Iwata Discusses Taking Wii Online
Suggests downloadable games could cost about $5.
by Patrick Klepek, 06/02/2006
Even though we learned much from Nintendo E3, they managed to leave plenty unsaid in the months leading up to the November launch of Wii -- chiefly, what's going with the Virtual Console and their approach to Wii's online networking services. We still aren't learning much, but Gamasutra pointed out an interview on Japanese publication Tech On this morning where Nintendo president Satoru Iwata discussed some of the company's plans for the features.
Iwata stressed the ability for developers to create shorter, fun games for Wii that could be downloaded for a cheaper price. Specifically, he mentions 500 yen (rough $5 USD) as a going price. This is hardly a confirmation of Virtual Console prices, as many could be more expensive and even cheaper, but it's an indication of their mentality.
"By offering an environment that allows this, we hope to encourage more developers to pursue basic yet enjoyable gameplay. Of course, content-rich games have their own merit, and I have no intention of discrediting them," says Iwata.
Another interesting feature brought up at E3 was WiiConnect24, where the Wii remains online all the time, even when turned off. Though this, Nintendo plans on hooking players up with additional content. Iwata's example involved sending a Nintendo DS demo overnight that players could download to their handheld in the morning.
"...we need to offer something new each day. That is why we thought of a system that would allow us to change our offerings during the night," he said.
But what if you don't want everything Nintendo's pushing on you? Hopefully there'll be some content controls -- not to mention a revamping of the friend's code idea that currently makes online gaming on DS a royal pain -- as Nintendo works out the kinks.
Source: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151170
Suggests downloadable games could cost about $5.
by Patrick Klepek, 06/02/2006
Even though we learned much from Nintendo E3, they managed to leave plenty unsaid in the months leading up to the November launch of Wii -- chiefly, what's going with the Virtual Console and their approach to Wii's online networking services. We still aren't learning much, but Gamasutra pointed out an interview on Japanese publication Tech On this morning where Nintendo president Satoru Iwata discussed some of the company's plans for the features.
Iwata stressed the ability for developers to create shorter, fun games for Wii that could be downloaded for a cheaper price. Specifically, he mentions 500 yen (rough $5 USD) as a going price. This is hardly a confirmation of Virtual Console prices, as many could be more expensive and even cheaper, but it's an indication of their mentality.
"By offering an environment that allows this, we hope to encourage more developers to pursue basic yet enjoyable gameplay. Of course, content-rich games have their own merit, and I have no intention of discrediting them," says Iwata.
Another interesting feature brought up at E3 was WiiConnect24, where the Wii remains online all the time, even when turned off. Though this, Nintendo plans on hooking players up with additional content. Iwata's example involved sending a Nintendo DS demo overnight that players could download to their handheld in the morning.
"...we need to offer something new each day. That is why we thought of a system that would allow us to change our offerings during the night," he said.
But what if you don't want everything Nintendo's pushing on you? Hopefully there'll be some content controls -- not to mention a revamping of the friend's code idea that currently makes online gaming on DS a royal pain -- as Nintendo works out the kinks.
Source: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151170
