Fourth Storm
Member
I think he was referring to Wii Mini? Either way, the block diagram has absolutely zilch to do w/ how the console will actually look. It's a block diagram. Not a blueprint.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Nintendo files patent application for stationary game console without optical disk
I think he was referring to Wii Mini? Either way, the block diagram has absolutely zilch to do w/ how the console will actually look. It's a block diagram. Not a blueprint.
TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared
Member
I'm struggling to imagine nintendo doing a digital only console right now.
MisterHero
Super Member
The fate of BC is questionable but I would NEVER get rid of it if it meant customers lose their digital libraries. You paid for it you should keep/download/use it whenever you want.
entremet
Member
Fourth Storm
Member
It would be a huge transition, yes. But Nintendo would presumably be getting their IP into stores via other ways, like Amiibo, download cards, and other merch.
Retailers would probably want a bigger margin on the hardware, though.
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
Apple also is insanely popular in a growing market and isn't relying on $50 game sales to boost profit.
OrbitalBeard
Member
NX won't be a digital-only console. There may be a digital-only SKU but Japan isn't even close to adopting a digital-only future and considering the fact that Japan factors into about 95% of Nintendo's decision making, digital-only isn't happening anytime soon. This patent is probably in reference to one possible NX configuration consumers will be able to choose from.
Speaking of which I hope Nintendo is still on schedule to debut their new DeNA made account/loyalty system next month. I think it's next month anyway.
That would be pretty neat. Not too far off from the cross play promotions that Sony does between console and handheld, so it seems feasible this day and age to contain 2 versions of the same game in one media unit. Just... the cost. I mean the WiiU is on 25GB disks. 32GB flash memory is nowhere near as cheap as a BD a disk yet.
DeuceGamer
Member
Should probably wait to know if this is even going to be released. Just because they have filed a patent doesn't mean this is THE NX.
I guess if it doesn't release it kinda bombed, lol?
Obliterator
Member
Interesting. So the NX might be
A. Digital only
Or
B. Going back to cartridges.
Ah the hype and rumors for new hardware is always fun
A. Digital only
Or
B. Going back to cartridges.
Ah the hype and rumors for new hardware is always fun
Tertullian
Member
What? The Wii U isn't square. I meant the GameCube.
Okay so that one is a stretch. I imagine the square patent picture in the OP doesn't literally mean the console would be cube-shaped.
Well couldn't it then be a conduit for game purchases similar to how Famicom DD and iQue worked?
As in you go to the retail kiosk, install a game on the card, go home and then install the game on the console HDD.
It's effectively DD-only but doesn't preclude people with poor internet.
Or one of their biggest successes
Best video game hardware ever
Maintenance
Member
Except for the hinges.
Speedwagon
Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel. Yabuki turned off voice chat in Mario Kart races. True artists of their time.
No moving parts? Soundless? Noiseless?
Faster load times, shared physical media format with the handheld.
You can write to them, so saves go on there as well as DLC, depending on how much extra space there is.
Fourth Storm
Member
Possibly? Although it doesn't seem to mention that here. Such a solution would also necessitate the installation of said kiosks and negotiating w/ retailers to implement them. I can also imagine lines of people waiting for data transfers would be somewhat annoying. I think the more likely solution is multiple SKUs. At least one disc-based and at least one HDD-based.
New 3DS and DSi destroy that design, bruh
Apollo Cree
Member
I don't like that part very much. I like redundancy when it comes to my saves.
The main issue with digital only will always be keeping traditional retailers happy. I brought the following idea up back when the WUST threads were in their prime;
I want to see a kind of wireless key (NFC enabled and tied to your account) that you could carry with you when you are at a retail store. The idea is you just take a token for the game you want from the shelf to the counter (much like download cards I guess) and present your key when you pay. The store scan the key and presto, your console/handheld starts to download your game for when you get home. Retailers can still add a markup for their trouble, it's still worth their while promoting games in store and no-one has to print, ship and stock discs in plastic boxes. /pipedream
*Fake Edit: Sod the 'key'; most phones are NFC enabled, as are Amiibos - so might as well use them.
**Fake Edit 2: If it were a dedicated 'key' of some kind, I guess it could have in built storage to actually download the game in store for those with crappy internet at home.
I want to see a kind of wireless key (NFC enabled and tied to your account) that you could carry with you when you are at a retail store. The idea is you just take a token for the game you want from the shelf to the counter (much like download cards I guess) and present your key when you pay. The store scan the key and presto, your console/handheld starts to download your game for when you get home. Retailers can still add a markup for their trouble, it's still worth their while promoting games in store and no-one has to print, ship and stock discs in plastic boxes. /pipedream
*Fake Edit: Sod the 'key'; most phones are NFC enabled, as are Amiibos - so might as well use them.
**Fake Edit 2: If it were a dedicated 'key' of some kind, I guess it could have in built storage to actually download the game in store for those with crappy internet at home.
There are numerous holes in this idea. Feel free to tear it to shreds 
The main issue with digital only will always be keeping traditional retailers happy. I brought the following idea up back when the WUST threads were in their prime;
I want to see a kind of wireless key (NFC enabled and tied to your account) that you could carry with you when you are at a retail store. The idea is you just take a token for the game you want from the shelf to the counter (much like download cards I guess) and present your key when you pay. The store scan the key and presto, your console/handheld starts to download your game for when you get home. Retailers can still add a markup for their trouble, it's still worth their while promoting games in store and no-one has to print, ship and stock discs in plastic boxes. /pipedream
*Fake Edit: Sod the 'key'; most phones are NFC enabled, as are Amiibos - so might as well use them.
There are numerous holes in this idea. Feel free to tear it to shreds
You could also use a QR code.
Steve Youngblood
Member
I'm sure even if there is no optical media, it'll support some sort of cart/memory card delivery. But fortunately for me, I don't care either way. They could not sell physical games at all and I'd still be on board. I'm like 90% digital as is on the 3DS and Wii U.
Fourth Storm
Member
The patent actually describes the redundancy you desire. Save data goes on the HDD and backup data goes to "second memory" (small internal flash).
That's actually really important. If you could have the add on content AND the patches on the cart, then you have the full game no matter if anything happens, including the servers not supporting the platform anymore. Your games will be complete and will last forever, like the carts from the past do today,
N3DS is fine but DS Lite is fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine
Wouldn't OS updates on cards require that as well though? You'd need to have some way of providing the updates.
Multiple SKUs is a possibility but it has the potential to create confusion and can bite them in the ass if they produce too much of one(like the Wii U Basic).
I also think if they do a disc-based console there is also the lingering question of how/if crossbuy would work with the handheld unless the MC worked as authentication or something.
Triforce141
Member
And the mushy d-pad on all 4 ds lites I had.
I'd argue YOU'RE WRONG
For which bit? I'm trying to think of a way for retailers to be happy with a digital-only console.
Grampa Simpson
Banned
Unless the cartridge was mostly for authentication. Still sell the cartridge for everything, but make it a piece of plastic with an NFC chip in it - like an amiibo. About $0.50 to manufacture, like an optical disc.
its been discussed to death. I still think carts+downloadable would work
Carts for retail sale and play as-is on the handheld NX at a lower resolution. Same Cart can be played in the home console, but if you're connected to the internet you can download a big update which adds higher res textures etc and basically updates it for a TV experience.
So benefits from an internet connection but doesn't require one.
nintendo already sells download cards for a lot of their 3DS and WiiU games in GAME stores in the UK. That plus other retail offers like amiibo figures and amiibo cards will help
Fourth Storm
Member
It's risky, which is why they may choose to only roll out certain skus in certain regions initially. We'll see, right?
The processor includes some type of authentication unit, but I'm still fuzzy on that.
And I'd imagine that the OS updates would be pre-loaded on the SD cards. The patent mentions the OS updates can also be downloaded right to the console. It seems more like a backup plan for those who truly have limited internet connectivity.
Schnozberry
Member
Wow, this is a lot to digest. This is a radical departure for Nintendo if it's all of it is implemented. I wonder if retailers will get on board? What are the incentives for them? More space for high margin items like accessories, figures, and game cards? Better margins on hardware?
For user authentication at sales point. You take the game card thing to the counter, clerk asks for a QR that the Nintendo app generates, you pay, the store system connects to Nintendo servers, the game gets added to your account and starts downloading automatically at home, together with whatever store exclusive bonus they- *shudder*
DoctorFling
Member
Wonder if they're keeping a screen in the controller so they can put the DeNA smartphone games on the eShop or something. Nintendo's future is so strange
Same here.
Only disc is Nintendoland and is permanently in there.
Have a 1TB HDD with over 50 games, and still have over 600GB left.
Cartridges would be cool though...and big-fatty full color booklets.
the OS update delivery via card is just an example for a use of the card slot, and I think it is likely that Nintendo actually would sell retail games on SD cards that simply install to the HDD
REMEMBER: Wii discs came with OS updates for games that required certain OS versions
REMEMBER: Wii discs came with OS updates for games that required certain OS versions
Fourth Storm
Member
Cartridges are cool except for when there are literally 3 dozen copies of Ninjago DS in the bargain bin. Retailers eat that cost and then order way less cartridges for the next similar game.
legacyzero
Banned
Back to cartridges baby!
Oh I see, so in place of NFC chip with your account info? I guess so. I think NFC is a bit more flexible though, and probably more secure. You could link your console to your (NFC enabled) phone and just scan your phone at check-out to trigger a download to your account, for example.
Wouldn't that be redundant without physical media for games? If you have the DD-only SKU then you have to have good enough internet and if you have the disc SKU you might as well have the updates on the disc?
It could make sense if the handheld was DD-only but if Japan's DD adoption is a concern it would be an even bigger problem for a handheld.
Also how would the SD Cards reach consumers: Given away at retail? Sold at retail? Would it be a separate card every time the OS updates?
From an actual hardware perspective PS2 was complete garbage. The lasers were weak and would die out when reading progressive scan games like GTA San Andreas after long periods of play. The console itself was just junk.