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Wifi-Connection > Live ?

"Xbox Live was a great step in online gaming, and we want to offer the next definitive one."

- Jim Merrick


do you guys think Nintendo will go through the trouble of out doing Microsoft when it comes to features? what features would you like to see on Wifi-Connection that Live doesn't offer?

oh, and according to Merrick, Revolution has bluetooth support, which is news to me (does the usb wifi adaptor make use of bluetooth?)

anyways, i'd like to hear your thoughts on the chances of Nintendo offering the "definitive" online gaming experience next gen.
 
phantomile co. said:
do you guys think Nintendo will go through the trouble of out doing Microsoft when it comes to features? what features would you like to see on Wifi-Connection that Live doesn't offer?
i think nintendo will do whatever the hell they want to fit their own agenda. they're not going to try to "out do" anyone.
 
It will be better than Live, right up to the point when stupid 16 year old highschool dropouts are bragging about how stoned they are.

they the two will be about equal
 
I think they will co-exist harmoniously, each being able to bring different players together but at the same time offering different kinds of experiences.
 
The fact that this service of nintendo is free of charge could make a big difference.
I don't think nintendo will offer as much features as Microsoft does with live, but will offer an overall easy to use online service. A buddy list or something similar would be nice.
 
I think the more appropriate comparison would be Nintendo Wi-Fi v. Sony's online system, as I don't think any sane person would think Nintendo could match Microsofts online service without any previous experience.
 
pilonv1 said:
I think the more appropriate comparison would be Nintendo Wi-Fi v. Sony's online system
i would too if it wasn't for the fact that NoE just implied that the planned on having something better than live.

pilonv1 said:
I don't think any sane person would think Nintendo could match Microsofts online service without any previous experience.
they've dabbled in it to say the least.
 
If any of the planned features of the Nintendo 64DD are an indication, Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection service could turn out pretty well.

http://ign64.ign.com/articles/091/091798p1.html

Battle: Play against gamers from all over Japan by using the network. Randnet keeps track of player stats and ranks players according to their win/loss history.
Observe: Play "Peeping Tom" and watch other players combat each other in game competition. It's a great way to learn new special techniques.
Beta Testing: Experience pre-release games. Your comments and ideas may be used in newly released games.
Information Exchange: Send messages about how to get through games, ask for help when you're stuck and chat with friends through the Internet.
Community: Send your comments about a game you're currently playing. You may receive replies from your favorite game creators.
Internet Surfing: Surf the web on your TV. Now you can read IGN64 (which is fully 64DD compliant, of course) without getting up from your couch.
Digital Magazine: Get all sorts of sports info and results.
Music Data Distribution: Listen to music through Randnet. Some songs may debut on Randnet before making it out on CD.
Editing Tool: Create your own characters and music using dedicated creation tools.
Print Mail Service (fee applies): Things you create in Mario Artist can be sent out by mail as a postcard, stickers, etc.
Email: Randnet users receive five email addresses with the basic service.
 
I'll believe it when I see it. Show me a service as reliable and as stable as XBox Live, with all of its features and I'll be convinced. I don't even expect them to beat it; I'd be surprised if they could match it on even half of its features
 
I'm a big Jim Merrick fan and have been for years, but I think calling Wi-Fi connection "the next definitive step" is a bit presumptuous.

1. Wi-Fi technology is years old.
2. Online gaming has been around for 15 years or more.
3. Console online gaming has been around for 6 or more. (Does X-band count?)

Since the (1) technology, (2) practice, and (3) specific-industry application have all hit the scene before Nintendo had anything at all to do with any of the those three points, in order to provide the next step, they have to do something that no one's done yet.

So far, we have no reason to believe that Wi-Fi connection will be anything more than a stripped-down Xbox Live that's perhaps additionally benefitted by:

1. Completely wireless
2. Same infrastructure for console and handheld platforms
3. It's "Easy, Safe, Free" moniker

I don't know, I have a hard time buying the argument that Wi-Fi connection will be viewed as superior to Live objectively in any way, but the fact it'll be free will make those comparisons a little less appropriate. "Well, for being free, it's a good deal," someone might say; and that's true. But offering something for free is only significant if it's also superior to the subscription-based compared service (e.g. GMail to Hotmail's premium services).

I don't buy it.
 
I don't buy it either. Many games won't even use any kind of chat functions, which is unacceptable. They couldn't find a way to impliment it into Mario Kart while still "protecting" younger gamers? Come on; why can't you chat with players you've given your WiFi connection address to?

And, has Nintendo even said where all the stat tracking will take place? Will you be able to view it at Nintendo.com or on the DS?

Hopefully we'll see some improvements as more WiFi games come out. Metriod Hunters will be the next game to come out after Mario Kart/Animal Crossing/Tony Hawk, and I hope they address some of these issues.
 
PhoenixDark said:
I don't buy it either. Many games won't even use any kind of chat functions, which is unacceptable. They couldn't find a way to impliment it into Mario Kart while still "protecting" younger gamers? Come on; why can't you chat with players you've given your WiFi connection address to?
http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?t=69348
Gessle said:
In a recent interview to Meristation.com (online Spanish magazine), Jim Merrick from NoE has confirmed the chat function in Mario Kart DS:

Quote (translated):
If you don't know the people you are playing with, you won't be able to chat with them, to protect the privacy of the young users. On the other hand, if you play against a friend you'll be able to chat. Every DS has a MAC code, and you'll have to give this code to your friends to be able to play and chat with them.
 
PhoenixDark said:
I don't buy it either. Many games won't even use any kind of chat functions, which is unacceptable. They couldn't find a way to impliment it into Mario Kart while still "protecting" younger gamers? Come on; why can't you chat with players you've given your WiFi connection address to?

And, has Nintendo even said where all the stat tracking will take place? Will you be able to view it at Nintendo.com or on the DS?

Hopefully we'll see some improvements as more WiFi games come out. Metriod Hunters will be the next game to come out after Mario Kart/Animal Crossing/Tony Hawk, and I hope they address some of these issues.

I was under the impression he was speaking about The Rev's service. Obviously the DS service won't be as extensive purely because of the platform, but I'm quite interested in seeing what features they incorporate for the Rev's interface.
 
brandonh83 said:
I think they will co-exist harmoniously, each being able to bring different players together but at the same time offering different kinds of experiences.
What..?! Pick a side, you pansy!
 
If they have unified nicks in all games as well as supporting voice in all games for the Revolution. All for free, then yes, it's better(you don't even have to shell out 100$ to buy a wifi adaptor).
 
I just want to be able to play totally random matches with anyone in the world, and also have a friend's list with people I know and can add. Plus a chat lobby with them. I'm not too excited about having to swap long digit codes like with the DS. I don't want to have to do that with my console.

And if we can have a stats keeper and a rank # and other comparison play data... I mean, really, what more do you NEED - especially when its free? PSO's dreamcast lobby was nice and easy enough for me, just add a bit too it and waalaa.
 
I commend Nintendo for finally creating an online experience for the the DS and Rev. (Sony should get off their ass and do something for the PSP!), but I have my doubts about how it will stack up against Live, at least in this first incarnation. I'm sure they'll close the gap as the service evolves, but Microsoft just has four years more experience in this area.

Also, consider how much more integrated Live is on the 360. It is evolving as well, and it's new chat, and matchmaking functions, not to mention Live awareness, Xbox Live Arcade, etc. are just too far ahead of Nintendo at the moment. Still, it is great to see them finally embrace online play.
 
Well to me the fact that it's free already makes it better.

Kung Fu Jedi said:
Also, consider how much more integrated Live is on the 360. It is evolving as well, and it's new chat, and matchmaking functions, not to mention Live awareness, Xbox Live Arcade, etc. are just too far ahead of Nintendo at the moment. Still, it is great to see them finally embrace online play.

See I don't give a shit about any of that. If MS also had a bare bones free service (like they should) I think it would make Live pointless to alot of people showing how "useful" alot of Live's features really are.
 
If you think Live is filled with turds at $60 a year, imagine if it were free?


One of the best things about charging money for it, is that it keeps the number of KKK clans and assholes down to the bare minimum.
 
If MS also had a bare bones free service (like they should) I think it would make Live pointless to alot of people showing how "useful" alot of Live's features really are.

If MS had a free online gaming service that only played games online with no universal friends list, no chat, no cross-title messaging and invites....I'd still pay $50 for Live.

Live 360, with the achievements and four voice channels that can work across all titles that your friends might be playing, looks to be off the hook!
 
masud said:
See I don't give a shit about any of that. If MS also had a bare bones free service (like they should) I think it would make Live pointless to alot of people showing how "useful" alot of Live's features really are.

Why should Microsoft offer a free service? Don't get me wrong, it would be great if Live had a free service, but I don't see any reason why Microsoft "should" offer one. The network they have in place, the servers they've set up, and all the features they've created all cost money to supprt and maintain.

I appreciate the fact that you don't care about the Live features. I don't think you are alone in that feeling, but I have played online games for over a decade, and I do appreciate that you can create friends lists, send messages back and fourth, coordinate games, and find someone to play with in a quick, efficient manner. If it means I can filter out the fucktards, all the better. I'm willing to pay $5/month to do so. And for the record, a number of the Live features are going to be free with the 360, although online play is not one of them. (With the exception of free weekends of course.)
 
Stinkles said:
If you think Live is filled with turds at $60 a year, imagine if it were free?

One of the best things about charging money for it, is that it keeps the number of KKK clans and assholes down to the bare minimum.

Not if they make it friends-list only for playing. Which I actually think they'll do.
 
phantomile co. said:
they've dabbled in it to say the least.

Whatever Nintendo did (or didn't do in this case) with on-line gaming 15 years ago gives them zero advantage now. The infrastructure is totally different. Before, nobody had to worry about routable protocols, firewalls, WEP, etc. MS, doing what they do for a living, have a pronounced advantage over Nintendo and Sony.
 
jedimike said:
Whatever Nintendo did (or didn't do in this case) with on-line gaming 15 years ago gives them zero advantage now. The infrastructure is totally different. Before, nobody had to worry about routable protocols, firewalls, WEP, etc. MS, doing what they do for a living, have a pronounced advantage over Nintendo and Sony.

Yeah a pronounced advantage of security holes. ZING!
 
did live get hacked?




Anyway theres no way Nintendo (or sony) will offer a better online service than MS, they have all the expertise and experience where it matters for that.


Theres no reason they couldnt offer a service MS hasnt thought of and have 'better online' that way though.


Nintendo obviously see downloading the games as the next 'definitive' step. Mind you Xbox live arcade is beating them to that so maybe they have something else in mind.
 
Wait, so you can only talk to people you know? So how do you meet new people and get to know them? :lol

Fair enough, protect young gamers. Here's a thought, genius: restrict voice chat via the console, not the service! If people want to chat to other people they meet, then let them do it. Why should everyone be restricted for the sake of protecting people who I doubt even have interest in online gaming?
 
I love how the little X-clan folks are all saying "NO WUN CAN BEAT MS, 'CUZ THEY GOTS THE EXPERIENCE!" It reminds me of folks talking about Sony and Nintendo, many years back.
 
it really does need the voice chat for rev if it wants to rival. the 1000 dickheads you run into on live per night are pretty much outweighed when you get that one good game with a bunch of friends and pull of some sweet flag capturing (or whatever) that wouldn't come about without being able to talk and co-ordinate.

Nintendo needs to just talk up the (EASY TO USE) parental control features of the console rather than scrapping voice.
 
123rl said:
Wait, so you can only talk to people you know? So how do you meet new people and get to know them? :lol

I bet people will make websites with contact info so you can contact them.
 
For the fact that Nintendo is finally getting a solid online plan, and rolling it out with what seems to be the best Mario Kart game since SMK.

The chatting on Nintendo's service should be handled better however.
 
pilonv1 said:
I think the more appropriate comparison would be Nintendo Wi-Fi v. Sony's online system, as I don't think any sane person would think Nintendo could match Microsofts online service without any previous experience.
Yes pretty much like no one could take console market leadership away from nintendo without any previous experience.

gmail vs hotmail
samsung vs sony home electronics
nvidia vs 3dfx
apple vs music industry
japanese car makers vs american car makers

etc
 
123rl said:
Wait, so you can only talk to people you know? So how do you meet new people and get to know them? :lol


if they arent being pricks while playing them, you add them to you list.. if they become assholes and verbally abusive, you remove them. i like it.

and screw voice chat, i havent had one good game on live. not one.
 
What are the problems with the DS's online abilities? (I'm not really sure myself)
 
Also, consider how much more integrated Live is on the 360. It is evolving as well, and it's new chat, and matchmaking functions, not to mention Live awareness, Xbox Live Arcade, etc. are just too far ahead of Nintendo at the moment. Still, it is great to see them finally embrace online play.

Nintendo Wifi service will feature chat, matchmaking, and awareness. Not to mention a much better catalog of games to download. I think that Nintendo will be putting up a very strong fight for the best online service.
 
WiFi works in small populated countries, like Japan, but no way, it's going to work across North America. I would guess 90+% of NA don't have any WiFi hotspot. Unless Nintendo plans to spend billions / trillions of $$$ putting up new WiFi towers, there will be no service or it will be poor for many people. Don't see Nintendo spending that kind of cash. Cable / DSL => Live still better.
 
Hey, I don't care if the Wi-Fi connection is boasted as the greatest thing since bread, that shit doesn't matter to me.

What does matter to me is that the service runs well enough while I'm playing online Mario Kart. If I get near perfect seamless games like I do on the PC (lag will always be an issue, yes), then Wi-Fi connection is a success.

Cool, that the Live thing has all these features. Would I like the wi-fi connection to have all the snazzy features as Live? Sure. But hey, we can't have it all. As long as it does the one thing it's meant to do well (play games on the internet), then I can proceed owning all of GAF in Mario Kart.
 
jedimike said:
Whatever Nintendo did (or didn't do in this case) with on-line gaming 15 years ago gives them zero advantage now. The infrastructure is totally different. Before, nobody had to worry about routable protocols, firewalls, WEP, etc. MS, doing what they do for a living, have a pronounced advantage over Nintendo and Sony


Just a reminder (for those that might not remember)

Jim Merrick has been working on Nintendo's Online service since about 2000 or so. Back then, the service was supposed to be for the GCN, and Merrick was actually promoted to head of the project. This is the reason, i'm sure, that he seems to be the go to man for all questions about Nintendo WiFi.

Nintendo WiFi's been a long time coming.
 
GhaleonEB said:
:lol :lol :lol
seriously people that has shit to contribute to a thread better stay the fuck out it. like a couple of lols is going to make your opinion superior or something :rollseyes:

and no, I doubt a free service like wifi-Connection can come close to something like Live.

although I can't wait for wifi-Connection, bring on MK!
 
I could have sworn I read that Nintendo's service wasn't going to be free for Revolution, but maybe I'm imagining things.
 
as it was said many times

free > non-free
also, the fact that there won't be a marketplace and MICROTRANSACTIONS on nintendo's and sony's service is definetively an advantage IMO
PG2G said:
I could have sworn I read that Nintendo's service wasn't going to be free for Revolution, but maybe I'm imagining things.
you are as clueless as your avatar
 
I'll reserve judgement on the microtransactions until I see what they have to offer. I know it's another way for Microsoft to generate revenue, but I won't mind paying a few bucks for some extra levels in a game, or a new course pack for Tiger Woods golf or something. Microtransactions may actually spur a developer to continue to offer content for a game long after it is released. And no one is making anyone purchase any of the content in the microtransactions. The fact that you have the option to extend the content of your games makes it worth having, in my opinion.
 
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