Nintendo Network! :)

Wolverine359

I just read about the possibility of Nintendo launching an online service similar to Xbox Live and PSN!
http://mynintendonews.com/2012/01/20/nintendo-is-preparing-nintendo-network/
The box art of Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy (or TheAtRhythm: Final Fantasy) has been revealed and shows a Nintendo Network logo in the corner. An exciting sign of things to come!

nitromaster

I want to be able to link Wii U + 3DS and share content between them. With this obviously expanding the 3DS's Virtual Console library. (Maybe not N64 titles, but the rest should be available)

Hope this isn't too much to ask for....

Nollog

Nintendo Japan were using the nintendonetwork.net domain to run a photo competition recently, so it could be anything.

Could just be a rebranding of Nintendo Wireless Connection, which was an ugly name for their online anyway.

As far as Wii U and 3DS working with the same shop, I thought the name and overall design of the eShop pointed to that the second it was revealed.

Nintendo did announce at one of their shows a while back that the eShop would have an update where we could browse stuff from regular web browsers, and an anonymous source from Nintendo Enthusiast said:

A source that wished to remain anonymous has told us that Nintendo will launch a website accessible from any web browser that will handle configuration of your Nintendo Network account for use on the Wii U or 3DS. He also stated that Nintendo Network will include many new features that haven’t been used before by Nintendo. According to his accounts: Nintendo Network = Sony PSN = Xbox Live.

So that sounds quite familiar to what they told us before, except implies more features than before, which is to be expected.

Mr E

It's now official.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-27-nintendo-network-for-wii-u-and-3ds-revealed

Nintendo has pulled the curtain back on the Wii U's online functions, announcing its new Nintendo Network.

This is different than the much-maligned Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection that governs previous Nintendo hardware, and is designed to cover both the 3DS and Wii U. Indeed we've seen it in action already in Mario Kart 7's online functions.

"Unlike Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which has been focused upon specific functionalities and concepts, we are aiming to establish a platform where various services available through the network for our consumers shall be connected via Nintendo Network service so that the company can make comprehensive proposals to consumers," Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata said.

"For example, competitions and communication among users, as well as the sales of digital content, will be covered within the Nintendo Network."
Nintendo Network includes a number of features Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 gamers will be familiar with, including add-on content sales, the digital distribution of boxed games and, in the case of Wii U, the introduction of personal accounts.

The personal account system is designed to help gamers share the same Wii U. "With this, for example, the ease of using a video game system when the hardware is shared by multiple family members, which has been a challenge we needed to tackle, shall be improved, and we will also be able to construct and offer the system by combining a variety of different services and content," Iwata said.

"Whether it's our first-party titles or third parties' titles, for a number of games, we will actively attempt to achieve compatibility so that our consumers can enjoy our online services that we will deploy under the name of the Nintendo Network."

On the digital distribution of boxed games: "This concept was built into the design of the Nintendo 3DS, and we already have the necessary infrastructure," Iwata explained.

"We will prepare the same infrastructure for the Wii U. However, we have not decided the concrete timing of when we will start it. The decision must be made by taking into consideration such factors as the relationship with the wholesalers and retailers, and the best way to be embraced by consumers, as well as the environment surrounding the market and consumers, such as the required memory capacity on consumers' SD memory cards.

"However, as an option for the future, the significance of this business field will increase."

On the DLC side, Japanese 3DS game Tobidasu Pricla Kiradeco Revolution is the first for which gamers can buy add-on content for a boxed game. Final Fantasy spin-off Theatre Rhythm is the first game to sell music as DLC.
"While we are on this subject," Iwata added, "when we discuss anything relating to add-on content, our remarks are very often reported by the media by their attaching such modifiers or notes as 'the ones used for social games.'
"Please note that Nintendo, as a software maker, does not plan to deploy businesses where our consumers cannot know in advance which item will appear as the result of their payment and they have to repeat the payments and, before they know it, they end up spending a huge amount of money in order to obtain the items they originally wanted to purchase.

"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."
Nintendo Network uses the NFC (Near Field Communication) function in the tablet controller to enable micropayments.

This will let Wii U owners create cards and figurines that can electronically read and write data via non-contact NFC - a bit like Activision's Skylanders toy and video game sets.

Meanwhile, Iwata said Nintendo will ensure the Wii U will shine at launch, set for Christmas 2012, and avoid the mistakes made with the launch of the 3DS, which was criticised for a lack of compelling games.

"The company is aiming to firmly complete the development of the entire system and prepare sufficient software so that the Wii U will be at its best at the time of the launch," Iwata said.

"Needless to say, we have learned a bitter lesson from the launch of the Nintendo 3DS."

Myrddin

Great :cool: I think they see the revenue potential. Long overdue move by Ninty

nitromaster

Digital distribution of retail titles sounds great, especially if they bring over titles which wouldn't have usually got a release here or the US. (Already done so with the Virtual Console's Hanabi festival and all)
Only localisation costs to bear, stick them up at a reduced price on the eShop and everyone wins

Star Lord

nitromaster wrote: »

Only localisation costs to bear, stick them up at a reduced price on the eShop and everyone wins

Sounds a little over optomistic! :pac:

nitromaster

A tad maybe!

But this new Nintendo seems completely out of character! Not like they'd have to hit parity with retail titles if they're import only games (to avoid killing retail, same as PSN/XBL)

(even at full "retail" price) Still would probably be cheaper than importing the title from japan/wherever, paying shipping...oh and picking up a 3DS from that region so you can actually play it :pac: