Will the Wii 2 feature a Blu-ray drive?

[admin]

Yet another "Blu-ray coming to X game console" rumour, this time for the Wii 2. But instead of trumpeting the increased storage capacity, and hence larger game content, that Blu-ray can provide, Nintendo's rumoured use of Blu-ray could be for another reason: anti-piracy.

Blu-ray recorders and blanks are more expensive than DVDs, and thus, provide a natural barrier for potential pirates. And it is this reason that has made some believe there is some truth to the rumour that the Wii 2 would feature a Blu-ray drive.

Of course, featuring a Blu-ray drive does not mean that the Wii 2 will play Blu-ray movies, or even provide 1080p output. The current Wii uses a DVD drive, and yet cannot play DVDs without unauthorised hacking of the console.

More:

http://wii.nintendolife.com/news/2010/08/rumour_wii_2_to_feature_blu_ray_drive_out_next_year

[dr_ml422]

All the major console Big Boys are a tad late to the Blu-ray party. They should of seen it as a + and went all in. To catch up now and try to make anything close to the PS3 would really be a whole new venture tstl. Gotta give Sony their due in sticking to their guns on this front, though Blu-ray still has a ways to go to totally wipe out DVDs etc...

[Budreaux]

Nintendo never tried to build a spec comparable machine to compete with the PS3..what they did was build a cost effective product that appealed to the entire family and they were very successful in that endeavor.
The weakness in the Wii is the DVD drive...not because of inferior graphics, but because of simple dvd drive emulation that allowed mod chips that were simple plug n play options to allow playing of pirated/copied games. It takes 10 minutes to install a Wii modchip that requires no soldering or wire cutting at all.

[dr_ml422]

If Nintendo is pondering a Blu-ray drive, I guess they feel that even a more well built DVD drive would not cut it or make sense. If security against pirated/copied games is a major concern then they should go the extra mile and install Blu-ray anyway. It'll kill 2 birds at once. Blu-ray play back which isn't a bad thing and enhanced security. The goal of targeting the entire family will still be intact, and if they're able to wing it at a reasonable price, success is still assured.

[Budreaux]

Well, sure, i think we all agree on that.
I was merely referring to the comment that seemed to reference Nintendo was trying to build a console that would compare to the PS3.

Besides, it doesn't matter how well built a DVD drive is, if it has firmware then it can be modified. Also, understand, the DVD drive isn't being altered in the Wii to allow pirated material, it is being bypassed.

[dr_ml422]

So are the Wii people oblivious to the fact that the DVD drive is being bypassed, or this was just a lil info on what's really happening w/their piracy issues? Since their drive can't be used to play DVDs etc... w/out some hacking, then the only reason to even consider putting in a Blu-ray drive is for anti-piracy. They would have to implement a whole new set of components or w/e to try and make it crack proof. So ultimately they would need to come out w/some new console to do this. If not it would defeat their proposed rumour of a Blu-ray drive for anti-piracy.

If Sony can't cut costs on the PS3's manufacturing I seriously doubt the Wii people can, unless of course anything they put out is more or less the same so that the targeted crowd mentioned remains their objective. I'm just throwing ideas around. Have no clue what Wii is planning, though it can't be just a simple Blu-ray upgrade if it's aimed at anti-piracy.