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Nintendo updates DS baseball app with live ESPN data
For the 2009 baseball season, Nintendo has announced new updates to the Nintendo Fan Network, the suite of utilities and games available only at Seattle's Safeco Field. The new version of the Nintendo Fan Network features ESPN content including news about Mariners baseball and other sports, ESPN baseball columns, fantasy sports information, and "ESPN Zoom Game, a photo-matching game for sports." The new updates also feature closed captioning for PA announcements!The Fan Network retains its previous features, including weather information, video, networked trivia games, and a food and drink order service.If you don't have a DS with which to access the service, or if you just want to mess with a DSi, NIntendo is offering free rentals of the device for the first 150 people to ask for one during home games in the season's first three months.%Gallery-4854%
Video walkthrough of the Nintendo Fan Network
For the majority of you, our write-up long ago about the DS Fan Network service at Safeco field provided more than enough information on what it's about and what you can expect. But, we understand there are some of you out there who don't like to go over tons of screenshots or read long, desriptive passages (uh, what are you doing now?) and want an in-your-face video showing off some of the features of the newly-free service in real time. Well, thanks to the community over at GameTrailers, someone has done just that, as they've labored through the pain of watching the Seattle Mariners (they're not that good, we hear) all in the name of DS education. Check out the video above to see some of the features in action, then hit up our gallery below if you find you want to see more.%Gallery-4854%
Nintendo's DS-accessible Fan Network now free at Safeco Field
Nearly a year after the innovative (albeit not-entirely-practical) Nintendo Fan Network went live at Safeco Field in Seattle, the powers that be have decided to nix those pesky access fees and give every DS-toting guest access gratis. That's right, folks who show up to catch a Mariners game can now check out other MLB scores, dig deep within player stats, order up grossly overpriced grub and even watch a terribly pixelated version of the game they're currently at without handing over one red cent. The nosebleed section never had so much potential.[Via Joystiq]
Seattle Mariners' in-stadium DS service goes free
Seattle Mariners fans tired of paying money for the Nintendo Fan Network -- Nintendo's questionably useful in-stadium DS service that premiered last fall -- will be encouraged to hear that the service will now be offered for free to any Safeco Field attendee with a DS. The service lets you view MLB stats and scores, order overpriced food, and watch grainy, laggy video of the game that is actually going on right in front of you at the park if you'd just look up from the screen for a second jeez!Nintendo also promises undisclosed "new features" will be coming soon, but even without them, The Slog's Sam Machkovech thinks the Network has some potential as a free service. He even urges his fellow Seattle brethren to "descend upon Safeco in droves, stare at your tiny screens mid-game, and be satisfied!" Now that's something we'd pay to see.
Nintendo and Mariners hook up the fans
Nintendo, who you already know have quite the stake in the Mariners franchise, are celebrating with the fans on September 15th. As thanks to the fans, the first 1,500 attending patrons will be able to hook up to the Nintendo Fan Network for free. Not only that, but Nintendo will be hooking 16 lucky people up with limited-edition DS Lites, completely decked out with the Mariners' logo and autographed by select team members.Any of you west coast readers plan on attending the game on Saturday?
Touching is good at Safeco Field
The Seattle Mariners baseball team is trying a new pilot program at Safeco Field that lets fans watch replays and live feeds of the game, answer trivia questions, and even order food from the relative comfort of their sticky bleachers. Sound interesting? Oh, we forgot one detail: all of this uses the DS.For a $5 fee ($30 for 10 games), access to the Nintendo Fan Network software is granted. Two download points in the stadium broadcast the software wirelessly. We're glad to see Nintendo getting some mileage out of that baseball team they bought. They've certainly got our interest with this context-sensitive non-game. We want to go to a baseball game now.[Thanks, Dave and Matt!]
Nintendo's DS Lite orders food, shows replays at Safeco Field
Those looking for a little more interaction at Safeco Field this season need only bring their DS Lite and a few extra bucks. This season, Nintendo is trialing the Nintendo Fan Network at the home of the Seattle Mariners, which enables onlookers to "order food and drinks, watch the live television feed of the game, access stats and scores, and play trivia from the comfort of their seat." The quietly introduced pilot program has brought several kiosks to the park, which uploads a program to the DS Lite and enables the WiFi-equipped handheld to take part in the bonus festivities. Eventually, the Big N hopes to expand the system into other stadiums, but for now, Mariners fans can get in on the action for $5 per game, or $30 for ten games.[Image courtesy of Flickr]
