Ladies and gentlemen, this is a good day. Nintendo has announced some stuff that will bring its consoles up to its rivals in the digital download space.
That announcement is the Nintendo Network (as reported by IGN). What is the Nintendo Network? Well, firstly, it’s personal accounts. That means that the old “download your software to this 3DS here and it’s locked to that console for life, bad luck if the console dies,” is gone. Furthermore, just like the PS3 and PSN, you can have multiple profiles per system.
Is that a way around region locking, like the PSN? Sure hope so!
Even bigger news is that Nintendo is indeed looking at selling retail games through the 3DS and Wii U. No firm dates or details yet (in other words, it’s just an idea), but at least they’re serious about it.
The IGN report also mentions DLC, which we already knew was coming, but Nintendo has formally announced it will be available for developers and publishers, and the first game to feature it is Square Enix’s Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, due for release in Japan on February 16.
The IGN report quoted Nintedno company president, Satoru Iwata as saying “As a software maker, Nintendo believes that its packaged software should be sold to our consumers in a form so that the consumers will know in advance that they can enjoy playing the software they purchased just as it is. We believe that our consumers will be able to feel more secure if we offer our add-on content as an additional structure in which those who love the game will be able to enjoy it in a deeper way for a prolonged play time.”
Sounds just dandy to us. Now all Nintendo needs to do is introduce a better policy for working with indie developers, and we’re all set for Nintendo to enter the new age of gaming.
I was not expecting much from the investor meeting, so this news, the news of Nintendo wanting to stop having long gaps between their own software (saying so much is one thing, but can they actually do it?), and a NSMB for 3DS are all welcomed surprises. I hope the Wii U (name change, please) does well for them as they are the only first-party in the business that is built upon games solely, and they are one of the prime innovators of the industry. That isn't to say MS or Sony don't innovate, though.
I was not expecting much from the investor meeting, so this news, the news of Nintendo wanting to stop having long gaps between their own software (saying so much is one thing, but can they actually do it?), and a NSMB for 3DS are all welcomed surprises. I hope the Wii U (name change, please) does well for them as they are the only first-party in the business that is built upon games solely, and they are one of the prime innovators of the industry. That isn't to say MS or Sony don't innovate, though.
The fact the Wii U can utilise NFC technology is a really awesome idea with a lot of potential for innovation, too. I have my fingers crossed that developers actually make use of that.
The fact the Wii U can utilise NFC technology is a really awesome idea with a lot of potential for innovation, too. I have my fingers crossed that developers actually make use of that.
Good to see Nintendo making some good promises. Now lets just hope they deliver. There's a lot than can go wrong, but I guess I'll just hope for the best.
Good to see Nintendo making some good promises. Now lets just hope they deliver. There's a lot than can go wrong, but I guess I'll just hope for the best.
Wow. Here I thought the Nintendo Network would be nothing more than a re-branding of "Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection". I'm suddenly very interested in the WiiU's online features and anxious for a 3DS update.
Wow. Here I thought the Nintendo Network would be nothing more than a re-branding of "Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection". I'm suddenly very interested in the WiiU's online features and anxious for a 3DS update.