Datel: Web Browsers for Video Game Consoles

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN @ DATEL DESIGN:

This email consititutes an idea or suggestion that the undersigned recommend for development as a future Datel product. The undersigned declare that they recognise accepting unsolicited suggestions or ideas are looked upon as legally unattractive by many companies. This petition's creator and the undersigned accept that no benefit, financial or otherwise can be gained from the realisation of all suggestions herein. Most merely want to see a dream product or service come to market, but it would please all of us if it is simply read by someone at the company. If Datel has any response to this collective action, please email [email protected] and it will be forewarded to signees in kind.


DATEL'S HISTORY:

Before the details of this suggestion are disclosed, we would like to relay some feedback on how much people have enjoyed your recent products. The gaming world was blown away by the region cracking "Freeloader" for Nintendo GameCube. It was a product that essentially did what many regarded as impossible. The cover-disc media that Datel's subsidiary - 'Thin Ice Media' - provide for UK CUBE magazine is also a huge technological feat. Proving you have strengths in peripheral production too, the "Powerboard" is the cheapest, most affordable and highest quality keyboard for current generation consoles. We all look foreward to more quality Datel products.


IDEA SUMMARY:

The undersigned are interested in seeing video games console Internet Browser software be created. It is our view that Datel are by far and away the most suitable company at the moment to do the job. Desirable basics would be Java support and/or basic flash & active-x support. Expansions upon this basic idea, why we want it, and why we think Datel should want it - follow:


APPEAL. BUNDLES. POWERBOARD. INHERENT CHALLENGES:

Picture a new retail bundle for all major consoles. Contents: powerboard + web browser. Who would this appeal to? People of varying computer literacy. Parents wanting something else to keep the kids busy. Gamers wanting to take a break from gaming every now and then to enjoy another medium. The idea of the internet on a TV set is an attractive idea, especially to those who don't own a PC, or would simply like access in another room. Strangely, it is an idea poorly realised in satellite/cable set top boxes and other platforms. What better install base to make a success of such a thing, than 90 million gamers?

Of course- we the undersigned, understand some things are easier said than done. We realise that there are challenges that would need to be overcome... like ever-increasing page resolution for example, regularly upgraded plug-ins etc. However, given Datel's recent history, we feel confident that those kind of things are well within Datel's capability to tackle.


CASE STUDY: IMPACT ON GAMEBOY ADVANCE, NINTENDO GAMECUBE AND OTHER PLATFORMS

With regard to Nintendo products imparticular, let's examine potential impact. Datel has already pleased many gamers in the gaming community with Freeloader, and has doubtless won some brand loyalty. Not only would such a product be giving the online-starved PSO community another use for their Gamecube modems, but you would potentially be doing much more! How about opening up a whole new can of worms for the "homebrew" community, or the actual wider mainstream development/publishing/retail communities themselves?

* Imagine if you will, URLs published in monthly magazines (or on your own websites) that lead to Gameboy Advance downloads. With the right software, they could be sent down GBA link cables. GBA demos?! Another Datel first!

* Imagine how it would back up the online gaming "tunneling" groups and other gaming communities like WarpPipe.com or Xlink. You could even build some kind of Instant Messager support.


ADDING VALUE TO EXISTING DATEL PRODUCTS, MARKETING NEW ONES:

Perhaps more of interest to Datel, such a product could potentially benefit existing products like Action Replay for example. Downloadable codes? Shopping? You could market new products to owners of the browser.


IN CLOSING:

In time, hopefully the collective signees agreeing with this cause, will prove that such a product would win positive support from gamers on all consoles and win Datel's consideration. We would be excited to see how Datel would realise it and make it work, and even more excited to see what ideas Datel could bring to the table themselves.