It looks like the Nintendo DS isn't going to stay silent forever after all. It's been revealed that the upcoming Metroid Prime Hunters will allow players to speak to one another between rounds via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. As you'll recall, despite having a working VoIP demo on display at E3 last year, the company claimed it wasn't interested in allowing players to talk to one another online (possibly partly due to the ever-present threat of child predators). I wonder what changed this policy.
The microphone of the Nintendo DS picks up voice communication and transmits it to the people on their friend list. Players can use the chat function before a match to agree on settings or after a battle to relive their glories.
Metroid is an appropriate game as any to debut this feature. In fact, it may be more appropriate than other Nintendo franchises. Metroid is already rated "T" for teen. The labeled target audience is already old enough to not be scarred for life by the inevitable profanity that will pop out of the speakers (unlike those "E" for everyone audiences). I just hope I can turn the chatter off when opponents take to shouting garbage instead of actually saying something relevant. From the sound of things this feature may only be for matches involving known friends which suits me just fine. I can trust my friends to be civil while playing (for the most part).
