IGN sat down with Nintendo to talk about their next game console currently codenamed the "Nintendo Revolution", which will be the successor to the Gamecube.
Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Q: Will Revolution feature more powerful hardware than GameCube?
A: Yes.
Q: What are Revolution's technical specs?
A: Currently unknown.
Rumors abound indicated that Nintendo could separately be working on two systems and that ultimately one would be chosen for retail. System 1 allegedly featured a 2.7GHz PowerPC G5 processor, 512MBs of RAM, and a 600MHz graphics chip. System 2 allegedly featured dual 1.8GHz PowerPC G5 processors. 256MBS of DDR Main Memory RAM, 128MBS of GDDR3 Video RAM and a 500MHz graphics chip. Both systems allegedly featured a built in 15GB hard drive. As of this time, these rumors cannot be validated.
Q: How will Revolution be unique?
A: That is the big question. The console is codenamed Revolution for a reason: Nintendo expects it to be revolutionary. The system will, according to Nintendo, fundamentally change how games are played -- literally. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has said in recent interviews that the dual-screened Nintendo DS offers a hint of what to expect from Revolution. DS players can use a stylus pen to input control data into the portable device. It's very possible that Revolution may feature similar functionality.
Nintendo believes that technology alone cannot advance videogames, which is why it plans to take Revolution into a dramatic new direction.
Iwata in June 2004 described Revolution as a videogame machine "of a different nature that does not follow the conventional path of new game systems that increase speed and visual quality for making elaborate games." He added: "The rule of satisfying customers by increasing specifications worked once, but no longer applies now."
Q: Will Revolution feature screens on the console or the controller?
A: No. At a June 2004 analyst briefing in Japan, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said: We have no intention of making a two screen console akin to the [Nintendo] DS."
Q: Will Revolution hook up to a television?
A: Yes. It will also be able to interface with a computer monitor. In June 2004 Nintendo engineer Genyo Takeda said: "You'll be able to play [Revolution] not just by linking up to a television but to a computer monitor as well."
Q: Will Revolution go online?
A: Currently unknown. Nintendo continues to stress that it does not yet believe in an online gaming model from a business standpoint. However, the company at E3 2004 announced that its portable device Nintendo DS would be able to go online using 802.11b and 802.11g Wi-Fi wireless capabilities. The company may seek to offer a similar option for Revolution owners
Read full article
Source: our forum member Wunderchu! Thanks a lot!
