SharkWire Online

SharkWire Online
Developer(s) InterAct, Spyglass, Inc.
Publisher(s) InterAct
Engine 14.4 kbit/s modem MODEM[1]
Platform(s) Nintendo 64 and a scheduled PlayStation release
Release date(s) 1 January 2000
Genre(s) Video game cheating, web browser
Mode(s) download, web browsing, video game cheating

SharkWire Online is a specialized GameShark device with a serial port and modem added, accompanied by a now defunct dialup Internet portal service. It was sold only in the US, by InterAct which is most famous for its GameShark and Dexdrive. Scheduled for launch in January 2000,[2] it was the only Nintendo 64 online service to have been launched apart from Nintendo's Randnet service in Japan.

History

The SharkWire Online's Nintendo 64 accessories were developed by Datel in the UK, for InterAct to sell in the US. The now defunct dialup portal system was developed between InterAct and its communications partners: Spyglass, Inc. for its Mosaic web browser application; D3 Networks, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for game devices, which built and operated the SharkWire Online dialup network and content portal; and GTE Internetworking for its local dial-up access via its DiaLinx(R) network and Global Network Infrastructure (GNI) backbone.[3]

The SharkWire Online was presented to the public at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles on May 13–15, 1999. Later in 1999, it was test marketed in Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, Minneapolis, Minnesota, but not released to the rest of the USA until January 1, 2000.[4]:19 The company considered the possibility of eventually supporting online multiplayer gaming, and opening up access to the wider Internet beyond their proprietary portal.[5]

The company ran a $5–10 million advertising campaign created by advertising agency J. Walter Thompson across TV, print, radio, direct, and interactive media. It portrayed an aggressive image of teenaged "hacking" versus the FBI, which "gives kids a feeling of control and power over the establishment".[6]

Before InterAct closed down operations, SharkWire Online and all other trademarks of GameShark were sold to Mad Catz.[7]

Usage

The SharkWire Online product centers around a cartridge, which contains a modem and the Mosaic web browser licensed by Spyglass, Inc. The product's operation requires Nintendo's Expansion Pak for RAM.[5] Because the SharkWire Online cartridge is unlicensed by Nintendo, a security workaround is achieved when the user inserts a Nintendo 64 video game cartridge into the SharkWire's rear slot, with the label facing up. The keyboard and telephone cords are plugged directly into the SharkWire Online cartridge. To navigate the menus, Controller 1 must be attached to the Nintendo 64 console.

The accompanying dialup service was intended as a safely proxied and customized Internet access method for children aged 7 to 14 years. The service allowed the player to upload and download game saves with their Controller Pak, and to download cheat codes directly into the SharkWire cartridge.[8] The portal contained copies of articles which had already been published on the Internet by InterAct's content partners. These partners included Fox Sports, Electronics Boutique,[9] Gamepro, Prima, Eidos, Capcom USA, Jones Soda, Airwalk, UPN, and Arnette Sunglasses.[3][4]:17[5]

However, due to the continual updating of Nintendo's security chips to lock out unlicensed products, even since the time of the product's release, it is incompatible with the following games:[10]

To bypass these lockouts, would require the re-manufacturing of the SharkWire-GameShark cartridge's hardware. While subsequent GameSharks were released for the N64, the SharkWire Online was not updated, and more Nintendo 64 games were produced that it is unable to unlock and play with.

Reception

A review by News on 6 found the online portal content to be well-written and suitable more for young children, although very limited in content and scope and less suitable for more mature gamers. The review found the email functionality to be good once the faulty keyboard was replaced, and also well suited for children.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "FCC Application notice for SharkWire Online". Archived from the original on October 3, 2006.
  2. ↑ "SharkWire For N64 Provides E-Mail, Gaming Community". Twice. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "SharkWire Online(TM) by InterAct Allows Gamers To Get Online, In-Touch and Out Ahead" (Press release). Hunt Valley, MD: InterAct Accessories, Inc. PR Newswire. May 12, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Q64". Vol. Vol. 3. Winter 1999.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Godinez, Victor (April 2, 2000). "Review: SharkWire promising but needs fine-tuning". News On 6. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  6. ↑ Dawson, Angela (December 6, 1999). "JWT Cracks the Code". Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Mad Catz Interactive Inc – '20-F' for 3/31/03 – EX-4.17". March 31, 2003. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Cyberspace Via Nintendo". The Washington Post. October 7, 1999.
  9. ↑ "Just When You Thought It Was Safe...". IGN. October 7, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  10. ↑ SharkWire Online instruction manual. InterAct. 1999.

Further reading

  • "New Online Access Tool", Education Technology News, August 4, 1999 
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