The Online Connection
Broadband. Internet. Modem. Where do you hear these terms used the most right now? Computers. But, broadband is becoming increasingly crucial to a next generation console makers’ company strategy, all except Nintendo. Currently, PS2 and Xbox are fighting to be the home entertainment centre. They want their system to be the hub for your communication needs, download needs, and game playing needs. Nintendo, however, true to their form, chooses the path less traveled in the gaming industry and opts for a different experience.
Nintendo wants their Gamecube to be a game playing machine; that is, a console designed to play games. If you’re whining over why Nintendo hasn’t announced online play for the Gamecube yet or has offered much information on it, then you should have bough a PS2 or XBox, which have much more stable online plans. Nintendo realizes that Internet is important to them, but they still stick to the game playing. Recently at E3, one of Nintendo’s reps said that when you introduce a game that is only enhanced by playing online, you are immediately cutting off about 75% of your users, since most people don’t have broadband access at home, and the people who will be able to afford it are…yes, the exact audiences that PS2 and XBox are geared up to. I can’t imagine some 10 year old whining over why SSB Melee won’t support online play. The only online game touted for Gamecube is Phantasy Star Online 2, but there’s no word yet on how you’ll be able to go online. But this doesn’t mean that Nintendo is out of the Internet race just yet. They realize that they must feature it to maintain competition. I’m sure most of you have heard of the name “Marionette”, but this proved to be nothing more than a game based on puppets by Miyamotyo-san, and not the Gamecube network everyone was hoping for. There is no word on how much it will cost to get you connected, or when the modem/broadband adapter will be available. Nintendo is sure to have something though, so keep those ears tuned and those eyes sharp, especially during spring 2002, when Nintendo will most certainly announce solid online plans.
The Internet does open up a ton of gameplay options though, and it’s fundamental human interaction that makes games so great. Some games suffer bad if they don’t offer multiplayer playage. The Internet allows you to connect to a whole bunch of new people and play against them. This brings me to my next point…
If Nintendo ever does go online, they’ll want to keep it games-only, so don’t expect any “web browsing” or “non-game file” downloading. You can do that much more efficiently with your PC. Nintendo will most certainly limit their network to playing and chatting, as well as swapping data and posting high scores online.
What I like best about Nintendo is that they know a ton of features, such as online play and LAN hookup won’t make a game play any better, and that is the game itself that dictates all. Nintendo is sticking to what it does best: make games.