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[clearacell]

that's some great news, but I was hoping for new pics of the DS lite somewhere :\

 

[anachronous_one]

It was my assumption that Nintendo purposely left it out of in-game portions so the poor little children would be spared from all the naughty words and trash talk their opponents threw at them.

LOL! As if the most abuse happens in-game? Have you ever been in a random lobby between rounds of SOCOM or Halo?!

I've heard diatribes in those lobbies that would make Eddie Murphy blush --- and not in a "Hey, you're my kind of shemale . . . " sorta way, either.

:lol

 

[Snow]

Press release:

THE LEGEND BUILDS: NINTENDO DS OFFERS BOLD NEW FEATURES

DS Gets Free Retail Game Downloads, Voice Chat and a New Look

REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 9, 2006 – The video games industry's "story of the year" for 2005 is growing even more compelling early in 2006, as Nintendo today announced major new initiatives for its hot-selling Nintendo DS™ portable game system.

In a matter of weeks: DS owners will sample free games simply by visiting their local game retailers; players will enjoy live, real-time Wi-Fi voice interaction with their portable game play; the 1 millionth DS owner will log onto Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's wireless gaming service; and a new lighter, brighter DS will make its debut in Japan.

Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing, announced the new DS features during his keynote address today at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' D.I.C.E. conference in Las Vegas.

"Nintendo DS was the only video game system that exceeded expectations in 2005, simply because it dared to be different," Fils-Aime said. "By further enriching the ways in which players can compete, play and sample new games, that process is accelerating in the opening weeks of 2006."

Here are the details announced at the D.I.C.E. conference:

DS Download Service: Starting next month, Nintendo will offer all DS owners free downloadable game demos and other downloadable content at thousands of participating retail locations around the United States. An in-store kiosk will beam wireless demo versions of games and other downloadable content into a players' Nintendo DS system. Users simply stop by the store with their Nintendo DS, click "DS Download Play" on their system and choose one of a variety of DS games they want to sample. The game will download automatically and users can play all they want (even if they leave the store) until the Nintendo DS is turned off.

Sequentially, players can try out as many games as they want, letting them test drive the wide array of games that can only be played on Nintendo DS. The first DS Download Service stations will include free demos of Tetris® DS, Brain Age™: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day, Mario Kart® DS, Meteos™, True Swing Golf and Pokémon® Trozei, along with a Metroid® Prime Hunters video clip. The selection of games and other downloadable content at DS Download Service kiosks will refresh quarterly.

Metroid Chat: The new Metroid Prime Hunters game for Nintendo DS will give gamers the ability to chat directly with one another before and after matches played via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Players in North America simply click the chat icon and say what they have to say. The microphone of the Nintendo DS picks up voice communication and transmits it to the people on their friend list. Players can use the chat function before a match to agree on settings or after a battle to relive their glories. This Teen-rated first-person adventure arrives March 20 and promises to open a dramatically fun new facet of gaming to Nintendo fans.

Nintendo DS Momentum: Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection now boasts more than 20 million different connections, representing more than 850,000 unique users worldwide. Nintendo DS has enjoyed extremely strong sales worldwide, selling more than 14.4 million units worldwide through December. The Japanese sell-through of the existing Nintendo DS hardware exceeded 5 million within 13 months, which made Nintendo DS there the fastest-selling video game launch ever. In addition to Metroid Prime Hunters, Tetris DS also launches March 20. Using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, up to four players can compete in wireless two- or four-player Tetris DS battles against friends or strangers, near or far.

Nintendo DS Lite: The lighter, brighter Nintendo DS system goes on sale in Japan next month. Nintendo DS Lite is about two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS and more than 20 percent lighter. Its availability in other regions will be announced at a later date.

The worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home and portable video game systems. Each year, hundreds of all-new titles for the best-selling Game Boy® Advance SP, Nintendo DS™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems extend Nintendo's vast game library and continue the tradition of delivering a rich, diverse mix of quality video games for players of all ages. Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 2 billion video games and more than 360 million hardware units globally, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario™ and Donkey Kong® and launching popular culture franchise phenomena such as Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere.

For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.

 

[Xrenity]

Nintendo Targets Oprah
By Kris Graft and Colin Campbell Print | Send to a friend | Email the editor
Speaking at DICE, Reggie Fils-Aime once again urged the industry to embrace new demographics, even if it means running ads during Oprah.
ImageHe said that Nintendo would be using new marketing channels, such as daytime television shows, Oprah and Ellen.

Fils-aime talked about a "blue ocean of opportunity through new types of gameplay."

In what has become something of a Nintendo mantra, he said Nintendo was seeking to attract female gamers and older gamers. He also warned that the number of teenage males is declining in North America, and high school students are saying their interest in games is declining.

However, he pointed out the the success of Nintendogs in North America with its 1 million unit sales and Brain Training in Japan with 2.5 million sales show that new demographics are willing to embrace games.

Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day will be launched in NA on April 17.

"We have been able to drive the appeal of games to a whole new segment who typically would not pick up a game," Fils-Aime said during his speech. "Imagine a games company targeting 50 and 60 year olds. Imagine games as a treadmill for the mind instead of a playground for violence."

Fils-aime once again referenced proven business book strategies which focus on expanding markets. He said, "It's not about what is, but what can be." He pointed out to the audience that hardcore gamers make up only 20 percent of the entire gaming market, saying "You and your teams can capitalize on that 80 percent."

During his speech, Fils-Aime focused on the success of the handheld games market over the last year compared to the decline of consoles. He drew broad comparison with "disrutptive technologies" such as Apple iPod, which took Sony and its music business by surprise.

At the end of the speech, he finally turned to Revolution, and offered little new details. However, he said that the machine would "create a democracy of ideas. It's not going to be about those with the biggest production budget."

He also indicated that publishers and developers could create "simple games" so that they could sell them at "more affordable prices if you want."

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2224&Itemid=2

haha The blue ocean as predicted
So... That was DICE

 

[fresquito]

Good news overall. Still, no word on Euro kiosks. No Tetris voice chat... no real happines

 

[snatches]

Let me save you all some time reading the inevitable transcript that will show up:

1) DS success
2) Blue Ocean
3) New Markets

THE END

I hate to quote my own post but LOLLERSKATES.

 

[StRaNgE]

It was my assumption that Nintendo purposely left it out of in-game portions so the poor little children would be spared from all the naughty words and trash talk their opponents threw at them.

it's the little kids who do all the foul mouthed trash talking , not the mature grown ups.

sounds like it'S being made more for us grown ups so we don't have to listen to squeeky voices as we play

 

[SantaC]

so no word on Zelda?

 

[Fuzzy]

so no word on Zelda?

He said every time someone asks about it they delay it a day. So far we're looking at March 2007.

 

[thomaser]

Good news overall. Still, no word on Euro kiosks. No Tetris voice chat... no real happines

There are a few kiosks here and there in Europe. I have one in my store (one of only two in Norway). You can only download Polarium and Meteos from mine, though, plus get a special present from Miyamoto's dog in Nintendogs. And play online, of course. It's very difficult to set up the online-part, by the way, so many stores will probably just use the kiosk for demos, and not for online-play.

 

[SantaC]

He said every time someone asks about it they delay it a day. So far we're looking at March 2007.

lol more like DNF.

 

[Juice]

Really? I find that anything Wright can do Nintendo can do better. Animal Crossing is more fun than The Sims and Spore looks about as fun as watching mold cultures grow.

Did you see the presentation on Spore last year? Wright was hilarious and extremely poignant in his discussion of shifting his focus on algorithmic games.

Beating the ramping cost of content in games is the only thing that'll save this industry in a few years. No way can a niche industry like gaming survive Hollywood blockbuster production costs.

 

[Nick]

Wow, I really like that they included voice chat in Metroid. That really makes me want to purchase a game I had no interest in. I'm being serious.

Cool features! That coupled with a new and sexy DS, and I'd say Nintendo EFF TEE DOUBLE U.

 

[Kon Tiki]

Why do you have to goto gamestop to get a demo that erases when you turn the system off?

That makes no sense. Offer the downloads over NWC.

 

[Cheebs]

Why do you have to goto gamestop to get a demo that erases when you turn the system off?

That makes no sense. Offer the downloads over NWC.

Can they without updating firmware?

 

[crisdecuba]

To get you in the store to buy the games. It's simply an extension of the demo kiosk concept.

~Cris

 

[acidviper]

Players in North America simply click the chat icon and say what they have to say. The microphone of the Nintendo DS picks up voice communication and transmits it to the people on their friend list. Players can use the chat function before a match to agree on settings or after a battle to relive their glories.

Oh jebus. Will you be forced to listen to smackchat after a battle.

 

[Gazunta]

It's more likely the decision to make voice chat before and after matches was because there's only so much data you can send to and from a DS (what is it, 2Mbs?). If you have voice chat during a fast-paced game like Metroid Hunters, it would lag like hell. Nothing to do with kiddy.

 

[Zilch]

It's more likely the decision to make voice chat before and after matches was because there's only so much data you can send to and from a DS (what is it, 2Mbs?). If you have voice chat during a fast-paced game like Metroid Hunters, it would lag like hell. Nothing to do with kiddy.

Fair enough. I'm glad that the limitation is technical rather than moral.

 

[M3wThr33]

It's more likely the decision to make voice chat before and after matches was because there's only so much data you can send to and from a DS (what is it, 2Mbs?). If you have voice chat during a fast-paced game like Metroid Hunters, it would lag like hell. Nothing to do with kiddy.

Plus the mic would pick up all the taps on the screen, breathing, etc. (Even with a toggle)

 

[Fuzzy]

Reggie listened to us all carefully, assessing our responses, until he was asked what Nintendo's plans for E3 were.

"It's a challenge," he admitted. The booths are laid out and designed now, although he didn't give specifics. But they are prepared to give playable demos of Nintendo's next-generation console, the Revolution. The innovative controllers will be secrued against theft, and the monitor-mounted technology that lets gamers point at images onscreen will be shielded so that attendees won't accidentally set off events on their neighbors' screens. I think it's safe to say that they've also thought of how to control the enormous lines of eager gamers, too.

Source: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3147861

Revolution confirmed (for the most part) playable at E3! Anyone want to start a new thread?

 

[Johnas]

Revolution confirmed (for the most part) playable at E3! Anyone want to start a new thread?

It's really fair for it to be since it'll supposedly be coming out ~6 months later. Still, great to actually hear that straight from the Reggie's mouth.

 

[soundwave05]

If they could somehow get Brain Trianing on Oprah ... that would be an unbelievable marketing coup.

Zelda will be a dual Rev/GC title ... I told ya guys! Nintendo is not going to let this slip as just a regular GCN title ... it will have Rev-specific functions (perhaps graphics upgrade too) and will probably launch day and date with Rev. If you still have a GCN, you'll still be able to play it on GCN, just without the special features.

 

[Beezy]

Plus the mic would pick up all the taps on the screen, breathing, etc. (Even with a toggle)

Eww. I never thought about that.

 

[Beezy]

If they could somehow get Brain Trianing on Oprah ... that would be an unbelievable marketing coup.

Damn. If they do that, every woman in the U.S would buy it. Plus everyone in the crowd would get a copy...

 

[ekips]

For those of you not in Vegas for DICE,

Reggie , who rules, just taped a "Kick Ass and Take Names" Game Head in Vegas where he talks about all this and more with Keighley.

Should air on a Saturday Night soon (Note: this Saturday is the Ecko Show. The Nintenshow, still needs to be edited.)

 

[xexex]

Reggie listened to us all carefully, assessing our responses, until he was asked what Nintendo's plans for E3 were.

"It's a challenge," he admitted. The booths are laid out and designed now, although he didn't give specifics. But they are prepared to give playable demos of Nintendo's next-generation console, the Revolution. The innovative controllers will be secrued against theft, and the monitor-mounted technology that lets gamers point at images onscreen will be shielded so that attendees won't accidentally set off events on their neighbors' screens. I think it's safe to say that they've also thought of how to control the enormous lines of eager gamers, too.

fuck YEAH. cannot wait for GCN2....er I mean, Revolution, to be shown playable at E3

crosses fingers for PILOTWINGS

 

[Fuzzy]

fuck YEAH. cannot wait for GCN2

It's GCT, get it right.

 

[Beezy]

It's GCT, get it right.

You get it right. It's SC.

 

[Jasper]

I hope the "playable demos" are going to be actual games, and not some piss poor tech demos showing what features the rev controller could have, if it were implemented into a game.

I also hope there will be real games to play (Mario,Metroid, SSB), and not just a whole bunch of non-games like Brain Training Rev or Nintendogs Rev.

 

[MadOdorMachine]

More news

Fils-Aime also hyped the motion-sensing functionality of the Revolution controller. "Swing it, chop it, move it any way, and it happens on the screen," he boasted. Fils-Aime also assured listeners, however, that the Revolution controller "can be used more traditionally" with the help of a "cradle" designed to look like a traditional controller.

As far as third-party Revolution support goes, Fils-Aime mentioned a sextet of companies working on games for the console: Sega, Square-Enix, Namco, Ubisoft, and Electronic Arts. When queried by an audience member about how the difference between the Revolution and the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 could present development problems, the executive brushed it off. "We believe driving different content will appeal to a broader audience," he responded.

It's sounds like they aren't requiring developers to use the Revmote. I hope this means we'll see traditional games as well. No Capcom or Konami I hope Namco, Sega or EA will make a racer though.

"With the free-hand controller that we've shown, there will be an unparalleled level of play," he said and suggested that he brought the hardware with him. "We have the capability to show it to people here during the next two days if those opportunities come up."

:O Could we hear some more Revolution impressions soon?

 

[Kon Tiki]

No Capcom?

 

[mj1108]

Damn. If they do that, every woman in the U.S would buy it. Plus everyone in the crowd would get a copy...

If they got Brain Training and the DS Lite on Oprah... oh dear lord... NPD am explode.

 

[Galactic Fork]

I really hope these kiosks will be used for firmware updates. Built in WFC would be perfect.

 

[xexex]

More news


It's sounds like they aren't requiring developers to use the Revmote. I hope this means we'll see traditional games as well. No Capcom or Konami I hope Namco, Sega or EA will make a racer though.


:O Could we hear some more Revolution impressions soon?

please let Daytona Revolution or Ridge Racer Revolution (opps that title is already used) be made!

 

[soundwave05]

If they got Brain Training on Oprah ... I'd have to say it'd probably be the single largest marketing coup in video game history.

And yes, I'm very well aware of other marketing campaigns in gaming.

If she's got a show coming about aging or anti-aging stuff ... if I'm at NOA, I'm friggin' on the line with her people 24/7 to make that happen. They could bill it as a phenomenon that's gone through Japan and now is taking off in North America.

They could also bill as a way for the adult audience to get into a game that's good for them without the silly violence associated with the game industry.

It's PR gold Jerry ... gold!

 

[Beezy]

If they got Brain Training and the DS Lite on Oprah... oh dear lord... NPD am explode.

:lol

 

[MadOdorMachine]

No Capcom?

It was a probably either typo on Gamespot's part or Reggie just forgot to mention them. Suda 51 (Clover Studios) said he was working on a Rev game and I believe. Mr. Mikami is working on one as well. I'm sure there will be some Capcom games on Rev. No mention of Konami though, ouch. I thought Kojima was working on a game as well.

 

[soundwave05]

It's too bad Rosie O' Donnell is not on TV anymore ... she was more apt to pimp products ... she basically started that whole Tickle Me Elmo craze. I dunno if Ellen is as popular.

 

[MadOdorMachine]

It's too bad Rosie O' Donnell is not on TV anymore ... she was more apt to pimp products ... she basically started that whole Tickle Me Elmo craze. I dunno if Ellen is as popular.

If they're really going after girls, Martha Stewart would be a good target audience as well. She's gained a lot of popularity since she got out of prison.

 

[Baron Aloha]

Actually if Nintendo wanted to get Brain Training on Oprah their best shot would be her "Favorite Things" show. The entire show is turned into one giant commercial for dozens of Oprah's "favorite" products. She has one every spring and she gives away tons of stuff to the audience. My cousin was lucky enough to be in the audience 2-3 years ago (you never know exactly when the favorite things show is going to be) and by the time the show was over both her and her husband left with over $5,000 worth of stuff a piece!

 

[soundwave05]

Actually if Nintendo wanted to get Brain Training on Oprah their best shot would be her "Favorite Things" show. The entire show is turned into one giant commercial for dozens of Oprah's "favorite" products. She has one every spring and she gives away tons of stuff to the audience. My cousin was lucky enough to be in the audience 2-3 years ago (you never know exactly when the favorite things show is going to be) and by the time the show was over both her and her husband left with over $5,000 worth of stuff a piece!

Yeah something like that would be perfect. Especailly if they could get Oprah on the show to play the game and have it tell her what her Brain Age would be. Tons of people would rush out the next day to get one.

 

[Furoba]

No Capcom?

Considering their successes with titles like Viewtiful Joe, and their dedication to DS and GameCube, it's safe to say they will support the platform.