iQ update

My vision for Nintendo's next generation gaming console, the iQ, has become a fantasy project of mine that has allowed me to exercise my thinking cap to generate something that I believe is a good idea. To change subject for a second I just wanted to touch on the information which Microsoft released at a press conference on its latest gaming project for Xbox at this years E3 gaming convention. Natal is the name of the hardware that Microsoft has created as an add-on attachment for their current generation console, the Xbox 360. From the small amount of details released, there are already signs that Natal holds many characteristics that are similar to my vision for the future of gaming with iQ, these include: The system is an add-on to a current generation gaming console - It is placed below, above or beside the television - It has a camera and microphone built in for communicating - It is interactive - It has the ability to identify people and movement - It is used for more than just gaming and is intended to become a central hub for entertainment in the home.






The obvious difference between Natal and iQ is that the iQ has a screen and this feature alone sets it apart and takes it to different level. There is no direct competition between the systems as they communicate differently, they function differently and they interact differently. The advantage of having the added screen with iQ can be seen with the software that is produced for the Nintendo DS portable gaming system.








Below is a video showing inspiration behind the iQ concept including animation of the system in a home environment.



iQ information:
- The Nintendo iQ is an Interactive Lifestyle System that is connected to the current generation Nintendo Wii gaming console.
- The iQ's purpose is to connect poeple, cultures, lives and environments to one another in a fun and interactive way.
- It's development begun with drawing inspiration from LED billboards that are commonly seen in cities around the globe.
- Electronic billboards have become icons for a futuristic culture where diverse content is delivered to people in an attractive manner.
-The iQ takes the beneficial elements that billboards posses: Informative, helpful, communcative, interesting, artistic, dynamic, bright, fun and lets not forget entertaining! All these elements are then applied to an Interactive Lifestyle System in a home environment.
- These key elements are the focus behind the design of the iQ with a few added features including its main feature - the 8:3 Ratio (320mm x 120mm) OLED multi-touch screen that is used as a secondary screen to the television. An example of the iQ screen being used in a gaming situation: If you are playing a game on your Wii console, to reduce clutter the iQ will automatically remove Heads Up Display (HUD) information from the television screen and place them in the iQ screen. An example in a non-gaming situation: The iQ screen will display horizontal scrolling news and weather information without the television being turned on. Another non-gaming example could be that while a person is watching television they can surf other television channels by watching other channels scroll across the iQ screen in realtime and if a desired show appears the person simply clicks on the scrolling show and the channel on the television will change to display the selection.
-Other built in features the iQ includes are: Infrared Tracking Camera, ambient sensors (light and sound), a more powerful sensor bar, expandable internal memory and new programs and software.

Peachy Interviews Me: Part One & Two

Here is a cool new way for me to interact with you guys. This video that I created below took about 3 hours to make and I had a lot of fun doing it too. This is basically just a test to see how successful it will be. I hope you like the video.

LINK: The Legend of Ugra

A few posts down I talked about a new Zelda game that I came up with called, Link: The Resurrection of Zelda's Legion. I got some great feedback on the idea and have decided to continue to develop the story and so far I've come to the conclusion that it should be a new Legend of Zelda trilogy. The first installment I have named, LINK: The Legend of Ugra. I have made a video to help introduce the story line to the new series and to perhaps extravigantly aid in creating an atmosphere of sorts. I hope you enjoy it!

Legend has told that there exists a light, more pure than the crisp mountain air, more delicate than the petals of the Hyrule rose and more elegant than the frozen dew crystals of an early winters morning. It is described as an ever expanding blanket of intertwined stars, which lyrically transcend time and matter in to the depths of the forgotten.
To be witness to this light will grant thee the power to resurrect the unfortunate dead and free the cursed, but not without consequence as it's vulnerable balance is tied to the unforgiving universe.
It has been held within the clutches of history and it's name unspoken for many ages and time its self has seen to betray the sight of man to protect it from the evils that wish to destroy it.
The light was a gift from the gods to the kingdoms that united under a treaty signed to banish war so to ensure everlasting peace among it's people.
The gods told the people, "Ugra, be engraved upon the defending wall. Ugra, be uttered in hymns across the hall. Ugra, it is sensed upon the minds of all. Ugra be the name of the Hopeful Light that shall never fall."

Where is Ugra now? No one knows, but like an autumn leaf it awaits it's inevitable descent in to hands of whom it can not foresee, and if it is hope which these hands seek, then final hope is what Ugra will deliver. Ugra must be harnessed with great care and of the purest intentions for its fragility may be weakened to the fashioning of darkness and expelled forever!

Idea from ages ago!

This is the WiishBone - One of those ideas that I lost years ago and have just rediscovered. By the date on one of the drawings, I created this idea in May of 2006. It was suppose to be a Microphone for the Wii as it's first function and a MP3 player as it's second function plus more of course. Enjoy!

LongShadow: Pirates of the Underground

Hi there guys! I hope you are enjoying the blog? As you can see there has been a lot of thinking, lol. I wish I knew how to stop but hey that's the best part about being creative; You never run out of energy.

Long before I started on My Nintendo Portfolio, approximately six months before the release of the Nintendo Wii, I spent countless hours on another project. It was still Nintendo related but it concentrated exclusively on a game idea that I created called 'LongShadow: Pirates of the Underground' and was inspired by the Wii Remote. Below is a snippet from the blog which still exists HERE.
There are many sketches, explanations and character art as well as in-depth story and character development. I hope you take some time to check it out.

PROPOSAL:
To design a 3D, family friendly game for the Nintendo Wii console. The game will be built from the ground up to take full advantage of the unique features of the Wii remote controller and ensure game mechanics are simple so to add, “pick up and play” appeal.
Due to the unique offerings provided by the Wii remote controller there will be no need for the use of the Nunchaku attachment at all in this new way to play, this has been enforced to better the vein of a simplistic control path.
To achieve this design in simplistic controls, new means of 3D operations of in-game characters will be generated and will open up opportunities never seen before.
The development goals of LongShadow are to succeed in maneuvering a character through 3D spaces and worlds single-handedly and to minimize the use of buttons in which to operate the game.

STORY OUTLINE:
This game is called "LongShadow: Pirates of the Underground". Follow LongShadow in this epic adventure as he fights to reclaim and rebuild The Island of Long WhiteCloud after a disastrous storm claims the entire tropical island. The storm brings trouble to the land and strange creatures start to emerge from the ground destroying everything in their path. Take control of LongShadow in this Adventure game via the Wii Remote Controller, move in 3D, plant tropical fruit trees, gather and throw fruit, help friends in need and help each other to defeat the evil shrouding this paradise.

Below is a map that I drew of the island where the story takes place.

Nintendo 101 - An array of freehand sketches

Nintendo Gameboy Mini Booklet

A few years ago, before the release of the Wii; Rumors were spreading that Nintendo would be ending it's "2nd Pillar" - The Nintendo Gameboy. I was saddened by the fact that this could be the case and it made me begin to think about where the next Gameboy (if there was ever to be another) could be taken, what features it would comprise of to differentiate it from it's past and it's brother, the Nintendo DS. Thus a concept came to mind where the Gameboy became a ultra-portable gaming device made for gaming on the run in the form of 'Bite Size' fun! Eliminating cartridges and buttons and introducing new technologies to the Gameboy family.
The images that follow are individual pages and a print out of all the pages from a booklet that I made advertising the next Gameboy proposal - THE GAMEBOY MINI!

Unlocking sequence for the Nintendo 101

Developing Nintendo's next console: The iQ

The following images are only rough sketches and noted ideas about what I think the next Nintendo console should contain, function, and look like.

Instead of Nintendo inventing an entirely new console, they could just capitalize on Wii's popularity by simply upgrading the system.
The iQ will be the first home console to feature a built in LCD screen, as a matter of fact the entire console is a screen! Not only will it be used as a secondary screen to the existing television; much like that of the Nintendo DS's dual screen ability - but it will also house some very innovative features and devices such as:

* Powerful 400W left and right surround micro speakers made by Bose.
* Built-in Hard Drive.
* A built-in sensor bar that is twice as powerful/sensitive as the sensor bar that is included with every Nintendo Wii console purchase.
* Ambient Microphone Sensor - Not only used for voice chats online but also has the ability to detect background noise which can be used to affect in-game gameplay and can also be used for voice commands.
* Infrared Tracking Camera - With the built in ITC the iQ has the ability to automatically turn on from the standby mode when a person enters the room by detecting their movement and body heat. When it is activated it will display the latest news headlines and weather reports or the latest game info since the system was last turned on. When no one is in the room it will return to standby mode. The ITC is the heart and eye of the iQ and is clever enough to detect differences between people by judging their height, physical appearance, complexion and over time will get to learn the person and their voice and will build a picture of them the more they interact with the system. This means their will be a databank of users and the iQ will learn what the user likes and doesn't like, does and doesn't do etc. Of course this can be calibrated and adjusted to the users liking.
* HD LCD super wide (200x400mm) screen - The main purpose of the screen is for in-game Heads Up Displays so to keep the television screen free from information clutter. In addition to it's main function the iQ screen has a built-in HD Tuner for tuning in television channels and watching Blu-Ray and DVD movies and for playing Wii games on.


With the iQ upgrade system - there will be no need to replace an entire generation of games because you simply attach the iQ system to your current Wii console, allowing the user to still play all the games they love with the ability to play the next generation games made for the iQ. The disc drive in the Wii is used for iQ games as there is no additional disc drive in the iQ system.
With a single cable the iQ can be powered and will be able to transfer data between the Wii and communicate necessary information. You simply locate the iQ system below, above or beside the TV screen and can be displayed free standing or wall mounted.

The Nintendo iQ system will retail for around US$500 on release day.

The Nintendo iQ logo

The Nintendo iQ logo is a clever combination of the lowercase letter 'i' and the uppercase letter 'Q'. The logo also symbolizes brackets like these "[ ]" to imply inclusion.

Cover art concepts

These are two layout arrangements for the case cover art for the Nintendo iQ. I wanted to keep a similarity between the Wii casing to imply that there is a relation between the consoles but at the same time you can see that it has evolved.
Included is the story line, which inspired the cover art for an original game concept I came up with called 'The Lioness'.



* You play as a young female character by the name of Toleo, who rides upon a giant lion companion called Tamer.
* Toleo was raised by a pack of lions in a forgotten land known as Buried Sun.
* Buried Sun is the home to a giant race of lions that the world thought was extinct - This special species of lions are/were known as Westpride Lions.
* Westpride Lions were known so because they would always acknowledge the setting sun to the west by performing a ritual on dusk.
* The ritual involved the group of lions digging a hole in the ground to catch the setting sun's rays of light then they would cover the hole again in hope that from that exact place a message from the ancestors of past days will appear.
* When Toleo was a baby she was found by Tamer, abandoned and alone. She was discovered laying upon a buried ritual hole from the previous dusk ceremony.
* The Westpride Lions believe that Toleo was a gift from the Lion gods, so they raised her as one of their own.
*A few years on, and Toleo is now 13 years old. Due to horrific events Toleo and Tamer are the last survivors of of the Westpride Lions after their river system was poisoned by humans up stream.
* They must leave Buried Sun to try and stop the evil human polution from killing their homeland.
* Toleo and Tamer come to a city for the first time in their lives and are caught by scientists who have just rediscovered a surviving Westpride Lion thought to be extinct.
* They become separated, Toleo is kept in a hospital for tests and Tamer is captive in an other unknown location.
* Toleo is reunited with her biological parents in the wake of a giant media explosion with people calling her - "The Lioness".
* It is up to Toleo to free Tamer from the imprisonment that the scientists have placed him in.
*Toleo struggles with her new identity and gets further away each day from saving Tamer and Buried Sun in her dimming situation.

New Nintendo iQ controller concept sketches

These are sketches taken from my visual diary accompanied by notes and explanations that express my ideas for the next Nintendo controller. Please click on the images to view full size. You may notice that as I developed the controller I used several names such as; Wii+, The Arc, The 101, Modus and so on. But the final name for the controller will be named after the console it self: The Nintendo iQ Remote.

The Nintendo GameBoy 101 - Concept - Game Names and Ideas

The next GameBoy portable gaming device by Nintendo will be called the '101'. It will feature a long, curved touch screen. It will go head to head with the iPhone by being a complete gaming device with phone functions and online features. A small video that I made can be viewed in the post below showing a small amount of the features.

NEW NINTENDO CELL PHONE: The 101 (Lets 101)

FEATURES

Cell Phone: The Nintendo 101 is not only a gaming device but also features a fully capable mobile phone with all the features you'd expect plus more!

Hardware & Design: Camera, IR pointing device, Ear piece, Mouth piece / Microphone, High Quality Bose surround speakers, Gyroscope, Rumble, Internal memory disk, Metal metallic trimming around screen,

Screen: Ratio 3:1, Multi-point Touch screen, Millions of colour HD LCD display,

Camera: 5 mega pixel, 360 rotation,

Software: Channels Just like Wii, Download and play specially designed games for the 101, Web browser, Alarm clock, Music player, video player, Ringtone creator,

Compatibility: Sync with Nintendo Wii. Use the IR pointing device just like a Wii Remote. Built in gyroscope allows for movement interaction with Wii just like the Wii Remote. Play all downloaded Classic games on your Wii on the 101.

Wireless: Wifi, Bluetooth, Transfer saved data between Wii and 101, use the 101 as a router for the Wii.

* When your rankings on a Wii game are updated, a message will be sent to your 101 to inform you if there is any change.
* Exclusive content such as game demos, video reviews and previews will be sent to 101 users.
* If you are playing a Wii racing game, you can use the 101 as a rear view mirror that will display in real time.

101 Name:
The name for Nintendo's new hand held peripheral reflects the personal interface it presents with it's user; One on one. The 101 is a simple name that has a diverse ability to extend in to the title of software and hardware to help the public identify the consoles product. Because the 101 has a built in phone network it will always be connected to wireless information as long as the user has reception, which basically means that every 101 user has access to the online capabilities of the 101.


Listed below are 101 game names and ideas that will be made exclusively for the handheld.

101 With Mii - Create a new Mii or transfer an existing Mii from your Wii. Nurture, provide, educate and look after your virtual clone or new friend.

101 With Mii: LOL - Introduce your Mii to a sandbox world where you can chat with all your friends in a fun and interactive world.

101 With Mii: SOS - Your Mii is todays Super Hero and tomorrows headlines. Answer the calls for help, rescue, survive, save lives then let the public decide your level of bravery. Can your Mii save the world from grave danger?

Baby Mario Galaxy: One Small Step - Baby Mario discovers a stranded creature by the name of Olimar from the far reaches of space who is on a journey to discover the wreckage of a legendary space ruin and needs Baby Mario's help. The aid of little friends will be vital in their success.

Star Fox: Flight Deck - Fox and team return in a first person flight sim. Take control of a highly interactive cockpit. Take off, fly and land safely between destinations.

Brain Training 101 - Train that brain of yours in a new, exciting way with new games and activities.

Pokemon Snap 2 - The adventure continues with new Pokemon and new features that take advantage of the 101's unique abilities.

Donkey Kong: Band Beat Blast - Choose members from the DK crew to create a band, upload your music for judging.

Link: The Resurrection of Zelda's Legion- Link connects with his spiritual powers to uncover the forbidden tale that speaks of a method to bring back the dead from the After World. The journey takes place 21 years after the mysterious death of Queen Zelda and her 3000 man army, Link is now over 100 years old and has retired as a master of his own exclusive combat school, RAHD (the Royal Army of Hyrule Defense). He must educate and train an army of young Hyrule boys and girls to turn them into warriors to defeat a great curse placed upon his people. With evil forces against him, the aid of a special friend helps him reclaim lost strength, abilities and tricks. His new companion is named Ugra, who is a spiritual flame that communicates by changing colour, he carries Ugra in a special lantern that must be protected with his life if he is to venture successfully. Ugra can glow in several colours that Link must learn to interpret. When Ugra glows: Yellow = The situation is neutral, Blue = Danger approaches, White = A special hidden feature or item lays nearby, Green = Yes/True, Red = No/Faulse, and when the Flame Dims = Link must hide.

Tetris 101 - Need anything be said? I thought so....

Peach's Scrabble 101 (New IP) - Peach brings the fun of the Mushroom Kingdom to the scrabble board! Need anything else be said? Perhaps online play?....

LongShadow: Pirates of the Underground (New IP) - LongShadow is a prehistoric creature that must rebuild his homeland after a devastating storm destroys his native island. He discovers forces beyond nature stand in his way and he must over come many fears in the darkest of his days.

Project 101 (New IP) - Bring your design talent to life in a fully fledged 3d design application game where you are given design tasks to complete, from designing basic model cars to vast castles to intricate characters. Upload your creations to be judged.

Blind Folded (New IP) - Your sight has been taken from you and you must rely on your hearing to accomplish missions in this creative puzzle/adventure.

Ghost Heart (New IP) - A first person rail shooter that realizes the 101 screen as your own eyes. Where ever the 101 screen is directed in 3D space; in real time the perspective of your in-game view will follow via the built-in Gyroscopic technology.

Tank (New IP) - Create a small sea creature and look after it inside a fish tank that you get to upgrade and arrange to suit your creature creation.

The Nintendo 101 user interface concept.