Nintendo announces Next Generation system

[05.12.99] » Alliance with Matsushita and IBM yields DVD-based, Power PC driven console.

   Nintendo announced yesterday an alliance with Matsushita and IBM to develop its next generation system. DVD-based and Power PC driven, the new system, code named "Project Dolphin," will feature extensive digital networking capabilities and will possibly be released worldwide in Fall 2000.

The announcement revealed the following preliminary specifications for the machine:

CPU:
IBM Custom Processor (Extension of Power PC Architecture) 
400MHz Clock Speed 
Semiconductor Process 0.18 micron Copper Technology
Graphics: 

Full-Custom Chip jointly designed with ArtX, Inc. in the US 
200 MHz Clock Speed 
Semiconductor Process 0.18 micron Embedded DRAM Technology
System Memory: 

High Speed DRAM Technology 
Memory Bandwidth - 3.2GB/second
Software Medium: 

DVD Medium with Matsushita's DVD Technology 
Enhanced Counterfeit Protection

   "Enhanced Counterfeit Protection" is undoubtedly Nintendo-speak for "proprietary software encoding" - in other words, this still ain't no open standard. The Power PC will be joined by the high-end graphics chip from ArtX. While it remains to be seen how the system will perform in comparison to the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2, Nintendo's announcement can only be taken as proof of the necessity of producing inexpensive console hardware in today's competitive market. Nintendo's ivory tower of 100% custom-designed hardware solutions are no longer viable. Now all we need are some software announcements...