Topic: Nintendo Applies for Patent for Multiple Game Loading System

[NWR_Karlie]

A patent for a system to load Wii games from a hard drive used in hospitals, hotels, retail stores, and development was recently discovered.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/23600

A patent application submitted by Nintendo and published on June 24, 2010 shows details of a jukebox-type system for loading one of multiple Wii games from a hard drive read through the DVD bus, with each game stored as a separate partition, and a game selection program as the default menu.

This game jukebox is currently in use for the Wii Starlight Fun Centers in hospitals. In conjunction with Toys "R" Us, Starlight Children's Foundation, and Nintendo, Starlight Fun Centers containing a flat screen television, DVD player, Wii and stored games have been in use at hospitals to entertain unwell children. The Wii games are stored on a hard drive, with the option to select a game of your choice from a sliding menu showing the box art.

The patent also includes the use of the system for hotels and retail stores, as these are also situations where loading a stored game is preferable to using DVDs. Additionally, methods are included that would allow game developers to send preview builds between branches.

As US patents are awarded based on invention date, regardless of filing date, it becomes obvious that this patent is for the system in this video, showing the Starlight Fun Center in action.

[UncleBob]

I'm guessing, but could this patent be used to defend against emulators and "backup" load menus installed on the Wii?

[Ymeegod]

Also, they could use them at arcades .  Hopefully we hear more details soon as my local arcade is pretty much dead. 

[Crimm]

Also, they could use them at arcades .  Hopefully we hear more details soon as my local arcade is pretty much dead.

They could, but I'd guess it's not likely.  The Triforce board wasn't a raging success.

[Kytim89]

Could this be a precursor to Nintendo allowing external hard drive support for the wii? Or will it just fall by the way side? Most likely we will never hear about this other than this announcement. It would, however, make sense to use this as a demo kiosk at Gamestop and other retail stores. Imagine demoing Kiby's Epic Yarn at Gamestop, or Metroid: Other M or even Skyward Sword.

[Crimm]

I guess they could use this for demos, but it's probably just cheaper to mail out demo disks to retailers.

[Mop it up]

I don't think this is going to become anything other than what it is already being used for.

[Crimm]

This is most likely the case.

[FC360]

I can see this being used in hotels and shops as it gets rid of those big stands they have. Imagine staying at a hotel and ringing room service and asking for a Wii then a trolley with a Nintendo Wii and TV on it and all you have to do is plug it into power outlet and it works, no getting plugs wrong.

[KDR_11k]

I guess they could use this for demos, but it's probably just cheaper to mail out demo disks to retailers.

From what I heard on various podcasts Nintendo uses digital delivery to get review copies out, at least IGN are getting their games that way apparently.

[TJ Spyke]

I guess they could use this for demos, but it's probably just cheaper to mail out demo disks to retailers.

From what I heard on various podcasts Nintendo uses digital delivery to get review copies out, at least IGN are getting their games that way apparently.

If that is true, I guess that would help reduce piracy.

As for the announcement, I see no reason to get excited. As the patent says, this will just be used for places like hotels and stores (which is what Nintendo has done in the past with their older game systems).

[Crimm]

I guess they could use this for demos, but it's probably just cheaper to mail out demo disks to retailers.

From what I heard on various podcasts Nintendo uses digital delivery to get review copies out, at least IGN are getting their games that way apparently.

This is true. Bloodworth mentioned that Game Trailers had just got their Wii unit when we met him at E3.  That's a different system though, because those are debug units.  Also Nintendo can track everything you do on them.
Also they lock them to a table.

[UncleBob]

I guess they could use this for demos, but it's probably just cheaper to mail out demo disks to retailers.

From what I heard on various podcasts Nintendo uses digital delivery to get review copies out, at least IGN are getting their games that way apparently.

This is true. Bloodworth mentioned that Game Trailers had just got their Wii unit when we met him at E3.  That's a different system though, because those are debug units.  Also Nintendo can track everything you do on them.
Also they lock them to a table.

Knowing Nintendo, they've probably grown/designed something that's Half Reggie, Half Mini-me, Half Terminator and stuffed them inside the system.  At the first sign of any non-Nintendo approved activities, they activate and terminate all involved, then retreat back inside the system.

[Crimm]

1.5x of a man/killing machine confirmed as Nintendo's DRM Policy.