Fourth generation development kits are being sent out and studios are commenting on the kits in detail for the first time. They cost only a fraction of the competitor´s systems and suggest that the Revolution is twice as powerful as the Gamecube. However, the innovative controller and the ease of development more than make up for that, developers say. The low price of the dev kits makes some studios wonder if the actual console could cost as little as $149 or even $99. IGN has now spoken to six studios about the current state of dev kits. Here´s their report:
Developers we spoke to confirm that - at least so far - three revisions of the development kits have been sent out to studios. The first development kit was, quite literally, a GameCube console with a wired Revolution controller attached. The second was the same with a few minor tweaks. And the third prototype, which was shipped to most studios about a month ago, follows the same structure, but also shows some boosts in CPU power, according to sources.
Insiders allege that some big-name publishers have recently received a more complete Revolution development kit - we call it revision three and a half -- complete with internal hardware more reflective of the 'new generation' system and a wireless Revolution controller. However, most uncommitted third parties will not gain access to this unit for several weeks, if not longer.
Developers making Revolution software that will show up at E3 2006 in playable form - high profile companies like EA and Ubisoft, to name a few - will soon be sent the official fourth SDK prototype, which promises to deliver between 90% and 95% of the final system's performance.
Software houses tell IGN that any studio familiar with GameCube's architecture will find that they can get their Revolution projects up and running in no time. The make-up of the systems is very similar, although Revolution will be roughly twice as powerful.
Asked whether or not Revolution's horsepower was insufficient, one development source said no. "At first, we were discouraged that it would be less powerful than Xbox 360, but once we got everything working with the controller, our concerns faded," he explained.
Other studios IGN Revolution has been in contact with have echoed this enthusiasm, always admitting that Nintendo's new console will be less powerful, but stressing that with the emphasis on the innovative controller it simply won't matter.
Final, completely finished development kits are expected to be made widely available this June, according to sources we contacted.
Every studio insider we queried said that they believed Revolution could launch for under $200, and possibly as low as $150 - a figure that would amazingly put Nintendo's new console at a price point hundreds of dollars cheaper than any competitor.
Nintendo itself has not yet commented on a Revolution price point, except to confirm that it would sell for less than $299. However, if the price of Revolution development hardware is any indication, the system could be very cheap indeed. Studios tell IGN that Revolution SDKs sell for about $2,000, which is thousands of dollars cheaper than a PSP SDK, let alone an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 one.
The rumour of a launch price lower than $199 is nothing new. Avid readers of this blog will remember that it started right here on this blog as an exclusive, before big sites like Joystiq picked up my story. This seems to verify those rumours. I would be surprised now if Nintendo opted for a price tag higher than $149.
Source: IGN
Thanks to: Joystiq, Joystiq
34 comments:
What i don't like about Nintendos price policy in general:
While the hardware prices are def. more than fair, games are too expensive. For example: why does a both brilliant and simple DS game such as Zookeeper cost 40 Euro? Why not 10 or 15 Euro in order to mass-market it as a "standard" for the DS? I have no idea of development costs but it is obvious that developping Mario Kart DS WiFi must be way more costly than porting an existing flash-game to the DS platform. Both games cost the same price. Another thing that's annoying at least in Germany (altough I don't know whether there is Nintendo policy behind it): you can rent PS2, Xbox, Xbox360 games in every regular video store for little money in order to check them out. They don't stock Nintendo products though, neither for Gamecube, nor for the DS or Gameboy.
Keep in mind that Nintendo has to pay the controller in the package, too. So with all the periphals inside the box (incl. the nunchuk & maybe the "wavebird"-shell) the system maybe launched at a 200 - 250 US$ price tag nevertheless.
Und: Hört euch nintendocast.de an :)
Hi Magnus. First of all, no way will a Nintendo system launch for more than $199. Nonen ever did to my knowledge and the Revolution will definitely be cheaper. Secondly, the developer´s price estimates obviously do take the controller into account. I don´t see why controller, analogue stick and shell should cost a great deal. Again, I am expecting $149.
I would be completely satisified if the system sold for $250 or so. Reason being is that Nintendo could get back to video gaming roots and actually "include" a game with the system. Maybe an extra controller or controller shell, too.
Regardless, I can't remember the last time I got this excited about a next generation console. Nintendo has put the fun back in gaming.
I think it would be a bad idea for nintendo to not include a game with the system. Don't rely on the gaming public, especially those who are new gamers(that they want to bring in), to be able to make an educated decision on what a good game is. If they pick up a bad launch title instead of having nintendo package something that will definitely show off the revolution remote then it would be a less effective launch.
well they could bring 2 diffrent packages of revolution. one with the console, the controller and that analoge think in it and another one that includes a game, the classic shell and propably something like a "credit card" to get 2 or 3 games of your choice for free from the visual console service. i think that would be fair. and much better than that stupid "premium and core" stuff that microsoft did.
Well, I think the Revolution console is going to retail for $199 because imo $149 accounts for the hardware only. Nintendo is going to include per unit marketing costs in the price of the console among other overheads, like all the other companies do, so that's why I think it's going to be $199. But I would be really surprised if it comes for $149.
...most uncommitted third parties will not gain access to this unit for several weeks...
Why do I get the feeling that Satoru Iwata is going to reveal something (SOMETHING!) at GDC '06? Oh I hope he gives some information on the Revolution.
Oh, and keep up the good work Falafelkid!
-- bluelight from
NintendoPlayers.com
Like the two anonymous before me, I would really like to have some games with the system. I was kind of surprised when other consoles don't do that anymore. (my last console is N64).
I'd also like to have 2 controllers, but I don't see that happening (well maybe if it was only a 2nd controller, but no peripherals to it).
I haven't been this excited about an console since... well never.
Launch price is going to be a lot more than $149, the early adopters will still buy it for $299 (I'd be happy to seel a kidney for a Rev right now!).
But the price drops can come fast and furious after that. Lookin' good!
hey anon above me, no were not idiots. were excited about it and want to give our thoughts. we all know were not the official word, but who knows, if big n catches wind of what players want maybe they will do it (possibly package in a game with the system).
i say it sells initially for $200 with controller/analog stick. hopefully they ship mario (hopefully its as revolutionary as mario 64) in a different bundle and sell for $240 or something (assuming games cost $50).
thats another thing. i would really like to see new game prices released cheaper, maybe around $35 to fit in with their blue ocean strategy. if that was the case i would say make the mario bundle $225.
i see no way they launch the system at $150. it would be cool, but that would essentially halt any gamecube sales at all. plus you know they want to make a profit somehow, and it helps making at least $50 per console in the beginning. hell, a gamecube with windwaker as bundled by Best Buy retails for $99 right now. a stand alone ps2 is $150.
Hi Falafelkid,
THis is all good news, but did you hear about the new rumor that Sony would like to make the PS2 a Rev competitor?
They say they are working on their new "wand" thingy and a new version of the EyeToy.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks and keep up the good work.
Source: http://www.razoric.com/blog/?p=12
anybody seen this, very very tiny pc.
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/22/shuttle_xpc_x100_xposed/
revolutionary?
Piranha plant...
I hoping all along their stance on graphics will change but sadly it doesn’t seem like it now, 720p with ability to hook it up to my 21inch TFT monitor would happen been great.
The system should been a least 5-7 times more powerful, Nintendo is too wrapped in this mainstream appeal with nextgen gameplay similar to DS strategy, its left out high performance technology in a big way, it may bite them back 2-3 years, when consider than most casual gamers just love the football, racing, fps games that’s way EA is the No. 1 publisher in the world.
I don’t understand why the cheap strategy didn’t work the first time (gamecube) why it make a big difference now, people are always willing to pay a bit more when they think a product is more superior, what else can explain the 100 millionth PS2 sold…
I am sure I will be blown away by the Metroid prime 3 gameplay but maybe not the Graphics after seeing maybe halo 3….
Oh please, that think looks like shit. The Apple Mac Mini is much better in design, and even smaller.
You guys kill me. If I put the same "Halo whatever version" on two minitors, one running old Xbox and the other running Xbox 360 - I would be willing to bet my left nut - none of you could dtermine which was the 360 graphics.
Piranha plant..
"You guys kill me. If I put the same "Halo whatever version" on two monitors, one running old Xbox and the other running Xbox 360"
You’re missing the point I am a big time Nintendo fan why else would I post here, I certain the Revolution will be most Innovative console ever but why at the expanse of graphics Why! Why! Why!
You do realize you'd be betting your left nut on a 50/50 proposition????
D-Bone
Falafelkid,
How does this information reflect your views on projection technology in the rev?
D-Bone
hey anon at 6:37am,
i said "revolutionary?" because it kinda mimics the revolution shape, and packs some punch. plus, no fans.
@above: very good point!
i asked myself the same after reading this article. espacially because fal considers a 149$ price tag
no way nintendo would include some kind of projection AND all the console hardware for 149$
... so imo quite a bit contradiction in fal statements
but nevertheless great blog at all..
I'm still betting on $200 for the simple fact that the DS Lite will probably go for $150 and the Game Boy Micro is already $100.
It just doesn't make much sense for the Revolution to be the same price or only $20 more than the DS.
Not to say it couldn't happen...
What i'd want:
199€ with a game (wario revolution?), a controller, a shell and credits for 1 nes game, 1 snes game, 1 n64 game.
Seperate controller: 30 €, shell 20€ - package 40€.
Not that they'd do this, but it'd make the deal unresistable for almost everybody imo.
since (mostly) everyone speculates that the system will sell for less than $200, what is everyone's thoughts on the price of new games?
i'd be willing to bet they would be cheaper, but by how much?
Hi D-Bone
How does this information reflect your views on projection technology in the rev?
Very well, in fact. Consider that a console sold for $149 or less is a precondition to an optional peripheral that would cost $99. Good question, though.
I already askes this question as a anonymous member, but if there were some kind of 3d projector technology in the Revolution, wouldn't the third party gamedevelopers be already aware of such an option? It seems to me like it would mean a lot for gamestudios to be aware that such an option existed in order to create games specially designed for 3d projection. I have not heard from any gamesdeveloper about such an option, although there is a lot of enthusiasm about the Revolution.
truebeliever, you're not thinking outside of the box.
3D Projection just converts the signal
itno whatever 3d alogrithm they use to make it project, just like a RAMDAC on your videocard converts data for a monitor to understand.
It's really no biggie.
$150 dollars sounds great. That is the amount I originally thought the Revolution will launch for. However I think the Rev will be hurt the same way the gamecube was. If something is too cheap comparied to competitors then average people( the casual gamer) may think that it is a simple child toy and they might be turned away from it because it is inferior.
hey Falafelkid.
What impact, if any, does this new information have on the projector theory?
Does it make it more or less likely?
Hi Realmy, hi TrueBeliever.
I've heard some developers (anonymously, of course) make statements about not knowing it themselves. Is that even possible? Wouldn't they kinda NEED to know?
(...)
I already askes this question as a anonymous member, but if there were some kind of 3d projector technology in the Revolution, wouldn't the third party gamedevelopers be already aware of such an option?
Again, good question. But let´s take steroscopic projection as an example. This technology works for all games with a 3D engine, regardless of whether they were programmed with true 3D output in mind or not. So current developers need not know that their game was to be converted into a projected stereoscopic image.
Also, consider that the NDAs Nintendo will have made everyone sign threaten developers with hefty fines if anything is leaked. So it´s also quite likely that developers do know, but just aren´t telling. Revealing the price of the SDK and this kind of stuff is one thing and will not be fiercely investigated by Nintendo, while revealing anything about the last secret would.
Hi Anonym. See above.
Hi zerorules44.
A low price may be seen as a weakness, but perhaps not when you offer something so unique. Nintendo´s Revolution will not be directly comparable to PS3 or Xbox360, so it could just be seen as the console that is both different and cheaper.
Felafel... I think that the N64 did came out at $249 for the first few months... here in the US... I remember that well...
So... they could realeased the Revolution for that price... since it would be "below $299" range Iwata said it will sell for...
@ trip1eX, i also do not believe we will have 3D projection either, but i think you have something confused about 3D Projection, it's actually 3D so you dont display it on your wall, it would appear almost like it was floating in the air, that is one reason why the TV tuner idea wouldnt be big for that technology, atleast just yet, becouse television is in 2D.
@ trip1eX it is new technology, it does exist and can cost under $100 when mass produced, but like you i doubt it will be in the rev, for one its too new, second it would only work in dark rooms, 3rd the color one isnt even been completely developed yet.
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