Zeus
01-22-2006, 06:33 AM
Nintendo's new console may change the way we play games. Will it also change the face of third party accessories ? IGN pose this question.
Fresh from its latest meeting with Nintendo, NubyTech was anxious to talk about its plans for Revolution. NubyTech, known for its acclaimed Resident Evil chainsaw controllers, is currently readying itself for a more focused attack on the peripheral market. While many details are still hidden in the depths of Nintendo, it is obvious that while the new console offers gamers a chance to interact with games in a new way, it also is forcing manufacturers to design new ways of bringing interactive entertainment home. Paul Chen, President of NubyTech, sits down with us to discuss the ups, downs, and mysteries of the Nintendo Revolution.
Paul Chen: We went up to meet with Nintendo to discuss various topics including Revolution. Obviously there is a lot of uncertainties as of yet, but we were able to learn a bunch of different things that may be useful in this interview.
IGN: Well first off, what did you think the first time you had a chance to check out the Revolution controller, either hands on or simply at the unveiling at TGS?
Chen: The first time we looked at it, it was extremely exciting to see something so different and innovative. I don't think it is innovative from the sense that "oh it is just a remote control," I think more so from the standpoint that it has such unique features. The way it interfaces with the game and the way it can add additional interactive elements to the game. That's the part that is truly exciting. The other part that is truly exciting comes from the point that it would bring a different consumer to the platform as opposed to just your traditional "game consumer." This is something that a more casual consumer who doesn't play games all the time such as a mom, or a family could get into. We were excited to see something that was so unique.
IGN: Have you had a chance to go hands on with the device yet, or simply caught press releases and the TGS unveiling?
Chen: Hands on, yes. We saw it and were able to discuss a lot of the features directly with Nintendo. How we are going to proceed depends on what type of third party program they put together. They haven't structured that as of yet, but we are very hopeful that we can do some very unique things together. We would like to complement their assortment rather than simply make a value version of it. Know what I mean?
As opposed to some of the other third parties, NubyTech is not going to be about just saying "Ok, we are going to make the cheaper version of the Revolution controller," we are more about creating products that are licensed by Nintendo, work within the Revolution, but also complement the experience. Different, but still working within the Revolution.
IGN: So since a lot of your products in the past were licensed such as the Mega Man X controller, the Resident Evil Chainsaw…are you looking to do things specifically within development where you would go to Capcom and say "Hey we have the Mega Man or Resident Evil franchise again, why don't we do a shotgun controller or swinging chainsaw" for example…
Chen: We will do a combination of a couple different strategies. Obviously because one of the features of the Revolution will be to download previous content that Nintendo released back in the 8-bit/16-bit days, there is the opportunity to work with a retro-based controller. That is in the mind of other third party manufactures too, but we would do it in conjunction with some of the licenses, as well as doing that same structure with some of the forward moving licenses.
IGN: That's great. It is interesting to note that none of the other systems out there are doing what Revolution is doing with backwards compatibility, so it will be interesting to see how not only Nintendo supports it, but also how companies will begin to work with them in that area. It is great to hear of more support coming in…
Chen: Yes we will definitely be doing that.
IGN: This next one lies more on the topic of integration. You said you had a chance to play with the Revolution a little bit. Do you think it will be difficult to work with this new hardware since it is a pioneer technology? Will it be difficult to do third party accessories because of that, or is there still that chance to do value packaging despite it?
Chen: We don't know the answer to that question just yet. Nintendo has not defined their third party program, and we are hopeful that we will be able to maximize integration of those special interactive elements that Revolution has with our products. It really depends on Nintendo's guidelines, and we will basically fall under what they want us to fall under because of our partnership. We value our relationship with them very much, so if they choose to restrict third party development to a specific guideline we will follow them on that. Obviously what we would like is to maximize the elements, and utilize all the features that are integrated into the controller as possible.
Read More: <a href="http://revolution.ign.com/articles/682/682470p1.html" target="_blank">ign.com</a>
Fresh from its latest meeting with Nintendo, NubyTech was anxious to talk about its plans for Revolution. NubyTech, known for its acclaimed Resident Evil chainsaw controllers, is currently readying itself for a more focused attack on the peripheral market. While many details are still hidden in the depths of Nintendo, it is obvious that while the new console offers gamers a chance to interact with games in a new way, it also is forcing manufacturers to design new ways of bringing interactive entertainment home. Paul Chen, President of NubyTech, sits down with us to discuss the ups, downs, and mysteries of the Nintendo Revolution.
Paul Chen: We went up to meet with Nintendo to discuss various topics including Revolution. Obviously there is a lot of uncertainties as of yet, but we were able to learn a bunch of different things that may be useful in this interview.
IGN: Well first off, what did you think the first time you had a chance to check out the Revolution controller, either hands on or simply at the unveiling at TGS?
Chen: The first time we looked at it, it was extremely exciting to see something so different and innovative. I don't think it is innovative from the sense that "oh it is just a remote control," I think more so from the standpoint that it has such unique features. The way it interfaces with the game and the way it can add additional interactive elements to the game. That's the part that is truly exciting. The other part that is truly exciting comes from the point that it would bring a different consumer to the platform as opposed to just your traditional "game consumer." This is something that a more casual consumer who doesn't play games all the time such as a mom, or a family could get into. We were excited to see something that was so unique.
IGN: Have you had a chance to go hands on with the device yet, or simply caught press releases and the TGS unveiling?
Chen: Hands on, yes. We saw it and were able to discuss a lot of the features directly with Nintendo. How we are going to proceed depends on what type of third party program they put together. They haven't structured that as of yet, but we are very hopeful that we can do some very unique things together. We would like to complement their assortment rather than simply make a value version of it. Know what I mean?
As opposed to some of the other third parties, NubyTech is not going to be about just saying "Ok, we are going to make the cheaper version of the Revolution controller," we are more about creating products that are licensed by Nintendo, work within the Revolution, but also complement the experience. Different, but still working within the Revolution.
IGN: So since a lot of your products in the past were licensed such as the Mega Man X controller, the Resident Evil Chainsaw…are you looking to do things specifically within development where you would go to Capcom and say "Hey we have the Mega Man or Resident Evil franchise again, why don't we do a shotgun controller or swinging chainsaw" for example…
Chen: We will do a combination of a couple different strategies. Obviously because one of the features of the Revolution will be to download previous content that Nintendo released back in the 8-bit/16-bit days, there is the opportunity to work with a retro-based controller. That is in the mind of other third party manufactures too, but we would do it in conjunction with some of the licenses, as well as doing that same structure with some of the forward moving licenses.
IGN: That's great. It is interesting to note that none of the other systems out there are doing what Revolution is doing with backwards compatibility, so it will be interesting to see how not only Nintendo supports it, but also how companies will begin to work with them in that area. It is great to hear of more support coming in…
Chen: Yes we will definitely be doing that.
IGN: This next one lies more on the topic of integration. You said you had a chance to play with the Revolution a little bit. Do you think it will be difficult to work with this new hardware since it is a pioneer technology? Will it be difficult to do third party accessories because of that, or is there still that chance to do value packaging despite it?
Chen: We don't know the answer to that question just yet. Nintendo has not defined their third party program, and we are hopeful that we will be able to maximize integration of those special interactive elements that Revolution has with our products. It really depends on Nintendo's guidelines, and we will basically fall under what they want us to fall under because of our partnership. We value our relationship with them very much, so if they choose to restrict third party development to a specific guideline we will follow them on that. Obviously what we would like is to maximize the elements, and utilize all the features that are integrated into the controller as possible.
Read More: <a href="http://revolution.ign.com/articles/682/682470p1.html" target="_blank">ign.com</a>