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[Nirolak]

It seems Iwata has told the Financial Times that Nintendo is considering a Kindle-like online service.

Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata’s told the FT he’s exploring the Kindle-style connection model for consoles. The model that provides free online access.

“I’m interested because it’s a new business model in which the user doesn’t bear the communications cost,” said the exec.

Iwata added that iPhone style billing for 3G usage is a bit… expensive.

“Only people who can pay thousands of yen a month [in mobile phone subscriptions] can be iPhone customers. That doesn’t fit Nintendo customers because we make amusement products,” he said.

“The Kindle’s one-off cost would better suit Nintendo’s customer base. In reality, if we did this it would increase the cost of the hardware, and customers would complain about Nintendo putting prices up, but it is one option for the future.”

More through there. You’ll need to register to see the full thing.

Source: http://www.vg247.com/2009/11/03/nintendo-considering-kindle-syle-console-connections/

 

[gofreak]

Hmmm. Interesting.

I wonder though if carriers would be willing to offer free connections for consoles etc. and all that online gaming traffic, vs. the small book downloads you have on kindles (of whose cost they can take a slice, presumably).

There's a lot more data to carry and less of it that they can take money from. So the extra cost built into your purchase could be significant. However in a model like Nintendo's where hardware is already very cheap to produce, this benefit might be worth it.

 

[SmokeMaxX]

Sounds like a more expensive DS with free software downloads? Not sure if I'm feeling that, but it's better than their solution now: a cheap hackable DS with basically free software downloads (if you're into that kind of stuff).

 

[gofreak]

Sounds like a more expensive DS with free software downloads? Not sure if I'm feeling that, but it's better than their solution now: a cheap hackable DS with basically free software downloads (if you're into that kind of stuff).

No. You'd still pay for downloads.

This would be a DS (or Wii or whatever) with a free mobile broadband connection. So you don't have to worry about having an internet connection or whatever and it'll work anywhere (anywhere with mobile broadband coverage anyway).

I said ages and ages ago, in reference then to PSP, that the future for handhelds at least, would be mobile broadband, connecting to the mobile networks for net connection. Obviously packaging that in and making it free and transparent for the user is an ideal, ala Kindle.

 

[Nuclear Muffin]

He's mentioned before that he wants 3G connectivity in the next handheld if he found a way of doing it without having the user pay a contract.

Glad to see he's still working on it!

 

[Cosmonaut X]

Sounds like a more expensive DS with free software downloads? Not sure if I'm feeling that, but it's better than their solution now: a cheap hackable DS with basically free software downloads (if you're into that kind of stuff).

Ummmm...

 

[Darkpen]

One-way downloadable content with no heavy traffic multiplayer? Sure.

 

[Jaruru]

I think the article is saying that Nintendo refuses the Kindle kind of model at this moment, rather than "considering"?

 

[mentalfloss]

Yea, this is kind of tech something I'm really waiting for. Monthly plans for the iPhone are pretty ridiculous. Even if the cost of any hardware was twice the regular price - it would be well worth the mobility.

 

[Cosmonaut X]

I think the article is saying that Nintendo refuses the Kindle kind of model at this moment, rather than "considering"?

No, he's saying that, while it would increase the hardware cost, it's an approach he feels is more in tune with Nintendo's customers and is one option for the future.

He's expressing interest, recognising a potential issue but is still saying Kindle - or a service like Kindle - remains an option.

 

[Somnid]

So can someone explain how Kindle does it? My impression is that the cost of the connection is recouped in the purchased downloads (ie Nintendo pays the 3G data transfer bill per download) and that this would only serve as a means to provide content but not connectivity or communication.

 

[Stinkles]

Not that it's precisely relevant - but the Kindle wireless takes a fair old amount of time to download a tiny txt device. It has a massive advantage in terms of bandwidth. Nintendo could pull this off with Japan's geology and infrastructure - but in the US and Europe it would require unheard of investment.

And everyone should try the Kindle browswer once. It makes the DSi browser look like Skynet.

Kindle uses "Whispernet" which sits atop Sprint's EVDO and 1xRTT data services.

 

[radioheadrule83]

Nintendo considers Kindle tactics for consoles

By Robin Harding in Tokyo

Published: October 31 2009 02:00 | Last updated: October 31 2009 02:00

Nintendo is looking at the business model of Amazon's Kindle as it considers the future for its portable consoles, the company's president said yesterday.

"I'm interested because it's a new business model in which the user doesn't bear the communications cost," said Satoru Iwata .

Amazon's portable electronic reader connects to a 3G mobile phone network to download new books, but the service is included in the device's upfront cost.

Mr Iwata's comments highlight a tactic Nintendo could use to counter the strategic threat to its DS handheld console from the iPhone and other smartphones that download games from "App Stores".

At present, the DS is able to download contents via a wi-fi connection, but most games are sold on cartridges that are expensive to produce and distribute.

"Only people who can pay thousands of yen a month [in mobile phone subscriptions] can be iPhone customers. That doesn't fit Nintendo customers because we make amusement products," Mr Iwata said. The Kindle's one-off cost would better suit Nintendo's customer base, he said. "In reality, if we did this it would increase the cost of the hardware, and customers would complain about Nintendo putting prices up, but it is one option for the future."

Nintendo's DS has sold more than 113m units worldwide since it launched in 2004 with what was then a revolutionary touch screen control system. However, with one DS now sold for every 4.5 people in Japan, analysts saythe product is nearing the end of its lifecycle.

Sony recently launched the PSP Go , a rival handheld console that has no slot for physical media and relies on WiFi for downloads.

Early sales of the device have been sluggish amid signs that retailers are reluctant to push the console as they would not gain additional income from software sales.

Mr Iwata was cautious about how quickly the industry in general will move to digital downloads. He said: "I think it will take quite a long time."

Speaking at a briefing for analysts after Nintendo slashed its profit forecasts because of a lack of hit software to sell its Wii console, Mr Iwata drew attention to the unpredictable nature of the games business.

"Who thought Pokemon would sell around the world, or that Brain Training would take off, or that Wii Fit would become an explosive hit?" he said.

Sounds like you'd be able to download a game anywhere you could get a mobile reception, for a higher hardware price. The cost of the hardware would depend on whether this would be attractive or not...

they should let us put our own SIM cards in the device, because I *already* get free 3G connectivity on my mobile contract. It wouldn't be too much trouble for me to switch the SIM over when I wanted to download something.

edit:

In fact, if they make it double as a phone, I'll use it as one. They could set up their own network if they want to offer free connectivity for a higher price, let everyone else use their existing providers.

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

Glad to see that Nintendo is trying to do this.

I'd love to see what this can give in terms of software features and game play ideas.

I'm shocked that Nintendo would do something like this first instead of SONY or Microsoft though.


Now if Nintendo would just ditch friend codes and tighten up their online experience and we'd be good to go.

EDIT - God damn it, misread and am now very disappointed.

 

[SmokeMaxX]

Ummmm...

Umm what? Everyone and their mother (literally, it seems) knows the DS is hackable. I don't own a DS, nor have I played it very much, but I do realize that the hacking is a problem. I'm a pretty big fan of the Wii and because of glitchers, hackers, and pirates, we get some of the biggest loads of shovelware and console garbage out of all of the major consoles. I'm not a hacking-advocate as it generally lowers the quality of the software that comes out for games. In addition, I provided no information about how to pirate games or whatever, except for the common-sense knowledge that it's possible.

 

[Azure J]

Holographic disk memory, Tegra, and now this? Sounds like someone at Nintendo really wants to hop on the "awesome tech" bandwagon, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic for it. A move like this would really put them on a great path to a better internet experience.

 

[BattleMonkey]

As usual Nintendo is exploring certain tech far before their competition. Who would have thought that Nintendo would do something like this first instead of SONY or Microsoft?.

I love the completely ignoring all the other companies that are already using the tech or doing similar things.

But hey, Nintendo innovates again!

 

[Stinkles]

As usual Nintendo is exploring certain tech far before their competition. Who would have thought that Nintendo would do something like this first instead of SONY or Microsoft?.

Um, they're not talking about tech, they're talking about services. And they're talking about a very, very old service. This is a company that still doesn't support the current minimum resolution of my oldest TV. Your use of "as usual" appears to apply to motion controls only. Which again, were featured in uForce, various joysticks and other gubbins from the Eighties and Nineties.

Nintendo innovates and succeeds in implementation, not in tech. As they did when they reset the console space with the NES. Everyone else thought the future of gaming was small PCs.

Granted that adding wireless (not WiFi) to a console would be interesting, but Nokia is about to retire the nearly-ten year old nGage system. Which did the same thing.

 

[Matt]

It's a brilliant idea. If they can make it work, this is absolutely the way to go.

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

I love the completely ignoring all the other companies that are already using the tech or doing similar things.

But hey, Nintendo innovates again!

I'm talking about compared to other console companies...

Nintendo innovates and succeeds in implementation, not in tech.

Granted that adding wireless (not WiFi) to a console would be interesting, but Nokia is about to retire the nearly-ten year old nGage system. Which did the same thing.

The bolded is what I meant. I mean yeah this tech isn't new, he specifically mentions the iPhone, but it is interesting and so far none of the console makers have jumped on the wagon yet.

 

[TunaLover]

Holographic disk memory, Tegra, and now this? Sounds like someone at Nintendo really wants to hop on the "awesome tech" bandwagon, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic for it. A move like this would really put them on a great path to a better internet experience.

Wasn't that just a rumor?

 

[gcubed]

As usual Nintendo is exploring certain tech far before their competition. Who would have thought that Nintendo would do something like this first instead of SONY or Microsoft?

I'd love to see what this can give in terms of software features and game play ideas.

Now if Nintendo would just ditch friend codes and tighten up their online experience and we'd be good to go.

i cant hear you over the loud wet sucking noises coming from your general direction

if you think that Sony didnt "explore this tech" when designing the PSP Go! i think you would be quite foolish.

 

[gofreak]

As usual Nintendo is exploring certain tech far before their competition. Who would have thought that Nintendo would do something like this first instead of SONY or Microsoft?

I'd love to see what this can give in terms of software features and game play ideas

Good lord, I hope this is sarcasm :lol

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

Holy shit I completely mis-read the article!

I thought they were referring to something like having a bult in connection to get online access from anywhere or something like that. (like an aircard)

Okay nevermind then. My fault. :lol

 

[Deku]

Granted that adding wireless (not WiFi) to a console would be interesting, but Nokia is about to retire the nearly-ten year old nGage system. Which did the same thing.

True, though N-gage and N-gage2's failure had little to do with the wireless functionality of the product. Infact, you could argue wireless was too successful in enabling of the piracy of N-gage titles.

Nokia's strengths in European markets did not help as piracy is rampant in many regions of that market.

 

[Tiktaalik]

The console companies need to come up with a way to get more people to download games, especially in Japan. This could be a fantastic way to encourage people to go online more.

 

[gcubed]

i think it is definitely something that needs to be researched for next gen handhelds offered as a seperate sku, i just dont see how they can make a lifetime data service via 3/4G not add significantly to the cost of the unit... or at least significantly enough to detract purchases.

 

[Drkirby]

Wasn't that just a rumor?

Using them for there next system is, but they own a large portion of a company that has patents on the tech.

 

[gofreak]

I thought they were referring to something like having a bult in connection to get online access from anywhere or something like that. (like an aircard)

They are talking about that.

But Nintendo is not 'the first console company to explore this' - 3g/mobile-broadband is the next obvious step for any handheld and you can be sure any company (including Sony, MS & Nintendo) are 'exploring' that. Nintendo aren't the first to talk about it either, there was an interview yonks ago with someone on the PSP team who talked about the potential of building in mobile broadband into a future handheld.

I hate people claiming stuff like this for 'their' company - claim it for the folks who initially made the tech viable. Now that it is viable it is obvious for companies like Nintendo and Sony and MS etc. to start integrating it into more and more handheld devices and that shouldn't be applauded as some major insight or something. It should be expected.

The idea of making the connection contract-less is the more significant thing, and is business model related. But talking about ANY company 'innovating' on that when they haven't released even a mobile-broadband enabled product, and when there is already a product out there (Kindle) that's adopted that model, is a bit ridiculous. Again, that model is something you can be sure anyone in the handheld space is 'exploring' now that Amazon has ploughed that turf.

Finally, talking about new software features and gameplay as a result of this is a bit off too - this is just a different means the same end we've already had i.e. online connectivity. It's not going to unlock any new gameplay potential that online didn't already. It 'just' ought to make it easier to go online with a device and make access more ubiquitous.

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

They are talking about that.

But Nintendo is not 'the first console company to explore this' - 3g/mobile-broadband is the next obvious step for any handheld and you can be sure any company (including Sony, MS & Nintendo) are 'exploring' that. Nintendo aren't the first to talk about it either, there was an interview yonks ago with someone on the PSP team who talked about the potential of building in mobile broadband into a future handheld.

I hate people claiming stuff like this for 'their' company - claim it for the folks who initially made the tech viable. Now that it is viable it is obvious for companies like Nintendo and Sony and MS etc. to start integrating it into more and more handheld devices and that shouldn't be applauded as some major insight or something. It should be expected.

The idea of making the connection contract-less is the more significant thing, and is business model related. But talking about ANY company 'innovating' on that when they haven't released even a mobile-broadband enabled product, and when there is already a product out there (Kindle) that's adopted that model, is a bit ridiculous. Again, that model is something you can be sure anyone in the handheld space is 'exploring' now that Amazon has ploughed that turf.

That's odd because I haven't heard too much about that other stuff. I guess it's because I've been so busy lately that I haven't really had time to keep up with the latest tech news.

I still think this is pretty cool though. I'm just embarrassed now because I made a fool of myself.

Finally, talking about new software features and gameplay as a result of this is a bit off too - this is just a different means the same end we've already had i.e. online connectivity. It's not going to unlock any new gameplay potential that online didn't already. It 'just' ought to make it easier to go online with a device and make access more ubiquitous.

I imagined a breaking the fourth wall ideas (I.E. Hideo Kojima) for portable games.

 

[mentalfloss]

I don't know if Nintendo would be able to pull this off though.. even if the tech became popular.

 

[Somnid]

I don't know if Nintendo would be able to pull this off though.. even if the tech became popular.

Why not? You take a company with a popular 3G network, ask them to allocate limited bandwidth for use of your customers. Nintendo installs a 3G modem in their new device and pays the network provider using a price-markeup on all hardware units and download software sales. You can also give consumers the ability to upgrade to a service plan like Xbox Live to get increased bandwidth. Everybody wins.

 

[Firestorm]

I have been waiting for handheld gaming devices to do this since 3G was introduced here over two years ago. Let's get this shit done Nintendo =)

Why not? You take a company with a popular 3G network, ask them to allocate limited bandwidth for use of your customers. Nintendo installs a 3G modem in their new device and pays the network provider using a price-markeup on all hardware units and download software sales. You can also give consumers the ability to upgrade to a service plan like Xbox Live to get increased bandwidth. Everybody wins.

Yeah, but it's Nintendo + Online so I think he's just assuming they'll fuck it up (with good reason).

 

[gofreak]

That's odd because I haven't heard too much about that other stuff. I guess it's because I've been so busy lately that I haven't really had time to keep up with the latest tech news.

I still think this is pretty cool though. I'm just embarrassed now because I made a fool of myself.



I imagined a breaking the fourth wall ideas (I.E. Hideo Kojima) for portable games.

Having always-on free net access in a handheld might encourage more 'out and about' augmented reality stuff and development for example, yes. Yes, there are some types of game or application that could benefit, I was being a bit flippant. I wonder though, iphone stuff might show the way on that already.

Anyway, I will applaud any company that does broker a deal with the carriers to cover gaming traffic without on-going cost to the user. That would be a very nice and not insignificant development. But let's wait until someone actually does it.