Miyamoto: We Considered $100 Wii
November 21, 2006
Wii is pretty cheap when compared to the cost of Sony’s PlayStation 3 or Microsoft’s Xbox 360. But if Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto had gotten his way, it would have been even more inexpensive.
“Originally, I wanted a machine that would cost $100,” he told Business Week. “My idea was to spend nothing on the console technology so all the money could be spent on improving the interface and software. If we hadn’t used NAND flash memory [to store data such as games and photos] and other pricey parts, we might have succeeded. To answer your questions, yes, we set out to design a console that would sell for less than 25,000 yen ($211). It was a tall hurdle. But unless you start off with a target, you can’t control costs and you’ll inevitably lose money. Also, we thought a low-cost console would make moms happy.”
It was a conscious decision for Nintendo not to try to out-power its competition; gameplay won out over graphics. “We didn’t think it was possible to build a powerful machine for less than 50,000 yen ($450). Not only would it use a lot of electricity, it would need a fan, which meant it would be noisy. Moms would rise up against it,” explained Miyamoto.
Unsuspecting PS3 Is Smashed To Bits
November 20, 2006
After much-publicized delays, Sony’s PS3 launched on Friday at quite a pretty penny: $499 for the 20GB model and $599 for the 60GB model. Some people find paying that kind of money unfathomable, but even less fathomable is why somebody would purchase a PlayStation 3 merely to smash it into bits immediately after walking out of the store.
But that’s exactly what the webmaster of the appropriately named Smashmyps3.com did. But why, oh why, would anybody do such a thing? From the FAQ:
I got nothing against Sony making money. This project only exists for the sole purpose of providing satisfaction to people who hate the PlayStation 3, or just like seeing the reaction of the people who just spend a day in line to get their hands on one of these consoles. Entertainment, nothing more!
However, they did not waste their own hard-earned money. Instead, the website solicited donations in order to purchase the pricey next generation console. It’s not particularly our cup of tea, but if you’re interested to see what tomfoolery in action looks like, feel free to take a gander here.
Nintendo Wii’s Opera News, And Weather Delayed
November 19, 2006
It will still be an excruciating waiting for Wii to come over to this region of the world, but news has come in that the browser, news, and weather channels have all been delayed. So at least the Yanks will get to taste what’s like to wait for a bit.
The slightly frustrating details from Nintendo follow:
More information about the availability of the browser will be released in the coming weeks.
On Dec. 20, Nintendo will roll out the Forecast Channel. Users will be able to access free local weather information, which is continually updated. Users can access worldwide weather information by browsing a 3-D globe. Weather information will be supplied by Weathernews. A high-speed Internet connection is required to access the Forecast Channel.
Then on Jan. 27, the Wii Menu News Channel will make headlines with the latest news from around the world provided by the Associated Press. A high-speed Internet connection is also needed to access the News Channel.