Nintendo

SkulkBaitSkulkBait Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13423Members
edited March 2004 in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Out to kill themselves for good?</div> <a href='http://games.slashdot.org/games/04/03/12/0342208.shtml' target='_blank'>Slashdot</a>, or rather one of its members, reports:

<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Looks like Nintendo has recently been granted a patent that gives them new leverage in their fight against emulators: Patent 6,672,963 mainly appears to cover emulators like UltraHLE that are custom-tailored for particular games, but they're already using it to suppress a new Game Boy Advance emulator for the Tapwave Zodiac, Firestorm gbaZ, and there's no reason to think they won't start leveraging it against anyone else trying to emulate their systems." The reprinted lawyer's letter from Nintendo also notes: "Whether you have an authentic game or not, it is illegal to copy a Nintendo game from a cartridge or to download and play a Nintendo ROM from the Internet."<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

So yeah, I know, game company trying to crush emulation, nothing new right? But come on Nintendo, you're not exactly the market dominator you used to be, shouldn't you be trying to NOT pissoff your customers (in this case, nostalgic gamers)? And claiming that fair-use doesn't exist... I'm beggining to lose faith. Between this, trying to be the first on the market with their next system, and Sony's new portable, I fear the big N is doomed. As far as I'm concerned that means that console gaming is doomed as well. Oh well, I suppose there are other things I could do with my time.. like... um... I could go back to coding BASIC games for the TI-83... or um... sleep more...

Oh, and in related news: <a href='http://www.pointlesswasteoftime.com/games/crash.html' target='_blank'>David Wong predicts Game Industry Crash</a>

EDIT: Forgot to mention, swearing in above link.

Comments

  • dr_ddr_d Join Date: 2003-03-28 Member: 14979Members
    edited March 2004
    Why should they say emulators are alright just because they happen to have been around such a long time. Nintendo still has a right to make profit on any of their products if there is a demand for them.

    A better alternative would be providing ROMs for download and charging a small fee, since the reason most people emulate is because of the difficulty in getting an older system and games.

    As far as the game market crash it's highly unlikely. If you think about it gaming is only getting more popular, this year alone more people played games than watched prime time TV.
  • KhaimKhaim Join Date: 2002-06-28 Member: 841Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    Ah... dang... that sucks... but in other news, I doubt they will be going so far as to sue little children for thousands of dollars like the RIAA does. And sadly, a lot of games now a days don't have quite the novelty and real 'fun-factor' of some of the old games, that were really just made for fun, and not as an item to show off their shiny new graphics and draw in more cash for the company.
  • GeminosityGeminosity :3 Join Date: 2003-09-08 Member: 20667Members
    the david wong thing is way more interesting. I can see where the guy's coming from too. Especially in regards to things being static repition (monsters always in the same place, items too, the same cutscenes over and over, etc)
    Course with that one particular point (theres lots) it's easy to argue ways around it... it's just a shame that you know games companies will never do any of them ^^;
  • CplDavisCplDavis I hunt the arctic Snonos Join Date: 2003-01-09 Member: 12097Members
    All I have to say about the ROM thing is...

    There are 2 guys sitting behind me playing some old school final fantasy ROM on the PC right behind me....


    And 30 min ago I was playing Ninja turtles (another ROM)
    i mean if i had a working old nintendo id use it but... I dont and they dont make them anymorel\.
    <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • SkulkBaitSkulkBait Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13423Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-dr.d+Mar 12 2004, 02:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (dr.d @ Mar 12 2004, 02:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> A better alternative would be providing ROMs for download and charging a small fee, since the reason most people emulate is because of the difficulty in getting an older system and games. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I agree, that would be a suitable comprimise. However, I give it about a 1/9999 chance of ever happening. Personally, I'd rather see them release a <insert prefered medium of next system> with the entire GoodNES 2.1 Romset and a built in emulator for a resonable ($30.00 ish?) fee. But that is equally unlikely to happen.
  • KazeKaze Join Date: 2003-09-01 Member: 20447Members
    edited March 2004
    You're losing faith in Nintendo?
    Well for me, if somebody is using an emulator do play Nintendo games on the GameBoy Advance, I wouldn't say they had much faith in the first place. If you're gonna support a company you could at least buy their games, it's what they're intended for.
  • SkulkBaitSkulkBait Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13423Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Geminosity+Mar 12 2004, 03:01 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Geminosity @ Mar 12 2004, 03:01 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> the david wong thing is way more interesting. I can see where the guy's coming from too. Especially in regards to things being static repition (monsters always in the same place, items too, the same cutscenes over and over, etc)
    Course with that one particular point (theres lots) it's easy to argue ways around it... it's just a shame that you know games companies will never do any of them ^^; <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Hes so right about the button mashing zen thing too. Last night I played Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (best version of Puyo Puyo ever, which is posibly the best puzzle game ever) for like 5 hours. Way longer than I ever spent at one time beating Metroid Prime.
  • SkulkBaitSkulkBait Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13423Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Kaze+Mar 12 2004, 03:12 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Kaze @ Mar 12 2004, 03:12 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> You're losing faith in Nintendo?
    Well for me, if somebody is using an emaluator do play Nintendo games on ethe GameBoy Advance, I wouldn't say they had much faith in the first place. If you're gonna support a company you could at least buy their games, it what they're intended for. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Tell me something, how do I buy the original Legend of Zelda for Gameboy Advance? Or Puyo Puyo? or SMB2? Nintendo doesn't make em (at least to my knowledge) in any portable format. So my options are: Emulate on GBA, or build a NESp out of a SuperJoy (I have one, was going to use it as a replacement for my nintendo... just got to get around to finding a NES->Famicom converter...). Now, since SuperJoys run between $30 and $50, and a portable TV will cost you $100 or so, and the case for the NESp could cost you any odd amount of cash... Well, do the math.
  • TommyVercettiTommyVercetti Join Date: 2003-02-10 Member: 13390Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Yep, just saw that on Slashdot (it's my start page). Still, I think that if Microsoft or Sony had so many people playing their ROMs they'd be working against it, too. It is, however, a mistake to prosecute people who are actually playing thier games, because these days it seems that the only people playing Nintendo games are either hardcore first generation fans or little kids. I don't really care though, because the only Nintendo games I ever liked were Goldeneye and Perfect Dark, and now that Microsoft has acquired Rare the Xbox is the only console I need.

    Kind of off topic, but my dad who is a hardcore open-source supporter with 3 Linux boxes and a system-admin certification, actually had some of his faith in Microsoft restored thanks to the Xbox and Halo; "They might make crap software, but they sure know how to make games."
  • twoflowtwoflow Singing Drunk Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 1950Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-dr.d+Mar 12 2004, 07:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (dr.d @ Mar 12 2004, 07:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> A better alternative would be providing ROMs for download and charging a small fee. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'd love a system like that. Anyway, back to Balloon Fight on my GBA via emulator on flash cart. :O
  • SkulkBaitSkulkBait Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13423Members
    edited March 2004
    <!--QuoteBegin-TommyVercetti+Mar 12 2004, 03:23 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (TommyVercetti @ Mar 12 2004, 03:23 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Kind of off topic, but my dad who is a hardcore open-source supporter with 3 Linux boxes and a system-admin certification, actually had some of his faith in Microsoft restored thanks to the Xbox and Halo; "They might make crap software, but they sure know how to make games." <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Thats kinda funny, considering Halo was pretty much made before MS bought Bungie, and depending on who you listen to (i.e. Gem and I) was actually better before being rewriten the Xbox (which was like, its 3rd rewrite or someting).
  • SillyGooseSillyGoose Join Date: 2003-03-16 Member: 14572Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-dr.d+Mar 12 2004, 02:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (dr.d @ Mar 12 2004, 02:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> A better alternative would be providing ROMs for download and charging a small fee, since the reason most people emulate is because of the difficulty in getting an older system and games. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    thats proabably the single greatest idea ever. Too bad nintendo thinks the internet is a fad that will die out in 2002 <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> .
  • twoflowtwoflow Singing Drunk Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 1950Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-SillyGoose+Mar 12 2004, 08:57 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (SillyGoose @ Mar 12 2004, 08:57 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Too bad nintendo thinks the internet is a fad that will die out in 2002 <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> . <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    <a href='http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=258&page=1' target='_blank'>Really?</a>
  • ForlornForlorn Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2634Banned
    edited March 2004
    Elminating emulators improves sales.


    Next, David Wong's article brings up a good point.


    My personal prediction is that the huge gaming industry will die down, but what will replace it (only to be bigger and better) is spectator gaming, except on a very very large scale.
  • GeminosityGeminosity :3 Join Date: 2003-09-08 Member: 20667Members
    I actually saw a GC modem adaptor in game today... for a whole second I thought it was a broadband adapter and my 800+ hours of PSO gaming flashed before my eyes lol.
    Gah... I might not play it anymore but the addiction still remains -.-
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    Pfft.

    First of all, Nintendo has always been a sue happy "take legal action first and ask questions second" company, they've been doing this sort of thing for years. Hell this is probably the LEAST contraversial thing they've done in the legal arena.

    Secondly, the Emulation issue has already been fought in court, and Emulation won. Its legally protected. Go read up on Sony Vs. Bleem. And trust me, Sony had a LOT more leverage to sue. Bleem, had it not sucked and been horrible, could have killed the psx and made the dreamcast live longer. So considering it wasn't just nostalgia they were fighting, Sony had a LOT more money to throw at the problem, and still lost. Meaning the first time there's a lawsuit, the big N will lose too.

    Oh and SkulkBait, you can buy SMB2 on GBA, hell it was one of the launch titles... Though if you're like me you probably won't be able to put up with those godawful voices they added in :X
  • SkulkBaitSkulkBait Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13423Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Oh and SkulkBait, you can buy SMB2 on GBA, hell it was one of the launch titles...<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Really? Thats almost tempting enough to make me buy a GBA...

    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Though if you're like me you probably won't be able to put up with those godawful voices they added in :X<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Then again....
  • twoflowtwoflow Singing Drunk Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 1950Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Geminosity+Mar 12 2004, 11:58 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Geminosity @ Mar 12 2004, 11:58 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I actually saw a GC modem adaptor in game today... for a whole second I thought it was a broadband adapter and my 800+ hours of PSO gaming flashed before my eyes lol.
    Gah... I might not play it anymore but the addiction still remains -.- <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    BBAs are on eBay, buy it now for only £33. Problem?
  • TommyVercettiTommyVercetti Join Date: 2003-02-10 Member: 13390Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--QuoteBegin-SkulkBait+Mar 12 2004, 03:35 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (SkulkBait @ Mar 12 2004, 03:35 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Thats kinda funny, considering Halo was pretty much made before MS bought Bungie, and depending on who you listen to (i.e. Gem and I) was actually better before being rewriten the Xbox (which was like, its 3rd rewrite or someting). <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I told him this too and he agrees, but it's better than not having Halo at all, right?
  • SkulkBaitSkulkBait Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13423Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-TommyVercetti+Mar 13 2004, 09:50 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (TommyVercetti @ Mar 13 2004, 09:50 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-SkulkBait+Mar 12 2004, 03:35 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (SkulkBait @ Mar 12 2004, 03:35 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Thats kinda funny, considering Halo was pretty much made before MS bought Bungie, and depending on who you listen to (i.e. Gem and I) was actually better before being rewriten the Xbox (which was like, its 3rd rewrite or someting). <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I told him this too and he agrees, but it's better than not having Halo at all, right? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Thats debatable.
  • ElectricSheepElectricSheep Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15716Members
    Although Halo was good it could have been so much more given time and being on the PC. You know if Halo had a mere fraction of Marathon's Story (Link in Sig) I'd be happy but the game's story was very cliched and predictable. Ahh well, twas still fun.
  • NecrosisNecrosis The Loquacious Sage Join Date: 2003-08-03 Member: 18828Members, Constellation
    If Sega or Nintendo did a big disk of all their games plus a perfect emulator, I'd pay for it without breaking a sweat.

    As it stands, they haven't, their old systems are long gone, and all the good games are hoarded by a select few with a lot of money and a penchant for surfing Ebay.
  • 7Bistromath7Bistromath Join Date: 2003-12-04 Member: 23928Members, Constellation
    The way things are going these days, I wouldn't be sad to see Nintendo go the way of Sega. (ie, no more consoles, but they keep turning out games for other consoles to use) Nintendo has always been the top of the pack in terms of innovation in gameplay, so I don't want to see them die, but their console design and business strategy are crap. They need to leave that stuff up to Sony and Microsoft.
  • Umbraed_MonkeyUmbraed_Monkey Join Date: 2002-11-25 Member: 9922Members
    Nintendo's patent is mainly used to snuff out one specific emulator. This is an emulator for the GBA, which is still on the market. Most of its massive library of games is still avaliable (if you look really hard for some of 'em). "Preserving history" is not a good excuse for this scenario. To add salt to the injury, these guys are trying to SELL the emulator (while calling it a 'donation'). This is frowned upon, even in the emulation circles. How can Nintendo possibly be stupid and/or killing itself by doing this?


    btw, one of the main reasons why Bleem! won its court battle is because Bleem! requires the original game in order for it to operate. Bleem! replaces the need for PSX's, like another product on the market. All Bleem! had to prove is that they didnt reverse engineer any of PSX's stuff. GBA emulators and the generally small size of GBA roms replaces the need to buy the GBA or ANY of its games. This is stealing Nintendo's games, not just having another competitor on the market.
  • Cold_NiTeCold_NiTe Join Date: 2003-09-15 Member: 20875Members
    I really hope online gaming catches on. Were those numbers counting all the PC Gamers?
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