hours of playing. "Man! I am thirsty after all this Metroid Hunter! Is there anything good to drink around here? (LOL) Oh, of course! Frappuccino! " See?

Starbucks Drinkers: "Hmm, I want to talk about philosophy with my friends at Starbucks." Goes to Starbucks. "Oh, hey man, cool-looking PDA." "This ain't a PDA." "It's not? But, but you're using a stylus on it and stuff." "Yeah, I know I am. Its a Nintendo DS. It rocks." "A what now?" Leans over and watches for a minute. Is allowed to try playing and plays Metroid Hunters for about 5 minutes. "HOLY GOD! This thing is AWESOME!! I AM GETTIN ME ONE O' THESE!" Runs to GameStop/EB.

AS you can see by my plainly laid out scenarios, both types of people would have great reasons to go to Starbucks and drink over priced, albeit good, coffee. This would rake in the cash for both companies and we (the people) would have fun.

Artimus · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2004, 02:36:19 PM »

Actually that's a really, really brilliant idea...

Artimus · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2004, 02:37:53 PM »

Someone with some clout needs to suggest that to Nintendo. Some from PGC or IGN or something. Send letters to both their mailbags.

Ian Sane · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2004, 02:47:27 PM »

I love the idea though every Starbucks would be a little redundant. In downtown Vancouver there's a book store with two Starbucks on the first and third floor and there's another Starbucks across the street. No need to have all three be hotspots.

There is one problem however. Kids don't go to Starbucks. Since kids are a huge chunk of Nintendo's market you need something that works for them too. Now if you could get both Starbucks and some non-competing fast food place like McDonalds to have hot spots then you're cooking. You would have hot spots everywhere and all demographics would be covered.

Chongman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2004, 02:49:02 PM »

Well, I know that most coffee houses now offer wi-fi to laptops, why not to the DS? Also, most arcades and malls seem to do so also. Even McDonalds has wi-fi support. But can the DS use it? I'm not sure.

Switchblade Cross · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2004, 03:08:22 PM »

Well, as far as I know, the NDS will utilise any 802.11 compatible signal. Since all of the mentioned places, and virtually ANY wireless access, uses that protocol, I see no reson why they coulden't. So while technically you could use the Starbucks WiFi nomatter what, it would be cool to see an offical endorsement.

Polyethylene · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2004, 04:19:49 PM »

The problem is still the same, Nintendo doesn't want to spend money on servers for online play.

Ness_the_Mess · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2004, 06:34:56 PM »

But thats the magic; putting up hotspots is not the same as having servers - they merely act as channels to the internet. There's nothing being accessed by the user, acept for the user on the other end. The only cost would be the like 15 dollars a month per hotspot ... which, of course, could get pricey, but the economic bonuses for both Nintendo and (in this case) Starbucks would likely make it back plus some.

FenixRPGm · « **Reply #8 on:** November 06, 2004, 06:47:25 PM »

We SHOULD send this as a letter to PGC and IGN. Do you guys want to help think of a letter? Like how we could state this? I dunno if I'd send them the scenarios I made up because they're kind of a joke, but they get the point across. So, I think I might need a clearer way to state the same thing. I'll try to think of a good letter, and anyone can post thoughts, too.

MaleficentOgre · « **Reply #9 on:** November 06, 2004, 06:54:21 PM »

giving it to IGN is a good idea 'cause they have power we don't, not much but more. They also can't pass up the opportunity to editoriorlize.

Switchblade Cross · « **Reply #10 on:** November 06, 2004, 07:02:12 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ness_the_Mess
The only cost would be the like 15 dollars a month per hotspot ... which, of course, could get pricey, but the economic bonuses for both Nintendo and (in this case) Starbucks would likely make it back plus some.

I dont see where you get at figure. Its free to access the spots at Starbucks and stuff...

And, if you realize, that many bookstores have a Starbucks, which in turn have that hotspot. So, they could be EVERYWHERE!!

YOu know, the NDS wireless capabilities will probably be the push it takes for me to get a wireless router...

Shecky · « **Reply #11 on:** November 06, 2004, 07:11:18 PM »

Well, if the DS is in the proximity of a open 802.11 AP, then your can just play. However, Starbucks uses T-mobile as a service provider for wireless (I think). It all depends on if the DS is capable of accepting credentials for the pay-as-you-go hotspots. Most of those hotspots rely on a ssl web browser to set up those credentials. So unless special accomidations are made, the DS might not be able to interface with such AP's.

Edfishy · « **Reply #12 on:** November 06, 2004, 07:41:50 PM »

I'd say Malls and McDonalds(Although Burger King would work) would be great Wi-FI locations. Mostly since parents could get a bite to eat or enjoy the Mall while the kids are playing the DS. Not to mention the serious gamer would love to be near food while he's playing.

Switchblade Cross · « **Reply #13 on:** November 06, 2004, 07:50:32 PM »

Or we could all just buy wireless routers and play at home. Thats my plan....

Artimus · « **Reply #14 on:** November 06, 2004, 08:18:52 PM »

The brilliance of this is that Starbucks = cool in the modern world. Really useful idea, and also really really great marketing...

KDR_11k · « **Reply #15 on:** November 06, 2004, 08:38:34 PM »

Or you could compromise their network and set up the router to let you through... That's what some of my friends would do. Owning someone's router while sitting at your favourite Kebab store has something to it...

FenixRPGm · « **Reply #16 on:** November 07, 2004, 06:12:54 AM »

This is my letter idea:

I was just thinking of ways to market Nintendo DS, and came up with a good idea that not only fits with Nintendo's new demographic, but also provides a great place for hotspots. Wouldn't Starbucks be an awsome place to set up official Nintendo HotSpots? Not only are Starbucks literally everwhere, but they also attract a ton of different types of people. The DS player would have great reasons to go to Starbucks, so that s/he could play with any friend with a DS that's near a hotspot and consume large amounts of Frappuccino. The Starbucks denizens would be exposed to the awesomeness that is Nintendo DS, and possible purchase one which would benefit Nintendo, and help set up that cool, hip attitude towards the DS. This could really help Nintendo's image in the eyes of the consumer which is vitally important with the sexy new PSP on the horizon. You can see that Nintendo is trying hard to change their image and I really think this would be an awesome idea.

Okay, I sent this in to the DS Mailbag @ IGN. Let's see what happens!

Artimus · « **Reply #17 on:** November 07, 2004, 02:19:01 PM »

Excellent letter. I really think they're going to publish it. It's an irresistable idea...

Edfishy · « **Reply #18 on:** November 07, 2004, 08:32:09 PM »

IGN is usually pretty good about such things, I'd keep an eye on the DS's mail bag to see what happens. IGN also has a naunce for taking letters from people and bringing them straight to the company in question.

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #19 on:** November 08, 2004, 05:21:32 AM »

Actually this only place Nintendo could successfully create an atmosphere and hip hub around the country.

The only other option would be McDonalds, which would still be good to do for the younger crowd.

But Starbucks is known as a social place and to be able to play games around and hang out would be great business for Starbucks. The only question is, would Starbucks want it?

Playing video games isn't hip and trendy, and although it would be good for business would it attract a crowd and an enviroment that would actually scary other business away? perhaps.

Another option would be to create your own small businesses to hang out, drink coffee, beer, grab a bite to eat and play. Start creating them originally around colleges and branch out from there.

Rhoq · « **Reply #20 on:** November 08, 2004, 05:33:19 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
There is one problem however. Kids don't go to Starbucks. Since kids are a huge chunk of Nintendo's market you need something that works for them too. Now if you could get both Starbucks and some non-competing fast food place like McDonalds to have hot spots then you're cooking. You would have hot spots everywhere and all demographics would be covered.

I read somewhere that Nintendo plans to target the 16 and older crowd with the DS. If that's true then Starbucks would be perfect since kids that age are starting to enjoy the wonder that is coffee. By the time they head to college (at or so), a coffee shop will be their best friend.

norebonomis · « **Reply #21 on:** November 08, 2004, 06:53:45 AM »

reggie said something about 17 years old being an age that we both look forward too, when we're younger, and back upon, when we're older. i'm 19 years old and have been hanging out at local coffee shacks. the problem i see here is that do you really want to pay these people to access their wifi? the city of philedelphia, (to name one) has announced plans to blanket the entire city in highspeed WiMax (backwards compatible with 802.11b/g) FREE to it's citizens. i think if you just give it a couple years we will probably see the internet evolve into something BEYOND a corporate moneymaker. free highspeed wireless internet for all!

VideoGamerJ · « **Reply #22 on:** November 08, 2004, 09:18:16 AM »

Going to Starbuck's for wi-fi access was my original intent but if Nintendo secures a partnership, it maybe be the best move they have made in a while. I really hope someone tries to emphasize this point across. Jonathan Metts, you can get some word across, can't you? ^_^

FenixRPGm · « **Reply #23 on:** November 08, 2004, 09:46:34 AM »

Yeah, you guys are right, I just read the Reggie conference on PGC's news and Reggie says that GBA targets 14-year-olds, and DS targets 19-year-olds. I'm 20, and like norebonomis said, I like to go to coffee shops and even hang out with my friends sometimes, but honestly, sometimes I WOULD go, but there is nothing really to do there, except drink and talk. Now, imagine if you and three other friends (old buddies or fellow Nintendo DS players you've met!) could just meet after school at Starbucks and play. This probably really sounds fun to me, because I've only really known like 4 other GBA players in my entire time owning a GBA (which I originally got on release). So this Starbucks idea would help people like me find more DS owners and give us something to do 1-3 times a week.

Switchblade Cross · « **Reply #24 on:** November 08, 2004, 11:27:05 AM »

You can always play with me...

*sniff*

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Author Topic: Potential NDS HotSpot (Read 9222 times)