Warp Pipe (software developer)

Warp Pipe is a Nintendo GameCube tunneling software program created by Warp Pipe Technologies that enables GameCube games with LAN modes ("Kirby Air Ride", "", and "1080° Avalanche") to be played online via a personal computer running the software, similar to XLink Kai. Newer versions of the software are no longer being made, but older versions are still available for use.

It was originated on the IGN boards by Chad Paulson in summer 2003 as a way to play "" online when it was revealed that it would not feature an online mode but instead a LAN mode. Soon after, Warp Pipe obtained a website, and in October 2003 the forums were created where Warp Pipe continues to thrive.

Warp Pipe Technologies was founded by [http://www.chadpaulson.com Chad Paulson] , who has worked for Victory Records, and served as Director of New Media Technology at Warner Bros. Records. Paulson has previous experience in both the traditional and digital music industries as well as social peer-to-peer-based software applications. Being satisfied with their work with GameCube tunneling software, Warp Pipe Technologies began working on a video game suite called Demasked, which would, according to WPT, allow players of games to feel in contact with each other. Initially believed to be a DS online network, Nintendo apparently did not pull through as Chad had expected. Instead, they moved onto [http://www.ahhh-choo.com/ "Ahhh-Choo!"] , which will contain some of Demasked's features. The game was originally planned for play in Macromedia Flash, in a web browser. After many delays of the game's release, Chad has now presented the possibility that Ahhh-Choo! could eventually be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade. In March 2007, Chad and Tushar released a website called Wiiminder. Chad and Tushar are currently working on an unknown XNA game that they will be showing at E3 2007 and hope to release it on Xbox Live Arcade by the end of 2007.

GameCube tunneling software developers

Demasked

During the latter half of 2004, Chad Paulson announced a new project named " [http://www.demasked.com/ Demasked] ", but kept silent on the subject of the program, and its utilities. Warp Pipe Technologies met with Nintendo during E3 2005, and discussed the use of Demasked to power the online component of their games for the Nintendo DS, and future systems. Nintendo decided to go with a Friend Code system partnered with GameSpy.

Demasked was an online gaming network that was based on technology similar to virtualization software. This would allow big publishers, such as Electronic Arts and Nintendo to run game servers in a clustered environment and each game server would scale dynamically, therefore maximizing stability, saving energy, and never having to retire the usage of an online game.

From when Demasked was announced, up until E3 2005, Warp Pipe Technologies produced a number of internet publicity stunts to promote their new project. Most of these originated on the official Warp Pipe message boards, and consisted of images, audio and movie files, and a website.

It is now generally accepted that this product was no more than vaporware, and was implemented to build hype for the Warp Pipe community and increase advertisement profits for Chad Paulson. However, his [http://beta.crowdspring.com/about_us/team team profile on crowdSPRING] reads "In 2003, Chad founded a software project (Warp Pipe), with the goal to enable Nintendo GameCube games to be played across the internet. Chad won't admit this, but Warp Pipe met with Nintendo representatives during E3 2005 and that meeting likely helped shape Nintendo's online strategy for the Wii."

Wiiminder

[http://www.wiiminder.com Wiiminder] is a site that works in conjunction with the Wii Internet Channel to provide extended features, including tabs, customizable favorites, auto-opening web pages (similar to an RSS feed), and extended search and bookmark options.

External links

* [http://www.warppipe.com/ Warp Pipe website]
* [http://www.chadpaulson.com/ Chad Paulson's blog]
* [http://tushar.ca Tushar Singh's blog]
* [http://www.nintendojo.com/specials/view_item.php?1096488064 Interview with Chad Paulson, when he still believed Demasked would be the DS's online network]
* [http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=439 Interview with Chad Paulson, after moving on toward Ahhh-Choo!]
* [http://www.demasked.com/ Demasked website]
* [http://www.ahhh-choo.com/ Ahhh-Choo! website]
* [http://www.wiiminder.com/ Wiiminder website]