Nintendo Files Patent for Game Console without the Disk Drive
Nintendo has just submitted a patent for a console without an optical disk drive, a schematic of the device shows.
Spurring on rumors future Nintendo games will be sourced digital direct, Japanese gaming giant, Nintendo just filed a patent for a console with no optical disk drive.
The patent, which was outed by NeoGAF forum user, Rosti, depicts a schematic drawing from a patent filing abstract, presenting a disk drive-less console where games appear to be stored on the device's hard drive.
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The console will be powered by high-speed ADSL or optical communication via high-speed fiber internet to deliver the game data.
According to the patent, these methods will utilize a server to "distribute a game program to a game apparatus," while pointing out it will no longer be necessary for players to purchase "a recording medium."
While the absence of an optical disk drive, and the language used by Nintendo could mean it is planning to go all-digital for its future consoles, it may also mean the company may be looking to offer a game streaming service.
Despite the absence of an optical disk drive, however, the patent schematics includes a read/write card slot compatible with an SD memory card.
The optical disk drive-less patent is also rumored to be the same one to be used for the upcoming Nintendo NX console, which the company has been mysteriously tight-lipped about, claiming any information they release on its next-generation gaming device may become idea fodder for their competitors, IGN.com wrote in June.
While there has been a dearth of information about the NX console, and when it will officially be released, Japanese video game developer Square Enix announced earlier this month it is preparing two "Dragon Quest" series titles for the Nintendo NX in time for 2016, giving rise to speculations the new gaming hardware will be unveiled by early next year.
