What's The Chance Of F-zero Being Online Compatible?

[D-realJos]

Yeah, you heard me. Online Compatible! No chance?

http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/fzeroedgcnhizzyhazzy1in.jpg (http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/fzeroedgcnhizzyhazzy9.jpg) ... ok, how about now? ;)
click to enlarge

Hehe, actually, this isn't what you think. Read on, I think you're agree that "it" would be a nice addition for Nintendo and Sega should consider(and I got the feeling the have already).

We all know by now that Sega and Nintendo will be working closely together to ensure that both the Triforce and GameCube version of F-zero makes for an enjoyable experience. They've even gone the extra mile to include features that allow them to work together.

"How are [Triforce] and GameCube linked?

Nagoshi: "Data communication will be available. We now call this style 'Home and Away'." Interviewed by IGN (http://cube.ign.com/articles/356/356325p2.html)
"
Prior to that intereview, reporting on the announcement, IGN said:

"GCN owners will then, using a Memory Card 59, be able to trade data and saves between the two versions."


The idea of trading data between the console and arcade systems, leads me to believe that either Nintendo or Sega -- at the very least -- MUST HAVE questioned the possibility of taking that feature online with GameCube. Specifically, being able to upload scores, and ghost data, etc; which is bound to add more value to the game.

With the adapters already out, Sega having existing servers, tools, and experience with more complex online requirements, this would be theoretically easy to implement. Not only that, but server requirements to for us to upload/download/share these extremely small files would be minimal enough to offer such online features for free.

-- Players would be able to upload their scores/times for single player mode or championship, where they'll fall in a certain rank
-- Of course, with newer faster scores, your rank will drop

-- With ghost data, just search for the track you wish to race, check the times you wish to challenge, then download the player's ghost.
-- Beat it(if you can), then upload your new, faster time.


That is all that's necessary. Simple, fast, nothing elaborate. Don't even need a chat room. Maybe if you're on your computer, you can check rankings on a "sister site"(for safety reasons... hackers), then, brag/talk about it on message boards. :D
Great for replay value. Challenge ghost data from around the world!


Of course, don't get me wrong. This pales in comparison to full-blown online play!

So in conclusion, while I envision full online play to be unlike(although, you never know), I think that being able to upload scores and ghost data is something simple, likely, and interesting enough for us to keep our fingers crossed. For some reason, I believe Sega must have considered this already, although, let's not get our hopes up.


Do you think this is something Nintendo would opt for? (I personally think it is)
Perhaps Sega, who has shown more interest in online gaming(so far), would take initiative?

Any thoughts?

[GameKinG]

You should put stuff like this on the site, seeing as we have you listed as a staff member.

[Angrist]

Yeah it'd make a cool article, perhaps one that others will link to. :)

[Xantar]

Technical questions:

How much space would a player's ghost take up on a memory card? I've never played a racing game with a ghost, you see, so I'm just not sure.

And at the speed that F-Zero runs, would full online play be unfeasible anyway?

[D-realJos]

This was something I just quickly put together. Didn't think it was "site material." My bad.

I have other stuff, although, I'll have to work around some "minor" issues.
I also have some cool sh!t with some comments from developers, but, those developers are looking forward to a forum thread, not site material. (maybe I can work something out)

^^ but, ignore everything I said above for now! ^^ ;)


Xantar

How much space would a player's ghost take up on a memory card? I've never played a racing game with a ghost, you see, so I'm just not sure.

And at the speed that F-Zero runs, would full online play be unfeasible anyway?


I haven't had any run-ins with such data on the GC mem card as yet. However, I'm pretty sure that it shouldn't require any more than a few KB. Around 150 KB at most, considerably less with more efficient code. How much is GC's mem card 59? Half a MB? What's that.. 500 KB? That's more than adequate, and since you'll be able to upload/download ghost data to the network, all you need in enough space for one ghost file, while the network store the rest(let's say 10 per player). It's comes down to engine code, how efficient is it, and the size of the footprint developers manage to shrink data down to. Notice how Pikmin took 19 blocks/3 files, while Mario did they same with just 7 blocks(Metroid Prime is said to require 1).

As for how feasible full online play is; technically, it shouldn't be a real problem, even on a 56k modem combined with the speed of F-zero.

During online play, the modem tranfers/downloads the data of the other players in realtime, (each frame) to your current game, while simultaneously, your data sent/uploaded to their game, as a result, you are able to race each other. This data included everything from player coordinates in the 3D environment, vehicle model and it's color, plus what other unique data developer include. How complex this data is, greatly effects speed. (everything else, like visuals, physics, sound, would depend on the game itself, and doesn't have to be sent through the modem). Likewise, if developers can keep this data small enough or employ some neat tricks to reduce trivial data, that's all the better, and speed is retained.

Of course, with dial-up factored in, the likelihood of slowing down the game for everyone else when more players are in the game, is always there. (more players = more realtime data needed = too much data per second for 56k to keep up = slowdown).

For better performance, the network have 3 options: 1) Limit online play to broadband only(denying 56k gamers), 2) Use different servers for different connections, and alter the game to offer something more for those with faster connections(ultimately, more expensive), and 3) Use 56k as base performance[much like PSO], which would mean limited players per game(possibly disappointing those with faster connections and can afford more players).

Then there's always choice 4. Do none of the above and just let 56k players fvck the experience for everyone. :D

[Dyne]

Hm.

Just Hm.

And... hm.... an even fatter chance we'll see it over here.

[Mr.Nobody]

Great Idea! That way us 56k users would get the shaft</sarcasm>

Seriously. If Nintendo did that I would be really mad. Just beacause someone can't afford Cable doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to play.

[Jason1]

Originally posted by Mr.Nobody
Great Idea! That way us 56k users would get the shaft</sarcasm>

Seriously. If Nintendo did that I would be really mad. Just beacause someone can't afford Cable doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to play.

The same thing can be said with PSO's monthly fee. I think D-Real has good ideas in his head.

[GameKinG]

Dont discredit yourself. Just about anything is site worthy at this point. ;)

Now, I havent checked the site yet, but when I do I want to see an Editorial posted...

[D-realJos]

Originally posted by Mr.Nobody
Great Idea! That way us 56k users would get the shaft</sarcasm>

Seriously. If Nintendo did that I would be really mad. Just beacause someone can't afford Cable doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to play.


Whooo there friend! Who said 56k users would get short changed? If your referring to the original post, it's really just about being able to download and upload ghost data and scores(remember, once downloaded, a connection would no longer be needed to actually race the ghost). A simple, cool, virtually "costless" feature they could literally add free of charge. No one gets the shaft here, Mr. Nobody!


If you were commenting on my previous post about the feasibility of full online play, I mentioned 4 choices a developer would be faced with if they wanted to keep the performance of the game(while online) high. Limiting the network to broadband only was merely one choice, and no, I wouldn't like that, because I too, don't yet have broadband.

[Mr.Nobody]

I didn't mean to sounds so mean. Sorry if I gave that impression.

[D-realJos]

^ No harm done. :p

[Jonbo298]

They can do like games like Tribes do. Limit the number of players to just you and 1 other person if you have 56K. If you have broadband, you can use the full amount allowed on the game.(16?) But 56K on a console is much different than 56K on a PC. So they could allow 56K, just very limited.

[CrOnO_LiNk]

D-real, you got a real good idea here. I should've thought of this too. It is possible and Sega with some netwoek experience, like you said, will be able to pull it off. But Nintendo is publishing F-Zero so that would mean Nintendo would have to pay for the servers and all. Not that that's a problem but what if the whole plan dies like Square's FFXI?

[D-realJos]

Originally posted by CrOnO_LiNk
But Nintendo is publishing F-Zero so that would mean Nintendo would have to pay for the servers and all. Not that that's a problem but what if the whole plan dies like Square's FFXI?

That's the good thing about it too. It's a VERY insignificant investment. Nothing as major as Square was attempting with FFX1.

Also, it's nothing that'll die/fail in the same vain as FFX1. If Nintendo/Sega were to make such a move, there's no real reason owners of the game wouldn't take advantage of it. It's a simple task of connecting to the network and download a someone ghost file you wish to compete against. For FREE! No reason anyone would miss out on that, unless of course, they don't wish to invest in either one of the adapters. But, that's an isolated issue.

It would be a nifty little feature, free, not much hassle, adds replay value to the game, gives you a chance to (indirectly) race F-Zero gamers from around the world and see how you stack up to a plethora of differently skilled players. Where games are concerned, when you combine fun with simplicity, there's virtually no space to go wrong.

Note: My original comments revolve around uploading scores, and uploading/downloading ghost data. Full & direct online play would be more complex (read: costly) and high maintanence(again, costly). Consequently, it's highly unlikely that such a network would be free of charge.

[Jonbo298]

That cleared up a little on what you were trying to say (for me at least). I think it would be good if you could just download the ghosts from your friend or whomever and see if you can do better. Who knows D-real, maybe a Nintendo Exec. has looked at your idea, maybe even right now!:sneaky::D