Nintendo Slams Microsoft on Next Gen Approach

or rather, Reggie does.

Nintendo of America\'s charismatic VP of sales and marketing Reggie Fils-Aime has confirmed that the company is aiming to launch its next home console in the same timeframe as Sony\'s PS3, and attacked Microsoft\'s "rush" to the next generation.

"Our focus is this: we will bring Revolution to the marketplace roughly at the same time as the competition," Fils-Aime told US website IGN. "We are driving our timetables based on what we believe Sony will do."

While Nintendo may be watching Sony to work out when to jump on the next generation, the company is less sold on Microsoft\'s approach. "Not that I want to ignore the Xbox," Fils-Aime qualified, "but certainly we believe that a rush to a new system is a mistake."

This is the second time in recent months that a senior Nintendo executive has attacked Microsoft\'s seeming haste in moving to a next-generation platform - speaking at the ELSPA Game Summit in London last June, former Nintendo Europe boss David Gosen said that "in every cycle, some manufacturer not profiting from the current cycle is eager to kick-start the next one," and suggested that profitability was not Microsoft\'s "key motivation" with the Xbox.

Fils-Aime also confirmed that the forthcoming Nintendo DS handheld could potentially be used to link up with the GameCube console, and will almost certainly boast link features with the Revolution platform.

"Could there be interactivity with GameCube?" he said. "Potentially. Depends on the software and accessories needed from a GameCube perspective. But it\'s certainly possible. Could there be interaction with the Revolution? Certainly possible. Certainly capable."

>>>Link<<<

Aren\'t the rumors indicating that Sony is set on a 2006 launch, Spring in Japan and Fall for North America?

Does anyone here think it\'s a bad idea to launch next year or is this just Reggie mouthing off again?  My take on it is once the developers start to move over then so will the masses and supposedly X2/Xenon/Xbox Next has a hefty amount of support already.  XNA is attracting more and more attention as well.

EDIT:
>>>Link<<<

While Microsoft has tried its darndest to keep the whole Xbox 2, Xbox Next, Xenon thing under its hat, speaking with developers over the last week, IGN has learned that the top development teams, EA, Eidos, Activision, THQ, Take-Two, among others, have numerous Xenon development kits and they\'re right now hard at work on creating the first wave of next-generation games.

Nintendo is ehhh, nothing special.  They should be the last company criticizing other companies about system design, what do they know about hardware?  They officially stated that online play is "unimportant" and they are now selling Gamecubes without the A/V Digital Out port, getting rid of component output and ignoring those who have progressive displays.

I get the feeling they say the things they do to cover their ass, namely as an excuse for their own systems\' faults.

I applaud N for sticking to the Games Only philiosophy but they really need to think outside the box a little.

[Paul2]

Originally posted by THX

They officially stated that online play is "unimportant" and they are now selling Gamecubes without the A/V Digital Out port, getting rid of component output and ignoring those who have progressive displays.

I thought Gamecube support component video output and progressive scan.  Most of their games run at 640 x 480p and if uses component, it can be display as progressive scan.

Had this been changed or something?

About A/V digital output, I am not sure if Gamecube have a optical or coaxial digital audio output that PS2 have, but none of the 3 consoles (XBOX, PS2, and Gamecube) have a digital video output...
no DVI, HDMI is just too new, or any sort of multi digital video output...

and I agree no Digital video output for the ps2/xbox/gamecube generation.  Seriously, it makes sense why because their games mostly runs at 480p, and a few runs at 720p and 1080i.   Reason 2  the majority of consumers only have analog tv with only composite video output, some with S-Video, and component, and even with component,  analog tv can only do 480i.  And very, very little percentage of consumers have  a digital video input for their hdtv.  DVI couldn\'t make it in time...

so (me runs and hide if you bash me), I believe next generation 2005/2006 consoles will have a digital video/audio output along with multi analog video output since the biggest reason seeing how powerful next generation console is that can output 1080p at 60 Hz and possibly faster refresh rate...  It would be wise to have a digital video/audio output that is HDMI compatible...
by then, many hdtv will have more than 1 HDMI connections.

Many 2004 hdtv models begins to have HDMI which replace DVI and in 1 or 2 years, this will become the standard HD video connection and more common and widespread alongside with Component video...

*runs away*:eyemouth:

Originally posted by Ginko
or rather, Reggie does.
Does anyone here think it\'s a bad idea to launch next year or is this just Reggie mouthing off again?  My take on it is once the developers start to move over then so will the masses and supposedly X2/Xenon/Xbox Next has a hefty amount of support already.  XNA is attracting more and more attention as well.

If I am not mistaken and XNA isnt used exclusively on XBOX2 but for PCs as well then it explains why developers are so interested since PC gamers are always there.Not necessarily a support for XBOX2.
Whats my point?Whether the XBOX2 succeeds or fails, support and interest on XNA exists for general gaming development.

Perhaps I should have said "XNA is also attracting more and more attention."  The collective MS effort seems to be gaining momentum.

You mean support from developers invole a lot of interest specifically on XBOX2 already?

Those that were listed in that link I provided and mind you that is an old piece of news.  Early Xbox2 kits were sent out sometime in 2003 then a more complete kit earlier this year, I believe in January.  MS has been quite busy, we\'ll have to wait and see whether their efforts pay off.

[Evi]

The Apple G5 Microsoft Xbox 2...*my head hurts*

About A/V digital output, I am not sure if Gamecube have a optical or coaxial digital audio output that PS2 have, but none of the 3 consoles (XBOX, PS2, and Gamecube) have a digital video output...

Thanks for the OT synopsis but only problem is this statement.  The Gamecube actually has a digital video out port (Y/Cb/Cr).  The cable actually has as mini DAC built in.  Problem this creates is no other cable manufacturer will make a component cable with a DAC so you have to buy directly from Nintendo through the mail.

[Paul2]

Originally posted by THX

they are now selling Gamecubes without the A/V Digital Out port, getting rid of component output and ignoring those who have progressive displays.

Huh?

Originally posted by THX

The Gamecube actually has a digital video out port (Y/Cb/Cr).  The cable actually has as mini DAC built in....

:nut:

I am confused here...

Bah I can\'t find a decent shot of the rear but there are 3 ports on the GC: power, analog av, digital av.

Analog av is for stereo audio, composite, or s-video.  Digital av is for component.

Nintendo is removing the digital av, or so says people who are buying new models.

[Paul2]

Originally posted by THX
Bah I can\'t find a decent shot of the rear but there are 3 ports on the GC: power, analog av, digital av.

Analog av is for stereo audio, composite, or s-video.  Digital av is for component.

Nintendo is removing the digital av, or so says people who are buying new models.

Hmmm....

interesting...

BTW, Component video can either be Digital or Analog...


Y Pb Pr are analog.  Y Cb Cr are digital.  If its analog, it usually depends on the DACs of the internal player such as GameCube, if its digital, then it will depend on the scaler  and DAC from the display such as tv or external scaler...