Topic: Nintendo Makes Nintendo Network Official

[NWR_pap64]

Nintendo discusses digital distribution of retail titles and personal accounts on the comprehensive service.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/29093

Nintendo has officially confirmed Nintendo Network as the name of their new online service for the 3DS and Wii U and detailed new aspects of the service.

Unlike their previous online initiative, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo Network will not focus on specific features, as Nintendo aims to make a comprehensive service for competitions, communication among users, and distribution of digital content throughout their various platforms.

Nintendo used Mario Kart 7's community features and the paid DLC for Tobidasu Pricla Kiradeco Revolution and Square Enix's Theatrhythm Final Fantasy as examples of what they have already accomplished with the network. In respect to DLC, Nintendo wants to make it clear to consumers up front what the costs will be so they are not surprised by charges.

Nintendo is also considering digital distribution of packaged retail titles and says their network is ready to handle such distribution on 3DS and Wii U. As of now, Nintendo has not set a date for such distribution, as they need to prepare for this change by consulting wholesalers and retailers, as well as considering technical issues like SD card capacity.

Nintendo Network will also allow players to create a personal account so they can access the network. Nintendo specifically cited plans for the Wii U where members of a family may want to use individual accounts.

[Santiago]

"Nintendo will never in a million years allow you to download retail titles on your 3DS" It's been confirmed that you will be able to

[fixyourface0814]

Color me surprised.

[broodwars]

Alright, on-paper Nintendo is approaching being up-to-date with PSN and Xbox LIVE on some features, and it's good to see Nintendo finally allowing individual online accounts (though I'm really curious how they'll handle that for transferring Wii digital software, because I'm not altogether trusting of the Club Nintendo connection).  That's a good start, but I'll believe in this online system's competence when the press and public see it for themselves in the coming months/years.

[Chozo Ghost]

Until I see something about Nintendo having system wide trophy support I won't believe the Nintendo Network will have 1:1 feature parity with the competition.

[Adrock]

I can live without trophies/achievements since I never cared for them on PS3/360 anyway. It'd be nice to have but I wouldn't even consider it a major loss if it was missing so long as the rest of the online structure works the way it sounds like it does.

[SonofMrPeanut]

I think a unique kind of "achievements" system is waiting for Nintendo with Play Coins.  Besides walking for them, perhaps doing a specific thing in a game not gives the player some marker of the achievement (I'm calling it a 1-Up for now) it but also a Play Coins prize.  Then they can use the play coins to either unlock more content in said game or other games or more system content.  If the play coins were made universal, Wii U games could also offer these rewards and unlockable content.

This would certainly address how some people consider Achievements and Trophies pointless padding by offering them an actual reward they can use.  Of course we'd then have people complaining about the developers "holding the game hostage" with these restrictions, but that would be a story for another day.

[Enner]

Whether you love or hate achievement/trophy systems, you can't deny their addictive power. It would be remiss of Nintendo to not at least have something basic similar to Steam achievements.


Nintendo has only mentioned SD cards for storage and that worries me a bit. I hope that is not a sign that USB hard drive support has been cut from the Wii U.


EDIT: Ah, I now notice the downloading may be only referencing the 3DS.

[ControlerFleX]

My bottom line.

If Nintendo finds a way for me to have the same connection I have with my PS3 but with more awesomer Nintendites like myself...... I will add the wii U controller to my arm one month after purchase!!

[S-U-P-E-R]

Good to see Nintendo catching up with 2006

[Adrock]

Better late than never.

[Ian Sane]

I understand broodwars' reluctance but I'm just impressed that we even get this.  This sort of thing would have taken a calculated leap on Nintendo's part to try to catch up.  It means not re-inventing the wheel and doing it some goofy unique Nintendo-way.  It sounds conventional and sometimes that is the way to go.  Nintendo is terrible at being conventional when the situation calls for it.  This is SOMETHING.  It's them making some sort of an effort to be up-to-date.  I was seriously concerned we would get little itty bitty baby steps with each new system.

[Adrock]

I'm just impressed that we even get this...

*universe explodes*

[broodwars]

I understand broodwars' reluctance but I'm just impressed that we even get this.  This sort of thing would have taken a calculated leap on Nintendo's part to try to catch up.  It means not re-inventing the wheel and doing it some goofy unique Nintendo-way.  It sounds conventional and sometimes that is the way to go.  Nintendo is terrible at being conventional when the situation calls for it.  This is SOMETHING.  It's them making some sort of an effort to be up-to-date.  I was seriously concerned we would get little itty bitty baby steps with each new system.

My stipulation right now is that saying they have features on-paper does not necessarily mean that those features are done well or done in a manner we would expect.  Nintendo has not traditionally done online well, even with the 3DS where you still see common complaints about the eShop.  That's why I'll believe their claims when I see it for myself, or when a member of the press can report that the online works well and is well-designed.

[Shaymin]

So is my utter lack of give-a-crap due to the fact that I really don't have a lot of experience with these kind of networks, or just the fact that I'm the ultimate antisocial gamer?