Nintendo set to talk "N5" at E3

[GameKinG]

Here is the full article:

Nintendo set to talk N5 at E3, says senior NoA exec

Rob Fahey 09:48 05/04/2004
Plans for next-generation home system set to be discussed for the first time


The line-up for Nintendo's E3 conference and stand is looking even more crowded than previously, with a senior executive stating publicly that it will be discussing its next-generation home console for the first time at the show.

"Comment on this will come from the highest levels," said Nintendo of America senior VP of sales and marketing, Reggie Fils-Aime, speaking about the forthcoming system which has been dubbed N5 in the media. "The focus and commitment we have on this will be shown at E3."

Fils-Aime's comments appeared in an interview with CNN/Money's Game Over column, which was primarily focused on the other console which Nintendo will be making noise about in Los Angeles this May - namely the Nintendo DS, which is expected to be playable at the show for the first time.

He confirmed that the DS system is presently aimed at a 2004 launch in North America ("As we're sitting here, that's the plan," being his comment on this), which bodes well for a launch this year in Europe - as Nintendo hardware launches here rarely lag far behind the US launches.

Interestingly, Fils-Aime also suggested that the new handheld will not use the "DS" name when it finally hits retail in North America, resurrecting speculation that the console will be called "Nitro" - a codename which has appeared on Nintendo's internal development websites.

The decision to talk about N5 at E3 seems an unusual one, given that the company already has one new hardware platform to discuss, along with a major line-up of new software for the GameCube system, including sequels to some of its biggest games. In light of this, it would probably be unwise to expect very much detail from the announcement - in fact, it's somewhat unlikely that Nintendo will tell us very much that we don't already know.

N5 will appear in 2006, will use multiple PowerPC processors from IBM and a graphics chipset from ATI - all of this information is already well known and, with the exception of some speculation over the date, is pretty much set in stone. It seems probable that all Nintendo has in mind is an official confirmation of these facts in order to finally put a lid on the ongoing speculation regarding its future commitment to the home console market.

Speculation is rising about a Nintendo and MS merger for consoles. They both use two PowerPC CPUs and an ATI GPU. But, thats all it is, speculation.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content...e=pub&aid=3240

[Jason1]

Intersting...VERY interesting...It really dosent make much sense for Nintendo to talk about their Next Gen machine this early. If they really do, I wouldnt expect more than a very slight and vague mention of it. And that MS-Nintendo merger crap is garbage. Not going to happen.

[Jonbo298]

I think Ninty will talk mainly specs about the N5 and maybe tell what disc medium they use. Hopefully its Blu-Ray or something VERY similar to it. I doubt there will be any pics of the console, maybe a tech demo which would be nice.

[Ginkasa]

No, it won't happen, but I for one wouldn't mind a Nintendo/Microsoft merger. It'd help both companies out tremendously. Nintendo would give MS the Japanese insight and experience, and MS would give Nintendo the mature feel and third parties and all that.

*realizes that a couple of years ago, he would have said, "Nintendo-Microsoft merger! Blasphemy! Burn MS!"*

*.....*


*shrugs and walks away*

[thatmariolover]

Are you kidding? Nintendo will give away as little information as they think they can without causing a mob-scene.

Sorry. Little bit negative, I realize. Of course, we can always hope...

[GameKinG]

Im sure any big info they give, if any, will be behind closed doors. What they will say are vague specs, "we are deciding on this topic", "we are deciding on that topic", and pound it into your brain that they are fully, 100%, going to be devoted in a console next gen.

[Blackmane]

They have too much still riding on the GC and trying to keep hype up for those games to be blabbing too much about their next-gen console.

[Blix]

Am I the only one that's not happy with anouncements of new consoles? I think there's still things to be done in the current generation. I was expecting this generation for all games to have graphics up in the RE4 and Halo 2 levels.Give me some 4 more years of the current consoles and make developers work their butts off in order to squeeze up to the last megahert of the current systems like they did in the past. Just my two small fortunes.

[Canyarion]

Right now I'd love to see a MS-Nintendo joint-venture. Would work out great methinks...

[fingersman]

Originally Posted by Jason1

Intersting...VERY interesting...It really dosent make much sense for Nintendo to talk about their Next Gen machine this early. .

It makes alot of sense, create the hype from early, Sony does it all the time. I hope they realease specs and what's not, although it doesn't seem like Nintendo to overshadow the DS with the N5, but I hope they announce it anyway.

[GT News]

Originally Posted by fingersman

It makes alot of sense, create the hype from early, Sony does it all the time. I hope they realease specs and what's not, although it doesn't seem like Nintendo to overshadow the DS with the N5, but I hope they announce it anyway.

That is a lot. In what way?In any case, Why do you hope for they realease specs and what is not although it does not seem like Nintendo to overshadow the DS with the N5 but he or she hope they announce it

[fingersman]

Wow the bot actually made sense. I'm hoping because if they do what everyone thinks they wouldn't do, then it could be a sign of them really make a change in their marketing.