by Andrew Yoon, Apr 30, 2013 10:10am PDT
Nintendo's jump into digital gaming has been a success so far. But, there's much more to do than simply offer retail games as downloadable titles on the eShop. Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata knows this, saying that "we think that digital distribution of packaged software is only the first step in expanding our digital business." The future of Nintendo lies in expanding their digital offerings to include free-to-play, and even games with subscription fees.
Read more: DLC, free-to-play, and more »
by Andrew Yoon, Apr 24, 2013 10:21pm PDT
Miiverse, Nintendo's social network, is now accessible on PC and mobile devices by going to the Miiverse website through an internet browser. The beta version includes access to your Activity Feed, where you can view updates from friends and give them Yeahs. You'll also be able to browse communities and check your notifications. However, the current version of Miiverse for PC and mobile is read-only. You won't be able to post updates, nor will you be able to register for the service. These features are exclusive to Wii U only, for now.
Read more: Coming this year to 3DS »
by Steve Watts, Jan 28, 2013 9:30am PST
by Andrew Yoon, Nov 07, 2012 10:00am PST
When Wii U launches on November 18th, it will usher in a new era of online connectivity for Nintendo. Thanks to the Nintendo Network and Miiverse, Wii U players will no longer have to exchange Friend Codes to connect with one another.
One of the reasons why Nintendo has been so hesitant to offer a simple ID system was that it wanted to "prevent users from having objectionable encounters with strangers," as Nintendo president Satoru Iwata explained. But, as Miiverse producer Kiyoshi Mizuki pointed out, "people put their Friend Codes on other networks and bulletin boards and exchanged them with strangers anyway."
Read more: 'We get along!' »
by Andrew Yoon, Nov 07, 2012 9:15am PST
The latest episode of Nintendo Direct showcases two of Wii U's upcoming online features: Wii U Chat, a built-in video chatting system that takes advantage of the GamePad's camera, and WaraWara Plaza--the Wii U home screen, where you can see the latest comments about the latest games.
It's a rather straightforward video, but things get rather awkward when Nintendo president Satoru Iwata asks Reggie Fils-Aime to speak in Japanese. Actually, it's a bit awkward before that. Let's watch!
Watch: Reggie and Satoru's forbidden bromance »
by Steve Watts, Oct 03, 2012 4:00pm PDT
by Andrew Yoon, Jul 03, 2012 11:00am PDT
While Nintendo has dabbled with online connectivity for a while, it's taking a much more serious approach with the launch of the Nintendo Network. Both Wii U and 3DS will connect to Nintendo's new online service--but will gamers have to pay for access? The answer, so far, is no.
"We have a wide variety of consumers, from the ones who enthusiastically play video games to those playing more casually, who are not always interested in them but try to play a game only when it has become a public topic or play it just during certain periods, like a year-end season and summer vacation," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata explained to investors. "We therefore believe that services which ask our consumers to obtain paid memberships are not always the best."
Read more: But Nintendo 'cannot promise' always-free online »
by Andrew Yoon, Jun 28, 2012 9:30am PDT
How serious is Nintendo about the future of its online connectivity business? Apparently, serious enough to announce a new hire in a new position, focused exclusively on Nintendo's burgeoning online platform. Beginning July 1st, Nintendo of America will have a new "senior vice president of Network Business," a role created to "spearhead the development and evolution of Nintendo of America's digital strategy for the company's Nintendo 3DS and Wii U video game systems."
"By creating this new position we're demonstrating our commitment to the expansion of our online business," Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said in a press release.
Read more: Poached from Disney Interactive »
by Andrew Yoon, Jun 13, 2012 10:30am PDT
Nintendo has traditionally been the most closed off of the big three. While Microsoft has opened up Xbox Live to iOS, and Sony has a games platform for Android devices, Nintendo has avoided broadening its reach outside of its proprietary hardware. At E3, however, the company announced plans to open up Miiverse--its upcoming social network--beyond Wii U.
You'll be able to access Miiverse from the web on PC and mobile phones. However, you'll be able to do much more than look at status updates. You'll even be able to purchase games and queue them up for delivery while your system is on standby.
Read more: Games will be ready 'by the time you arrive home' »
by Andrew Yoon, Apr 27, 2012 5:30am PDT
As expected, Nintendo plans on selling retail games digitally through the Nintendo Network. The first first-party game to be available at both retail and on the eShop will be New Super Mario Bros. 2, scheduled for release in August. And that will be just the beginning. "Starting from this software, the company will offer the software titles that Nintendo itself publishes in both packaged and digital download formats so that our consumers can choose the way to purchase them," the company announced at its most recent investors' meeting.
Read more: 'Imperative for us to expand' digital »
by Andrew Yoon, Jan 30, 2012 12:30pm PST
Nintendo may be a household name in Japan, but the company has yet to find success in many other Asian countries, least of all China. Rampant piracy has prevented Nintendo from pursuing a traditional release model in the country. Instead, it has opted to create a joint venture company in China called iQue that distributes heavily modified versions of its products.
The advent of downloadable full games is changing Nintendo's perspective on Asia, however. "Being able to offer download sales means that the company now has additional options in the countries where we have not been able to construct sufficient distribution channels, and where we have been challenged with enforcing copyright infringements or where the price points of packaged software are not suitable," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said.
Read more: 'It has a very significant meaning to us' »
by Andrew Yoon, Jan 30, 2012 8:15am PST
Nintendo has been vocally opposed to the DLC model employed by third party game publishers. "When we sell a game, we want the consumer to feel that they've had a complete experience," Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said a few months ago. "We're unwilling to sell a piece of a game upfront and, if you will, force a consumer to buy more later."
However, while Nintendo promises not to engage in the practice itself, the company cannot block third-parties from doing the same on their platform. "If third-party developers would like to adopt this form of micro-transaction, and if this kind of business relationship between the developers and consumers is commonly accepted in Japan, we have no intention to decline it," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said.
Read more: DLC plans are 'up to each developer' »
by Andrew Yoon, Jan 27, 2012 6:00am PST
Nintendo has officially announced the "Nintendo Network," a new name for its online efforts. First mentioned in Mario Kart 7, the new service will replace the "Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection" that was standard in Nintendo's last-gen efforts.
The Nintendo Network will cover both the 3DS and the Wii U. The service will be far more comprehensive than the online coverage Nintendo has previously offered, and will provide gamers with features made standard by Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.
Read more: Communities, personal accounts, DLC »
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