"The developers stated that the console's SDK costs a relatively meager $2000. By comparison, the PlayStation 2 SDK was priced about $20,000 per kit at the console's launch. Even the original PlayStation's SDK weighed in between $4000-5000 at the beginning of that system's life span. Notably, the inexpensive nature of the SDK is in line with Nintendo's goal of lowering development costs. Apparently, developers have cycled through three development kit revisions. The first development kit was a GameCube console with a wired Revolution controller attached. The second was similar, with a few minor tweaks. The third prototype, shipped out approximately a month ago, adhered to the same structure, but also showed some boosts in CPU power. The latest kit, sent out to only top publishers, displays a more 'next-generation' snapshot and comes with a wireless Revolution controller. However, for uncommitted third parties, it will be several weeks before they receive this kit. Developers preparing playable Revolution software for E3 2006 will soon be receiving the fourth SDK which should provide 90-95% of the final system's achievable performance. According to IGN's development sources, final developments kits are expected to be made widely available around June of this year. A number of software houses admitted that studios familiar with GameCube achitecture would find little difficulty in getting their Revolution projects up and running with due speed. In regards to Revolution's horsepower, many developers were finding it to be quite sufficient, also saying that the uniqueness of the controller made up for any lower amount of raw power. On a final note, most studios working on Revolution titles think the console could retail under $200 US, possibly as low as $150." http://www.revolutionreport.com/articles/read/316
WTB: Revolution SDK Offering $2001 If that price is true, that's pretty cool. Gamecube/Revolution is one of those things i wish i knew more about, but as i've said before... nintendo doesn't like me...
It really ticks me off that they won't even talk to academic institutions and researchers. Hell, they don't even return emails. For $2000 and an NDA regarding the SDK and hardware specs, they shouldn't have any problems with anyone doing legitimate research with the hardware. Seriously, my doctoral research is based on device tracking and it would be a boon to have the Revolution controller to design experiments with. If anyone has a contact at Nintendo that I can talk with to try to get ahold of one of these kits, PLEASE let me know. Do it anonymously if you have to email me with this username to pouncingkitten.com.
Actually that's something of an increase for Nintendo, considering that a goodly number of developers actually got DS dev kits for free. Marasil> That's just not in the business plan. Game companies don't *want* to license their hardware to researchers. The point is to keep the platform locked down, not publish information on it. Each console developer wants software developers to come to IT for information on the console. Not a third party source. Given that researchers like to *publish* their findings, it kinda goes against the console business model. -hl718
The problem is that this is exactly what the console manufacturers believe, but it is absolutely NOT true. Researchers can effectively use the game consoles without divulging any information regarding the SDK, the hardware or any other non-publicly released information. Numerous obscure areas of research constantly use hardware and software which are covered under an NDA, and sometimes the items are classified in nature. Even non-obscure research topics may regularly use software and hardware that cannot be discussed at any length. The SDK and hardware is used as a tool. In some cases, the use of the hardware might not even need to be mentioned. The fact is, the SDK and hardware for a game console licensed to an academic researcher is at no greater risk of being released to the public as it would be in the hands of a small third-party developer. I would go so far as to say that it is safer in the hands of the academic community. Many universities have government contracts, NDA's and oversight committees to ensure that they maintain all of their obligations and prevent any breaches. They stand to lose millions of dollars in agreements and lawsuits for even minor breaches. If a developer goes bankrupt, the hardware and software can easily be lost to uncontrolled buyers (look at Acclaim). When was the last time you heard of a major university going bankrupt? It is unfortunate that the game industry feels this way about academic research. Even Microsoft Research, which works with a lot of people on a lot of diverse topics, does not see academic research on topics specifically related to games and game design to be worthwhile.
Just remember mairsil, nintendo liscenses the controller from another company... *wink**wink* While they may not be able to give you a "Nintendo" revolution controller, there may be similar devices availible for academic research. Especally if you contact the people at the top.
If it can be shared, how soon before release was the final 360 kit out? if the final Rev kit is June, suggests to me oct launch in japan, black friday US, march :-( Europe...
FUCKING.......AWESOME! The Rev has the potential to breach a new market just as the DS has. If it does and the SDK is this cheap(fuck I could go buy it now) then there will be a resurgence in the independent games devers. I am so fucking hyped for this now. By years end I could be making Rev games.
Count Me In...i can sell a kidney if needed Hopefully, nintendo will ease up on the licenses, and more indy dev's can get these in their hands Ryan
I agree, and remember that Nintendo is talking about Digipen students getting the chance to post their games on the virtual console. If Nintendo embraces the indy community even a little bit, people will buy the games with that amateur flare...I know I would.
