Nintendo responds to PS3 Home

Following Sony's announcement of its new online community software, PS Home, Nintendo has gone on the offensive, deeming the service "an example of Sony's 'Mii-too' approach."

When asked of the company's thoughts on Sony's online plans, Nintendo told CVG: "This is an example of Sony's "Mii-too" approach. But as Mr. Miyamoto states, Nintendo years ago considered and rejected the type of approach Sony is now taking", presumably referring to creating a virtual online world.

[MikeGdaGod]

them sounds like fightin words

[MikeMichaels]

...but it's obvious something this far along and this complex has been in the making for a "VERY" long time. Far before Nintendo ever announced Mii's, anything about it's online plans or even the Wii remote itself.

Sony did good on this one and they should be good sports about it in typical Nintendo style.

[cuco33]

1.1
last i checked ninty had the wiimote concept in development even before the gamecube, didn't launch it with gc because it was no where near ready.
i'll definately give praise to sony on the home approach but will recognize that all they did was take concepts and tidbits from current social entertainment (second life, mii, achievements, etc) packing it into one social network. home hasn't been launched yet, nor has it had to experience multiple consoles live with various connection pings. who's to say ps:home will do it flawlessly or tank so bad that frustrations supersede the enjoyment of the ps:home concept? we'll see when it launches, and we'll see whatever ms & ninty does as well. all this competition is good for the consumer regardless of how PR people dish out their +/-.

[deathtok]

I don't think Nintendo comes off well with these comments. Miyamoto says "Nintendo years ago considered and rejected the type of approach Sony is now taking." Sounds like sour grapes.

[Juevani]

"Nintendo years ago considered and rejected the type of approach Sony is now taking." ahnn, this is like sayin who cares about consumers..

[Lucidmantra]

I guess I fully understand now why the people of this site have limited you to one bubble. I was reserving my judgement because i like to give people the benefit of the doubt but after reading other comments I would say even 1 bubble might be a little to much.

[Balance]

i don't think these comments sound bad. he is just saying they looked into it and decided it wasn't worth doing ($$$) or the hassle of dealing with what it will become.

[StateofMind]

I don't think anyone should care what Nintendo thinks about online gaming. Look at what they have going now; a terrible service on the DS and none at all on the Wii.

[CaliGamer]

They rejected an idea similar to home? I could say that I had the idea for the George Foreman grill years before it came out but if I didn't implement it I would just need to STFU. They are acting like Mii is something new, Mr. Potato Head was out for decades before anyone began customizing anything so then Nintendo must have copied them. Very rarely are you going to find 100% innovative ideas, most of the time its going to be an enhancement of something already out or melding of things that were once only thought of as separate like GTA.
This guy is sad, Nintendo needs to focus on the next Super Smash Brothers and call it a day.

[sajj316]

that Nintendo was considering this approach years ago but to this day, they do not have a solid gameplan for online gaming. Yes, they are attempting a social network with the Wii but not to this magnitude. It probably wasn't worth the time and money 2 years ago ... but its not 2005 anymore.

Just a defensive statement to minimize the impact of Sony's announcement ... I would say that too If I was Nintendo.

[crownhotrod]

With Wii's tiny power, they would never sustained the graphics needed to hype the market for this kind of operation.

So they decided to made the cute Miis.

[BIadestarX]

There is a saying, "What you are about to say was already said". It obvious that an Idea like "home" is barely innovative. I am sure most of you already about a game called "Sims". It allows people to make their own home, add chairs, interact with people, talk to people, meet people. But this not about that. We must be give Sony credit for taking an existing concept and adapting it to be use on a console in order to create communities to all type of gamers. Nintendo shouldn't be talking, it not like they invented motion on controllers or the stylus of the DS. What Sony is doing now may become the standard of future game consoles if done correctly. Nintendo should relax and let Sony do what they have to do.

[fenderputty]

This concept isn't midblowing but, it's really cool non the less. I liked the theater idea, and being able to jump into games directly from your home. Mostly, it looks like Sony is just expanding on serveral different concepts on putting them into one. I was sceptical at first but, this really does sound like a great idea to me. Nintendo should shut up. If the did actually think of this idea and then trashed it, it only makes them look worse. I only hope Sony pulls this off nicely. It would seriously be really cool.

[Andronix]

Over the years, Nintendo have repeatedly stated that they see themselves as being in a totally different market from other consoles. They see the N64/Gamecube/Wii as a 'toy' that uses computer technology.
-I do understand what they mean, however just because they see their product in a certain way, it doesnt mean the public wont compare it to Sony/Microsoft.

Nintendo are a very clever company. They make products like the Gameboy/DS/Wii - and immediately start making profit from day 1. But they are reluctant to embrace online services- connecting to a friends Wii is ridiculously fiddly. Consumers now expect more. Nintendo must realise that their products are in the same market as other consoles, and they should raise their game.

[Lucidmantra]

agree completely.. the Wiis wireless system is horrible and needs to be fixed. My DS works falwlessly with my Wireless network in both my houses but the Wii is still sloppy.

Nintendo did kinda screw the pooch by shrugging at online play again but Ninendo is exactly as you said they see their system as a toy for kiddies still and as such they might not want to open themselves up to the issues that having robust online systems like Sony and Microsoft have. Nintendo to parents means a safe place to game for their kids untill they reach an age to be a little more able to handle the more adult ideas and concepts in the games on PS and XBOX.

[Bad_Karma]

Have to agree deathtok it does indeed sound like sour grapes . Miyamoto is a pioneer in the games/console industry and could have made better comments than he did . Oh well Miyamoto ..suck it up buddy

[eclipsegryph]

I can actually imagine Miyamoto being rather miffed at the PS3 Home idea, seeing as how Miyamoto himself stated that Miis, or at least personal avatars for use on a game console and in games theselves, has been a goal for him for a long time.

Personally, I'm happy with the Miis. They do exactly what they're supposed to do. Somehow I don't see the PS3 avatars appearing in games, but then again you never know. I'm glad that Nintendo is sticking with the basic Mii functionality and not going into the whole online world thing. It's a video game console. You play video games on it. If I wanted to chat with people I'd give them a phone call or get on AIM. If I wanted to share music I'd invite them over to listen to some tunes or send them my mp3s. Same with pictures and whatnot. If I wanted to boast about my accomplishments in a game, I'd actually have my friends over and show them the cool thing that I did.

I just want a game console to play games. >.<

[CaliGamer]

Then get a Wii, enjoy your Miis and leave Sony and their products alone. Simple as that. You aren't forced to go onto Home if you don't want to so I don't see your point. By your logic then Live is also extra and takes away from the gameplay? It's all called innovation, and I would bet that if Sony didn't announce anything new like this people like you would be the first to complain that the PSN is going nowhere. Nintendo needs to just make games like Sega started to do, it would free up a lot of their capital and allow them to focus on what they do best.

[eclipsegryph]

Oh by all means I am for innovation and options. I think that the option that Home is there, and Miis are there, and X-Box Live is there is amazing. I just don't think that they're all that big of a deal, that is all. I guess I was just offering up a different opinion on online gaming than many gamers have, in that I don't see anything useful in it for me, thus such a social networking idea is not appealing to me. It's obviously very appealing to others, and that's great. Just a personal vindication for myself, that's all. :)

[deathtok]

Sony's plan can remain mutually exlusive to Nintendo's Mii concept. I wouldn't have made the comparison for those two, Sony has more of a "Second Life" thing with Home. It's okay to like both.

As for inviting people over or sending them MP3's, this can take chatting to a whole new level. I talk to people all over the country as you probably do too. Being able to join many of them and use a headset, put on music, etc. It sounds fun.

[eclipsegryph]

I don't doubt that PS Home is going to be fun. Just not my idea of hanging out with friends, I suppose. I already get enough flack for not enjoying online games. But for the vast majority of you guys who like online gaming this is definately good news for you.

[Chagy]

is garbage thier games suck what they got 1 or 2 games that are really good like i said in another post the SNES was their best console :-) ill stick with my 360 and ps3. wheeeee im so happy i got the 2 best systems wheeeeee. lol no but really nintendo should just concentrate on the DS AND Bringing The SNES back as a new 20 dollar console :-) with 5 dollar games bring back the old nintendo era back wheeeee

[cuco33]

dude seriously, grow the F up

[Chagy]

just givin my opion wii sucks

[cuco33]

giving your opinion is one thing
preaching against it like an asstard is another

[Marty8370]

Yet Wii could'nt handle a virtual 3d word like 'Home'.

[DJ]

A 'Home Style' online world requires an enormous amount of processing power, so they just did the best with what they had hardware-wise and did the Miis instead.

[TheExodus]

System requirements for Second Life are only an 800MHz PIII with 256MB of RAM.

[DJ]

Does it have Home features like the physics and realtime videos playing on digital ____ ?

[ChickeyCantor]

"Then get a Wii, enjoy your Miis and leave Sony and their products alone."

and still people cant do that when bashing the wii and talking good sh^t about their 360/ps3.
hypocrit wouldnt you say?

[kewlkat007]

I have no time to be wrapped up in SIMS virtual gaming world, I just wanna play incredible games,chat here and there with buddies I meet, or just "jump In"to game when I need to. Thats just me...I also have a life of my own ya know. This "HOME" stuff is dumb. Where are the new game announcements....

While everybody is trying to outdo the other by adding less functional stuff to their console, I would like to hear the guy thats gonna announce some new gaming ventures, and titles.

Keep it Simple, Fast, and Reliable..too much gimmicks.

[BoneMagnus]

I only have time to play games...not mess around with all this other stuff. LIVE allows me to connect to others to play online matches and chat while playing games. That is all I want to do!

I have enough trouble keeping my real world in order, why do I want/need to mess around with a virtual world?

[eclipsegryph]

My thoughts exactly. Thanks for summing that up for me. ^_^

[Stiffler203]

Will PS3 ever have an original ideal of there own?

[Torch]

that Nintendo themselves are copycats for abandoning their proprietary cartridges or mini-discs, and resorting to the DVD, mimicking it's competitors who, uh "pioneered" the idea many years ago.

Man...will Nintendo EVER have an original ideal of there own???

[timmyp53]

Home is original whats not original is Those stupid wii avatars..haha Mr.Patatoe head.

[Bathyj]

You see. Nintendo aren't always as cute as fuzzy as they make out. If they had the idea for Home as rejected it its probably because their last gen hardware couldn't run it. Are you kidding, streaming video and music, ad placement, all physic's based. Chatting and interacting in real time with all those people. Its more complex than most Wii games. Boo me all you like, you know its true.

As for Home its self, the possiblities are pretty endless. Imagine if they combine it with an achievements/rewards type thing. On XBL people can bragg if they got the achievement of completing GoW on the hardest level, but imagine do that on say DMC and your reward was using Dante in Home. People would imediately reconise what you had done just by looking at you. So many ways they could use this.

[MySwordIsHeavenly]

I think I've lost respect for Miyamoto. Bashing innovation? What's wrong with him?

I'm tired...

[Torch]

Nintendo's got to be kidding!!!

I'm honestly dissappointed in the Big N, as I wouldn't have expected so much sour grape juice gushing from their direction.

The concepts are absolutely night and day! Coming from a company where soooo much was expected from online interaction. A good start would be to get those Fisher Price Mii's outta that monotonous-gray so-called plaza and somewhere else! It's so boring, even the Mii's fall asleep!

Nintendo should know better than to attract further attention to their already-criticised online functionality (or rather lack thereof), and instead set an example themselves.

[Stiffler203]

I never said the Wii was original b/c both PS3 and Wii are taking the Second Life approach.

[gnothe1]

about the HOME thing!! I think its an ok idea, like stated before just like playing the SIMS which I dont like,but done right could be pretty good!!

now I also think that the Home service will be a paid service,they have the PSN there for free to play games, but when you get into streaming music an videos, video chatting or anythings that requires alot of bandwith you will have to pay!!somebody has to pay to set up,run an maintain the servers. they are giving you an option of a FREE service (PSN) or a great service (PSN an HOME). just my 2 cents

[scarlett_rg]

Well, I'll be the first to admit that I watched the Home trailer, and the visuals are amazing. And sure it looks nice to be walking through a virtual world, but when it comes down to it not many people will want to spend their time doing this.

They'll want to use a faster interface (aka a menu system) to access all the cool features that Home has to offer, especially once any initial exploration through the world (and all it's pretty visuals) has been complete. They'll be like "Damn, do I have to walk to that place? Can't I just warp there?" "Do I have to go out into the virtual world to meet and talk to my friends? Can't I just pick up this cell-phone and text message them?" And then you're back to using a menu. Sure it looks nice. But it's not practical for any long-term enjoyment.

(Compare it to browsing the web, but instead of clicking on a link that immediately takes you to where you want to go, you have take your mouse cursor through a maze before you can view your next page. While people might like doing mazes, there's only so many times you'll want to do it before you'll wish you were back to your old/fast hyper-link interface. Oh, and throw in a few pop-up ads while you're making your way through the maze too, and that'll make it all the more fun.)

And to anyone who has said that the Wii is a "gimmick"... ... well, I'll leave it up to anyone reading this to finish that sentence.

[techie]

Dude if you watched the full tech demo, you have avirtual psp to navigate through the world...or you can bring up the interface and skip to any game room, or apartment. It can be quick if you want it to, or you can hang around in the arena and talk to people. Do you think they'd be so stupid to design that you HAD to walk everywhere?

[scarlett_rg]

deepbrown...

No, I don't think they're stupid, and I didn't say they were stupid. I'm just stating that they put a lot of effort into something that I can't see many people using past their first few sessions. And that while it looks nice, it's not practical or very useful in the long run. And hence may or may not be considered a "gimmick" by some of the same people who claim that the Wii is a gimmick.

Now I think I'll go watch that full tech demo.

[scarlett_rg]

If you'll notice that "Nintendo" replied to this as a "Mii-too" approach (which could mean anything or anybody at Nintendo). I believe many people think Miyamoto made those comments, which is clearly not the case.

As for why Nintendo entertained and rejected a 3D world?... just read my previous post. It's because Nintendo is actually too smart to waste their time and money making some rich/beautiful virtual world that nobody will ever see because they'll all go back to using a fast/efficient menu-driven interface.

'nuff said.

[Blasphemy]

System requirements for Second Life are only an 800MHz PIII with 256MB of RAM

Well there you go. Wii couldn't run this game then because Wii doesn't even have 256MB of RAM.

[northstar]

Go easy on this poor guy He just saw the PS home and had to call up Nintendo and ask how you make the CRAP YOUR PANTS motion with the Wii controller and nunchuck.How is this like a Mii BTW like saying those bastards at Mercedes copied cavemen for using wheels