DS goes online....and it's FREE!
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Nintendo, IGN Entertainment Join Forces to Create a New Portable Gaming Network
May 10, 2005
Nintendo DS Service Provides an Easy, Seamless Transition to Wireless Wi-Fi Gaming
REDMOND, Wash., May 10, 2005 – Nintendo is partnering with IGN Entertainment to create an innovative network for portable video games that is not only expansive but also extremely easy for everyone to use. Set to debut later this year, the wireless service for Nintendo DS will use IGN’s GameSpy Technology to let people around the world link easily and wirelessly to play games, just as if they were playing face-to-face.
"With minimum setup procedures, Nintendo DS owners will be able to enjoy Wi-Fi gaming just as easily as if they were playing with their friends in the same room," explains Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of sales & marketing. "To realize this simple and seamless transition to Wi-Fi gaming, we’re partnering with one of the leaders in the multiplayer gaming world. Accessing the service will require no added Nintendo subscription charges, whether users hook up using a home broadband Wi-Fi connection or access a Wi-Fi hotspot at a coffee shop, library or elsewhere. It doesn’t get any easier than that."
The service will be used by a variety of upcoming games, including the previously announced Animal Crossing DS. Other titles will be revealed in the coming weeks. When using the service, DS owners can choose whether they would like to play with friends or strangers, whether nearby or on the other side of the world.
The service represents the first foray by IGN’s GameSpy into portable games.
"We’re excited to bring the technology that powers more than 300 PC and console video games to Nintendo’s innovative wireless platform. Now developers can easily and confidently add advanced matchmaking, community and other multiplayer services to their Nintendo DS games," says Mark Stieglitz, general manager of IGN Entertainment’s GameSpy Technology Group. "We’re honored that Nintendo is choosing IGN’s GameSpy as their middleware partner, and look forward to a very long relationship."
May 9, 2005
Iwata Talks DS Wi-Fi Connectivity
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has spoken in detail, in a document sent to the Japanese Game Watch website, about his company’s use of Wi-Fi technology, following his Game Developers Conference speech announcing that the company will offer a free Wi-Fi connection service to Nintendo DS owners.
In particular, Iwata specifically reveals that Nintendo will set up 1,000 new Wi-Fi connection points across Japan for the DS online service, in order to help those that do not have Wi-Fi connections at home. This service will be free, no additional hardware will be needed in order to use a Nintendo DS online, and connections are intended to be instantaneous – without the need to alter any software settings or enter passwords, and so on.
Configuring the DS for home use will apparently require some small amount of adjustment, although this will be kept to an absolute minimum if a Nintendo-approved router is used.
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.
Although Iwata made no mention of a launch date for the Wi-Fi features of the console, he has previously indicated, during his keynote GDC speech, that it would roll out in Japan this year. No mention has yet been made about bringing the service to the West. However, additional announcements will no doubt be made at Nintendo’s pre-E3 conference on May 17th, where Iwata himself is expected to speak further on Nintendo’s online console plans.
On the negative side, Iwata told Game Watch that some online play (apparently, it will be an option for third party developers) will incur a monthly fee.
Teasy said:Third party devs will have the option to add a fee for more complex online games like MMORPG's. But devs won't just be able to add fee's to any game.
Nintendo is partnering with IGN Entertainment to create an innovative network for portable video games that is not only expansive but also extremely easy for everyone to use.
representation3 said:Nintendo is partnering with IGN Entertainment to create an innovative network for portable video games that is not only expansive but also extremely easy for everyone to use.
This is either bad journalism or bad marketing campaign.
london-boy said:representation3 said:Nintendo is partnering with IGN Entertainment to create an innovative network for portable video games that is not only expansive but also extremely easy for everyone to use.
This is either bad journalism or bad marketing campaign.
What's wrong with that? :|
