Pictochat?

[slip81]

Can anyone tell me what the point of Pictochat is since you pretty much have to be in the same room with the person in order for it to be able to work? It seems kind of pointless, unless Nintendo plans to somehow make it so the DS can access the internet through it's built in Wi-Fi.

Or maybe Nintendo is advocating students to use it to talk to friends accross the room while they are in class or some other situation where you can't talk.

[downfall]

Again, all of Nintendo's promotional material, along with the DS website claim that the DS will be able to connect to a LAN via hotspots, theoretically allowing you to connect with gamers from all over the globe.

Obviously this isn't up and running yet, or if it is, nobody knows how to tap into it.

Personally, I believe that they will wait for a big name multiplayer app before they launch this "network". Out of the launch titles, there's no standout multiplayer experiences to be had. They're mostly just minor diversions (Mario) or limited (Metroid). I don't even know if the others have multiplayer or not. So why launch this "network" without something other than Pictochat, a demo, and what amounts to a Mario minigame? It wouldn't make much sense. But if they have a killer multiplayer game that is a blast to play, and then launch this LAN, then I can't see how it wouldn't boost sales (especially if they advertise it well). That's all my own theory though.

[Tank]

Personally, I believe that they will wait for a big name multiplayer app before they launch this "network". Out of the launch titles, there's no standout multiplayer experiences to be had. They're mostly just minor diversions (Mario) or limited (Metroid). I don't even know if the others have multiplayer or not. So why launch this "network" without something other than Pictochat, a demo, and what amounts to a Mario minigame? It wouldn't make much sense. But if they have a killer multiplayer game that is a blast to play, and then launch this LAN, then I can't see how it wouldn't boost sales (especially if they advertise it well). That's all my own theory though.

Exactly what im thinking :)

[slip81]

Cool thanks. I didn't know Nintendo was thinking about setting up a network with the DS. That makes sense. I thought the Wi-Fi was just to give people a little more freedom while gaming so they didn't have to be 10 feet apart.

[Emily]

Animal crossing ;)