N5 expected to use cutting edge processor and graphics tech

[Megadrive1988]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=pub&aid=3593

Nintendo reveals "Revolution" codename for next-gen console

Rob Fahey 16:38 10/06/2004
Iwata bangs the drum again for innovation over technology


The next-generation home console from Nintendo is codenamed
"Revolution," company president Satoru Iwata has revealed at a
conference in Tokyo where he once again championed the firm's focus on
innovation rather than technology.

The only concrete detail which emerged about "Revolution" at the
conference is the fact that the new device will include the ability to
connect up to PC monitors as well as TV sets, without the need for any
additional hardware.

Beyond that, Iwata kept his talk about the system vague - largely
repeating his own mantra about the need to innovate in the next
generation in order to interest consumers, and the importance of
providing new gameplay rather than just focusing on more advanced
technology.

"However it might have been in the past," he told the audience,
"increased hardware efficiency isn't connected to the consumer's
enjoyment any more" - and went on to say that "in the next generation,
gameplay is what's important."

He presented the Nintendo DS as an example of what he was talking
about, describing it as a device which used technology in new and
exciting ways rather than simply doing the same things on faster
hardware.

"We at Nintendo aren't brushing off the need for high technology," he
said, "but we think there are other ways of taking advantage of it.
The Nintendo DS' double screen or touch sensitive panel isn't
particularly new, but there weren't any other companies that thought
of using them in video game machines."

This way of thinking is being pushed on the GameCube as well - with a
version of Mario Party which will arrive later this year set to eschew
the familiar GameCube controller in favour of an entirely new
interface, which is believed to be a camera similar to the Eye Toy
product for the PS2.

It's on the next-generation "Revolution" console, which has also been
dubbed with the somewhat less pretentious "N5" moniker, that this
innovative approach is expected to really come into its own, however.

"We're thinking of an innovative idea for our next generation console
that's completely different from consoles in the past," Iwata said.
"It will be clearly distinct from the other next-generation consoles
that competing companies will develop. What's important isn't a
next-generation technology, but a next-generation way of playing
games."

Despite the downplaying of the technical capabilities of Revolution,
it's widely expected that the forthcoming device will be based on
cutting edge graphics and processor technology, and well capable of
holding its own against its rivals in the console market. Processors
based on IBM's Power5 architecture will sit at the heart of the system
- as they will on Xbox 2 - while an ATI graphics solution is believed
to be in development for the console.

it's good to hear no indication of ATI and Nintendo parting ways. As well as no indication that Xbox 2 and Revolution are the same exact architecture.

 

[Ooh-videogames]

Re: N5 expected to use cutting edge processor and graphics t

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=pub&aid=3593

Nintendo reveals "Revolution" codename for next-gen console

Rob Fahey 16:38 10/06/2004
Iwata bangs the drum again for innovation over technology


The next-generation home console from Nintendo is codenamed
"Revolution," company president Satoru Iwata has revealed at a
conference in Tokyo where he once again championed the firm's focus on
innovation rather than technology.

The only concrete detail which emerged about "Revolution" at the
conference is the fact that the new device will include the ability to
connect up to PC monitors as well as TV sets, without the need for any
additional hardware.

Beyond that, Iwata kept his talk about the system vague - largely
repeating his own mantra about the need to innovate in the next
generation in order to interest consumers, and the importance of
providing new gameplay rather than just focusing on more advanced
technology.

"However it might have been in the past," he told the audience,
"increased hardware efficiency isn't connected to the consumer's
enjoyment any more" - and went on to say that "in the next generation,
gameplay is what's important."

He presented the Nintendo DS as an example of what he was talking
about, describing it as a device which used technology in new and
exciting ways rather than simply doing the same things on faster
hardware.

"We at Nintendo aren't brushing off the need for high technology," he
said, "but we think there are other ways of taking advantage of it.
The Nintendo DS' double screen or touch sensitive panel isn't
particularly new, but there weren't any other companies that thought
of using them in video game machines."

This way of thinking is being pushed on the GameCube as well - with a
version of Mario Party which will arrive later this year set to eschew
the familiar GameCube controller in favour of an entirely new
interface, which is believed to be a camera similar to the Eye Toy
product for the PS2.

It's on the next-generation "Revolution" console, which has also been
dubbed with the somewhat less pretentious "N5" moniker, that this
innovative approach is expected to really come into its own, however.

"We're thinking of an innovative idea for our next generation console
that's completely different from consoles in the past," Iwata said.
"It will be clearly distinct from the other next-generation consoles
that competing companies will develop. What's important isn't a
next-generation technology, but a next-generation way of playing
games."

Despite the downplaying of the technical capabilities of Revolution,
it's widely expected that the forthcoming device will be based on
cutting edge graphics and processor technology, and well capable of
holding its own against its rivals in the console market. Processors
based on IBM's Power5 architecture will sit at the heart of the system
- as they will on Xbox 2 - while an ATI graphics solution is believed
to be in development for the console.

it's good to hear no indication of ATI and Nintendo parting ways. As well as no indication that Xbox 2 and Revolution are the same exact architecture.

I never doubted that the playing field would be even, gameplay has always been the true seller of games. The power of the consoles for the next gen will alow for better textures, physics, A.I all these are a givin feature of consoles, but Nintendo is looking to add to that and they shouldn't be ridiculed for it.

I think the PC monitor connection is a good idea, it allows gamers that can't afford an HDTV the opportunity to experience the benefits of games running at a higher resolution. Also eliminating the need to spend 70 bucks on a modified component cable.

 

[AlNom]

*thinks of next gen resident evil* 8)

 

[Evil_Cloud]

*thinks of next gen resident evil* 8)

Imagine interactive zombie ragdolls, with manipulatable blood, brains, guts,.... 8)

 

[pc999]

Re: N5 expected to use cutting edge processor and graphics t

I think the PC monitor connection is a good idea, it allows gamers that can't afford an HDTV the opportunity to experience the benefits of games running at a higher resolution. Also eliminating the need to spend 70 bucks on a modified component cable.

I fully expect that they are already able to that

 

[Farid]

Re: N5 expected to use cutting edge processor and graphics t

Despite the downplaying of the technical capabilities of Revolution,
it's widely expected that the forthcoming device will be based on
cutting edge graphics and processor technology, and well capable of
holding its own against its rivals in the console market. Processors
based on IBM's Power5 architecture will sit at the heart of the system
- as they will on Xbox 2 - while an ATI graphics solution is believed
to be in development for the console.

Isn't that just a comment made by the Gamesindustry journalist?
Talking about what it's "expected" to be? Since he says "an ATI graphics solution is believed to be in development for the console" that must mean he doesn't know much more that we all already know.

OTOH he says as a fact that the CPU will be a PPC970 (or a variant), did we have a confirmation of that lately?

Anyway it's almost certain that Nintendo will have a very competitive hardware for their N5/Revolution, only a few people thought that Nintendo is going to tie together 8 DS processor for the CPU and overclock the flipper to 500MHz and call it a day...

 

[V3]

I think the PC monitor connection is a good idea, it allows gamers that can't afford an HDTV the opportunity to experience the benefits of games running at a higher resolution. Also eliminating the need to spend 70 bucks on a modified component cable.

Maybe they wanted to take over the PC space, since MS invaded their turf.

The only concrete detail which emerged about "Revolution" at the
conference is the fact that the new device will include the ability to
connect up to PC monitors as well as TV sets, without the need for any
additional hardware.

Maybe it'll support multiple outs for surround gaming and multiplayer without needing GBA or multiple Consoles

 

[PC-Engine]

Heh must of been a coincidence that they'll have VGA output right out of the box because that was exactly what I asked for in a next generation console. 8)

Here's hoping it's a DVI interface.

 

[London Geezer]

Heh must of been a coincidence that they'll have VGA output right out of the box because that was exactly what I asked for in a next generation console. 8)

Here's hoping it's a DVI interface.

Yeah they must have listened to the only person on this planet who was disappointed with the lack of proper VGA connections this generation, hey..... As for DVI... Don't push it PC-Engine!!

 

[Deepak]

What is DVI?? I think I need to learn all these stuff... 8)

 

[rabidrabbit]

Digital Video Interface

 

[cybamerc]

It won't be VGA. VGA is obsolete and already there are more flat panels sold than traditional CRT monitors. Imagine the situation two years from now.

It'll be DVI/HDMI.

 

[London Geezer]

Now that i think about it, yeah they might as well put DVI in, DVItoVGA adaptors are very easy to find and cheap...

 

[PC-Engine]

Now that i think about it, yeah they might as well put DVI in, DVItoVGA adaptors are very easy to find and cheap...

A DVI-I interface would work as it supports both digital and analog signals.

http://www.ddwg.org/dvi.html

 

[London Geezer]

^ Yeah i know, that's why i said it. People with only VGA inputs on their monitors will still be able to enjoy hi-res using a DVI to VGA adapter, which is very cheap and trivial to find.

 

[GameCat]

This is Nintendo, they'll have digital out in some straqnge interface of their own and put any raquired DACs in the *cable* and sell it for a small fortune

 

[Nappe1]

Who wants to plug their console to PC monitor, while you can propably get HDTV or beyond resolutions capable Home Theater Projectors in price of big screen tv by then when it's released? Plus, HDMI / VGA will be a waaayy better way to hook up the console on that than any component cable. 16:9 100" screen with 1080p (1920x1080) will definately be the revolution of gaming.

 

[London Geezer]

Who wants to plug their console to PC monitor, while you can propably get HDTV or beyond resolutions capable Home Theater Projectors in price of big screen tv by then when it's released? Plus, HDMI / VGA will be a waaayy better way to hook up the console on that than any component cable. 16:9 100" screen with 1080p (1920x1080) will definately be the revolution of gaming.

Many HDTVs have VGA/DVI connections, which makes things MUCH easier....
And many people (99% of the population) do not have money coming out of their arses, sadly, so 100" HDTVs with 1080p support are out of the question. Even in 2 years time.

 

[wco81]

PC monitor support is nice but HDTV support is a must, whether by DVI/HDMI or by component or both.

 

[Bohdy]

This is Nintendo, they'll have digital out in some straqnge interface of their own and put any raquired DACs in the *cable* and sell it for a small fortune

Almost certainly. I've always said that as long as they keep making such fine games the only truly valid criticism against Nintendo is how the rob you blind with accesories.