Slashdot Mirror
Gamecube MMORPG Back From the Dead
Drakken writes "GamesAreFun.com is reporting that Chunsoft has updated their Homeland website with three new movies, two of them showing off online play. For awhile, Homeland (a GameCube MMORPG) was thought to be cancelled, but it seems it's alive again. This is significant because Homeland will be only the second-ever online GameCube game, making use of the GC's broadband adapter." Probably a JP only release.
"Gamers want online gameplay. Nintendo says "we are sure that gamers aren't ready for this yet""
No, Nintendo says "Here's the broadband adapter and here's the modem. If you want anything else, go bug the game companies." The reason we're not seeing as much online games on the GCN as we have on the PS2 and Xbox is that Nintendo isn't bending over backwards to run everything but the servers (or even the servers as well), instead expecting game companies to take a PC-esque "Do it yourself" approach.
And in many ways this is the same tactic they're taking with the DS: wireless capabilities are provided, but they expect the software companies to be the ones to do something with it.
What, exactly, would you do with an online Zelda?
The LoZ series is all about becoming the Hero of Time. The only thing I could see appealing with online Zelda would be an online implementation of Four Swords, but even that isn't terribly interesting.
The problem I have with online gaming (esp. MMORPG) is this mentality where I have to shell out $50 for the game itself then, on top of that, a fee just to play it. If I can somehow acquire the game for free, I have no problem paying the $10/mo, since I'll get five or six months out of the game and still "break even."
I also despise the swarms of 13 year-old kids on these networks that do nothing but talk trash and single-handedly ruin the experience for most of the gamers I know. I have a hard time paying money to be that frustrated.
Online play is appealing, but not nearly as appealing as innovative hardware and software. Nintendo has come, time and again, with new and unique games and hardware. Starting with the Legend of Zelda on the NES to Super Mario 64 and, most recently, Pikmin and the Nintendo DS. What have Microsoft and Sony done?
To me, it seems Nintendo thinks the hurdle is more technological than econmical, despite what they say. To play the Nintendo games that people want online, such as Mario Kart or Samsh Bros., you really can't suffer any lag. Many can attest, the slightest mismovement in Smash Bros. will cost a precious point. By waiting another generation of consoles, Nintendo is ensuring a qaulity service instead of one seemingly slapped together at the last minute.