Possible Wii release information?

Star Lord

http://www.mcvuk.com/newsitem.php?id=24356

There’s still a week to go until Nintendo officially announces the details of the Wii launch – but MCV can reveal that the new console will hit retail by November 24th, it will be priced at £149 and stock will be plentiful.

Sounds like pure speculation to me, but there ya go.

projectmayhem

sounds like speculation alright, guessing what everyone guessed months ago...

Smellyirishman

Sounds about right, but I won't believe a thing until I hear it from the source.

Star Lord

Yeah, I mean, with a week to go till the announcement it could be leaked.

And with the ps3 now pushed to March, they can afford the european launch at this time, so long as they get it out stateside before the 17th.

machalla

Over on slashdot today

IBM Announces Wii Chips In Nintendo Hands
http://games.slashdot.org/games/06/09/08/0414211.shtml
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=10793

"IBM has announced that the 'Broadway' CPUs created for the Nintendo Wii have been shipping from the company's East Fishkill, N.Y., fabrication facility since earlier this year. Nintendo, it would seem, is ramping up for the launch of their next-gen console in a month or two." Joystiq and Kotaku have the news as well.

From the article: "Nintendo has also confirmed their reception of IBM's chip: 'The first chips are in our possession,' said Genyo Takeda, Senior Managing Director/General Manager, Integrated Research & Development Division, Nintendo Co., Ltd. 'Today's milestone marks the final stage of our drive to reach both core and nontraditional gamers with an inviting, inclusive and remarkable gaming experience.'"

Star Lord

Yeah, official confirmation from both IBM and Nintendo I guess, but its widely known that the production of Wii has been going for some time. Nintendo have been recieving the main processor chips since July. That means that they been actually manufacturing final design Wii consoles for 2 months now!

limey_tank

DamoElDiablo wrote:

Yeah, official confirmation from both IBM and Nintendo I guess, but its widely known that the production of Wii has been going for some time. Nintendo have been recieving the main processor chips since July. That means that they been actually manufacturing final design Wii consoles for 2 months now!

More like 1 month, as it was the end of July. I'm wondering if shipping in quantity means Nintendo actually manufacturing. As IBM no doubt operate on a JIT basis this means Nintendo asked for those chips. Also if it's a plain old PPC (which it is) then IBM will be able to turn those things out like crazy.

Does anybody know anything about the Wii processor (apart from what's on wikipedia)? Is it still just an overclocked G3 variant lke in the GC?

Star Lord

I read back in early-mid July that Nintendo had begun manufacturing the Wii consoles.

Now im no expert on processors, but from what I can gather, it's similar to the GC architecture, but faster clock speed, larger CPU cache, and I think the threading nm measurements are also smaller. I'm not certain though, cz as I said, I'm no expert on processors.

Star Lord

Update on this story:

Nintendo UK boss David Yarnton has told GamesIndustry.biz that reports the Wii will retail for GBP 149 and will be in shops shortly before November 24 are "definitely not right".

The claims, which appeared in an article by trade publication MCV, are "only speculation, and definitely not fact," according to Yarnton.

"They're not far off, but they're definitely not right," he told GI.biz.

Source: N-Europe

Interesting!
I still think it's gonna go for €230 or £150/£160, and that it'll launch 10th/17th November, maybe even the often rumoured 3rd of November

projectmayhem

€230 was my original guess. it sounds right, next to the DS...

now that the PS3 is delayed i'm genuinely excited about the Wii. hopefully they sort the online stuff out though, so i can Wii all over you noobs

Star Lord

projectmayhem wrote:

€230 was my original guess.

Thats what I been thinking for a long time now, since I heard it'd be less than €250. (although €249.99 wouldnt surprize me too much lol!)

projectmayhem wrote:

hopefully they sort the online stuff out though, so i can Wii all over you noobs

[despair]will the puns ever end?[/despair]

BlitzKrieg

as a complete sonic nut (forever despite how many poor shadow the hedgehog games they make) I will buy the Wii on launch day if Sonic Wild Fire is a launch game.


But I will get one none the less.


Cause Sonic Wild Fire looks about 2 million times more fun then Sonic Ps3/X360, (though thats rumoured for PC aswell so I wont be getting either of those consoles).


I'm in a wierd mood today.


edit: I Know the name has been changed to Sonic and the secret of the Ring or something, but i like calling it wild fire, its quicker to type.

Star Lord

BlitzKrieg wrote:

Cause Sonic Wild Fire looks about 2 million times more fun then Sonic Ps3/X360...
...I Know the name has been changed to Sonic and the secret of the Ring or something, but i like calling it wild fire, its quicker to type.

It looks infinately more fun IMHO!

And Sonic Wild Fire sounds much much better than that crappy new name

BlitzKrieg

*adds diablo to friends list*