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"Mario-net"

SEGA, Microsoft and to some extent Sony have been quick to jump on the internet bandwagon, all companies agree it is the future of gaming with both the SEGA Dreamcast and Microsoft X-box being internet compatible out of the box. So then why is it that Nintendo, a leading computer game company is so apprehensive about this new idea?

The truth is to Nintendo the use of the Internet is not a new idea, the game company used the idea as far back as the first Nintendo the NES which involved transferring Bank details. The SNES included a similar system and the Gameboy Colour, as we all know implemented and online mobile phone link used mainly for Pokémon Crystal. The N64’s doomed 64DD drive also used something called Rad-net, which enabled gaming to occur between people living in close proximity. So Nintendo are probably just as experienced as Microsoft in this field so why are the Big N so apprehensive about this “new” idea.

We all know how Nintendo are unsure about the way industry progresses hardware wise, their reluctance to leap to CD base format was one, and the failure of other systems may be the cause of their decision to stick with carts. The new strategy is a tried and tested watch and wait strategy, Modems are all avalible but a Nintendo online or any online Nintendo games are being kept well away in secret. Nintendo will monitor to see if the X-box and PS2 will do significantly well using this idea, if this is the case Nintendo may commit to the idea. This doesn’t mean there won’t be any internet gaming on your Gamecube for the first few years, SEGA’s Phantasy Star Online Version 2 will appear on the Gamecube using SEGA’s own server and many other companies may follow suit.

Is Nintendo’s worry that the Internet won’t succeed a just one? I think so; it never took off amazingly on the Dreamcast and SEGA never made a significant profit. Nintendo have never been able to make a significant gain via the Internet either and so unless Microsoft and Sony do any better Nintendo won’t go head first into it. The casual gamer may also not be attracted by the prospect neither will may of you I suspect, when I got my Dreamcast no internet leads came with it, I didn’t mind I never intended to use the internet it costs money and if I want to play against people I’ll invite friends round. I believe this is the general feel towards the net.

This isn’t to say Nintendo won’t support the Internet, a game entitle Marionette (Could it be Mario-net) is in development which could be an Internet based game. Be it Internet or not Nintendo will have some online games in production and I wouldn’t be surprised if either Pikachu or Mario were amongst the first internet based games, we all know how Nintendo like trading Pokémon via a link lead surly the Internet opens much more opportunity for such an idea. RARE are also sure to use the Internet to full effect in titles such as Perfect Dark and online multiplayer bash would be great for a game such as that.

So the Internet may be in the forefront of Sony and Microsoft’s mind but is Nintendo’s cautious approach wise? After reading this what do you think would be the best move for any of the next generation console makers?

Here’s to the Future.

Dringo.

I think that Nintendo are working on a network but going ahead with it unless they're sure it's profitable.

I think that it can be.

Imagine how long it takes for gamesplayers to connect to the server online... how much would an advertiser pay to have an advert on screen during that time?

Turbonutter wrote:
> Nintendo's online strategy doesn't exist. Don't believe me? Try find
> it.

Found it ages ago in virtually every magazine Nintendo will release a modem but there plans to make online games etc... are not announced as nintendo are not sure about it, SEGA and co. are comitting sheesh!

Mantis wrote:
PSO will also be on Xbox. And the first true online xbox game will
> be Unreal Championship. Americans can expect 32 player deathmatches by the
> summer.

Yes, and if my aunt had a willy she'd be my uncle.

Nintendo's online strategy doesn't exist. Don't believe me? Try find it.

Anyway...

The HDD is not part of or required for the modem or online gaming. You don't get "solely online" games, just look at THPS3. If you have a USB modem lying around anywhere, you use it and you open up a small section of the game. The actual game itself is massive.

It's just like having a link up option. If you have the necessary cables and hardware then you can play it. If you don't, it's no sweat.

On the subject of cost, apart from the cost of the modem,you just use the same ISP that you have for the PC. In theory it makes no difference.

Pictures, announcements, where they go, it was shown at E3 it will be compatable with PSO and Nintendo are working on an online game...

Enough for me but is it really that important? Too much money for me.

Apart wrote:
> I don't think that confirmed 56K and broadband modems are all that sketchy?

Thats the basic info, what else has been said apart from that? Not much.

PSO will also be on Xbox. And the first true online xbox game will be Unreal Championship. Americans can expect 32 player deathmatches by the summer.

Mantis wrote:

And, with
> no modem in the box and skechy info so far, it seams nintendo arn't really
> interested about online.

I don't think that confirmed 56K and broadband modems are all that sketchy?

Just because Nintendo haven't announced any online games yet people seem to think that there's some kind of problem, but the tools are there should anyone wish to develop an online game for Gamecube, so what's the problem?

The modems will be released when the first online game is out, which will probably be Phantasy Star Online.

Pokemon, like any craze will die off eventually. You may find that Nintendo release a new GC pokemon game and it sells only a fraction of the original games, simply because most people have moved on to something else.

And, with no modem in the box and skechy info so far, it seams nintendo arn't really interested about online. With Sonys PS2 hard drive, at best you can expect only 10% of the available market to own one. This will them mean that it's too much of a risk to make games solely compatable with either device. Thus few online games are made as its not worth the bother.

However, the xbox has both features as standard which will mean that every developer can make games that meet their potential. Every game can utilise the hard drive and have larger, more emersive game environments that just aren't possible on PS2 and GC.

Which means it will have the real next gen games.

Pokemon.

You want to get people using a network? Give them a popular kids game.

They'll go crazy for it, they'll pay whatever the price, and Nintendo can get a hold on the market.

And then we can play Perfect Dark the year after.

Yeah there's a Nintendo modem, other companies are being encouraged to make games internet compatiable, but if Nintendo don't see it as a priority, why should they develop games to incorporate it?

I for one wouldn't use the internet for console gaming if it incurred extra costs, and many, many others feel the same way as me.

I'd rather see a new Phantasy Star game as a single player RPG rather than PSOnline.

The thing is online gaming will be popular in America.

As such, I'll bet that Nintendo will announce an online game before the end of the year.

Even if it's not for me.