While speaking at the
recently held Asian Online Game Conference in Tokyo, Kenji Matsuhara, an executive overseeing Koei's
online gaming endeavors, expressed some disappointment in the Revolution's hardware design. He noted that the decision
to implement Flash memory, as opposed to a large hard drive, would create difficulties when creating Massively
Multiplayer Online RPGs for the system. While this statement hardly rules out the possiblitly of the genre making
a revolutionary appearance, one has to wonder whether or not it ever had a place on the console to begin with.One of Nintendo's primary aims with the Revolution is to eliminate unnecessary complexity, wiping the slate clean and inviting casual gamers back into the fold. Games that are easy to understand, pick up and play are what you're likely to find on the Revolution, not adventures that require considerable time and dedication before bearing numerical fruit. This isn't to say that traditional MMORPGs aren't fun or welcome, only that they don't quite match up with Nintendo's aspirations and intended audience. Of course, there's no reason to think that we won't eventually see a game in the genre adapted to fit the both the Revolution's technical capabilities and its gameplay philosophies. A more robust Animal Crossing, anyone?
(Note to Koei: Make a Guitaroo-Man sequel for the Revolution. Do it now.)
[Via Revolution Report]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-18-2006 @ 7:31PM
Keith said...
Why do MMORPGs need so much storage anyway?
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2-18-2006 @ 7:35PM
Jimmy said...
Eh, if it has a flash card slot I'm sure someone will make a hard drive that will attach to the Revolution via the flash card spot. Though it would be nice if a hard drive was included :(
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2-18-2006 @ 8:15PM
XanderC said...
(Note to Koei: Make a Guitaroo-Man sequel for the Revolution. Do it now.)
Agreed. I say we make a petition. And while we're at it we should try to get a Rez sequal on the Revo.
My god...if that happened, this would be the best system since the SNES...
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2-18-2006 @ 11:26PM
Captain_Casey said...
There is always the option of a USB hard drive. The Revolution has two USB 2.0 ports, and an external hard drives are fairly inexpensive.
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2-19-2006 @ 12:26AM
dx7 said...
"Why do MMORPGs need so much storage anyway?"
I sense two questions hiding in this single one!!!!
First off, the actual question. MMOGs need lots of storage (above 2 gigs and a 2 gig MMOG is small IMO) because MMOGs are MASSIVE MULTIPLAYER ONLINE GAMES. Keyward being MASSIVE.. very very MASSIVE. In Everquest (a rather dated MMOG so they have gotten much bigger) it would take you all day to run across the first continent (one continent I tell you!!!) /w out run buffs.
Second question!!!!
So why the need for HDDs you can fit more than couple gigs on a dvd?
Not all of the current console MMOGs require a HDD (for example Phantasy Star Online). But if you want your MMOG to be truely massive, and (MOST IMPORTANTLY) patchable (In other words its really useful to beable to add content.. most MMOGs come with monthly bills and for that monthly fee you expect special events, patches, updates, new content etc) you NEED a HDD. Cant patch dvds now can ya? Plug in a hdd and boom... insta patches, downloadable expansions, special events, whatever.
A MMOG is very possible on the Rev. I have heard of USB ports so right there is an option of usb hdds although chances are if there is such possibility it would require a special nintendo hdd. This fits with the Revs core ideals. Build a cheap affordable console for every1 and keep options open for a more hardcore audiance. Small console BIG potential is the idea IMO.
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2-19-2006 @ 1:52AM
shiftup said...
wow good post, dxy. but what if nintendo made, for instance, a pokemon rpg and they didnt have a montly fee and didnt update for new pokemon and events? would they still need a hdd?
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2-19-2006 @ 4:27AM
Russ said...
It's odd that they're complaining as it looks like none of the next gen consoles will have a HDD as standard.
The 360's is optional, and the PS3's seems to be 'sold separately' (only a HDD slot x 1 is mentioned in the specs on www.playstation.com).
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2-19-2006 @ 7:01PM
Superzapper2000 said...
Koei make a lot of boring lackluster games ,Samurai Warriors the bloated series Dynasty Warriors and the Romance of the 3 kingdom series .Then there's Makai Kingdom ,Kessen ,Dynasty Tactics, Can you can see the pattern of crapness here ?.I wouldn't care if all of those titles never made an appearance on the Revolution.Those are the complicated games Nintendo wants to stear away from and the MMORPG games are just as complicated if not more so.KOEI = Krusty Old Entertainment Ideas .
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2-19-2006 @ 8:12PM
D. Short said...
Uhhh, Makai Kingdom is made by Nippon Ichi. And it's awesome
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2-20-2006 @ 7:54PM
Steve B said...
Makai Kingdom is not awesome ,It's not even good and i certainly would not like to see games like that on the Revolution.
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2-26-2006 @ 9:56PM
Andrew said...
USB HARD DRIVES!!
I don't even need the HD for everything, so should I want an internal one just to make the system more costly and heavy? No! I can settle for Flash memory. and i would like a Hard Drive, yes, but I'm willing to buy an external one. I just hope one is offered.
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