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[Quadraphonic]

Although 3DS is already somewhat hacked, but Nintendo's Shield for hacking in 3DS was relatively durable than Nintendo's past portable consoles. The hack for 3DS took many hours to reach this level when it compares to past portable consoles.
As their OS programming skill is improving, I think Nintendo doesn't want to make their NX's OS with easily hack-able OSes like Android. If they want to use Android, They have to remodel Android OS almost looks like non-android feeling.

Android devices are easily hackable because of hooks left in by Google.

If they fork it, they can close off most of the exploits quite easily. Look at Verizon. They lock the bootloaders on all of their phones and to this day it's a nightmare to root any of them, if ever.

By simply removing access to adb, locking the bootloader, requiring all games to be signed by a private key, and encrypting the storage, you have a HUGE HUGE hurdle to get piracy going.

Those walls don't exist on phones since they require app stores open to many developers, and all allow installing and running unsigned code and adb to send console commands.

Modern Android 'piracy' is someone simply taking an APK (Android executable), unzipping it (They're just zip files), changing SMALL things to skip checking for licenses, then rezipping and resigning with a NEW key. Since phones/tablets devices allow ALL apps to be installed, it's easy. But those are easy to block out on a proprietary device. And since Lollipop, all Android devices are encrypted by default. So that's even harder to get through.

 

[Vic]

Using Android does not limit their hardware options. If anything, if provides them with far more choice.

Pretty much every modern embedded systems/parts under the sun are Android, Linux or BSD compatible.

 

[NolbertoS]

Everybody is freakin out. Do you guys know how much R & D it costs to build an OS from scratch. Nintendo are using thr base code and customize the shit outta of it to design there own console and handheld architecture. I think thats a great idea to save money. I doubt Nintendo would release there own phone or tablet. The smartphone and tablet industries are already crowded and cut throat to make any money. Nintendo aren't Apple sadly with cool new features that people would line up for hours for. Its about time OS architecture be more easy to use, and now by using Android, 3rd parties can easily port games at no extra cost to nintendo systems. All these paradigm ahifts by Nintendo are making the company see that App stores, mobile are also part of gaming revenues. Curious to see what the future holds for the Big N.

 

[Chindogg]

And queue people jumping to absurd assumptions, making wild claims, spreading general misinformation, and generally freaking out about a single claim/rumor about hardware that's probably 1.5-2.5 years from completion/release and a lack of knowledge on numerous subjects.

Oh... I'm 8 pages too late.

Pretty much.

We've no confirmation on anything yet it's already booked and set in stone.

Considering going Android would basically be against everything Iwata's said over the past year, I really don't see it happening.

 

[comedy bomb]

Droid is a device branded by Verizon. Mostly Motorolas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verizon_Droid

Not to be confused with Android.

If your replying to me I'm talking about the green droid mascot that Android uses.

 

[Doctor_Thomas]

Hi, IGN!

 

[GhostTrick]

I said in the project cars thread that NX is going to be built on ARM. After listening to the Nintendo voice chat where people wrote in with predictions I think many are going to be upset with the nx specs.

Do you have a link to that ? I want to hear it as well.
As for specs, I agree. If anyone expects something more powerful than even say... Xbox One. They'll be disappointed. Actually, I'm expecting something twice less faster on the GPU side. As for their handheld, I think it's safe to assume sth in the range of 64 to 128gflops and 512gflops to 1Tflops for the home console.

 

[Faustek]

So a pretty stock-standard response from 3rd-parties regarding a Nintendo console since 2000, or perhaps 1996? K.
I mean, the only difference is that the derision is more blatant.

Only From Softwares response there can be likened to the old responses from the 64 days.

He has a point. Nintendo always comes of as a "first party only" thing....which baffles me since I'm not there for the first party. At least on the handhelds and with MH3U it was that ^^

 

[ChrisMahoney]

This pretty much confirms this will be mobile in some way.

 

[MCN]

This pretty much confirms this will be mobile in some way.

Because Android is only used for mobiles? Educate yourself.

 

[The Spoony Hou]

Great. That's exactly what I was hoping from Nintendo. No, I'm not being sarcastic.

Make a Nintendo console, AND make it compatible with Android. Heck, how about the next portable also working as a phone? I really think this is the only way Nintendo can stay relevant by following the market but also adhering to what they do best.

 

[666]

This vague rumor incites fear and interest deep in my heart

 

[OmegaDL50]

Oh no, that doesn't sound good at all. Very curious to see what comes out of this.

Why do you say this?

Don't you work for Digital Foundry and are generally a PC gamer?

I would think you would understand that the Android OS as in software which has a distinction between the actual hardware being used under the hood.

Unless you mean something entirely else?

 

[marc^o^]

Oh no, that doesn't sound good at all. Very curious to see what comes out of this.

From a technological point of view? What kind of risk do you see?

 

[Quadraphonic]

If your replying to me I'm talking about the green droid mascot that Android uses.

Ah. The closest he has to an official name is Bugdroid. But even that is official, just the most common.

 

[NippleViking]

Not sure if there's anything more in the article, but using Android in itself doesn't actually mean anything beyond it should be easier to port games to the NX and vice-versa.

Hahaha. Wait - assuming it's executed properly and works as planned, surely it's a great move then? More dev-friendly = more apps, games and content in general, + they shouldn't have to dick around as much on the OS side of things.

 

[Prototype]

You'll have no idea what OS is under the hood. You'll simply notice more support for NX and deeper system features. This is nothing but a win for Nintendo. All the time they wasted with operating systems in the past is saved for game dev now.

This is the way I see it.

Surprising lack of knowledge on GAF about what Android actually is.

 

[GhostTrick]

Why do you say this?

Don't you work for Digital Foundry and are generally a PC gamer?

I would think you would understand that the Android OS as in software which has a distinction between the actual hardware being used under the hood.

Unless you mean something entirely else?

The thing is, they can do that with their own OS. I highly doubt going for Android is only a way to have a unified ecosystem.

 

[DonMigs85]

Wonder why they didn't just use some form of Linux? Oh well

 

[GhostTrick]

You'll have no idea what OS is under the hood. You'll simply notice more support for NX and deeper system features. This is nothing but a win for Nintendo. All the time they wasted with operating systems in the past is saved for game dev now.

What kind of support is important. As for deeper system features... I don't see which ones. It's a game console.

 

[Chindogg]

The thing is, they can do that with their own OS. I highly doubt going for Android is only a way to have a unified ecosystem.

Iwata's stated several times that they're using Wii U's software architecture to build the groundwork for all their future hardware, similar to how iOS works on iphones and ipads.

Throwing all that away just for Android makes zero sense whatsoever. Add in all the security holes Google left in the OS for modification purposes and I don't understand how going to Android makes any logical sense for Nintendo.

 

[AniHawk]

I'm not sure what to think. As an OS its not a huge deal. if this is their silver bullet to the 3rd party thing I can't see this doing anything. Though if Nintendo thinks getting tablet games and cell phone games is going to change their fortunes then I cannot help but feel they are so far out of touch that there really is no hope for them.

i think it's a rather forward-thinking move. the future of the industry isn't the ps4 - it's steam and mobile: digital platforms that may have dedicated physical forms, but are mostly available for a wider variety of platforms. it's fine if you want to be part of the market that's shrinking and focusing on an increasingly smaller userbase with even more inelastic demand (thank you opiate for that), but it's going to be more and more of a niche as time wears on. new experiences, lower price points, japanese titles, and games that don't so strictly conflate price with graphics are found here. while this generation is seeing some serious contraction, i think it will continue next generation to the point where one way forward is to make stronger connections with the big shots of tomorrow.

nintendo's issue is that they always wanted success on their terms. while going mobile probably isn't, the way they can build their platform probably is. when dedicated hardware mostly became exclusive to the 18-34 white male, their reaction was not to embrace it and me-too the wii u so it matched their competitors. the only things they really copied wholesale was disney and activision with the toys to life stuff, which is again finding more of the industry they want for themselves. instead of making the nx a system that's so strong the next battlefield will run on it, and making sure everyone knows it, it makes more sense to me they'll try to make it a platform people can play the next mobile hit on, in addition to their own titles.

 

[InsaneZero]

The thing is, they can do that with their own OS. I highly doubt going for Android is only a way to have a unified ecosystem.

I highly doubt that they're doing this just for the unified ecosystem.

 

[JordanKZ]

Surprising lack of knowledge on GAF about what Android actually is.

Parts of this community believe laptop grade hardware and 8GB RAM means that lack of performance is a case of 'lazy devs'. GAF gonna be GAF.

 

[Kathian]

No one even know a what NX is yet.

 

[Aru]

Yep, I'm almost sure NX will be a tablet-like device with an HDMI-dock and a controller for both home and portable gaming. Would work best for them.

 

[AniHawk]

I said in the project cars thread that NX is going to be built on ARM. After listening to the Nintendo voice chat where people wrote in with predictions I think many are going to be upset with the nx specs.

my guess is a souped up wii u.

 

[Chindogg]

No one even know a what NX is yet.

All that we know is that it's dedicated gaming hardware. That's it.

 

[XenodudeX]

Yep, I'm almost sure NX will be a tablet-like device with an HDMI-dock and a controller for both home and portable gaming. Would work best for them.

Except that isn't what it's going to be.

 

[InsaneZero]

Parts of this community believe laptop grade hardware and 8GB RAM means that lack of performance is a case of 'lazy devs'. GAF gonna be GAF.

This is the equivalent of asking if I can run Witcher 3 on my Windows 8 device without even saying about the actual hardware.

 

[Jonny Rizzo]

This really makes alot of sense in the terms of Japanese games migrating to a mobile market. If Nintendo uses a similar code base to what Android games are being developed with, developers would be able to utilize existing code to design games for Nintendo's platform.

I see Nintendo trying to cut into the same territory as the Google Play/Apple's App Store, except they will have full control of what is available on their store. Nintendo really wants a slice of the in-app purchase market. And just think, if the Splatoon franchise takes off they have a themselves a Team Fortress 2 style game that they could easily sell Nintendo-themed hats and accessories for your ingame characters.

I assume we will get a glimpse of this sometime next year, and then in 2017 Nintendo will be pushing heavy into the "NX" for a Fall release.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

So a pretty stock-standard response from 3rd-parties regarding a Nintendo console since 2000, or perhaps 1996? K.
I mean, the only difference is that the derision is more blatant.

this is true look how much effort all 3rd Parties put into getting 900P/30fps on Xbox One everyone sees the hardware struggles to match PS4 but EA does not openly mock it.

Nintendo really made a mess out of the WiiU hardware but the software has been so good I wish it had enough power

NX is going to need strong hardware but I doubt many big 3rd parties will return

so many Japanese devs going mobile could still port to NX

 

[big_z]

Do you have a link to that ? I want to hear it as well.
As for specs, I agree. If anyone expects something more powerful than even say... Xbox One. They'll be disappointed. Actually, I'm expecting something twice less faster on the GPU side. As for their handheld, I think it's safe to assume sth in the range of 64 to 128gflops and 512gflops to 1Tflops for the home console.

Heres a link to the ign prediction podcast. I sent in what I believe Nintendo is aiming for with the NX but they didn't read it. I was pretty disappointed with their choices of predictions most people expect ps4 level with better touch pad or vr. Its not happening.


Im friends with someone that works for a major publisher and while this individual doesn't know personally they claim of hearing rumblings that the nx is arm based. That's why I mentioned it in the project cars thread a week ago. Now news of it using android OS make the rumor seem even more plausible.

 

[Starphoenix]

Maybe I'm alone in this, but I think this would be a very good thing for them if true. Definitely more forward thinking than the past two consoles have been.

Still, I refuse to pay for a new system unless they find a way to integrate the Virtual Consile catalogue without having to trickle games out for a second time or having me repurchase games I already own. Otherwise I'll stick with the Wii U.

 

[Sinople]

Wasn't this, like, totally expected?
If they're making mobile games and introduce a new hardware to go with it, don't you expect this hardware to be able to play mobile games?

 

[Cipherr]

Man, its always nice to get a refresher of just how little the average gamer knows about computing in general.

Android based OS? That means I'll be sideloading APK's and (Insert other observations from Android phones here).


Astonishingly stupid. Expecting a console OS built around Android to perform like an Android phone is like expecting a Console OS built around Linux to exhibit the same behaviours as a desktop PC running Ubuntu.

 

[AniHawk]

I assume we will get a glimpse of this sometime next year, and then in 2017 Nintendo will be pushing heavy into the "NX" for a Fall release.

they're making their first dena games for release this year. i really can't see them creating a new market for themselves and keeping it there for two years before a new platform launch. the 3ds will be nearly six years old in fall 2016. i think it's coming out sooner than some may expect.

 

[Aru]

Except that isn't what it's going to be.

It's pretty much anyone's guess at this point. You could be right as much as I could be. Since they talked about converging handheld and console platforms, it would make sense for them to release a device suited for both. Not necessarily a tablet, but a tablet would be perfect.

 

[Chindogg]

Wasn't this, like, totally expected?
If they're making mobile games and introduce a new hardware to go with it, don't you expect this hardware to be able to play mobile games?

You can play mobile games on Wii U now. There's a tool to convert iOS games into Wii U eShop games.

 

[dark10x]

Why do you say this?

Don't you work for Digital Foundry and are generally a PC gamer?

I would think you would understand that the Android OS as in software which has a distinction between the actual hardware being used under the hood.

Unless you mean something entirely else?

My concern is directed at the type of support this might bring and Nintendo's reasons for using Android. It's tough to say more because we know so little.

On the flip side, this does actually give support to the idea of a dual handheld/console system which could be very interesting.

I suppose this direction is really the only thing Nintendo could do to stay relevant. I'd rather Nintendo eliminated a user accessible OS altogether (outside of basic settings management) but that's just silly these days. The Wii U was already too "pure" a games system and it has failed completely.

 

[NeOak]

Lol.. gonna be making crow everything for gaf potluck.
Crow stew, crow sandwich, crow fillet, fried crow, stir crow, crow cookies, crow cake, crow drank!

Jesus H Christ. It is going to be a massacre.

 

[Interceptor]

Piracy was my first thought. People don't know the difference between hardware and software was my second.

 

[crinale]

Well Nintendo accounting or management might have realized develpment & maintenance cost if they continue to make OS in-house would largely exceed the license fee of Android plus some risks involved in it. With this plus DeNA's involvement (I'm sure DeNA would be MUCH happier if Nintendo decide to live with Android) on network services we may see unified account system on NX.

 

[GhostTrick]

Heres a link to the ign prediction podcast. I sent in what I believe Nintendo is aiming for with the NX but they didn't read it. I was pretty disappointed with their choices of predictions most people expect ps4 level with better touch pad or vr. Its not happening.


Im friends with someone that works for a major publisher and while this individual doesn't know personally they claim of hearing rumblings that the nx is arm based. That's why I mentioned it in the project cars thread a week ago. Now news of it using android OS make the rumor seem even more plausible.

NX is likely to be a handheld first. So ARM makes sense. And if I'm not wrong, it'll be followed by a NX console, based on the same ARM cores and GPU, but with more cores and higher frequencies.
Easy way to boost power capabilities while retaining compatibility.

 

[Mr.Pig]

Hopefully android does not support powerpc so that they'll have to switch architecture.

 

[lwilliams3]

Hmm. Interesting news, though it doesn't sound too surreal after Iwata shared their new deals. Did Matt replied yet? I believe he works/worked for Google..

 

[leroidys]

Nikei is right often enough to make me think that this is now much more probable than possible, but it is still hard to believe. The biggest issues I have with this are:


1) It will be hacked. Fast.
2) This would NOT be a solution bringing back 'traditional' third parties. Ubisoft is not going to port the new mainline assassins creed to this. However, it would conceivably court Android devs, which are somewhat of the 'new' third party. The thing is though, at least in the west, iOS is devs primary platform, not android. This wouldn't necessarily be a natural transition for all the devs who mostly/exclusively make mobile games for iOS.

Man, its always nice to get a refresher of just how little the average gamer knows about computing in general.

Android based OS? That means I'll be sideloading APK's and (Insert other observations from Android phones here).


Astonishingly stupid. Expecting a console OS built around Android to perform like an Android phone is like expecting a Console OS built around Linux to exhibit the same behaviours as a desktop PC running Ubuntu.

You're saying that it's not easier to hack something if you know the kernel?

 

[GhostTrick]

Nikei is right often enough to make me think that this is now much more probable than possible, but it is still hard to believe. The biggest issues I have with this are:


1) It will be hacked. Fast.
2) This would NOT be a solution bringing back 'traditional' third parties. Ubisoft is not going to port the new mainline assassins creed to this. However, it would conceivably court Android devs, which are somewhat of the 'new' third party. The thing is though, at least in the west, iOS is devs primary platform, not android. This wouldn't necessarily be a natural transition for all the devs who mostly/exclusively make mobile games for iOS.

The same applies for Japan. Some publishers just skip Android, such as Capcom.

 

[Nanashrew]

NX is likely to be a handheld first. So ARM makes sense. And if I'm not wrong, it'll be followed by a NX console, based on the same ARM cores and GPU, but with more cores and higher frequencies.
Easy way to boost power capabilities while retaining compatibility.

Well, Nintendo has been using ARM in their handhelds for a very long time now so it makes sense

 

[Brhoom]

Nintendo is taking the right the step, when will the others.