E3 2005: "IT'S NOT ABOUT SPECS" - NINTENDO'S MARKO HEIN
European exec deflects allegations that Revolution won't punch with the same processing power as Xbox 360 and PS3
5:13 The Nintendo Revolution may not be as powerful as Sony's PS3 and Xbox 360 when it launches next year, but it will provide a far better experience and open up gaming to a whole new audience.
That's according to Marko Hein, Nintendo's European head of product analysis and online. While Revolution was unveiled yesterday, the lack of technical specifications on offer was notable.
"It's not about specs," claimed Hein when CVG.com spoke with him today. "It's like in a car - having 400 bhp sounds very nice, you can drive 300 kph, but if the drive isn't enjoyable then what's the point?"
For Hein and Nintendo - once again - it's all about the gamer. "For us the emphasis is on the games and the actual gaming experience, and not on the hardware. Microsoft may well show off a lot of specifications, but that doesn't mean it will have the best choice of games."
Hein then took a swipe at the PS3 trailers shown at Sony's press event on Monday - the subject of much 'were they real/were they rendered' debate. "Let's look at the games, and not rendered demos shown in a conference. I want to see a playable game."
Needless to say, Hein wouldn't be budged on the Revolution's revolution. Referring to Tuesday's rather sparse Revolution details Hein said, "we are very conservative about revealing too many details too early, because when you are doing something revolutionary then your competitors copy."
But the Revolution's controller is certainly a large part of the puzzle: "I think we have deliberately not shown the controller or talked about the controller because it is probably one part of the revolution."
Hein also talked about the Game Boy Micro, addressing the disappointment felt by many that the handheld is not a true GBA 2. "We always try to do the best with the existing hardware before we move onto the next hardware," he said. "The question is how do you reach different groups of people. I think nowadays you have to something a little cooler and more lifestyle, and that's where the GameBoy Micro fits."
So when will GBA 2 show itself? "It's too early to say, but it's well known that we are always working on hardware to keep up with technology and new ideas."
And when it comes, will it be part of the Revolution's revolution? "I have no information on that. But it's a good question..."
Check back soon for more of Hein's views on Game Boy Micro, Revolution, Nintendo going online, DS, and GameCube.
Graeme Boyd
http://www.computerandvideogames.co...eogames.com/news/news_story.php(que)id=119016
European exec deflects allegations that Revolution won't punch with the same processing power as Xbox 360 and PS3
5:13 The Nintendo Revolution may not be as powerful as Sony's PS3 and Xbox 360 when it launches next year, but it will provide a far better experience and open up gaming to a whole new audience.
That's according to Marko Hein, Nintendo's European head of product analysis and online. While Revolution was unveiled yesterday, the lack of technical specifications on offer was notable.
"It's not about specs," claimed Hein when CVG.com spoke with him today. "It's like in a car - having 400 bhp sounds very nice, you can drive 300 kph, but if the drive isn't enjoyable then what's the point?"
For Hein and Nintendo - once again - it's all about the gamer. "For us the emphasis is on the games and the actual gaming experience, and not on the hardware. Microsoft may well show off a lot of specifications, but that doesn't mean it will have the best choice of games."
Hein then took a swipe at the PS3 trailers shown at Sony's press event on Monday - the subject of much 'were they real/were they rendered' debate. "Let's look at the games, and not rendered demos shown in a conference. I want to see a playable game."
Needless to say, Hein wouldn't be budged on the Revolution's revolution. Referring to Tuesday's rather sparse Revolution details Hein said, "we are very conservative about revealing too many details too early, because when you are doing something revolutionary then your competitors copy."
But the Revolution's controller is certainly a large part of the puzzle: "I think we have deliberately not shown the controller or talked about the controller because it is probably one part of the revolution."
Hein also talked about the Game Boy Micro, addressing the disappointment felt by many that the handheld is not a true GBA 2. "We always try to do the best with the existing hardware before we move onto the next hardware," he said. "The question is how do you reach different groups of people. I think nowadays you have to something a little cooler and more lifestyle, and that's where the GameBoy Micro fits."
So when will GBA 2 show itself? "It's too early to say, but it's well known that we are always working on hardware to keep up with technology and new ideas."
And when it comes, will it be part of the Revolution's revolution? "I have no information on that. But it's a good question..."
Check back soon for more of Hein's views on Game Boy Micro, Revolution, Nintendo going online, DS, and GameCube.
Graeme Boyd
http://www.computerandvideogames.co...eogames.com/news/news_story.php(que)id=119016
