Wii chip production well underway, say IBM, Nintendo

[AmishSlayer]

What was supposed to be a "major" Wii announcement turned out to be much less so.

It's still good news and assuming those alleged controller production problems aren't an issue anymore we should see a solid release like Nintendo promised.

IBM has announced that their Broadway chip custom-designed for Nintendo's Wii console has been in Nintendo's hands since July. "We have been shipping well within this quarter (July)," said Ron Martino, director of IBM Technology Collaboration Solutions. "In fact, we have shipped a significant volume in this quarter."

So what does this news mean to gamers who have been waiting patiently for a release date from Nintendo? Well, considering that Nintendo has had their hands on a large amount of the final Broadway chips since July, some might speculate that the Wii could be released by the end of the month.

Nintendo has also confirmed their reception of IBM's chip: "The first chips are in our possession," said Genyo Takeda, Senior Managing Director/General Manager, Integrated Research & Development Division, Nintendo Co., Ltd. "Today's milestone marks the final stage of our drive to reach both core and nontraditional gamers with an inviting, inclusive and remarkable gaming experience."

When I asked Martino about the power behind the Broadway chip, all he could do was compare it to the Wii's predecessor, the GameCube. "Compared to the Gekko in the GameCube, it's 20 percent more power efficient. It also performs significantly better. The key point is that it is Power Architecture-based and custom-made and optimized for Nintendo," he said. "This is a critical milestone for us at IBM. We have been very pleased with the entire development project."

We pressed Martino to compare Broadway to the other consoles they've had an integral part in developing for and he wouldn't budge, only commenting on what Nintendo was able to offer. With this news and Nintendo confirming the shipment of "6 million systems to retailers around the world between its launch in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2007," we expect Nintendo to make an official announcement next week during their event in New York City.

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/08/shipment-of-broadway-for-wii-has-been-well-underway-hint-of-pow/

 

[satch919]

Seems like a pretty important moment to me. The sooner they manufacture the chips, the sooner I can get my hands on the final hardware. I need to preorder my Wii. That sounded a little odd.

Nintendo is like the Willy Wonka of gaming. When they develop something new, people drop what they're doing and listen. Unique ideas and fun all around. I love Nintendo.

 

[AmishSlayer]

Seems like a pretty important moment to me. The sooner they manufacture the chips, the sooner I can get my hands on the final hardware. I need to preorder my Wii. That sounded a little odd.

Yeah it is good news, Joystiq just hyped the shit out of the announcement though which got people annoyed I guess. They said it'd be an announcement about ONE of the next-gen consoles a day ago apparently to get people buzzing about what it would be. People were expecting a release date + price or something so this is nothing compared to what people were hoping for.

I'm still happy though

 

[PvtRyan]

Well, it's something a certain other company can't seem to get right, so it's an important thing.

 

[VictimOfScience]

I just hope they really will have no shortages, but I fear that won't be possible with the way the Wii machine is rolling now and the way the Sony machine has been not so much as dodging potholes, but rather making them and then driving straight into them. What a nice little stocking stuffer this Wii'll make...:E

 

[Revisedsoul]

Well, it's something a certain other company can't seem to get right, so it's an important thing.

isnt ibm making both?

edit: all 3

 

[Asus]

I just hope they really will have no shortages, but I fear that won't be possible with the way the Wii machine is rolling now and the way the Sony machine has been not so much as dodging potholes, but rather making them and then driving straight into them. What a nice little stocking stuffer this Wii'll make...:E

Yeah, but you'll need 2 stockings. One for the controllers/power adapter and another for the console. At least it's small enough you could put it in a stocking though...