E3 2008: DS Accelerometer / New DS Forthcoming?

[satel]

US, July 14, 2008 - It's E3 time and the rumors are spreading like wildfire. Sources tell IGN that development studio Activision is preparing to release a new peripheral designed to give Nintendo DS motion/tit functionality. The small add-on will take a cue from Guitar Hero: On Tour and plug into the Game Boy Advance slot on the DS. One of the first games to make use of this new peripheral will be the next version of Tony Hawk.

Insiders also assert that Nintendo itself may alternatively be planning to release new DS cartridges with built in accelerometers, a possibility that could eventually negate the importance of Activision's peripheral.

In semi-related news, IGN has separately heard from trusted insiders that Nintendo could be planning to debut a slimmed down version of its handheld complemented by a dramatically reduced (sub-$100) price tag. Whether or not this made-over DS will include built-in accelerometer functionality is not known. There is a chance that the Big N will show off the updated DS at E3 2008 this week.

A redesigned DS might ship sans a GBA slot, which could explain why Nintendo might be separately developing accelerometer-based cartridges despite Activision's own efforts.

As always, until IGN can validate the information through multiple sources, readers should consider the hearsay posted in this article as rumor. We will update with new details as they become available.

http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/889/889216p1.html

 

[Minox]

I wonder if they created their own or asked for permission to use the designs for NDSMotion Pak/NDSMotion Card?
It's probably the first alternative though.

 

[CockroachMan]

Well.. the add-on strategy worked well for Guitar Hero DS.. wouldn't be surprised if Activision tried something similar with another game..

Now, a new DS redesign coming out? Sure! If you look at the history of Nintendo's handhelds.. it's certain that we'll get a new one sometime (maybe tomorrow even).. Now, the new one coming with an accelerometer? I found it very hard to believe.. well.. we'll know about it in less than 24 hours

 

[Doomsday Forte]

Argh! Not another redesign so soon! Didn't they learn with the GBAMicro? At least here it wasn't so great since the DS release was too close to it. I guess.

Not having the GBA slot is a little strange, seeing how the processor is still going to be there. I wonder how much smaller we're talking too? Hrmm...If they axe the other processor, some DS games won't be able to run.

 

[Rock Raiyu]

If this is true, thats more of a reason for there to be a new DS. But why slimmed down? Is it not slim enough?

 

[Zarcon]

Redesigned without a GBA slot?
Wouldn't...wouldn't that screw over a lot of games with GBA=>DS unlockables?

 

[Minox]

Cutting Gba-support wouldn't improve the DS it would just make it worse.

Gba-support>Smaller DS

 

[tinymonkeyt]

well it does make sense that if the made a new DS design, they wouldnt just be adding like a bigger screen and adjusting the graphics and stuff. if they added this accelerometer
but then again
i doubt the price will go down
wont this add-on increase the prices?
p.s. does that mean if we trade in, it wont be as expensive? XD

 

[WB3000]

Whatever comes out, it better not block flashcarts

 

[GameSoul]

What, are they trying to make a it as slim as a knive? The project will fail if they get rid of the GBA slot.

 

[Minox]

Whatever comes out, it better not block flashcarts

I don't think thay can do that easily since the DS's encryption has been hacked.

 

[Doomsday Forte]

I'd rather have the add-on than new built-in hardware I'm rarely going to use. I mean, let's ignore the fact that I have a slot-2 flashcart. How often did I use the Rumble Pak? Yeah.

I guess we'll have to wait and see then.

 

[CockroachMan]

I'd rather have the add-on than new built-in hardware I'm rarely going to use. I mean, let's ignore the fact that I have a slot-2 flashcart. How often did I use the Rumble Pak? Yeah.

I guess we'll have to wait and see then.

Well.. this would screw up "Guitar Hero - On Tour" (which is a big seller) and you wouldn't be able to trade pokemons from your GBA games..

So.. I don't think Nintendo will get rid of the slot-2..

 

[JPH]

Wow, can't believe they never thought of this before.

Sounds like a great idea...hopefully it will improve upcoming DS games

 

[tinymonkeyt]

wait. is this accelerometer like the wario add on for the GBA? the one where it sensors movement? so like, its pretty much incorporating the wii feature on the DS (i mean, if it were true).
so...does that mean we could get like say..mario kart wii on the DS (by that i mean, just the function to control a kart by tilting your DS)?

 

[Lupigen]

WarioWare Twisted! had a Gyroscope, which measures rotation. Accelerometers involve the measurement of acceleration and direction.

As for whether they would put an accelerometer inside the DS redesign, I would highly doubt it. Think about it: What would be the point of putting one inside the DS redesign if it is going to be included in every slot-1 cart of the game? It would be redundant to have multiple accelerometers when only one is needed, and a built-in one would only serve to benefit Activision and pirates.

 

[Celice]

I'd think it'd be, overall, cheaper if the things are included in the system, though, rather than each and every cart :/

Acceleration? I don't want to see gimmicks where I imitate throwing my DS in a direction

 

[science]

There were rumors of this at last E3. We will find out if its true this time around.

And if they introduce a new DS without a GBA slot, who says the will stop selling lites? They will be sold alongside the lites, like the micro was with the SP

 

[VISHI SO FISHI]

whats a accelrometer?

 

[science]

whats a accelrometer?

QUOTE(Lupigen @ Jul 14 2008, 06:22 PM) Accelerometers involve the measurement of acceleration and direction.