What is a prototype?
It is a model of your invention. It does not have to look exactly as you envision the final product to be. It just has to be a good enough model that any prospective manufacturer could see exactly how it works, and that it will work. Your prototype may be made of cardboard, when the actual product would be made of plastic or metal.
A prototype is a model of a product which is used for testing before a manufacturing run is ordered. Many companies run through several prototypes when developing a new product, as they learn more about the manufacturing process, how people will use it, and how it can be broken. Typically, access to prototypes is limited to a very small number of people, since these early models of products are often extremely imperfect; in some cases, a limited release of a prototype may be released to beta testers, people who specialize in testing early versions of products and providing feedback. Developing a prototype starts with the development of a concept for the product. For example, a company might want to create an innovative cellphone. Engineers and consultants work on the design features, typically producing several cardboard and paper models to illustrate how the product will look and feel. Once the development team is given the go-ahead, a single working prototype is created. This prototy
(back to top) -A prototype is an early version of game software or hardware which is not intended for commercial release. Some prototype games contain incomplete or differing programs from those that are eventually released. Prototypes are used by developers for testing purposes and some are sent to reviewers. Because they are not commercially available, they are very rare and are greedily sought after by collectors, particularly those prototypes that differ in a significant way from their released versions (ie. Extra levels, different music, etc).
#4: This isn’t a “ha ha Nintendo sux” post, so don’t take it as one. This is just some observation on the state of the prototype that we were shown. Prototypes have all sorts of purposes. Depending upon the purpose, prototypes may be non-working, functionally working, or both functionally and aesthetically complete. It’s clear that this isn’t an engineering prototype, but rather an aesthetic mockup for the gaming community to give Nintendo feedback on what they think of the system. If this were a functionally complete prototype as well, then that would be telling. It would show a higher level of investment in the “small box” idea and a real committment towards a direction. An essentially empty box shows less committment to this version of the revolution. In other words, it’s clear from this prototype that Nintendo has not invested in miniaturizing the hardware that’s going to go into this box. If both the PS3 and Xbox 360 have invested in working prototypes, then that would indicate th
