At the Nintendo Press breakfast today, Peter Main spoke on a few subjects, such as his retirement and Gamecube connectivity. His retirement was a short subject, essentially just his stating that he wishes to take some time from everything and have some fun in the sun.

His main connectivity speech was about the fact that currently Nintendo has no direct plans for implementing any kind of Internet functions. At current, they are simply watching the other companies go at it, developing their own ideas and strategies for the Internet market. This is nothing new, as it has been stated by Nintendo since E3 that this is their current tactic towards their Internet standing.

When Planet GameCube privately asked afterwards about a certain connectivity issue, namely Phantasy Star Online's Internet issues, Main surprised us. He stated that Nintendo is behind any company that wishes to connect their products to the Internet, regardless of whether or not Nintendo themselves are going full bore into the niche market themselves. In this regard, Nintendo would be willing to back such efforts by 3rd parties by providing them with the capability, via Dial up or broadband adapter, to connect to their own networks with Gamecube.

Essentially what this means is that if Sega and Sonic Team, with Phantasy Star Online, wish to bring their product online, Nintendo will provide the hardware for their software in an OEM package. So even if the Nintendo network and accompanied adapters are not officially out on the market, the modem will still be available through buying PSO for a package price. Main expects that PSO will therefore release sooner than the Nintendo network, possibly around the new year, earlier than everyone currently expected.