Picklewagon

One of the great things about being in Seattle is being able to go to a Mariner game whenever. The fact that they are playing well makes going to the games even better.

At Safeco Field, Nintendo is testing an interactive fan network that is downloadable through the Nintendo DS Lite. The program has been available throughout the season, but for some reason, has been getting some buzz on the Internets. The Seattle Times had an article about it and even Engadget gave it a little attention.

So I got my Limited Edition Seattle Mariners DS Lite, paid my 5 bucks and downloaded the software. Actually, the last game I went to I was unable to download the software. Apparently, I was too far away from a download station. But the game I went to previously I was able to reach a download station and get the software. Perhaps they need more download stations throughout the stadium.

My first impression of the software: the idea is good but with some work it would be really cool. I’ll give some more ideas on what needs to be added but first I want to explain what you can do.

Just so you know, it has been at least a month since I played with it. I was going to do a post about this but never got around to it. Hopefully I will remember everything that I wanted to say.

After downloading the software, you need to create a user id and enter a code that was given to you when buying the service from the booth. The code ensures that you do not reuse the service for more than one game. The user id is used for interactive features.

Once the software is downloaded and the initial setup is taken care of, you are presented with the main menu. From the main menu you can:

• Order food and beverages. You can enter credit card data and then order a wide variety of food. The food did seem a little more expensive and you obviously don’t have the selection compared to if you actually left your seat but what do you expect. I didn’t actually order food but it is nice to have the option.
• View broadcast video. This feature is real weak. I was hoping to get a cool list of highlights, bloopers, and maybe some of those great Mariner commercials, but instead they show a camera view of the actual jumbotron in center field. I tried this out once and didn’t even return.
• View MLB player stats. For some reason I can’t remember this too well. I believe it just showed the leaders in major categories. You can also view the stats of each player divided into teams.
• View MLB scores in progress. Just what it says. Gives scores of other games on the MLB schedule for that day. But the scores weren’t very dynamic. You could raise your eyes and take a look at the scoreboard and actually see the scores in real time.
• Fan network games. This was probably the funnest part of the software. I remember two games (not sure if there were more) that were available-Trivia and Crossword. And then when you play, you are playing against others in the stadium. This is where your user id comes into play.

Like I said, the idea is good but there are some things that need to be improved.

• Better video. Give me a selection of videos. Let me watch last night’s highlights. Or highlights from other games. Let me see the great Mariner commercials. MLB could even promote their web site and offer video from it (doubt that would ever happen). Let me see blooper reels. How about highlights from Mariner history? Player interviews. Lots of possibilities.
• Real-time scoreboard. I would love to be able to keep up with how other teams are doing, especially up to date. And if the game is over, let me check out the box score and a brief synopsis of any game.
• Real-time standings. Show me how many games the Mariners are behind in the wild-card.
• Schedule. I want to know the Mariners schedule for the year. And give me the option to buy tickets for a game. Give me the scores of past games. Show the promotions for each night.
• Real-time player stats. I want to see the stats of each players for this year. Let others know that Ichiro is on pace to break his own hits record.
• Promote the game. A lot of the times, younger people will bring their DS to the game to get this service (I’m an exception). Use it as a tool to promote the game so that they become even bigger fans.
• More up-to-date trivia. It seemed most of the questions were centered around the 2005 season. Why don’t they change the questions and offer more categories? I like how you can compete against others in the stadium. Keep the all-time high scorers to shoot for next time.
• Let me keep score on it. This would be real cool. And teach the younger kids how to keep score.

These are the main ideas I could remember. Nintendo just needs to stick with it and they could make this a cool product and offer similar services for other destinations, not just baseball games. I like the service and will get it next time I go. But when I try it next year, I want to see improvements.

What features would you like to see on the Fan Network?