The Wii is in production

[Arimasen]

According to the worldwide media, there was a "huge news post at midnight of the 8th regarding a next gen console", and this news is that the Wii chips have been in production for 3 weeks now.

Originally Posted by Kotaku

Frankly, I'm not sure if this is good news, bad news or no news, but IBM confirmed today that they started shipping the brains of the Nintendo Wii for their New York fab plant about three weeks ago.

Ron Martino, director, of IBM Technology Collaboration Solutions, wouldn't tell me how many of the "Broadway" chips have been produced so far or how many they will be able to manufacture by Nintendo's still to be announced launch window later this year. Nintendo also declined to release details about chip production.

While Nintendo hasn't quite gotten around to releasing the date or price for the Wii, I'd be shocked if that information didn't come out at their New York City press event next week.

At least we can be pretty sure that Nintendo has already started, or is gearing up to start, production for the Wii. A July job posting by the company for a "production agent trainee" practically glows with confirmation.

This is IBM's second console launch with Nintendo. The chip manufacturer also designed and produced the Gekko chip for the GameCube. This time around IBM and Nintendo signed a multi-year deal for the chip manufacturer to produce "millions" of the Power Architecture-based chips featuring IBM Silicon on Insulator technology at 90 nanometers.

Yeah, I'm not sure what all of that means either, but I do know that the chip is designed to consume about 20 percent less energy. So there's that.

I tried to get Martino to spill with some more technical details, but he referred me to Nintendo who passed on commenting.

Nintendo was happy to say that the first of the chips, which are being produced at IBM's 300mm semiconductor development and manufacturing facility in East Fishkill, New York, are already in their hot little hands.

"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," said Genyo Takeda, Senior Managing Director and General Manager for Nintendo's Integrated Research & Development Division.

In a prepared statement Martino said they are proud of their customized Power microprocessor for the Wii.

"When millions of gamers take the controls of Wii this holiday season, the IBM logo will once again be front and center on this innovative new product," he said.

Ironically, IBM is also producing the Cell chips for the Playstation 3 at the same East Fishkill, New York fabrication plant.

Martino said production for the Cell chip is "going well and is meeting our objectives."

Sony declined to say when IBM started producing the Cell chips for the Playstation 3, but did say that they already have more than three million of the chips for their console

[Angel Jin]

I was a bit disappointed that they classified the Wii chip as a MAJOR Next-Gen Console Announcement, but at least the Wii's well on it's way to the market.

[Geschpooklichkeit]

Wake me up when hoax units show up on the gray market.

[Axem Rangers]

Meh. Whatev...

[Zanate]

ill go steal a wii in mexico..since nobody cares about nintendo here anyomre ill be a hero muahahahaha

[Alonso]

That's good news for Nintendo, i'm sure they will release the price very soon.

[Daniel]

Hopefully it will come out very soon.

[Elixir]

Originally Posted by Excel-2006

Wake me up when hoax units show up on the gray market.

They've already been popping up on ebay from different times. It's a shame because people browsing ebay appear to be really stupid when it comes to bidding. People are selling models, pictures, and yahoo emails. Even someone's selling the address buy_nintendo_wii_now@yahoo.com and the current bid is $203 fucking USD. The hilarious thing is, people are actually paying interest.

[ultralowincome]

there's so many Wii discussion threads out here, do we really need another one? To save time on would-be new thread starters, i've taken the liberty to predict the future and show what we'll be reading in this forum.

"Wii box stuffing styrofoam manufacturer revealed".

"Wii box art to sent to printing press, cardboard folders wanted".

"Wii coming out xx/xx/xxxx"

"Only xxx more days till Wii comes out".

"Wii comes out tomorrow."

"Wii-IT'S HERE".

"Wii-released xxx days ago, how much has YOUR life changed?"

"Nintendo president takes dump, wipes ass with Wii controller, showing versatility of the revolutionary concept"

"Wii leading the console war, PS3 in 5th place behind newly released Atari Jaguar and Tiger electronic LCD handheld ."

"Wii 2 Announced, OH MY FUCKING GAWD!!!"

"The apocalypse is here, my Christian friends and baptized babies are disappearing, Wii still holding out strong."

Back on topic, I want three for Xmas, one for me, one for my gf, and one for my bathroom. No reason I shouldn't be able to enjoy it while I'm on the john (insert visual picture here)

[ultralowincome]

*double post*