Topic: Wii U Will Support Purchases Via Web Browser

[NWR_DrewMG]

Buy a game on your lunch hour, and it'll be downloaded by the time you're home from work.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30737

Users will be able to purchase digital games from Nintendo directly via the Nintendo Network interface from any web browser, and then have them download to Wii U in the background immediately, even if the system is not turned on.

In the investors Q&A held recently by Nintendo, President and CEO Satoru Iwata detailed how users would be able to interact with the Nintendo Network both socially and financially. 

"Within the Nintendo Network, the 'Miiverse' will serve as that social connection between players. And as a result, we do intend to support 'Miiverse' on our existing platforms as well as on future Nintendo platforms. As we introduced in the video that talked about 'Miiverse,' the system itself is obviously designed to serve as that social connection for the gaming content to be enjoyed on Nintendo’s gaming systems. But at the same time, this 'Miiverse' system is a web-based system, and you will therefore be able to access the 'Miiverse' and see what is happening there from any device with an Internet browser.

Because of this, you would then in theory have the ability to, when you’re not in front of the game system, be able to see the interaction that players are having by checking the content of 'Miiverse' on a device like a smartphone or a tablet device. And that could become an opportunity for you to learn about a game that you may not have otherwise known about. Furthermore, for example, our goal is that, in the future, you will also be able to purchase games found in the 'Miiverse' from that smartphone or tablet device and, by the time you arrive home, that game will already have arrived on your Wii U system through SpotPass."

Nintendo already supports background downloads on Nintendo 3DS, but only when the system is in standby mode and the lid is closed.

[Oblivion]

So that means that there will be no Nintendo Network App? At least it's better than nothing.


And that also means that Spotpass will return on the Wii U?

[cL7oud]

This is cool but i'm worried they will implement it way after launch (VC anyone?) They need to have this feature working as soon as possible.

[Enner]

While an app would've been nice, I think a mobile version of the site should be just fine.


Neat to see a feature like this for the Wii U. The Steam app for the iOS is able to do a similar thing, though I have yet to use it.

[Drizzt]

And that also means that Spotpass will return on the Wii U?

I think more like Wii U connect 24 you know the systems off but still able to receive info.

[Chocobo_Rider]

Rawr! Nintendo hate internet!! Iwata SMASH internet!!

...also digital retail. SMASH!!

[MegaByte]

They promised this for 3DS a while back, but I'm still waiting...

[NWR_insanolord]

It seems less useful with the 3DS, but maybe not for people who don't carry it with them everywhere like I do. The ability to have it start downloading while you're out so it's done (or mostly done) when you get back is neat; I've used the online purchase ability with the 360, and all it does is queue it up for the next time you log in.

[MegaByte]

Just being able to browse the store on a not-tiny screen should be a big benefit.

[MrPwnage]

What is Nintendo thinking with this "miiverse" garbage? Nintendo Network is so much more of a mature and straight-forward title....

[NWR_insanolord]

I think the Miiverse is a nice face for the online service, as long as the nuts and bolts of it do everything they need to. It seems like a natural extension of what they've been doing with the Miis since the start. As long as they've got relative feature parity with XBL/PSN I think it's a good idea to have something like the Miiverse front and center.

[Chozo Ghost]

Won't this make the system a bit more vulnerable to hackers?

[famicomplicated]

The 3DS can go stright to the eShop from QR codes. I expected them to have an online store where you can buy stuff, then after the transaction has been verified you get a QR code to download your purchase on the 3DS.
At least that's what I thought the plan was.


Still good news this is definitely coming to the Wii U, however "our goal is that, in the future.."

I'm calling it now. It's not going to be a launch feature, this is going to be like the 3DS eShop and launched / patched in later...

[TJ Spyke]

I'm calling it now. It's not going to be a launch feature, this is going to be like the 3DS eShop and launched / patched in later...

Iwata already said in the Nintendo Direct video that it would only be on Wii U right away, and would come to 3DS/PC/web-enabled devices at a later date.

[famicomplicated]

I'm calling it now. It's not going to be a launch feature, this is going to be like the 3DS eShop and launched / patched in later...

Iwata already said in the Nintendo Direct video that it would only be on Wii U right away, and would come to 3DS/PC/web-enabled devices at a later date.

Yet everything shown at E3 was "launch or launch window" right Reggie? Pfff.

[TJ Spyke]

Based on that phrasing he obviously meant Wii U stuff, so this feature will be available in the launch window (which is vague, but I would assume that means by the end of January).

[Ceric]

Personally I be happy with the downloading while sleeping portion.  I can start a game at work and not to have to waste my actual free time being bored waiting for download.  Hopefully it will allow you to take the extra step and just have it go ahead and install when its done so everything is ready.