Why Netscape Almost Never Happened

[MakiManPR]

The article talks about how Netscape was almost never created because the creators wanted to make an online gaming network for Nintendo 64 instead, and Nintendo was willing to fund it. It's fun to think about how N64 could have had the first online gaming network before Xbox Live or Dreamcast.
It's an interesting read because Nintendo always gets called out for being "slow" at online gaming. Especially in relations to the Wii and Wii U. Yet the article shows a timeline of Nintendo and Netscape trying to get an online network created multiple times throughout the Nintendo 64's history. It's also interesting because a lot of the ideas they had during the N64 days (like the original ideas for Randnet) for online gaming, are ideas they are using with Wii and Wii U. One of the ideas reminded me of Miiverse.
The article even shows Hiroshi Yamauchi, Nintendo's former president and Nintendo of America's Howard Lincoln, expressing interest in online gaming with Netscape's Navio company. There were rumors from IGN of Netscape creating online software for the Nintendo GameCube too.

Source

 

[chartube12]

Well the rumors I remember were a second edition of the 64DD with a built-in dial-up modem. Sadly the attachment didn't do well in japan and the plans were shelved.

 

[Bladexdsl]

yeah that's exactly what happened it was gonna be for the DD but it flopped. would have been shit though on dial up!

 

[Ace Overclocked]

1st gaming network?
Stellaview says hi.

 

[chartube12]

I always wondered what happened to n64.com. I didn't know they de-evolved into ign.

 

[yuyuyup]

1st gaming network?
Stellaview says hi.

According to this wikipedia article, I think you could call the 1st gaming network the PLATO:
"In 1972, PLATO IV terminals with new graphics capabilities were introduced, and students started using this system to create multiplayer games."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_online_games

 

[BORTZ]

Its a very interesting article but i fail to see how this in "news". It feels more like a cracked article or something.

Dude one of my friends has dreams of importing a 64DD just for the FZeroX DD course builder.

 

[Ace Overclocked]

1st gaming network?
Stellaview says hi.

According to this wikipedia article, I think you could call the 1st gaming network the PLATO:
"In 1972, PLATO IV terminals with new graphics capabilities were introduced, and students started using this system to create multiplayer games."
http://en.wikipedia....of_online_games

Thanks for the info, but was that publicly released?

 

[ZAFDeltaForce]

Cool story, but is this really considered news?

Good read nonetheless

 

[Maikel Steneker]

Really interesting. I always get amazed when I discover some of the Nintendo-related things that didn't go as well as they hoped it would. Specifically, it reminds me of how Nintendo was planning to use the CD format for their console after the SNES. Just one screwed up deal, and they created one of their biggest competitors and were really behind the competition because of their cartridge format for an entire generation.

 

[BORTZ]

Really interesting. I always get amazed when I discover some of the Nintendo-related things that didn't go as well as they hoped it would. Specifically, it reminds me of how Nintendo was planning to use the CD format for their console after the SNES. Just one screwed up deal, and they created one of their biggest competitors and were really behind the competition because of their cartridge format for an entire generation.

Did you know that they were going to go into business with Sony to do it too?then Nintendo backed out over night and Sony was like whatever, PS1 time.

 

[triassic911]

Cool story, but is this really considered news?

Good read nonetheless

History on what could of been is not news? What do you consider news?

 

[DiscostewSM]

Really interesting. I always get amazed when I discover some of the Nintendo-related things that didn't go as well as they hoped it would. Specifically, it reminds me of how Nintendo was planning to use the CD format for their console after the SNES. Just one screwed up deal, and they created one of their biggest competitors and were really behind the competition because of their cartridge format for an entire generation.

Did you know that they were going to go into business with Sony to do it too?then Nintendo backed out over night and Sony was like whatever, PS1 time.

There's more to it than that, from both sides, but that doesn't need to be discussed.

 

[BORTZ]

Really interesting. I always get amazed when I discover some of the Nintendo-related things that didn't go as well as they hoped it would. Specifically, it reminds me of how Nintendo was planning to use the CD format for their console after the SNES. Just one screwed up deal, and they created one of their biggest competitors and were really behind the competition because of their cartridge format for an entire generation.

Did you know that they were going to go into business with Sony to do it too?then Nintendo backed out over night and Sony was like whatever, PS1 time.

There's more to it than that, from both sides, but that doesn't need to be discussed.

Oh, yeah yeah i know. i watered that down, but you are correct.

 

[ZAFDeltaForce]

Cool story, but is this really considered news?

Good read nonetheless

History on what could of been is not news? What do you consider news?

I'm no expert, but this could help in your discernment.

 

[BORTZ]

Well according to Rayden's whats news and not news, the first point shows that this isnt news lol

 

[Hop2089]

If the 64DD wasn't mail order only it would have been successful in Japan.