Nintendo Revolution SDK Near Finalized, Costs $2000 [Archive]

Krull

02-23-2006, 10:50 AM

RevolutionReport (http://www.revolutionreport.com) is reporting that Nintendo Rev SDK kits run $2000.

The developers stated that the console's SDK costs a relatively meager $2000. By comparison, the PlayStation 2 SDK was priced about $20,000 per kit at the console's launch
This would be nice if true:

On a final note, most studios working on Revolution titles think the console could retail under $200 US, possibly as low as $150.
Read the full article here: RevolutionReport (http://www.revolutionreport.com/articles/read/316)

agentgray

02-23-2006, 11:08 AM

Saw this on digg. This would be so cool if true.

Kinda sad when a dev kit is almost as "cheap" as a rival console's premium setup.

Nintendo is going to sell a boat load(s) of these systems.

HardScores

02-23-2006, 11:13 AM

The under $200 isn't a new rumor, but it does need more press time. It would be freakin' awesome. I'm waiting for the SKUs to be released so I can pre-order it for launch day. I am all over Nintendo right now, between this and the DS. Still, it'll be itneresting to see what they show at E3...

Nadreck

02-23-2006, 11:15 AM

Hmm, nice to see the SDK pricing confirmed... I'd heard three different prices the last time I dug into it.

kokyunage

02-23-2006, 11:15 AM

Damn. $2000.00. That's very reasonable for a garage dev team.

AntB

02-23-2006, 11:16 AM

If the Revolution costs $200 or less, I'm going to buy it without a thought.

Might even be the first pre-order I ever make in my life.

Groo

02-23-2006, 11:17 AM

I'm not on board the Nintendo train until I can actually see some software.

bapenguin

02-23-2006, 11:19 AM

Man...2 grand. I"d considering getting a dev kit for that price.

Achilles

02-23-2006, 11:22 AM

Damn. $2000.00. That's very reasonable for a garage dev team.The problem is the fabrication fees. GBA dev kits are cheaper than that, but you don't see many (if any) games released by independant publishers because when it comes time to print the required number of carts it'll cost a fortune.

TheFlyingOrc

02-23-2006, 11:27 AM

The problem is the fabrication fees. GBA dev kits are cheaper than that, but you don't see many (if any) games released by independant publishers because when it comes time to print the required number of carts it'll cost a fortune.

Well, that's why it's a development kit, not a publishing kit.

True, this doesn't make it much easier to find a publisher, but it does allow for small development studios (the alien hominid guys come to mind).

Nintendo might actually rip control of their system away from EA and the like. It would be nice if more small developers got to decide what games we get to play.

crashedout

02-23-2006, 11:29 AM

Man...2 grand. I"d considering getting a dev kit for that price.
Me too. Would make copying the games much easier....kidding. I have to see its inputs and outputs but would be something fun to play with.

Harlan Hoyt

02-23-2006, 11:37 AM

The problem is the fabrication fees. GBA dev kits are cheaper than that, but you don't see many (if any) games released by independant publishers because when it comes time to print the required number of carts it'll cost a fortune.
Fabrication fees? You're thinking so 1990s, man. Get with the program. We've got (presumably) the ability to download new, independent games without the need for buying things at Best Buy or Game Stop.

Holy crap (and I can't believe I just now thought of this), imagine Marble Blast Ultra with the Revolution controler. The part of me that loved Marble Madness and Super Monkey Ball just got a little flustered.

Kagger

02-23-2006, 11:38 AM

I'm hoping for $150, that would be fantastic.

pardon my ignorance, but what does SKU and SDK mean. I've heard SKU a lot in reference to 360..

joruussuun

02-23-2006, 11:43 AM

I'm hoping for $150, that would be fantastic.

pardon my ignorance, but what does SKU and SDK mean. I've heard SKU a lot in reference to 360..
SDK= Software Development Kit, used to make the games and test them...
SKU= Stock-Keeping Unit? Basically a distinct product that is sold... in reference to the Xbox 360, there were two SKUs, the Core and Premium.

Deathbane27

02-23-2006, 11:43 AM

SKU = Stock Keeping Unit. Each product or box will have a unique SKU, kind of like the UPC bar code.
SDK = Software Development Kit. Self-explanatory. :p

The problem is the fabrication fees. GBA dev kits are cheaper than that, but you don't see many (if any) games released by independant publishers because when it comes time to print the required number of carts it'll cost a fortune.

The Revolution is using standard dual-layer DVDs though, isn't it? Actually, I don't remember seeing anything about which medium it will use for non-downloaded games...

anakin876

02-23-2006, 11:44 AM

I'm hoping for $150, that would be fantastic.

pardon my ignorance, but what does SKU and SDK mean. I've heard SKU a lot in reference to 360..
SDK - software development kit
basically the hardware a dev needs to make the game

SKU - stock keeping unit
identifier for the actual console - usually printed just under the bar code - I think

edit - too slow, too slow

HardScores

02-23-2006, 11:45 AM

"I've heard SKU a lot in reference to 360.."

That's because of the craziness that occurred when Microsoft announced 2 SKUs for the 360, which then culminated in there being 2 packages to buy for the 360 - premium and core

Jiguryo

02-23-2006, 11:49 AM

The Revolution is using standard dual-layer DVDs though, isn't it? Actually, I don't remember seeing anything about which medium it will use for non-downloaded games...

Well, the system's meant to have 512 MB of storage memory, and SD card slots. That ought to fit that purpose well, I think.

(oops, I think I misread it as for ''downloaded games''. sorry)

Steele Johnson

02-23-2006, 12:15 PM

If the Revolution costs $200 or less, I'm going to buy it without a thought.

Might even be the first pre-order I ever make in my life.

I'll buy it without a thought of how much it costs, just for the unique gameplay experience. I admit, I like all those Mario games. :D

Zeal

02-23-2006, 12:34 PM

So, essentially, this thing is a toy.

I'm not on board the Nintendo train until I can actually see some software.
I'm also glad one amongst you utilizes common sense.

absolut taco

02-23-2006, 12:43 PM

SDK - software development kit
basically the hardware a dev needs to make the game
So how does the hardware you make a game on differ from the hardware you play a game on? Except being 10 times more expensive...

H.Bogard

02-23-2006, 12:46 PM

I'm also glad one amongst you utilizes common sense.

I spent wandering the Himalayas for 3 weeks straight wondering why this statement didnt surprise me...and i finally got it....

ITS ZEAL!!!

Magnanimous Gnome

02-23-2006, 12:47 PM

Why do you come here Zeal? Do you even like games? I see you bashing every console these days. Perhaps you need a new hobby?

Achilles and others - the Revolution uses standard DVDs for it's non-downloaded games, not cartridges or cards, etc. The GBA carts are expensive to manufacture, but DVDs are much cheaper. Not that we are going to see tons of indy games getting retail releases. I could see some indy games popping up for download though. That'd be pretty wicked.

EternalGamer

02-23-2006, 12:54 PM

I am trying to curb my tendencies to post in Nintendo related threads for a while. Lately I just come off as a giddy school girl when talking about Nintendo. This is probably just because I'm pretty bored with the game industry over all and they are one of the few companies that can always draw me back in. But nevertheless, enough is enough. I save my elated proclaimations for three weeks from now when I can play Metriod Hunters, Tetris DS, and Super Princess Peach.

Dan

Klade

02-23-2006, 01:17 PM

Software dev kits at 2 grand plus 512 megs of ram plus 150$ end unit equals a 150$ dedicated linux server.

Speaking purely of games though. If this thing really starts off at 150$ retail then even I will buy one. And I ignored the entire last generation of consoles.

Yeti2005

02-23-2006, 01:28 PM

I will gladly eat my hat if the Revolution is less than $199 but I just don't see it happening. I expect it'll be 249.99 just because someone at Nintendo said it would be less than $250 and I suspect they would have said less than $200 if that was the really the case.

Kamalot

02-23-2006, 01:34 PM

If the Revolution costs $200, I'll buy it without blinking.

With it being the only platform to host titles such as Zelda, Metroid, F-Zero and Fire Emblem, I'll be sure to pick one up for Nintendo Exclusives. It'll make a great 2nd console.

Mason

02-23-2006, 01:43 PM

ferr

02-23-2006, 01:43 PM

Atepsflame

02-23-2006, 01:50 PM

So they think that the revolution will cost what the DS did when it came out? Hm...

DanAmerson

02-23-2006, 02:19 PM

I've worked with GameCube, PS2, and Xbox 360 dev kits. In general, you can't just burn your game and have it play in a normal console. You have to get special disks and digital signatures and the like for copy protection. As for the documentation, it depends on the SDK. Some are good, and some are not. I won't name names.

dba

Achilles

02-23-2006, 02:23 PM

Achilles and others - the Revolution uses standard DVDs for it's non-downloaded games, not cartridges or cards, etc. The GBA carts are expensive to manufacture, but DVDs are much cheaper. Not that we are going to see tons of indy games getting retail releases. I could see some indy games popping up for download though. That'd be pretty wicked.Xbox uses standard DVDs and they still charge fabrication fees, so does Sony. Nintendo will have to certify every game made for their system, and put its own copy protection on every game on the system (meaning they have to fab the discs at certified plants). They maintain control over these things because if something comes out it affects the reputation of their system, or could cause their system to be hacked.

You will not be able to buy one of these dev kits, print and sell your own discs. If you guys think that Nintendo isn't going to need to certify these games and won't charge fabrication fees you're dreaming. There has also been no indication that Nintendo will release new content on their online download service, much less new, independent content. They will exercise discretion about who they sell these kits to, so you won’t even be able to buy one unless you have a legitimate game company.

As to why the dev-kits cost more money, it’s mostly the software tools that come with it, and the fact that they can’t mass produce them in the same way that they can standard consoles. They provide developer support and that kind of thing if you buy a dev kit. Really $2,000 is extremely affordable for small developers or handheld game companies, and I do think it’ll encourage development. I just don’t think it’ll encourage independent development and garage start-ups like some people seem to think.

Achilles

02-23-2006, 02:32 PM

Anyone have experience using console SDKs? Can the developed game be burnt directly from the SDK to the appropriate medium, then played in a normal console, or do they require some sort of authoring units?

Do console SDKs tend to come with good documentation?Depends on who's making the kit and tools on the last question. On the first question: absolutely not, or yes, depending on the system. Discs that play on commercial hardware have to be specially made by the manufacturer. You can make discs that will run on development kits, but discs that run on final hardware are encoded for copy protection purposes. For GBA/DS games on the other hand you can run them on commercial systems.

Edit: Ah Dan got to this one already.

ferr

02-23-2006, 02:41 PM

I'd imagine that with the low cost of the SDK, Nintendo could make use of its already proposed downloading service to create a huge independent gaming community that Joe Everydeveloper could sign up for, create games, create an income, then create a larger company based on that income and so forth.

It could be pretty similar to Garage Games' setup, I'd imagine.

Megalith

02-23-2006, 03:18 PM

DaedalusFolly

02-23-2006, 03:27 PM

So they think that the revolution will cost what the DS did when it came out? Hm...

I recall the price being $150, which isnt splitting hairs... that's 25% difference.

bone_matrix

02-23-2006, 03:41 PM

I'm baffled by the assumption that the Revolution will sell simply because it is cheap. The real world doesn't work that way, sorry.

If anything, it'll solidify the popular impression that Nintendo only makes toys.

Well, if the 360 only cost $200, you would have seen lines longer than you did, and you would have more people bitch about not getting one. Many people haven't bought it because of the price "I'll wait for the first price drop" they say. If Nintendo can sell the console cheap, and little Billy needs a new system, parent are going to say to themselves "we can only spend so much, the new systems are $400, or we can get them an older system. Wait, whats that? A new nintendo system for cheap. HELLS YEAH!! Little Billy will be estatic!!! BONERTOWN!!!"

Alright, I added a bit of my own at the end, but you get the idea.

Groo

02-23-2006, 03:44 PM

RMan

02-23-2006, 03:53 PM

This is definitely a good indicator that Nintendo is trying to capture more casual/indy game developers, $2K is nothing to a retail developer, they could clearly make more money off those guys with a higher price. It's also a nice indicator that their download service may be fairly accessible for developers, since that's the only way a low cost developer is going to release a game. Considering the ramifications of that low of a cost of entry for developers, this is great news for the system and it's download service.

Kagger

02-23-2006, 04:06 PM

MaiXu

02-23-2006, 04:37 PM

So, essentially, this thing is a toy.

And?

Shucks, here I was having fun with my game console.

thecrazyd

02-23-2006, 04:49 PM

I'm baffled by the assumption that the Revolution will sell simply because it is cheap. The real world doesn't work that way, sorry.

If anything, it'll solidify the popular impression that Nintendo only makes toys.
Well, MS and Sony don't only make toys, but the 360 and the PS3 will be. Just because you can play movies, or whatever other bullshit they will throw in doesn't change the fact that it is a toy used to play games.

Zeal

02-23-2006, 04:50 PM

If you enjoy sitting around and emulating a bunch of games from the 90s, go right ahead. It's called Nintendo Revolution.

The only difference here is that you actually have to pay for them.

Oh yeah, it will also play a modest offering of rehashed, first party titles, too; such as Mario: More and Zelda: Again. These will be Nintendo's "next-gen" offerings, of course.

Kamalot

02-23-2006, 05:15 PM

Zeal is going to miss out on some good times with an attitude like that...

Magnanimous Gnome

02-23-2006, 05:40 PM

I'm baffled by the assumption that the Revolution will sell simply because it is cheap. The real world doesn't work that way, sorry.

If anything, it'll solidify the popular impression that Nintendo only makes toys.

As opposed to Sony and Microsoft, who make FUCKING AWESOME RADICAL TOYBANE MACHINES THAT YOU CAN BLOW SHIT UP ON AND WATCH PRINCESS DIARIES, right?

If you enjoy sitting around and emulating a bunch of games from the 90s, go right ahead. It's called Nintendo Revolution.

The only difference here is that you actually have to pay for them.

Oh yeah, it will also play a modest offering of rehashed, first party titles, too; such as Mario: More and Zelda: Again. These will be Nintendo's "next-gen" offerings, of course.

Yep, poor Nintendo offering up only content from last decade while Microsoft and Sony's machines are filled with new, original franchises and titles the likes of which have never been seen before. :rolleyes: If I want another World War II shooter with pretty graphics I'll definitely look to the Revolution where all the rehashes are.

Draft

02-23-2006, 05:47 PM

The dev kit is a microscopic portion of a game development's cost.

Revolution retailing for $150 brand new though, that'd be pretty crazy.

31 Flavas

02-23-2006, 06:33 PM

These will be Nintendo's "next-gen" offerings, of course.Uh-huh.... And none of the x360 "next-gen" titles are any of this. "More Need for Speed", "Another Call of Duty", "Dead or Alive: What number is this?", "Project Gotham Racing: Here We Go Again!", "Splinter Cell: I'm getting to old for this", or "The Return of Halo"

Should I make up titles for what Sony will rehash as well?

Kefkataran

02-23-2006, 06:37 PM

I'm baffled by the assumption that the Revolution will sell simply because it is cheap. The real world doesn't work that way, sorry.

If anything, it'll solidify the popular impression that Nintendo only makes toys.

So you're arguing that more people won't be willing to buy something that's cheaper than the other options? The real world *doesn't* work this way? Wha?

Anyways, the "popular impression" that Nintendo only makes toys isn't a popular impression at all except among internet anti-Nintendo fanboys.

Fanboys are annoying, Zeal; we get it. So are anti-fanboys. Quit bitching already.

Nadreck

02-23-2006, 07:05 PM

thewayistao

02-23-2006, 07:30 PM

I'd like to see an independent games market on the Revolution, but there are (as some people pointed out) still some limiters, such as fabrication and distribution. Downloadable content is a solution, yes, but again that is still only part of the equation. There is still a rather rigorous process to become a Nintendo licensee before you can even get a dev kit, which will limit a lot of the indy shops.

I'm trying to find a solution, so I've definitely got my fingers crossed that some sort of option will present itself.

/me Votes for Nintendo trivia test to become a Nintendo licensee. ;)

And seriously, if nintendo offers a place to download simple games made on those cheap SDKs by Joe's Dad down the street (and me and you) then they will win the largest userbase this gen.

bobbler

02-23-2006, 07:37 PM

Panda Love

02-23-2006, 07:40 PM

Woot
Nintendo ftw.

jeffool

02-23-2006, 08:28 PM

I'm not sure if it's been said or not, but even if you guys had the 2 grand, I think you'll find its a bit harder to get a dev kit than just paying Nintendo the cash. You generally have to have some intent on producing a game, and if Nintendo is anything like MS/Sony you'll probably need a publisher before you can even get your hands on a kit...Absolutely true, but, one can at least hope that this will be like the PS2-Linux Kit and open to all. Sure the Linux Kit wasn't the same as the SDK, but it filled a similar purpose for the homebrew crowd and sold out in North America and in Japan. And homebrew developers are increasing in number...

And besides. At worst? Developers get to keep more money, which is a good thing.

vivafletcher

02-23-2006, 08:37 PM

Well, MS and Sony don't only make toys, but the 360 and the PS3 will be. Just because you can play movies, or whatever other bullshit they will throw in doesn't change the fact that it is a toy used to play games.

Absolutely correct. Calling it what it is doesn't make it any better or worse. They're toys.

Oh, and those action figures we used to play with? They were dolls. Sorry.

Magnanimous Gnome

02-23-2006, 08:39 PM

Damn, no one found my post even mildly amusing?

I have failed. My colony is doomed. :(

vivafletcher

02-23-2006, 08:40 PM

Uh-huh.... And none of the x360 "next-gen" titles are any of this. "More Need for Speed", "Another Call of Duty", "Dead or Alive: What number is this?", "Project Gotham Racing: Here We Go Again!", "Splinter Cell: I'm getting to old for this", or "The Return of Halo"

Should I make up titles for what Sony will rehash as well?

That was hilarious, but I would have called it "Halo Again." We need PS2 ones also.

jeffool

02-23-2006, 08:46 PM

Damn, no one found my post even mildly amusing?

I have failed. My colony is doomed. :(Awww, turn that frown upside down, Charlie Brown! I got a good chuckle out of the Princess Diaries part. :D

laggerific

02-23-2006, 09:30 PM

Damn, no one found my post even mildly amusing?

I have failed. My colony is doomed. :(

I like your work.

Opty

02-23-2006, 09:31 PM

I guess playing Smash TV or Gauntlet on 360 doesn't count as playing decade old games but having to pay for them again?

Magnanimous Gnome

02-23-2006, 09:48 PM

Awww, turn that frown upside down, Charlie Brown! I got a good chuckle out of the Princess Diaries part. :D

Yay, you and laggerific are my new friends!!

/attention whore

It's been a long day. :p

carneconcarne

02-23-2006, 10:26 PM

My xbox360's name is Toybane Manpower

Kefkataran

02-23-2006, 10:31 PM

My xbox360's name is Toybane Manpower

Hahaha. That's what I'm officially naming my firstborn.

EvoG

02-23-2006, 11:43 PM

Damn, no one found my post even mildly amusing?

I have failed. My colony is doomed. :(

Actually I found it very funny and laced with venom and with a promptness, wishing I could have beaten you to it. Sucks when an inspired reply pops into your head, and lo the next guy says the exact thing you were thinking...then again, perhaps I was just a tad late to the party to feel too bad about a missed opportunity. Hehe...more please. :D

Related to the topic though, this is actually pretty surprising and encouraging. IIRC, our PSone devkits ran about 12 - 17k back in '96 which, being a noob in the industry then, I found flabbergasting. Either way, as much as I would hope myself for the oppotunity to develop for the Rev controller, you'd have a far better chance of getting on the marketplace with a PC developed indie. I'd love for Nintendo to have plans for a robust system like Live!, opening doors to independent development, but I don't see that happening. Prove me wrong Reggie! :) (you know when I first heard of him, a few years ago, I wasn't terribly impressed. I've been pleasantly surprised though with his rather genuine attitude in the past several interviews he's given. Gives me a great feeling doubly then about Nintendo's attitude and focus.)

Cheers

31 Flavas

02-24-2006, 07:14 AM

I guess playing Smash TV or Gauntlet on 360 doesn't count as playing decade old games but having to pay for them again?Of course not, you silly English kniggit! These games are in 1080i Hi-Def, of course they're not rehashes.

Kamalot

02-24-2006, 07:25 AM

Hahaha. That's what I'm officially naming my firstborn.
I dunno if she'll like that.

Kefkataran

02-24-2006, 08:48 AM

I dunno if she'll like that.

She'd damn well better learn to live with it! Toybane Manpower is MY daughter, and as long as she lives under my roof she'll go by the name I gave her!

Jiguryo

02-24-2006, 09:05 AM

Of course not, you silly English kniggit! These games are in 1080i Hi-Def, of course they're not rehashes.

I hereby dub thee, 31 Flavas, as one of the Knights of the Awesome Retorts. RISE!

mister_slim

02-24-2006, 03:10 PM

As opposed to Sony and Microsoft, who make FUCKING AWESOME RADICAL TOYBANE MACHINES THAT YOU CAN BLOW SHIT UP ON AND WATCH PRINCESS DIARIES, right?
I was about to comment on how wonderful a turn of phrase 'toybane' was, but now I'll just look like I'm jumping on the bandwagon. So forget I said anything.

Magnanimous Gnome

02-25-2006, 01:11 PM

I was about to comment on how wonderful a turn of phrase 'toybane' was, but now I'll just look like I'm jumping on the bandwagon. So forget I said anything.

An elephant never forgets. ;)

mister_slim

02-26-2006, 06:41 PM

Maybe Kefkataran should just name his still-imaginary website toybane.com or something.

Kefkataran

02-26-2006, 07:24 PM

Maybe Kefkataran should just name his still-imaginary website toybane.com or something.

Mister Slim, you just earned yourself a motherfucking Nobel Prize.

mister_slim

02-26-2006, 07:55 PM

Mister Slim, you just earned yourself a motherfucking Nobel Prize.
Another one? Those things are a pain to dust.

overdrivechao

02-28-2006, 01:30 AM

I'm baffled by the assumption that the Revolution will sell simply because it is cheap. The real world doesn't work that way, sorry.

If anything, it'll solidify the popular impression that Nintendo only makes toys.

God knows the DS isn't outselling the PSP partially due to it's $100 cheaper. Good thing too, cause that would be too real world for me.