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Wii

Mario Kart Wii to Feature Text Chat

by Greg Leahy - February 27, 2008, 10:59 am EST
Total comments: 43 Source: Nintendo

Nintendo's official European site confirms the use of text-based chat rooms for online friends waiting to race. Updated: Chat will be limited to a choice of pre-determined phrases.

Update: IGN has learned from Nintendo of America that the text chat feature will be limited to a selection of pre-determined phrases, and therefore will not be input via an on-screen or physical keyboard.


Following last week's announcement of an April 11th European release date for Mario Kart Wii, Nintendo has updated the game's hub page on its UK website with confirmation of the ability to text chat with registered friends outside of races.

"You’ll be able to race against up to 11 other players from around the world in massive online races or race against your friends. You can create rooms for friends to join and even text chat while you’re waiting for other racers."

Given that previous Wii firmware updates have made it possible to use USB keyboards in the Internet Channel and elsewhere, it would seem likely that Mario Kart Wii will support the use of keyboards in addition to the familiar Wii Remote text input method.

As well as chatting with each other prior to competing, friends will be able to jump into each other's races at any time, serving as spectators until joining in the action when the next circuit commences. Rounding off the game's online features, Mario Kart Wii will install its own Channel on the Wii Menu that will allow players to compare their top times with the best the world has to offer, download ghost data to compete against, and participate in special events organised by Nintendo.

Talkback

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorFebruary 27, 2008

I don't know how convinced I am that a keyboard is necessarily going to be usable.  When was the last time a first party game supported a non-first party piece of hardware.  Is Nintendo really going to deal with support calls from people that can't make Brand X Wireless Keyboard work on their Wii?

If that thought proves true, let's hope this means we'll get a slick first party wireless keyboard of some sort to go with it and not that we'll be expected to use a cellphone texting interface on the screen....

DAaaMan64February 27, 2008

Nintendo shouldn't be responsible for it.  Remember that a wireless USB keyboard isn't any different than a wired one to the device it is being plugged into.  Only the keyboard knows it is wireless.

NinGurl69 *hugglesFebruary 27, 2008

Mario Kart: Double Dash >> Logitech Speedforce Racing Wheel

KnowsNothingFebruary 27, 2008

But does the logitech wheel give you more turning?

NinGurl69 *hugglesFebruary 27, 2008

PLENTY

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorFebruary 27, 2008

Quote from: Professional

Mario Kart: Double Dash >> Logitech Speedforce Racing Wheel

Well the wheel was an officially licensed accessory though...

NinGurl69 *hugglesFebruary 27, 2008

Logitech is not a first party.

NinGurl69 *hugglesFebruary 27, 2008

BD&A (or whatever) makes officially licensed accessories, and they suck.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorFebruary 27, 2008

Yes I know, my response was meant to acknowledge your point but still show how my original point holds water.


And officially licensing a product would warrant their support of said product.  5 year old wireless keyboards that require driver installs won't ever fall under the veil of their support.

darknight06February 27, 2008

You know, USB hubs do work with the system too.  That's what I use with the Wii.  I am not gonna worry myself over it being wireless or not.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusFebruary 27, 2008

Quote from: Pale

I don't know how convinced I am that a keyboard is necessarily going to be usable.  When was the last time a first party game supported a non-first party piece of hardware.  Is Nintendo really going to deal with support calls from people that can't make Brand X Wireless Keyboard work on their Wii?

If that thought proves true, let's hope this means we'll get a slick first party wireless keyboard of some sort to go with it and not that we'll be expected to use a cellphone texting interface on the screen....

Well a lot of USB keyboards work hell my wireless keyboard thats designed for the PS3 works on my Wii, 360, PS3, PC, Macbook I'm sure as its a standard 109 key keyboard it will work.(Note: the wireless PS3 keyboard is the one with a RF USB dongle). And if Nintendo needs a keyboard I'm sure they will give logitech the heads up to make a keyboard and license it for Wii or advertise it that it works for the Wii.

Quote from: DAaaMan64

Nintendo shouldn't be responsible for it.  Remember that a wireless USB keyboard isn't any different than a wired one to the device it is being plugged into.  Only the keyboard knows it is wireless.

It only makes a difference if the wireless keyboards doesn't have a receiver and needs a existing standard to connect to (ex. Logitech bluetooth keyboards) those require a device with a bluetooth card that can accept those types of devices and I'm sure Nintendo designed the Wii to accept connections from Wii remotes and Wii balance boards(so far).

DAaaMan64February 27, 2008

Quote from: Flames_of_chaos

Quote from: DAaaMan64

Nintendo shouldn't be responsible for it.  Remember that a wireless USB keyboard isn't any different than a wired one to the device it is being plugged into.  Only the keyboard knows it is wireless.

It only makes a difference if the wireless keyboards doesn't have a receiver and needs a existing standard to connect to (ex. Logitech bluetooth keyboards) those require a device with a bluetooth card that can accept those types of devices and I'm sure Nintendo designed the Wii to accept connections from Wii remotes and Wii balance boards(so far).

Alright so, we can agree that 45% of the country is stupid.  So 45% of 300,000,000 is 135,000,000.    Please note that all stupid people own Wiis because Wiis have non-games only.  Now we take that and see how many would have bluetooth keyboards, about 20%. So 20% of 135,000,000 is 27,000,000.  So with this research we can conclude that at least 27,000,000 stupid people, own Wiis and a bluetooth keyboard.  27,000,000 is too many support calls, so Flames_of_chaos is right, there would be too much support for this to be possible.

kraken613February 27, 2008

Cool but I wont be using it.
I can just use Skype or my phone!
Now if they had real voice chat id use it.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusFebruary 27, 2008

I'm hoping that the next thing Nintendo will enable are bluetooth headsets or USB headsets which would just require a firmware upgrade like how Nintendo included USB keyboard support.

Quote from: darknight06

You know, USB hubs do work with the system too.  That's what I use with the Wii.  I am not gonna worry myself over it being wireless or not.

USB hubs work with anything with a USB port since it's a brainless device.

Too bad the USB port isn't really enabled either.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusFebruary 27, 2008

Quote from: Crimm

Too bad the USB port isn't really enabled either.

What do you mean by that if they aren't really enabled then why are there games that use a USB mic and why can people use USB keyboards on text entry screens for the internet browser, message boards?? And why do some people use it to charge USB devices the USB ports are always on and receive power..

NeoThunderFebruary 27, 2008

I remember while back when they added USB keyboard support, I said something to the effect that this was probley gonna be nintendo's way of allowing people to communicate in games instead of voice chat

Now i'd just like to say......I CALLED IT!!!!!!!!!!

cue Steven Colbert sound and balloon drop

LuigiHannFebruary 27, 2008

Quote from: Flames_of_chaos

It only makes a difference if the wireless keyboards doesn't have a receiver and needs a existing standard to connect to (ex. Logitech bluetooth keyboards) those require a device with a bluetooth card that can accept those types of devices and I'm sure Nintendo designed the Wii to accept connections from Wii remotes and Wii balance boards(so far).

Um, if it doesn't have a USB receiver, it's not a "USB Keyboard" so it wouldn't be supported in any event.

King of TwitchFebruary 27, 2008

Wow, they found a way to Nintendumb down a chat room. I would never want to type words to my friends between matches so I'm glad the option was yanked. Kudos.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorFebruary 27, 2008

In my thinking that this was abnormal, I ALMOST suggested the possibility that it would be lame pre-canned phrases.  Then I thought, nah, Nintendo wouldn't be that frustrating.

Oh boy....

DjunknownFebruary 27, 2008

Quote:

Update: IGN has learned from Nintendo of America that the text chat feature will be limited to a selection of pre-determined phrases, and therefore will not be input via an on-screen or physical keyboard.

Nintendo has succeeded yet again to treat us like children. We can't be trusted to have some friendly rivalry conversation, or blow off steam, or try to have a sophisticated conversation between matches. Because Nintendo knows the evil that lurks in our hearts, the moment we log on, we'll automatically engage in potentially offensive communication that involves sex and or excrement.

When does the hurting stop?  >:(

shammackFebruary 27, 2008

Quote from: Djunknown

Because Nintendo knows the evil that lurks in our hearts, the moment we log on, we'll automatically engage in potentially offensive communication that involves sex and or excrement.

In fairness, this is actually true.  Just look at Pictochat.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterFebruary 28, 2008

Quote from: Djunknown

Quote:

When does the hurting stop?  >:(

It will stop when people stop having high expectations for games and just enjoy them when they come out.

Seriously, am I the ONLY one who doesn't care for any form of chat? I admit it sounded neat when it was revealed, but I was going to enjoy the game even if it didn't have it.

Since when did we start acting like spoiled babies and get pissed the minute a feature is not in the game or is not what we expected?

Infernal MonkeyFebruary 28, 2008

Text chat? Non-gamers will buy Mario Kart just for this feature all their karts will sit idle while they chat am I right destroying the industry and so forth.

I was planning on Skyping with the only person I plan on playing this game with that I would care to communicate with, just like Brawl, so this doesn't really matter to me.

If Nintendo's not going to implement voice chat now, what's the point? These are the two biggest multiplayer titles for the entire life of the Wii. It's going to be like Mario Kart DS all over again, the features will come, but not soon enough for the best reason to use them

Shift KeyFebruary 28, 2008

Quote from: Yoshidious

Update: IGN has learned from Nintendo of America that the text chat feature will be limited to a selection of pre-determined phrases, and therefore will not be input via an on-screen or physical keyboard.    

Hahahaha, good work getting all bent out of shape, interweb. Full-text chat would be a stupid idea, as Infernal discussed.

SheckyFebruary 28, 2008

Quote from: Djunknown

When does the hurting stop?  >:(

Please... just make it stop. I don't think anyone else got your quote...

planetidiotFebruary 28, 2008

Update: Never get excited about anything involving the words "Nintendo" and "online"

decoymanFebruary 28, 2008

This is awesome. If it's like Brawl, you can choose what you want to say in these little pre-chosen phrases, right?

Ok, so we'll probably get four choices... enough for 4 out of the top 5 bad words! The sh-word, the f-bomb, female dogs, and one other wild card. Having them pre-chosen means it'll be easy and quick to spam them to our friends! Thanks Nintendo!

I can't wait, guys, srsly.

NinGurl69 *hugglesFebruary 28, 2008

I like the f-bomb idea.  I'll join you.

DAaaMan64February 28, 2008

Quote from: planetidiot

Update: Never get excited about anything involving the words "Nintendo" and "online"

planetidiot said something planetintelligent.

williamsjjMarch 01, 2008

Quote from: planetidiot

Update: Never get excited about anything involving the words "Nintendo" and "online"

No kidding.  I love my Wii and consider myself a Nintendo fanboy, but their online strategy has forced me to designate my Wii as my secondary console.  Online play is the future of gaming.  The social aspects of it create a gaming experienced that cannot be matched.  When I logon to Xbox Live it isn't just about the games, but also about socializing with my friends. Now my 360 has two reasons for me to use it and I don't mind investing in additional hardware or software.  I've even bought games just so I can play them with my friends.  Nintendo needs to figure this out.  They may have a hit on their hands with the Wii, but I honestly believe that they are going to fail if they don't have a consistent and coherent online strategy for the next generation.

MorariMarch 01, 2008

THIS POST HAS BEEN CENSORED FOR YOUR PROTECTION

--Bureau of Internet Morality

Bizzy_FatsoMarch 01, 2008

Everyone assumed that this would be the generation that Nintendo would get serious about online gaming, after having a non-existent strategy last generation.  This decision is so frustrating, and impossible to understand...I think Nintendo is just lazy, that's the only excuse I can come up with.  They don't want to open young kids up to the kind of adult-talk that can go on during online games, and they're too lazy to implement some parental control functionality to address this issue, so they just cripple their online support and we all suffer.

Online mario kart with no ability to communicate will feel no different than playing against AI...except some of the AI will be better than average, some will be worse, and some may even take advantage of exploits (i.e. snaking) if there are such to be had in the game, but overall it will feel empty and pointless just like it did on the DS.  Usually, with a new console generation, you can expect something fresh with the new version of your favorite classics....whether it's with shiny new graphics, or new or improved online functionality..what do we have to look forward to for this game??  A crippled online?  Last-gen graphics?  A plastic wheel for steering which will undoubtedly be inferior to using the classic or gamecube controller?  I'm sorry, but just getting a set of new tracks and a couple of bikes is not enough to get me excited for this game, and it shouldn't be for you either...we need to demand more.

The main problem I see is that of course this game will sell well, as is Smash Bros, and Nintendo will think "See!  Online doesn't matter...we can be lazy and put out basically version 1.5 of our GameCube games and just watch the profits roll in!  We don't have to listen to all of these 'hardcore' gamers who keep complaining about this and that, what do they know???"  Well, I'm getting sick of their arrogance and am frustrated that there's nothing I can do about it.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMarch 01, 2008

Don't buy the game(s).

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterMarch 01, 2008

Hmmm...I'm suspicious of Bizzy.

I checked his posts and all he does is criticize Nintendo's games and Nintendo in general.

Are you sure you're not here to "politely" troll the boards?

Frankly, all of us regulars do it too, but its weird to see a newbie go for the kill right away...

NinGurl69 *hugglesMarch 01, 2008

Trying to hang with the big boys.

MarioMarch 01, 2008

Quote:

what do we have to look forward to for this game??  A crippled online?  Last-gen graphics?

You haven't read a single bit of information on the game have you?

DAaaMan64March 01, 2008

Quote from: Mario

Quote:

what do we have to look forward to for this game??  A crippled online?  Last-gen graphics?

You haven't read a single bit of information on the game have you?

I guess I haven't read enough, because he pretty much nailed it with that sentence for me.  I'm sure the game will still be quite good though.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterMarch 02, 2008

Mario Kart DS's  online mode was crippled as well. Years later and its STILL selling and getting a lot of connections.

DAaaMan64March 02, 2008

Quote from: pap64

Mario Kart DS's  online mode was crippled as well. Years later and its STILL selling and getting a lot of connections.

Getting a lot of connections?

Not really for me, I have had a real hard time just establishing a 4 player match one time. 

I want to see a different system entirely where I don't have to so long.  Like an achievement system and a system where I join already going games. Waiting to connect with other players sucks.

MarioMarch 02, 2008

I played a worldwide 4 player match yesterday and it setup real quick and easy, same as at launch. Friendly matches on the other hand are a bit of a pickle, some could say a game in itself. It should be much better in Mario Kart Wii though.

DAaaMan64March 02, 2008

Quote from: Mario

I played a worldwide 4 player match yesterday and it setup real quick and easy, same as at launch. Friendly matches on the other hand are a bit of a pickle, some could say a game in itself. It should be much better in Mario Kart Wii though.

Well my experience is completely different from that.  I don't get set up quick and easy at all.  I would assume it would be the same for the people I am playing with considering they are experiencing the same game.

I would love for it to have set up real quick.

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