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Pokemon DS Title Includes VOIP Element
Via Joystiq , a press release that reveals a new feature for the upcoming Pokemon Diamond/Pearl titles. In addition to new graphics, the title offers a new twist for the gotta-catch-em-all set: voice communication via wireless networking. You'll only be able to talk to people you've exchanged friend codes with, so there's no chance for an anonymous player to traumatize younger players. The PR release they link to mentions that the game will also have a world-wide trader board: "For kids, it's like having a cell phone that can only connect with their friends. The Nintendo DS Headset, sold separately, makes these conversations a breeze ... Players can trade Pokemon or battle with players anywhere in the world, even without voice communication. The Global Trade Station allows players to post Pokemon they want to trade on a board and browse through Pokemon other players have posted."
I thought paedophiles do think of the children? Isn't that the whole problem?!
i think thats why nintendo uses friend codes
The war with islam is a war on the beast
The war on terror is a war for peace
So we now have a VoIP phone WITH a touch screen? Don't tell Apple....or Cisco.
That's actually really cool. I didn't think they'd ever do that considering how afraid they are to even let people have a proper friend's list system. Make fun all you want, but I'm probably going to be buying this Pokemon game (haven't played once since Yellow) and I will definitely enjoy using this feature with my friends.
"Those who would sacrifice essential liberties for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - BenF
Let's start casting lots for when the next media hysteria about Nintendo DS-wielding pedophiles will commence. I give it two weeks if the game sells well.
Just not in a pokemon game. Get vonage to work on there, and we have a mobile phone.
I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
The game has been out since late September in Japan. I've seen several hands-on reviews that make mention of the voice chat function. I'm too lazy to check, but it was probably mentioned in previews as well. This is old, old news.
VOIP ELEMENT INCLUDES YOU!
-insert a witty something-
Sorry Zonk, but welcome to last year.
However, in MPH you could only speak to your friends before and after a match, while the article states in Pokemon "players talk with friends before, during and after battles". It's a nice touch, though. MPH voice chat works great and I hope more DS games include the feature.
It seems to me that this just might be the closest thing to an MMO that the DS is going to get... I personally plan on buying them (my wife will play one of them too). One thing that set the Pokemon games apart was the strong multi-player aspect of it - you HAD to find others to collect all the Pokemon.
In America, possibly.
In Korea, home of a thousand and one myriad MMO's, they're porting Maple Story to the DS. No word if such a thing would be viable in the U.S., but the potential ability is there if you don't go crazy with the graphics.
Or payment options. $20 for a DS game you can't play without paying $10 a month extra won't sit well with most people (Maple is free, but you pay for 'extras').
I heard it'll require a special Chinpokomon controller, maybe it has something to do with VOIP too? Anyway, I hope they get the game out pretty soon, I'm getting very excited about finally destroying the evil power!
I'm looking to get a new PDA "soon", though, honestly, I've been saying that for a couple years.
:)
The NDS is cheap, has WiFi, has way more power than my old Visor, and because of the calmshell design, it doesn't need a separate hard case to protect the screen (er... screenS)*.
If Nintendo would release a PDA "game", I would get one in an instant. Plus, I could legitimately write off a game console come biz income tax time.
* one of my big beefs with PDA's, they double in size and become half as fun to use if you need to carry them around in a separate case! I originally thought the integrated flip over hardcover that my Visor has was dumb, but compared to an external case, it's bloody brilliant.
So i herd u liek mudkips...
Finally, Nintendo are shipping out the DS headset! Once it becomes a mainstream accessory for our little handhelds, I'm sure development on homebrew VoIP software will speed up. Actually, such software already exists; Japanese coder Moonlight's wifi VoiceChatClient. I've yet to check it out, but if it's good, I won't need to use Skype anymore for calling my girlfriend!
Ummm... ok? Metroid Prime Hunters had VOIP as well. Which was last year. I'm confused as to how this is noteworthy.
Insert Sig Here
I'm getting it.
Before you know it, you'll see kids riding up and down the sidewalk on their tricycles talking on their Nintendo DS instead of paying attention to the path. Think of all the possible boo boos! I smell a new tricycle traffic safety law in the works.