Topic: Millionth Wi-Fi DS Player Logs On

[Jonnyboy117]

In five months, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection has reached one million players, with over 27 million total connections.

Nintendo's Wi-Fi Service Logs Its 1 Millionth Player    

More Than 27 Million Connections Have Been Made Around the World    

REDMOND, Wash., March 7 -- Nintendo's wireless gaming service has hit an all-time gaming record of 1 million unique users, in less than four months in operation.    

Nintendo(R) Wi-Fi Connection lets Nintendo DS(TM) owners log on cost-free to compete or interact in a variety of games, from racing in Mario Kart(R) DS to community-building in Animal Crossing(R): Wild World.  The 1 millionth user was a player in Japan, who logged on to play Animal Crossing: Wild World.    

"Players are embracing our model of a compelling, safe, easy-to-use wireless gaming service," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing.  "Those 1 million users represent more than 27 million game sessions."    

On March 20, two new Wi-Fi-enabled games arrive in the Americas to draw even more players to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.  Tetris(R) DS brings a twist to the addictive classic puzzle game.  Up to four players can compete against friends or strangers, near or far.  Tetris DS features multiple modes themed with retro Nintendo characters and music.    

Also launching March 20, Metroid(R) Prime Hunters features competition using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, but players get an added bonus: the ability to chat with one another before and after battles, using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).  Players can use this Metroid chat feature to agree on match parameters and to relive their battle glories.  This riveting first-person shooter lets players choose from a variety of characters and weapons, with extensive replay options.

[Dirk Temporo]

And HOW long did it take XBL to reach that number of players?

[Flames_of_chaos]

I guess i took XBL 2 - 3 years to reach the million mark.

[Artimus]

Wow!!!! Free = win.

[mantidor]

Im still waiting for them to reach the promised 90% of DS users now thats never ever going to happen, Im very sure about that

sorry, Im probably in Paladin's anti-online mood

[foolish03]

how many users does xbox live have now.

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Keep in mind this figure counts one-time-only connects, guys.

[Mario]

"Those 1 million users represent more than 27 million game sessions."

The average would be 27 connections per person. Though i've probably made about 500 connections.

[WuTangTurtle]

Either way it's pretty embarassing for a console to be beaten by a handheld in well anything let alone this.

[Infernal Monkey]

Especially when it's only had two online games avaliable worldwide so far. What with Animal Crossing yet to hit Europe.

[Nephilim]

I dunno:
few million mario karts
few million animal crossings
tony hawk, 5 copys
bleach 50-60k in japan

plus the fact ur friend code resets when u use ur cart on another ds, would of been quite alot of these i imagine

[UncleBob]

Your friend code may reset, however I believe NoA can track individual DS units.

[Ian Sane]

One thing to take into account when comparing this to Xbox Live is that like TYP said this counts one-time connections and that can really skewer the stats.  With the Xbox, aside from having a paid account, you have to go home and connect everything.  With the DS you can buy the thing, turn it on right outside the store and perhaps find a hotspot.  You're now included in those million users.  Maybe you never go online with the DS ever again.

I think the most important stat would be how many people play online DS games per day.  Then we would get an idea of what the market for online DS games really is.  Those are the people that have wireless internet at home and/or can access wireless online as part of their daily routine.  That information is much more important for the Rev for example.  The DS, because it's a portable, is very flexible regarding online play but the Rev, being a console, doesn't.  All the people who played a DS once at McDonalds are not going to play their Rev online because they can't.

Hopefully this is just typical press release stuff and Nintendo isn't using this figure to make future decisions.  

[Artimus]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Hopefully this is just typical press release stuff and Nintendo isn't using this figure to make future decisions.

You don't like ANYTHING that happens, do you? Nintendo finally does what you moan about and you STILL complain. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP!

[Ian Sane]

"Nintendo finally does what you moan about and you STILL complain."

Nintendo typically doesn't do what I ask for without goofing around with it in some way.

Nintendo: We're going online!
Me: YEAH!
Nintendo: And you have to have a wireless connection to go online with the Rev!
Me: WHAT?!

So 1 million online DS players doesn't mean anything for Nintendo's overall online plans because a DS owner can logon at McDonalds and a Rev owner can't.  This wi-fi only junk could greatly limit the popularity of online gaming on the Rev if they're not careful.  So they better not think "wow this is working great for the DS" and then just assume it will work for the Rev.

[RiskyChris]

Jesus christ Ian, Nintendo never said you have to have a wireless connection to go online with the Revolution!!!!

I don't even need a wireless connection to use DS wifi (hi2u USB key).

I bet you a revolution and all its launch titles that a USB Dongle with Ethernet input will be available for the rev.

[Ian Sane]

"Jesus christ Ian, Nintendo never said you have to have a wireless connection to go online with the Revolution!!!!"

They've never been very clear on it but all they ever talk about is wi-fi in regards to any online play.  The Rev from what we've seen has no ethernet port.  The general assumption from Nintendo's comments is that the Rev is wi-fi only and you either need a wireless internet connection or you have to buy the dongle from Nintendo.  In other words people have to jump through hoops to get their Rev online and that hurts the ease-of-use which is crucial for the Rev's online setup to take off.

[KDR_11k]

Alternative scenario:
"Nintendo: We're going online!
Me: YEAH!
Nintendo: And you have to have an ethernet cable in your livingroom to go online with the Rev!
Me: WHAT?!"

[Karl Castaneda #2]

I really don't think a $35 dongle is "jumping through hoops." I mean, you've got to pay $50+ to install Xbox Live Gold, so what's the big deal in buying the dongle (which is supposed to go to retail soon, isn't it)? And since first party titles will probably go online for free, you're getting a pretty good deal, in my opinion.

[Ian Sane]

"Alternative scenario:
'Nintendo: We're going online!
Me: YEAH!
Nintendo: And you have to have an ethernet cable in your livingroom to go online with the Rev!
Me: WHAT?!'"

I was thinking more along of the lines of Nintendo allowing you to choose what option best works for you.  Plug an ethernet cable in if you've got one, use your wireless connection if you've got one, or buy the dongle.  All the bases are covered then and everyone can choose whatever works best for them.

I consider buying a dongle jumping through hoops because my consoles are right next to my computer so if I wanted to go online with the Rev I could just unplug the ethernet cable from my PC and plug it into my Rev.  But instead I have to get a wireless router or buy the dongle for a console that is going to sit in the same spot for as long as I live in the same place.  It's still a better deal than Xbox Live but it's a pretty lame restriction.  Things will be better if they actually release the dongle in stores (it is available in store in Canada and I give a big thumbs up to Nintendo of Canada for that) but as an online-only item the mass appeal of Rev online is greatly diminished.  The dongle might as well be the Cube broadband adapter.

[Louieturkey]

Artimus and RiskyChris really you don't have to get all upset about this.  Who really thought Ian would be happy with anything?

Ian just because your setup has consoles next to PC doesn't mean the rest of people have it that way.  I'm guessing the majority of people Nintendo is trying to reach have their consoles in the living room or bedroom while the PC is in a computer room or office.  This would make an ethernet cable a lot harder to use than just plugging the dongle into their PC and not having to change where their consoles are set up.  Plus, I believe Nintendo is not offering ethernet because it's cheaper without it. Nintendo is trying to be the cheapest console and easiest to use.  While adding an ethernet port may make it easier for some people, maybe the cost is too high to add one in Nintendo's eyes and they are compromising.  Maybe the dongle will be in stores around Rev launch time.

[Ian Sane]

It doesn't matter what my setup is or your setup is or anyone's setup is.  Nintendo should provide options when it makes sense to and in this case I think it makes sense to.

Does the dongle support Macs?  I remember hearing it doesn't.  That's a pretty big reason right there to not only offer wireless connections.

I'll agree the whole decision is probably based on cost though.

[RiskyChris]

[devil's_advocate]Well you know, I wish I could go wifi with my XBox but Microsoft is forcing me to use an ethernet cable[/devil's_advocate]

You know, a company doesn't have to provide every option INCLUDED WITH THE SYSTEM for gamer's.  That's why you can option(!!!)ally buy the dongle.

That's why a system comes with 1 controller, because you can option(!!!)ally buy extras.

...  

[WuTangTurtle]

again i think Ian is more right than all of you guys.  The best thing would be to have everyone covered and really simplify it for everyone by having all the options available.  A lot of people still have wired connections in their homes, and to switch from wired to wifi is a big leap.  Think about it you have to buy the wifi router and wifi cards (1 for each pc), thats a lot of money.  Not to mention you need to buy a compatible router (certain routers don't work for the DS).

But like Ian pointed out Nintendo is probably going to decide based on price for themselves.  For example how much it cost to have ethernet slot versus not having it, and potential use from owners.

Everyone should just be glad Nintendo is offering online games for free or online games at all.

[IceCold]

Quote
Maybe the dongle will be in stores around Rev launch time

I believe NOA said when MP:H comes out, it will be available in the US. Ian's right; Nintendo of Canada deserves praise for having it and Electroplankton in stores when they came out..