In an official statement today IBM has announced that it has started shipping the microprocessor that will be fixed into Nintendo's upcoming Wii video game system. The chip, code-named "Broadway" which is built on 90 nanometer, Silicon on Insulator (SOI) technology, is said to offer a 20 percent reduction in energy consumption.
Nintendo has a multi-year contract with Armonk, NY based computer technology firm IBM to create millions of the Broadway microchips, which are produced on IBM's 300mm wafers, and specially designed with the Wii's unique game play interface in mind. All processors would be developed at the company's East Fishkill, N.Y. production facility.
On the launch of first shipment, Genyo Takeda, Senior Managing Director/General Manager, Integrated Research & Development Division for Nintendo said, “The first chips are in our possession. 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.”
Though, Big Blue kept details about the processor under wraps, but it assures that the custom designed chip will deliver experiences not previously possible on video game consoles while achieving a 20% reduction in energy consumption. These processors can now be found in every next-generation console.
Emphasizing on the efforts made by the company to develop Broadway microchips, IBM Technology Collaboration director Ron Martino said, “The IBM team has worked hard to design, develop and deliver this customized Power microprocessor for the worldwide launch of Nintendo's new system.”
As per the earlier published configurations, the Broadway chip is clocked at 729 MHz, which makes it at least on paper look like the slowest of the three next-gen game console processors, which is also based on IBM technology. Microsoft's Xbox 360 uses the "Xenon" processor, a triple-core 3.2 GHz Power processor; Sony’s PlayStation 3 will integrate a 3.2 GHz Cell processor that IBM co-developed with Sony and Toshiba.
This is not the first time that Nintendo and IBM have worked together instead their association started back in 1999 when IBM was brought on to jointly develop the Gekko microprocessor used in the GameCube console.
The Nintendo’s Wii is expected to ship around the same time as the PlayStation 3, and retail for under $250 USD. Its low price alone may affect the sales of the Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3, which retail for as much as two or three times the Wii's base price.
After Sony's declaration of PS3 delays and shipment reductions, Nintendo reconfirmed that Wii would ship in the fourth quarter of 2006 and that it intends to have shipped 6 million units by the end of current fiscal.
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