Wii: Nintendo Japan’s Development Roundtable

In a recent series of interview that Nintendo Japan has commenced, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata and various employees discuss the development of the different aspects of the Wii console.

One of Nintendo’s first goals for the Wii was to make it a small console, not exceeding the size of two to three DVD cases. By announcing it at E3, the development team had to make sure that they push through with the plan. Another goal was to include the WiiConnect24 service which would be available for 24 hours. However, the major Wii aspects that the discussion builds on are the console’s semiconductor technology, and how the team will be able to minimize power consumption, thus creating a quiet console that would operate in ‘sleepless’ standby mode.

Genyo Takeda’s personal goal for the Wii was that it must have a blue standby light. As you guys probably know, the team was successful in integrating this into the disc slot and so far, there have been no violent reactions. Takeda also insisted on turning the Wii into a ‘machine that never sleeps’, and to do so, the team has to make sure that minimal heat is generated and keep the system quiet. However, losing the fan for the console proved to be the most difficult task for the team. Due to the large amount of time between planning and manufacturing a chip, Nintendo can’t afford to splurge on the trial and error system.

Cost versus Appearance: As compared to their other consoles, Nintendo places more importance on the physical aspect of the Wii. And for the first time, they are spending more money on the console’s physical components such as the disc drive and stand, which would have been otherwise ignored with their earlier consoles. Limited use of electricity was also discussed as it plays an important role in the console’s design.

Ashida, one of the team members, says that unlike before where Nintendo used textured durable plastics that endure scratches, they will be using coated, high-quality plastic for the Wii — like the one used in NDS Lite. He also said that the Wii must combine functionality, durability, and visual appeal. Takeda was also excited to reveal that the Wii will be the first Nintendo machine with an operating system that can be updated, which only means upgrades and never-ending possibilities for the console!

Shioda says that there’s already much hype surrounding the Wii, and saying that the Wii will deliver a whole new gaming experience for us is getting quite redundant. Instead, Shioda says that we’ll just have to wait and see for ourselves whether the Wii will live up to our expectations. As they say, playing is believing.

Via AussieNintendo

In a recent series of interview that Nintendo Japan has commenced, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata and various employees discuss the development of the different aspects of the Wii console.

One of Nintendo’s first goals for the Wii was to make it a small console, not exceeding the size of two to three DVD cases. By announcing it at E3, the development team had to make sure that they push through with the plan. Another goal was to include the WiiConnect24 service which would be available for 24 hours. However, the major Wii aspects that the discussion builds on are the console’s semiconductor technology, and how the team will be able to minimize power consumption, thus creating a quiet console that would operate in ‘sleepless’ standby mode.

Genyo Takeda’s personal goal for the Wii was that it must have a blue standby light. As you guys probably know, the team was successful in integrating this into the disc slot and so far, there have been no violent reactions. Takeda also insisted on turning the Wii into a ‘machine that never sleeps’, and to do so, the team has to make sure that minimal heat is generated and keep the system quiet. However, losing the fan for the console proved to be the most difficult task for the team. Due to the large amount of time between planning and manufacturing a chip, Nintendo can’t afford to splurge on the trial and error system.

Cost versus Appearance: As compared to their other consoles, Nintendo places more importance on the physical aspect of the Wii. And for the first time, they are spending more money on the console’s physical components such as the disc drive and stand, which would have been otherwise ignored with their earlier consoles. Limited use of electricity was also discussed as it plays an important role in the console’s design.

Ashida, one of the team members, says that unlike before where Nintendo used textured durable plastics that endure scratches, they will be using coated, high-quality plastic for the Wii — like the one used in NDS Lite. He also said that the Wii must combine functionality, durability, and visual appeal. Takeda was also excited to reveal that the Wii will be the first Nintendo machine with an operating system that can be updated, which only means upgrades and never-ending possibilities for the console!

Shioda says that there’s already much hype surrounding the Wii, and saying that the Wii will deliver a whole new gaming experience for us is getting quite redundant. Instead, Shioda says that we’ll just have to wait and see for ourselves whether the Wii will live up to our expectations. As they say, playing is believing.

Via AussieNintendo