Tunneling not needed to play GC LAN games online??

[OB1]

I hope this is true!!

Today I went to the Gamespy booth to conduct a small and simple interview with GameSpy's President, Jon Epstein. After exchanging business cards, the questions began.

The word "tunneling" was introduced to many gamers with the software that Gamespy released for Halo and many of other Xbox games that didn't utilize Xbox Live but did use LAN.

Tunneling IS NOT being used for any of Nintendo's upcoming LAN utilized games. The information which came to me as a huge shock, is actually better than it sounds. According to Gamespy, Nintendo came to them about a year ago for LAN software. Nintendo did not want to use "tunneling, because it would require gamers excessive hardware such as hooking up multiple cables, computers, hubs, and what not.

Instead, Mr. Epstein, went on to reveal that Nintendo will be using Gamespy developed "in-game" software. Much is not known about this except the fact that all gamers have to do is hook an internet cord from the Gamecube to their broadband modem and that's it. You are online as soon as you plug in the ethernet cord and choose the LAN option.

I repeat: "tunneling" will not be used and extra hubs, computers, and extra ethernet cords will not be needed as Nintendo wanted to keep it simple. It is simple in-game software that will be used in upcoming Nintendo LAN games.

Holy shit!

[The Former DMiller]

I was just going to post this. We had someone at N-Philes interview the GameSpy people and they told him the same thing. Mario Kart is online baby!

[Dark Jaguar]

Oh yes yes yes! Nintendo actually has an online game! More importantly, this means MORE games could actually get online! Booya!

[OB1]

I'm praying for Mario Golf LAN capabilities.

[Dark Jaguar]

Here is the big question. Is the online mode free ala many PS2 and PC games, or will there be some sort of fee, either like XBox Live or a "per game" basis? If it's free then yeah! Nintendo finally did what should have been done a while ago! Now let's just hope the gamespy servers do a better job linking these games than they do with PC and XBox tunneled games.

[The Former DMiller]

Completely free. The only thing you need is the GameSpy software which is free of charge at their website.

[Great Rumbler]

That's great news! Now all I need it high speed internet access, because 56k is the pits.

[The Former DMiller]

Well, GameSpy actually requires high-speed internet so you'd be out of luck with 56k anyway.

[Great Rumbler]

...WHY?! WHY?! AGAIN YOU FOWL UP MY PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, 56K INTERNET!!

Yet another reason why I need to get DSL/Cable.

[Dark Jaguar]

How on Earth am I going to get the gamespy software on my GAMECUBE? I think you are a tad confused DMiller. The software is EMBEDDED into the games, no download required. Gamespy actually is working with Nintendo. This isn't a tunnel thing, it's right inside the games.

[Laser Link]

This doesn't make sense. How do you find anyone to play with? The deal with the GameSpy software was that it would be used to find people to play with, but you aren't going through a computer. I guess if the game is set up to do this for you and it searches teh GameSpy servers or whatever. But it seems far too easy. Why would anyone spend hundreds of thousands of dollars setting up a big network if it was this easy? And if all this is running through GameSpy, what do they get out of this? Maybe Nintendo is paying them, in which case there must be a fee to use the software. But then aren't we back to the online gaming thing Nintendo said they won't do? I don't know too much about how all this works technically, but something doesn't seem to add up.

[A Black Falcon]

Setting up a network? Huh? Not if they're using Gamespy, which has had one for years...

Oh, and I would like to know exactly how this would work. If all you do is plug cube to cable modem, how DOES gamespy work? Is it built into the games or something? If so... that would be odd. Cool if it means actual INTERNET play for free with no routers or hubs needed... but strange. I mean... this is LAN play. Why call it "LAN play" when it can be turned into "internet play" with what APPEARS to be the flip of a option? Its confusing... need more details!

[OB1]

Yeah it is confusing, which is why I'm still skeptical about the whole thing.

[Laser Link]

Yeah, that's what I was trying to say ABF. Why would Sony and MS set up a network if they could just do something like this? And what does GameSpy get out of it? I can't imagine provide all their equipment for free out of the goodness of their heart. :) It doesn't make sense. I'm not saying it's bogus, it could just be that we don't have the details yet.

[A Black Falcon]

I don't see why it'd be so hard for Gamespy... they've been doing it for PC games for free for years... :)

[A Black Falcon]

http://www.n-philes.com/php/epvfpekkyffvykylppz.php

Iwata said Nintendo had no plans to budge from its $149 price tag for the GameCube, even though the PS2 and Xbox have now had significant price drops. Iwata also had harsh words for the online businesses that his rivals in the console market are trying to build, saying that their business models, which require most users to have an Internet connection and in most cases pay a monthly fee, were fundamentally flawed. "I don't think its reasonable to make someone pay for a game and then make them prepare a network connection and also charge a monthly fee," Iwata said. "In the near future we are hoping to announce something that addresses this issue," he said.

[OB1]

Holy flying fuck!!!!!!

[A Black Falcon]

Yeah, a bit surprising to say the least.

[Laser Link]

Wow! That certainly makes me think there really is a lot more to this than I originally thought. Fantastic news!

[Dark Jaguar]

Cool! Free online play. I'm pretty sure machmaking will be done XBox Live style, that is it's all built into the game. In other words, the stuff that links to gamespy really is just in the game. Hook up, and it hooks in. And it's free, but how? I mean, Gamespy has advertisements all over the PC version, will this be the case with the GCN version?

[A Black Falcon]

I'd assume so. And probably some 'platinum membership' thing with bonuses if you pay money... like Gamespy Arcade, Zone.com, etc...

[Smoke]

I'm not gonna get excited just yet because I've gotten my hopes up for online play on the GameCube before. However this has me very interested and I hope it's true.

The only thing that really makes me curious is why Nintendo wouldn't advertise this more?

[Smoke]

There's a thread over at Gaming Age about this. Interesting discussion.

BTW, I'm starting to let myself get excited by this. Hope I don't get burned. :D

[OB1]

I just want to know why Nintendo would want to keep this secret.

[Great Rumbler]

Originally posted by OB1
I just want to know why Nintendo would want to keep this secret.

Habit.

[A Black Falcon]

Thats as good a guess as any... and better, maybe, given that this still is Nintendo. :)

[OB1]

Guess I was right to be skeptical, eh?

Crap.

[A Black Falcon]

Yup.

Oh, and why bring back such an old thread?

[OB1]

Because it's relevent to what's happening now.

[Dark Jaguar]

Yeah you were, then you brought it back to make yourself look smart :D. We can see through you easily enough :D.

[OB1]

Well you're always on my case about being skeptical about these kinds of things, so it's nice to be able to rub it in your face. :p

[Great Rumbler]

Oh well, it's not like I could have used that anyway. Stupid 56k. *sulks in a corner*

[OB1]

*points and laughs at GR*







...








*feels sorry for him* :(








...








*feels better and continues with the pointing and the laughing*

[Great Rumbler]

*rumbles*

[OB1]

*obies*

[Great Rumbler]

Ahahaha!!

...

What does that mean?

[Dark Jaguar]

it's spelled "Obey".

[Great Rumbler]

Obey?

[OB1]

DJ of all people is trying to tell me how to spell.

My name is OB1, not Obey 1.

[Dark Jaguar]

No no no, it's spelled "I was trying to make a joke and if you re-read your post and the ones above it you will see exactly what the nature of that joke was you twit!". :D

[OB1]

Yeah I know you were kidding. And before you say "why do you always say that?", ... I have no reason to give you. Just felt like saying that.

[Great Rumbler]

Chicken rings.

[A Black Falcon]

It sounded ... well, possible... not likely, but possible. Oh well.

[wezeles]

nintendo hasnt said anything about there connection with gamespy because of the fact they might not bother using it with the gamecube system. the fact is it would be a waste of time sence they already have the next generation system in the works and the xbox and ps2's online games arnt that great yet.. get the problem of half being on high speed and half being on 56k and the game turnes out not being fun when you see everyone else lagging... from what ive heard from gamespy and nintendo is that they will not charge for online service it will be included in the price of the game so from 49.99 new to about 59.99 new gamespy already has everything for the online gaming but the software for gamecube is already set and to add it in to a gamecube game now would get in the way of there own coding... so in the next generation system for sure this will be out which is supose to be out by christmas of 2004. they will add the software into the game the system will have eaither broadban or 56 k connection and from there the "new system" will send you to play with someone on equal speed connections so 2 different rooms in a sense... but you cant just add the software to the games for gamecube the gamecube itself really wouldnt be any better than xbox or ps2 online and if you ever played them you notice the lag in everything you do ... very annoying might as well use them on computer and pick games you like.. ever sence virtual boy...lol nintendo doesnt like to go into anything half assed anymore they want to make sure it works and works well and is better than anything on the market... so look forward to nintendos new system... because when they do have online games up and running... they wont be stuck with the servers that xbox and ps2 have, and gamespy will be incharge of keeping everything running smooth... they are one of the oldest in the buisness of online games... they know what they are doing..so yes online games will be out they will be free to get online you will just pay a little extra to shove in gamespys pocket for the service... no adds no platinum service .. and i am told that the new system will have the 56 k modem and broadban built right into the system no need to buy an external one... so hopefully everything works out they way its planned and nintendo will blow everyone out of the water again...

:evilcube:

[Great Rumbler]

[Dark Jaguar]

That was just a tad COMPLETELY CONFUSING there.

I mean no offence, but could you try forming sentences next time? That really was too hard to read and I couldn't make any sense out of it.

[Great Rumbler]

I could try to edit it...a lot...and maybe it would make some sense then?

[Dark Lord Neo]

I have THPS4 for the PS2 and it's online mode runs through gamespy.
There are no adds and no monthly fees.
I would assume that the Gamecube ones would be similar