Voice Chat and Downloadable Demos Coming to the DS

[ian]

A generally-boring associated press article drops this tidbit:

Nintendo also said it was adding voice chat to the sci-fi action game "Metroid Prime: Hunters," available March 20. Players who join up for multiplayer battles over Nintendo's wireless Internet service will be able to talk to each other through the system's built-in microphone before and after games, but not during, said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America Inc.'s executive vice president of sales and marketing.Owners of the dual-screen DS who go near the kiosks will automatically receive a notice on their devices offering game demos, movie trailers and other content for temporary download. The information will be erased from the DS once it's turned off.
Nintendo (http://www.nintendo.com/newsarticle?articleid=AaPpGh0RqEv0pXZkWAyKhjvN1fGC roGM&page=) and Yahoo (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060209/ap_on_hi_te/games_nintendo_ds_1) have the scoop.

Thanks Hellstorm for submitting this as well.

[bapenguin]

Excellent news.

[Kamalot]

This article is for all those that complain about Nintendo WiFi lacking voice-chat.

[mightbe]

Now you can utter obscenities on a new platform! Lamers rejoice.

[Kamalot]

So, if I understand this correctly, you will be able to EXCHANGE FRIEND CODES WITHIN THE GAME using the voice-chat.

Let me see if I got this straight:

Go Online
Talk smack
Kick stranger's ass
Exchange friend codes
Have a new friend (victim) on the buddy list

[agentgray]

So, if I understand this correctly, you will be able to EXCHANGE FRIEND CODES WITHIN THE GAME using the voice-chat.

Let me see if I got this straight:

Go Online
Talk smack
Kick stranger's ass
Exchange friend codes
Have a new friend (victim) on the buddy list
If this is possible then it will be a good thing, but I still would have a hard time over voice-chat giving out a 16 digit number.

However, I'm betting that you cannot voice-chat until you've exchanged codes.

Kiosks: who walks around with their DSs turned on all the time?

[Kamalot]

Kiosks: who walks around with their DSs turned on all the time?
*sigh*

Are you serious?

Here's how a kiosk works.
You go to the store. They have a kiosk. You TURN ON your DS and tell it to download the available demo. Some kiosks in Japan broadcast multiple demos, allowing you to select which demo you would like to get. Some demos even allow you to send them to another friend wirelessly.

You DON'T have to walk around with your DS on the whole time hoping you encounter a kiosk.

[bapenguin]

*sigh*

You DON'T have to walk around with your DS on the whole time hoping you encounter a kiosk.

I think he's referring to the fact that once you turn off the DS you lose all the info. What's the point? Why not just have the demo kiosk have a playable demo on a DS there. Why bring your DS along? There's no incentive really.

[solinari6]

I think he's referring to the fact that once you turn off the DS you lose all the info. What's the point? Why not just have the demo kiosk have a playable demo on a DS there. Why bring your DS along? There's no incentive really.
The incentive is you can take your demo home with you? If you close the DS, it goes into low power sleep mode, and you can still use the demo when you open it back up.

[Harlan Hoyt]

Why bring your DS along? There's no incentive really.

Well, here I am at the mall, checking out the new titles at Gamestop. Perhaps I'll go to the book store now -- oh wait, I have my DS. I guess I'll check out this new game. Now, instead of standing at the kiosk with a twelve year old with his pants around his ass staring over my shoulder, I can take my demo, walk to the food court and sit at a table, enjoy my Orange Julius (or other tasty treat) and check out Pokemon: Yet Another One.

Makes perfect sense to me.

[bapenguin]

Well, here I am at the mall, checking out the new titles at Gamestop. Perhaps I'll go to the book store now -- oh wait, I have my DS. I guess I'll check out this new game. Now, instead of standing at the kiosk with a twelve year old with his pants around his ass staring over my shoulder, I can take my demo, walk to the food court and sit at a table, enjoy my Orange Julius (or other tasty treat) and check out Pokemon: Yet Another One.

Makes perfect sense to me.

Ya I guess. They should offer the option to purchase a demo card or something that you can actually save them to. I guess the solution is better than none, it just doesn't seem ideal IMO.

[Sl1pstream]

It's worldwide too. I got an internal mailing today. The hotspot's nothing more than a box with a pair of DS's inside, or at least that's what it looked like on the picture I saw.

[Kamalot]

I still would have a hard time over voice-chat giving out a 16 digit number.

???

Are you serious?

You can't read 16 numbers out loud to someone?

Well, today is your LUCKY DAY!

A Nintendo WiFi code is ONLY 12 numbers!

Wheee!

[Kamalot]

Ya I guess. They should offer the option to purchase a demo card or something that you can actually save them to. I guess the solution is better than none, it just doesn't seem ideal IMO.
Well, you can download the demos to your PC at home and then stream them to your DS, so you can try the demos whenever you want.

Being able to load a demo on the DS is a better way to experience demos than on any other handheld. Can you get demos for the PSP or the GBA? I'm sure someone will come along and mention shareware for the Tapwave Zodiac or something else obscure, but the demo download stations are really a GOOD THING (tm).

[Ultima Thulian]

Well, here I am at the mall, checking out the new titles at Gamestop. Perhaps I'll go to the book store now -- oh wait, I have my DS. I guess I'll check out this new game. Now, instead of standing at the kiosk with a twelve year old with his pants around his ass staring over my shoulder, I can take my demo, walk to the food court and sit at a table, enjoy my Orange Julius (or other tasty treat) and check out Pokemon: Yet Another One.

Makes perfect sense to me.

They still have Orange Julius around?

[mkelehan]

People, go to Nintendo's site, read the press release. Voice chat will be for people ON YOUR FRIENDS LIST.

[Kamalot]

People, go to Nintendo's site, read the press release. Voice chat will be for people ON YOUR FRIENDS LIST.
LMAO!

Well, there goes the neighborhood. :D

At least I don't have to listen to whiny kids when I own them online. ;-)

[mkelehan]

Also, don't forget that the DS has a very effective sleep mode. When you're near a kiosk, download a demo, shut the DS, finish your shopping, go home, and enjoy the demo as many times as you want. As for saving the demos... well, if you really like it, the idea is you buy the game.

[Kamalot]

They should offer the option to purchase a demo card or something that you can actually save them to.

HERE is a site where you can download demos. You can use a WiFi card in your PC to send them to your DS.

http://www.nintendo-ds-roms.com/emule-nds-demo-roms.htm

[aversion2k]

Awesome!
I got bored of my ds awhile ago but just started using it again last night

[Harlan Hoyt]

They still have Orange Julius around?

I have no clue, I've never been to one or seen one in Ohio. It just floated to the top of my head as something typically "mall-like." Maybe I saw it in a John Hughes movie? Who knows.

Also: voice chat. I hate voice chat on Xbox Live and I assume I'll hate it on the DS. I hate talking on the phone. But that's just me.

[agentgray]

I think he's referring to the fact that once you turn off the DS you lose all the info. What's the point? Why not just have the demo kiosk have a playable demo on a DS there. Why bring your DS along? There's no incentive really.
Bingo. Also read the copy. It states that the kiosk notifies you of a download. Uh... no. It should be the other way around. The copy of the article made sound this way.

[agentgray]

???

Are you serious?

You can't read 16 numbers out loud to someone?

Well, today is your LUCKY DAY!

A Nintendo WiFi code is ONLY 12 numbers!

Wheee!
Geezus, you are out to get me today. Get a grip. :)

Have you EVER tried to communicate numbers or spell over the phone? "s" or "f", "h" or "8" That is my point.

Ladie fricken' da about the digits 12, 16, 64. It's all cumbersone and long. Take 12 times how many games you own...geesh.

Somehow, I don't think you've played the DS online much or you just have a high threshold of patience for the network setup and lack of easy communication. If so, I commend you for it. :)

[agentgray]

HERE is a site where you can download demos. You can use a WiFi card in your PC to send them to your DS.

http://www.nintendo-ds-roms.com/emule-nds-demo-roms.htm
Now that is an awesome find!

Also, I think you can use a GBA flash cart and save DS demos with the right homebrew.

[thecrazyd]

Geezus, you are out to get me today. Get a grip. :)

Have you EVER tried to communicate numbers or spell over the phone? "s" or "f", "h" or "8" That is my point.

Ladie fricken' da about the digits 12, 16, 64. It's all cumbersone and long. Take 12 times how many games you own...geesh.

Somehow, I don't think you've played the DS online much or you just have a high threshold of patience for the network setup and lack of easy communication. If so, I commend you for it. :)
Well, even better news! Nintendo Wifi codes are numbers only, so no messy letters to get in the way! 0-9 are all pretty clear when spoken.

[agentgray]

Well, even better news! Nintendo Wifi codes are numbers only, so no messy letters to get in the way! 0-9 are all pretty clear when spoken.
Yeah, but after reading over the thread again I think our conversation about this is moot. Don't you have to exchange numbers before talking?

Nintendo goes for the lowest common denominator well. See the whole idea of friend codes I think is to be a coolness thing with the kiddies. "Dude, I'd let ya play but you have got to have a DS and your own friend code."

It prompts groups of friends to get the systems and the same games...If one person plays, his friends are apt to. Of course, mine don't. ;)

[r3dwiz]

It prompts groups of friends to get the systems and the same games...If one person plays, his friends are apt to. Of course, mine don't. ;)

That means you need some new friends :p (I keed, I keed).

Topic: Pretty cool, I'm actually pretty curious about the mic jack on the DS. Is there any head set out there that can use it?

[thecrazyd]

Yeah, but after reading over the thread again I think our conversation about this is moot. Don't you have to exchange numbers before talking?

Nintendo goes for the lowest common denominator well. See the whole idea of friend codes I think is to be a coolness thing with the kiddies. "Dude, I'd let ya play but you have got to have a DS and your own friend code."

It prompts groups of friends to get the systems and the same games...If one person plays, his friends are apt to. Of course, mine don't. ;)
Ehh, you are just ashamed to admit that you got PWN3D.

[Nessus]

I think there's a 3rd party headset, but Nintendo hasn't released an official one yet.

The voice chat is only available before and after matches. I think it's probably a hardware limitation.

I wonder if they'll use that recent patent for speech-to-text in future games for chat during matches. That way a lot less info needs to be sent and they can censor swear words.

All in all I like how Nintendo is incrementally improving the Wi-Fi Connection, from Mario Kart DS with no communication, to Animal Crossing DS with text, to Metroid Prime: Hunters with voice.

Personally I have no issues whatsoever with all the communication requring exchanging of friend codes. I hate playing random strangers online because it inevitably ends up degrading into 14 year olds spouting racist insults and me being called a "faggort". In fact I sorta liked how in Mario Kart DS I was able to pretend that the people I was playing against were civilized human beings.

[CapnBob]

In fact I sorta liked how in Mario Kart DS I was able to pretend that the people I was playing against were civilized human beings.
You obviously haven't played against me yet. ;)

[bapenguin]

HERE is a site where you can download demos. You can use a WiFi card in your PC to send them to your DS.

http://www.nintendo-ds-roms.com/emule-nds-demo-roms.htm

Awesome dude. Thanks!

[Kamalot]

"Dude, I'd let ya play but you have got to have a DS and your own friend code."
It prompts groups of friends to get the systems and the same games...If one person plays, his friends are apt to. Of course, mine don't. ;)
You need new friends.

UPGRADE! ;-)

Edit: crap...someone beat me to it.

[Kamalot]

THIS is why I don't want voice chat in my game...

http://www.imjosh.com/?p=244

I like to play, not listen to swearing.

[Aero Leviathan]

HERE is a site where you can download demos. You can use a WiFi card in your PC to send them to your DS.

http://www.nintendo-ds-roms.com/emule-nds-demo-roms.htm
According to your link, you need a flash cart. I don't see anything about sending them via a WiFi card. Did you misread? If not, could you please elaborate on how to do this?

Edit: answered my own question with some Googling. Very hackish and requires specific hardware, but it just might be worth it... too bad I don't have the specific hardware :(
http://www.aaronrogers.com/nintendods/wifime.php

[ChaosDent]

I got one of the PC cards that work with Nintendo's wifi for only $15. It took a half hour to install it and configure it for the DS, but after I got tired of the few demos available I just reinstalled the standard drivers, and am using it for real WiFi. The problem is that the wireless link requires signed code, so only the official released demos can be downloaded, and they haven't been updated in quite some time. Overall I'd say the experience isn't quite worth the money and the time, since you can't really homebrew with it, but it is pretty cool.

On the subject of actual in-store demo kiosks (outside of Japan...) I'm totally for it. Frequently updated demo kiosks, properly advertised, will make a great promotional tool, and create incentives for people to take their DS systems with them. I am pleasantly surprised they are taking this program outside of Japan.

[mister_slim]

Being able to load a demo on the DS is a better way to experience demos than on any other handheld. Can you get demos for the PSP or the GBA? I'm sure someone will come along and mention shareware for the Tapwave Zodiac or something else obscure, but the demo download stations are really a GOOD THING (tm).
I'm pretty sure the PSP does the same thing, and the GBA did, though it needed a cord. But yeah, the demo stations are a good thing. Hopefully people will figure out how sleep mode works.
The voice chat is only available before and after matches. I think it's probably a hardware limitation.

Most likely it's a bandwidth limitation.

[Ultima Thulian]

THIS is why I don't want voice chat in my game...

http://www.imjosh.com/?p=244

I like to play, not listen to swearing.

WELL FUCK YOU, MOTHERFUCKING ASSHOLE! YOUR JUS MAD CUZ U GOT PWN3D! w00000000t!

(God I hate myself sometimes...:))

[Kamalot]

I'm pretty sure the PSP does the same thing, and the GBA did, though it needed a cord. But yeah, the demo stations are a good thing. Hopefully people will figure out how sleep mode works.
Can you provide a list of PSP games that allow you to send a demo of the game to another PSP? I'd like to try some of them. I'm also curious as to how many games actually support it.

[mister_slim]

Can you provide a list of PSP games that allow you to send a demo of the game to another PSP? I'd like to try some of them. I'm also curious as to how many games actually support it.
I have no idea, honestly, I've just seen it mentioned in a few PSP game previews, from TGS I think.

[Kamalot]

I have no idea, honestly, I've just seen it mentioned in a few PSP game previews, from TGS I think.
Hmm. I am just a bit skeptical when the only PSP games that can send demos aren't games I can actually BUY. If I can't buy it, then it isn't a very useful function, is it?

[mister_slim]

Hmm. I am just a bit skeptical when the only PSP games that can send demos aren't games I can actually BUY. If I can't buy it, then it isn't a very useful function, is it?
I don't own a PSP, so I'm not really up on what the games can do.