Support NeoGAF

[olimario]

http://boards.ign.com/Nintendo_DS_General_Board__/b7585/100743543/?38

So I got a chance to poke around the interface that'll get you on the Nintendo WiFi Connection yesterday. I can't get TOO into specifics because of an embargo on the game that used it, but I will say this:

It's a very, very clean interface. Very similar to the DS start-up menu system.

It's both simple AND versatile. Just tapping a button will pull up a list of area Wireless connections, and it will test the connection. If it works, great! If it doesn't, you can go in and edit the details of that network setting.

It doesn't require firmware upgrade -- every game that supports the WiFi Connection will have this software executable. I believe I saw the ability to "beam" settings from one system to another so friends in the area don't have to retype anything that was tweaked.

If you have the Nintendo WiFi USB adapter, there's a button in this interface to link directly to it.

-- Craig

Also, each game will have three different Network Profiles. So, when you're in the game, it'll invisibly try to connect to the network in the first profile. If it doesn't connect, it works down the line to the second profile, then the third.

The interface makes it incredibly easy to delete network settings out of these slots and pull in another profile.

-- Craig

What I'm describing to you is the general interface to set up network connections. Every game that supports WiFi will have this interface, since you'll have to set up a connection for each cartridge...unlike the PSP, the network data doesn't sit in dedicated underlying system memory that every game can pull from, so Nintendo created a very simply, easy to use interface for every WiFi Connection game.

Once the data's been entered in, the menu boots back to the game...and each game will have its own online interface to link up to friends and download data.

But the Network Setup menu will be universal. And that's what I was describing.

-- Craig

Sounds really great and really easy to use.
Thumbs up to Nintendo.

 

[Unison]

So far so good. Sounds like it's been completely thought through.

 

[Timen]

meh, i want firmware update

entering a 32 char. wep key for every online game sucks :/

 

[Leatherface]

sounds awesome! Now launch the games damn it!! (Specifically MarioKart!)

 

[Kobun Heat]

Yeah, I did the same thing Craig did (jump out of the game's menu and poke around the Wi-Fi setup). There were four access points in the hotel, but I couldn't get any of them to connect

In any case, I have the embargo sheet here and the game in question isn't listed... so...

 

[Leatherface]

so...spill it!

 

[Mashing]

meh, i want firmware update

entering a 32 char. wep key for every online game sucks :/

If you're going to be using your DS at home or in hotspots you are not going have to deal with WEP/WPA protection (you might at home if you have your wireless network secured). Hotspots, absolutely not.

 

[borghe]

meh, i want firmware update

entering a 32 char. wep key for every online game sucks :/

agreed. I have a 61 character WPA key on my network. the thought of entering that for every game blows.

though I do have two DSes. I suppose I could load two different WiFi game cartridges and beam the settings between the two.

 

[jman2050]

Yeah, I did the same thing Craig did (jump out of the game's menu and poke around the Wi-Fi setup). There were four access points in the hotel, but I couldn't get any of them to connect

In any case, I have the embargo sheet here and the game in question isn't listed... so...

Spill it x 2

 

[darscot]

meh, i want firmware update

entering a 32 char. wep key for every online game sucks :/

The DS must have a MAC Address just edit you network to allow that specific address.

 

[neptunes]

what game was it? Tony Hawk or mario kart?

 

[the year 20XX]

No firmware update is also bad news for potential GAF pictochatting. Unless all online DS games come with an inter-net style chat app.

 

[Gaia Theory]

Sounds like the easiest thing to do would be a firmware update, not loading the software on each DS game and then requiring the gamer to mess around with network settings.

 

[Kobun Heat]

Despite what Craig said, there's not THAT much more to spill. He covered the details.

What I really like is that if you have the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB dongle, there's a seperate button you can press for that.

Also, there was a seperate button with the AOSS logo on it. So that, as well, is a totally seperate functionality apart from the three standard connection profiles that you can set up.

 

[Paladin69]

Despite what Craig said, there's not THAT much more to spill. He covered the details.

What I really like is that if you have the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB dongle, there's a seperate button you can press for that.

Also, there was a seperate button with the AOSS logo on it. So that, as well, is a totally seperate functionality apart from the three standard connection profiles that you can set up.

spilling disappoint.

 

[jedimike]

meh, i want firmware update

entering a 32 char. wep key for every online game sucks :/

I knew Nintendo couldn't get around this. They wanted an online network that anyone from 7yrs old to 70yrs old could figure out. It's just not possible.

Even worse, every time you power off your DS you can count on going in and adding your WEP. Does this apply to everyone? No. But any wireless network user should be using WEP. It's just too easy for someone to hop on and abuse the hell out of your network.

 

[borghe]

you can count on going in and adding your WEP.

this is not what I gathered. you should only need to enter your WEP key in once per game. and as I said, hopefully if you have two DSes, you can beam your settings from one game to another bering they use the same network exe.

 

[Akia]

Thats cool. Looks like everything is covered.

 

[Legal Step]

I'm posting here because I support Nintendo's Ideals and this discussion.

 

[Deleted member 284]

Even worse, every time you power off your DS you can count on going in and adding your WEP.

I think you missed that the WEP will be stored on the game cart once entered for future play. But that idea of beaming settings to another DS is pretty awesome. I hope it stores the info, but doesn't explicitly give that user your settings in detail.

 

[jedimike]

this is not what I gathered. you should only need to enter your WEP key in once per game. and as I said, hopefully if you have two DSes, you can beam your settings from one game to another bering they use the same network exe.

ahhh... not so bad then. Once per DS would be better, but if the game stores the info, that's tolerable.

 

[Bojangles]

So far so good. Sounds like it's been completely thought through.

Except that it should have been built into the firmware already ..

 

[Nester]

I knew Nintendo couldn't get around this. They wanted an online network that anyone from 7yrs old to 70yrs old could figure out. It's just not possible.

I'm pretty sure a 7 year old can plug in the optional wireless adapter, turn on the DS and they're set. At least they're giving you an option to use your own wireless network if you know what you're doing and not requiring everyone to buy the $30.00 accessory to get online to make it "easy for everyone".

 

[Rhindle]

So what exactly is the innovation here? I'm a little lost on this one. It sounds just like PSP connectivity, except without the ability to permanently store settings.

 

[darscot]

I'm pretty sure a 7 year old can plug in the optional wireless adapter, turn on the DS and they're set. At least they're giving you an option to use your own wireless network if you know what you're doing and not requiring everyone to buy the $30.00 accessory to get online to make it "easy for everyone".

Exactly and its not hard to configure your network so you dont need a WEP for a specific MAC

 

[borghe]

and I think the point some are missing here are the people who would have a difficult time with wep keys and settings and whatnot, probably don't have that stuff turned on to begin with. Those are the same people in my neighborhood with Bobnet as an unencrypted network. Those people will have ZERO configuration to do with this.

 

[darscot]

and I think the point some are missing here are the people who would have a difficult time with wep keys and settings and whatnot, probably don't have that stuff turned on to begin with. Those are the same people in my neighborhood with Bobnet as an unencrypted network. Those people will have ZERO configuration to do with this.

And dont you guy spreading this whole wep thing around. I can log on almost anywhere.

 

[Mrbob]

Yeah have an open wireless connection is a bad, bad thing. Unless you want to broadcast it to everyone around you.

Here is some info about Nintendo Wifi here:

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/news.php?aid=12211

At the bottom.

Connecting to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection will be quick, easy and seamless. Players can go to an official Nintendo hotspot and immediately go online and start playing. To use their home Wi-Fi routers, players first must configure the DS to connect to their routers by entering the router's network ID and optional security key or install the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector on their PC and configure the DS to enable it to share the PC's broadband connection. After that, players can go online anytime without further configuration. Friends are registered to the friends roster either by exchanging and entering Friend Registration Keys or by playing local Multi-Card Multiplayer mode together.

Sounds like you can enter the numbers into one of your profiles.


Oh wait NM I missed the fact that it says each game has its own profile. Which means we may have to type it in for every game. Yuck.

 

[gamewhooper]

So what exactly is the innovation here? I'm a little lost on this one. It sounds just like PSP connectivity, except without the ability to permanently store settings.

It's not more innovative. It's just easier and has better online games.

 

[Taker666]

So what exactly is the innovation here? I'm a little lost on this one. It sounds just like PSP connectivity, except without the ability to permanently store settings.

I would assume it's the Nintendo branded dongle.

For the first time there will be one obvious simple solution for the mainstream consumer. Plug it into your broadband PC's USB port and that's it (and that's a big difference, most people like things kept simple.If they have to think about it then they probably won't bother).

No need to worry about having to choose which particular wireless router to buy,no having to decide which one is better, no need to worry about setting it up. One simple,easy,obvious solution.

 

[Unison]

Oh wait NM I missed the fact that it says each game has its own profile. Which means we may have to type it in for every game. Yuck.

At least there's a touch screen!

 

[Gaia Theory]

I would assume it's the Nintendo branded dongle.

For the first time there will be one obvious simple solution for the mainstream consumer. Plug it into your broadband PC's USB port and that's it (and that's a big difference, most people like things kept simple.If they have to think about it then they probably won't bother).

No need to worry about having to choose which particular wireless router to buy,no having to decide which one is better, no need to worry about setting it up. One simple,easy,obvious solution.

Most people are going to use the dongle, that's for sure.

Sometimes, I think that a lot of us forget that 'we' are the eccentric, nerdy, hopefully somewhat normal, but certainly NOT mainstream audience.

 

[Operations]

So what exactly is the innovation here? I'm a little lost on this one. It sounds just like PSP connectivity, except without the ability to permanently store settings.

Exactly, I don't see a single advantage of this supposedly easy approach. I'll wait for the full details to judge it properly, but right now PSP's connectivity seems to be easier.

 

[Unison]

Exactly, I don't see a single advantage of this supposedly easy approach. I'll wait for the full details to judge it properly, but right now PSP's connectivity seems to be easier.

You can buy a dongle which will keep you from having to set up any settings, since there's a separate button to automatically configure that.

 

[Drensch]

So what exactly is the innovation here? I'm a little lost on this one. It sounds just like PSP connectivity, except without the ability to permanently store settings.

1. You do store settings.
2. The dongle.

The dongle is probably the best idea in a long time. I have a wpa network, but I'll probably get the dongle anyways. The dongle allows anyone to play online with a button in the ds menu. Thats it. No configuring, no security codes, no nothing. Plug and play.

 

[bumpkin]

So, what do you think the chances are -- or is it even technically possible -- that the Wi-Fi Connection will somehow be retrofitted so games which only support local wireless play will be playable online as well? If they could do that... Wow, that would fucking rock!

 

[-james-]

and I think the point some are missing here are the people who would have a difficult time with wep keys and settings and whatnot, probably don't have that stuff turned on to begin with. Those are the same people in my neighborhood with Bobnet as an unencrypted network. Those people will have ZERO configuration to do with this.

Exactly. I figure if i dont feel like messing with the settings on my router, i'll just connect to one of the 8 unsecured networks i can pick up from my house.

 

[Beer Monkey]

What about the free wi-fi at places like BW3 and Panera Bread? They require you to click through a consent form before you can route. Is there a web browser?

 

[Drensch]

I'll be buying the dongle just so I can play where ever there is a computer.

 

[puck1337]

1. You do store settings.
2. The dongle.

The dongle is probably the best idea in a long time. I have a wpa network, but I'll probably get the dongle anyways. The dongle allows anyone to play online with a button in the ds menu. Thats it. No configuring, no security codes, no nothing. Plug and play.

Agreed. The dongle is a great idea for a handheld. Hopefully it catches on.

 

[Unison]

What about the free wi-fi at places like BW3 and Panera Bread? They require you to click through a consent form before you can route. Is there a web browser?

This probably wouldn't work.

 

[maynerd]

I agree this dongle thing is awesome. If I go to a friends place as long as they have a computer that is connected to the internet and a USB port I can be online super easy. No need to mess with a wireless router no need to really do anything. Totally awesome. Just carry the dongle and ds and any computer becomes my entry point to the internet.

NICE

 

[marc^o^]

I agree this dongle thing is awesome. If I go to a friends place as long as they have a computer that is connected to the internet and a USB port I can be online super easy. No need to mess with a wireless router no need to really do anything. Totally awesome. Just carry the dongle and ds and any computer becomes my entry point to the internet.

NICE

I didn't think of that, is it true?!?
If so that's completely AWESOME!

 

[Leatherface]

indeed.

 

[Nester]

What about the free wi-fi at places like BW3 and Panera Bread? They require you to click through a consent form before you can route. Is there a web browser?

These are probably the types of locations Nintendo is targeting for providing configuration-free hotspots for DS-only connections. Maybe with a more wide range version of the USB dongle or something like that.

 

[gameboya]

you don't need to use wep at all. disable it and use mac authentication and don't broadcast your ssid. that's all the security you would need and it keeps things simple. I don't think you would even NEED to use an SSID but it's basic easy extra protection.

 

[marc^o^]

A communication game like Animal Crossing becomes a real killer ap then, say you go in vacation in another state, bring your laptop and your Dongle/DS and there you are: you have an "msn" on the go!

Brilliant!

 

[borghe]

you don't need to use wep at all. disable it and use mac authentication and don't broadcast your ssid. that's all the security you would need and it keeps things simple. I don't think you would even NEED to use an SSID but it's basic easy extra protection.

umm. this is NOT recommended. the entire point of wep is to protect YOUR network. I couldn't care if someone was stealing my internet (unless they were killing my connection). my more immediate concern is someone having carte blanche access to my network and all of my sensitive files therein.

 

[maynerd]

I wonder what would happen if you connected to the internet via dial up and plugged this dongle into that computer. Would it be enough bandwidth to play games on the DS? Has this been addressed in some sort of minimum requirements document for connection to the internet?

 

[Spencerr]

I agree this dongle thing is awesome. If I go to a friends place as long as they have a computer that is connected to the internet and a USB port I can be online super easy. No need to mess with a wireless router no need to really do anything. Totally awesome. Just carry the dongle and ds and any computer becomes my entry point to the internet.

NICE

unfortunately... nope.

you'd have to go to your friends house with a the dongle, and a cd with software. It's a shame they didn't put the software on the dongle.