The DS and Revolution to Connect Wirelessly

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The DS and Revolution to Connect Wirelessly

Posted by Zonk on Monday May 9, 2005 @05:22AM from the two-screens-no-waiting dept.

Nintendo President Iwata further discussed the realities of the DS wireless initiative, Gamasutra reports. At the press conference he also revealed that, indeed, the next-generation console will utilize a wireless link-up to connect to the DS. From the article: "One particularly interesting piece of news is that, though Nintendo will not charge for the new online service, other publishers will be able to with relation to particular software titles - an option that is likely to please third-party publishers who may want to launch more complex online-capable RPG games or other information-retrieval services and then charge a monthly fee for them. Iwata makes it clear that any charges will be obviously signposted, however."

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well by seann · 2005-05-09 05:30 · Score: 1

I think a wireless game station could only be good news.

However I always want a wired option, just in case.

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1. Re:well by eyeye · 2005-05-09 05:50 · Score: 1, Informative
  
  I think the Revolution may not be the only one:
  
  http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000527032878/
  
  The Xbox360 also apparently has wireless controllers.
  
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  Bush and Blair ate my sig!
2. Re:well by Reignking · 2005-05-09 06:23 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  Just in case of what?
  
  --
  One man's Funny is another man's Offtopic.
3. Re:well by StocDred · 2005-05-09 06:59 · Score: 1
  
  They're talking wireless online connection, not just wireless controllers. Hopefully ALL the next gen consoles will have both.
4. Re:well by harrkev · 2005-05-09 08:42 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Just in case you live in an apartment complex filled with other wireless networks, microwave ovens, cordless phones, etc. Under these conditions, wireless can be problematic. Wired always works, and you don't have to worry if Aunt Tilly decides to microwave some popcorn.
  
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5. Re:well by DarKnyht · 2005-05-10 03:28 · Score: 1
  
  Here is an example. After playing for 13 hours you finally manage to fight your way to the 100th level of the Dread Evil Tower Doom. Just as you get ready to give the final death blow to the Overlord of Destruction, the batteries die in your controller. Unable to do anything, you then have to watch helplessly as the Overlord beats the living crap out of your character causing you to lose the game.
  
  --
  Voting them all out of office, now that's change I can believe in.
First Post! I mean Revolution rumor. by AzraelKans · 2005-05-09 05:31 · Score: 1, Interesting

Have you heard of the rumor the revolution is a handheld? maybe they first said it would like to GBA 2 and now they are saying it will link to DS

it doesnt make sense if you think about it, the GBA 2 is suposed to be released this year. and it wont connect to it, but the Ds instead?

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More opinions here
1. Re:First Post! I mean Revolution rumor. by |/|/||| · 2005-05-09 05:40 · Score: 1
  
  My guess is that they'll all talk to each other. If the Revolution and DS communicate wirelessly, it would be strange if the GBA2 didn't speak the same language.
  Who knows what the hell the plan is, though. Should be an interesting E3!
  
  --
  [javac] 100 errors
2. Re:First Post! I mean Revolution rumor. by AzraelKans · 2005-05-09 05:50 · Score: 1, Interesting
  
  Ouch! typing fast and slashdotting dont mix. Sorry about that last post, for our grammar nazis, allow me to correct that mess:
  
  "Have you heard the rumor about the Nintendo Revolution being a handheld? this news may bring some substance to it, allow me to explain:
  
  If you consider the GBA 2 is supossed to be released this year (or next), that device would make a much better candidate for a console link than the Nintendo DS. (unless it links to both, which I find unlikely) An explanation however is that Revolution and the GBA 2 are actually the same device, that would explain why the DS and the Revolution are able to link to each other."
  
  Yes I know that is thin, but it is just my opinion of course.
  
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3. Re:First Post! I mean Revolution rumor. by incom · 2005-05-09 05:58 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  That new gameboy talk was never real, it's only still around because psp fanboys use it as ammo to stop people from buying a DS. End of story, nintendo even confirmed that they were false, unsubstantiated rumours.
  
  --
  True genius is grasping a situation like a peice of fruit, and peircing it just right so that it drains dry.
4. Re:First Post! I mean Revolution rumor. by Reignking · 2005-05-09 06:52 · Score: 1
  
  But posting it twice will get you double the mod points!
  
  --
  One man's Funny is another man's Offtopic.
5. Re:First Post! I mean Revolution rumor. by satoshi1 · 2005-05-09 10:19 · Score: 1
  
  There hasn't been any news on the GBA2 at all. Basically Nintendo pulled a 3DRealms and said "It's coming."
No network fee by superpulpsicle · 2005-05-09 05:39 · Score: 2, Interesting

Geee... they make it seem like Nintendo was here to benefit online games by not charging a network fee like Xbox live.

If they really want to benefit the online gaming community, they should make sure their wireless/wired standard is open and compatible with PS2 and xbox in the next generation. Especially for sports games, it'd be great if anyone can play with anyone on any system.
1. Re:No network fee by challlen · 2005-05-09 05:55 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  To make an online game for the Xbox, you are required to follow the XBox Live standard and Microsoft SDKs.
  
  This is why EA didn't have online sports games for the Xbox for a while.
  
  Now on the other hand, as far as I am aware, there is nothing stopping network compatibility between Sony and Nintendo (aside from Nintendo's bad wireless implementation on the DS).
2. Re:No network fee by hunterx11 · 2005-05-09 06:56 · Score: 1
  
  There's something to say for Xbox Live, though. EA convinced MS to let them use their own system, and the outcome is that EA games have worse online gameplay than other Xbox Live games.
  
  --
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3. Re:No network fee by MMaestro · 2005-05-09 11:30 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  they should make sure their wireless/wired standard is open and compatible with PS2 and xbox in the next generation.
  Sure, right after Sony stops gimping its hardware (the PS2 is a piece of crap hardware-wise), Microsoft makes a controller for ALL ages (the Xbox S Controller isn't 'kid friendly') and Nintendo decides to be a crowd follower instead of being a crowd leader (I swear they could change their name to "Da Video Game Innovators" and people would still know and call them Nintendo).
Say It With Me by Winckle · 2005-05-09 05:44 · Score: 5, Insightful

Not Going To Happen
Free online play... by Wraithfighter · 2005-05-09 05:47 · Score: 4, Insightful

I'm not entirely sure this is such a great idea. There isn't going to be a lot of games that take advantage of this, since they will probably have to supply a lot of the resources themselves instead of Nintendo taking care of a lot of it.
Not that I love Xbox's current model, but at least there's only one bill to pay and pretty much most of the games that come out on Xbox has some form of online support.

Then again, you do have to admit that there might be more, quality online programs going on for the Revolution, since the individual companies might have more of a motive to create a more immersive environment.

But, again, ya gotta wait for the games. Until we see a game take advantage of any of the features in a good way, then the feature is just window dressing.

Case in point: When was the last time someone came out with a good Eye-Toy game?

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1. Re:Free online play... by Goyuix · 2005-05-09 06:28 · Score: 1
  
  Whenever online console game services are discussed, it is always brought up that XBox Live does it right, even though there is a subscription attached. Bottom line is this: No one is (should be?) forced to use it. It can work wonderfully for smaller (and larger) studios that don't want to deal with the mess of maintaining servers, but they shouldn't have to be forced into it.
  
  Here is why: Many of the PC games talk to a dedicated server that spits out known servers on the internet, and then the client queries those individually. XL just consolidates that, and provides an SDK for developers to take advantage of.
  
  If Nintendo provides a free "server listing" for all registered games, it won't cost them much in server hardware / bandwidth, since the real meat (actual game servers and really fat pipes for them) will be taken care of elsewhere. They have very little to lose with this model. It really will depend on what the game publishers decide to do with it... dedicated servers, allow any console to act as a server... etc...
2. Re:Free online play... by WhyCause · 2005-05-09 07:27 · Score: 1
  
  If Nintendo provides a free "server listing" for all registered games, it won't cost them much in server hardware / bandwidth, since the real meat (actual game servers and really fat pipes for them) will be taken care of elsewhere. They have very little to lose with this model. It really will depend on what the game publishers decide to do with it... dedicated servers, allow any console to act as a server... etc...
  
  My thoughts exactly. Nintendo knows that if they set up their network correctly, it will funnel people into buying more games, not act as a revenue stream itself (which is what MS seems to want).
  
  I would really be surprised if Nintendo did not handle all billing for the individual game companies as well, instead of having four or five different charges show up on someone's card every month. Their network would also allow them to automate Club Nintendo styled promotions where you accumulate points based on the games you buy (i.e., stick the disk in = get points). I'll bet they would even set something up with (hell, maybe even encourage) other game publishers too (e.g., Club Capcom or the like).
  
  The other thing you can probably count on with any Nintendo online service is Nintendo Power articles. That magazine (read: ad-rag) is probably responsible for more console game sales than all the others combined (total history, of course).
I like the translations by eyeye · 2005-05-09 05:54 · Score: 1

I cant wait to play "how you hit forest"

And what are nintendogs

cute digital dogs?

--
Bush and Blair ate my sig!
1. Re:I like the translations by mike.dulany · 2005-05-09 06:00 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  And what are nintendogs
  
  cute digital dogs?
  
  In a word ... Yes
2. Re:I like the translations by incom · 2005-05-09 06:02 · Score: 1
  
  Nintendogs is the best selling game in japan(all three versions combined) for a few weeks now, a pet puppy simulator would be the simplest description of it. It's a DS game.
  
  --
  True genius is grasping a situation like a peice of fruit, and peircing it just right so that it drains dry.
3. Re:I like the translations by ScottyUK · 2005-05-09 06:07 · Score: 1
  
  They are, actually, "cute" digital dogs :)
  
  --
  Nice weather for penguins...
4. Re:I like the translations by Anonymous Coward · 2005-05-09 09:25 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  Just an FYI - Nintendogs is only the 5th game EVER to receive a perfect score from Famitsu - along with Zelda: OoT, Zelda: WW, Vagrant Story and Soul Calibur. Google it.
Already been down this road... by Hamster+Lover · 2005-05-09 06:08 · Score: 3, Insightful

PS2 owners who want network play know all about the inconsistencies with the Sony on-line approach.

I would rather pay a small fee each month for a centralized service that works consistently, such as Xbox Live, than suffer through the mess that you have on the PS2.

I am no Microsoft fan, but anyone who's compared the on-line experiences will say that Xbox Live is the way it should be done.

I would also like to think that having the Xbox Live infrastructure is very appealing to game studios since it removes the cost of server maintanence and upkeep. Further, players aren't at the mercy of game studios if they decide to shut down the network servers for whatever reason.
1. Re:Already been down this road... by FriedTurkey · 2005-05-09 09:53 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  I like the price of my PS2 online connectivity. Never had any problems with online play on a PS2.
  
  I bought the game now I have to pay to play online? No thanks.
2. Re:Already been down this road... by SetupWeasel · 2005-05-09 10:03 · Score: 1, Informative
  
  I would also like to think that having the Xbox Live infrastructure is very appealing to game studios since it removes the cost of server maintanence and upkeep. Further, players aren't at the mercy of game studios if they decide to shut down the network servers for whatever reason.
  
  For many games this won't be true some really will NEED their own servers. If Final Fantasy XI were released on the XBOX, you would have to pay extra money for it on top of the subscription. Even Microsoft is waxing poetic about additional "micropayments" in their next console.
  
  XBOX live is little more than a matchmaking program linking consoles up AS THEIR OWN SERVERS. Many companies already provide this type of service simply for the cost of the game, such as Blizzard.
  
  We will have to wait and see what Nintendo has planned, but I'd say that matchmaking will be free and games that require dedicated servers for the gameplay will cost money.
3. Re:Already been down this road... by oGMo · 2005-05-09 13:58 · Score: 1
  
  I concur, although I play/played FFXI (and pay $12+/mo to do so), the experience is wonderful. THUG is the biggest non-sub game I've played; I have had no problems with service or connectivity. And it's all free.
  Square's POL is a work of art. Very simple, very accessible. I was more than a little disappointed in the registration/signon process of WoW by comparison.
  
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Wait a minute... by goodenoughnickname · 2005-05-09 06:38 · Score: 1

Did anyone actually think it wasn't going to be wireless?
Re:Maybe not so free after all by incom · 2005-05-09 08:12 · Score: 1

Wow, Shocking! Not really, the slashdot blurb even mentions the same thing, that 3rd party games, like mmorpgs, will be allowed to charge. Troll?

--
True genius is grasping a situation like a peice of fruit, and peircing it just right so that it drains dry.
Re:Online Play? No Thanks! by SetupWeasel · 2005-05-09 11:58 · Score: 1

Maybe I'm the minority here

You are so much in the minority here that you got modded "flamebait" for giving your honest opinion.

I agree with you to an extent. Much of my experience with XBOX Live is watching my friend's opponents pull their network cable out of their machine to keep from losing a game in NFL 2K3. Your typical 2-4 player game is much better played sttting next to each other, and let's face it, with the amount of time and energy my friends spend setting up LAN parties, larger games must be more fun that way too.

The problem is one of fesability. It is hard to get more than 4 players to play on short notice, and people are sometimes in the mood for those kind of games.

However, any game that involves so few players that one vain disconnect ruins the entire game is nearly pointless to play online. The internet is full of dicks, and I've played online Spades long enough to have told everyone this.
Hey, why doesn't by mister_slim · 2005-05-09 13:55 · Score: 1

Xbox Live support the DS?
GC-GBA connectivity? by DarkGamer20X6 · 2005-05-09 22:01 · Score: 2, Interesting

I can't be the only one who saw this one coming, but there's a question that's been brewing in my mind ever since I heard of the Revolution being WiFi enabled...

If the Revolution is backwards compatible with the Gamecube, and the DS is backwards compatible with the GBA (albeit without multiplayer), is there any chance of a Revolution-DS connection being backwards compatible with the Gamecube-GBA connection?

Has anyone covered such a possibility? Perhaps with E3 around the corner, someone will pop the question, but to date, I haven't seen anyone even consider it. If there's any sort of press on this, I'd love a link.