Next Generation keeps the N2000 news flowing once again. How would you like to know that Dolphin will only have 3 other software developers? Rumor or truth? Read On...

Asia Biztech reports that Nintendo has announced it will only allow three other companies to develop software for the Dolphin.

While Nintendo did not confirm what those companies are, if it is true the announcement points to a widening gap in Sony and Nintendo's business strategies. Sony has pursued with the PlayStation an aggressive policy of courting third party developers, with only 20-25% of its development done in first party. Nintendo's strategy is the reverse, with most of its development done in house (or through second party developers like Rare).

At the E3 show last week, Sega made it clear with its wide support across multiple developers and new openness to ports that it will pursue a "many titles" strategy similar to Sony's.

Nintendo went so far to say, according to AB, that it will bar companies other than the three partners it is signing from joining its development program.

The company also made it clear that the Dolphin will not be backwards compatible with the N64. Companies continuing to develop for the older system will not have a "back door" into the newer system.

A spokesperson for Nintendo could not confirm Asia Biztech's story at press time.