In a recent interview with Business Week, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, fresh from his
GDC keynote has offered what is perhaps the most telling indication to date of the future of the firm’s home console push.
When asked specifically about the user interface of the Revolution, perhaps the most talked about aspect of any videogame console ever, Iwata-san said, “The new interface will allow some new forms of innovation. Already, you're seeing changes in Nintendo DS, which has a microphone, input pen, and touch screen. We have a number of candidates for a new interface but are not ready to reveal them. All I can say right now is that whatever we choose will be intuitive and easy to use for everyone.” It had been assumed that the finalised outline of what the Revolution will comprise had been reached. According to this statement, things are still to be nailed down.
The Nintendo president goes on to explain the thinking regarding the much-mooted inclusion of a microphone in Revolution. “It certainly makes a game better to have voice commands, because it can alter how the game is played. But the fact of the matter is, to realise voice commands, all you have to do is install a microphone. We realise a few of our competitors are already thinking of following us on this, so it will not be a defining feature of the new console. We may or may not use the microphone in the new [Nintendo Revolution] interface.” Again, it must be stressed that SPOnG is surprised that this element of design has not been bottomed. Of course, Iwata-san is likely to be playing his cards close to his chest.
It was again confirmed that the first development kits for Revolution are already with certain studios. “Development kits are already out there, depending on which stage you're talking about. All I can say right now is "in the near-future" for the basis platform information they will need to get started on games,” hinting that ‘The Revolution Secret’ has not been divulged to anyone at this point in time.
In SPOnG’s recent
exclusive interview with the Nintendo president we put it to him that the Revolution might be nothing more than a computer in a box. Given the mention of “...the basis platform information they will need”, this seems unlikely, hinting that there is indeed a key defining factor.
Of course, stay tuned for everything Revolution related on SPOnG, as it breaks.