Is an IM service what Wii needs?
The Nintendo fan world is abuzz. There hasn't been this much excitement over three characters since the Stooges. Unfortunately, Nintendo fans will not get to see slap-stick comedy. The three characters people are obsessing about are "!!M". You might be thinking '!!M? That's worse than Wii!' Actually, it's Wii upside-down. It is just one of the three trademarks recently filed by Nintendo. (The other two are WiiPointer and WiiCulture, but those are not as important.)
The first thing that comes to most people's minds when they see "!!M" are IM. IM is an abbreviation for Instant-Messaging, which is the basis for such programs as AIM (AOL Instant Messanger). No IM service is confirmed for the Wii, but to Nintendo fans, it has been. One of the main reasons fans are expecting an IM service is a recently-completed patent by Nintendo. This patent has the ability to show a friend's screenname, whether they are online or not, and what game they are playing, among other things. !!M just pushed them over the edge.
A lot of patents don't get used. This one might not. But then what would !!M be? Many people are excited for this possibility, but I for one, was not. Nintendo's online service for DS (Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection) was, in my opinion, mediocre. I wasn't looking forward to online for the Wii. However, when that patent hit the media, it caught my attention. The setup hints at a Universal Friend Code. In case you are wondering, Friend Codes are what allows Nintendo players to connect to each other and a major pain in the butt.
The problem with Friend Codes on the DS is simple: there's too much to remember. Every online game for the DS has a Friend Code. If the Wii had one per system, it would be a lot easier. The trademarked !!M also intrigued me, but I am not sure if it is good or bad yet. Nintendo has earned a reputation as the "Family-Friendly" video game corporation. In turn, they are probably thinking about the IM service and little kids getting cussed out, abducted, etc..
I remember back to when Nintendo announced there would be a parental control on the Wii to block out innappropriate games for children playing the Wii. Perhaps they will also be able to block out this IM service?
In short: !!M- Friend code eliminator, or child predator? It's too early to tell.
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mmm, interesting. I wish I would have seen that one coming, I mean, I look at things upside down all the time.
I would really like to see this happen, a la Xbox Live style. We shall see if the Nintendo Wii can keep up and utilize something like this in its gaming.
I think it could just be trademarking Wii updside down, nothing to do with instant messaging as that would be handled under the Wii's Connect24. But hey, who knows.
Good article.
Some questions/comments:
1. Nintendo understands that using the DS chat was cumbersome. Hopefully they have learned from their mistakes and have made a better service. Xbox live started out a little crappy and got REALLY good. Nintendo won't fall behind.
2. Do we know if parental controls are built-in to the Wii still? I really hope so....especially if you can limit online access.
we have been talking about this fo days..................we need something new
It better be Instant Messeging!
It better be Instant Messeging!
What else could it possibly be?
um it could be..... Well who knows
Not to get off topic, but has something happened to wiiloaded? I logged on at my inlaws and there was a redirect to some hate page...hack this or that, something or other...
anyone else getting this? it only happens when i go to the home (index) page.
i hope that with the potential IM service, that if there was a camera ( in the style of a eyetoy) it could be used for video confrencing with friends, wifi would be kool, but it would be illegal for kids under 13.
Video streaming is probably not going to happen as one of nintendo's plans is to have a massive network of Wii's linked all sharing their connections (again i am unsure where i read this) and video confrencing would be a major drain on bandwidth
Both Good Points. But its at least a 'beleivable' ( no pun inteneded ( PLAYING = BELEIVING )) not like the stupid rumour about a TIME MACHINE!! But it would be awesome, and too complicated. Not for me, but for the average consumer, as Miyamoto said the Mic would be too difficult for the average consumer )
I hope there is a way to turn off the shared connections. I'd hate to be playing an MMO with 5 Wiis downloading demos off my connection.
nintendo would be smart to make a way to turn off the shared connewctions. Nintendo can't rely on other Wii's (LOL)
Both Good Points. But its at least a 'beleivable' ( no pun inteneded ( PLAYING = BELEIVING )) not like the stupid rumour about a TIME MACHINE!! But it would be awesome, and too complicated. Not for me, but for the average consumer, as Miyamoto said the Mic would be too difficult for the average consumer )
WHAT!!!
there's no time machine?!!
I heard one about a hollographic projector. That was my favorite.