Iwata tackles Virtual Console prices, Wii Connect24 [update 3]
by Ross Miller 
{ Jun 2nd 2006 at 4:25PM }
Sure, we have a good grasp for what its controller can do, but what about this new-fangled Wii internet connectivity? Nintendo president Satoru Iwata recently sat down with Nikkei Business Publications to dish out some teasers regarding the Virtual Console and Wii Connect24. Iwata showed hope that Nintendo's Virtual Console would allow developers to "create a reasonably entertaining game in 2 months with a team of three" and sell it for around 500 yen (likely $5 in the US). What Nintendo is banking on is that less financial risk will equate to more creative risk-taking, and the unique experiences will attract customers to the Wii (e.g. Ragdoll Kung-Fu, Geometry Wars).
Iwata further extrapolated on Wii Connect24, where he envisions the console connected 24 hours a day. Iwata hopes to give console owners new content every single day, and gives the example of having monthly DS demos download overnight, so that players can wake up, find a blinking light on their console, and know that they have new content from Nintendo.
Continue reading for more thoughts on the interview.
Here are some observations / suggestions:
- Culinary Allegories: For some reason, industry figureheads like to compare their products to food: Iwata discussed "eating French cuisine or a full dinner each day would quickly lead to boredom, wouldn't it? You'll want a simple bowl of rice and soup every now and then," pointing out the need for Virtual Console title as complementary to big-budget titles. Ken Kutaragi recently compared PlayStation 3's luxury by noting the disparity between "the company cafeteria" and "a fine restaurant." Where, then, does this put Microsoft on gaming's food pyramid chain? Hideo Kojima, too, compared next-gen gaming to steak dinners.
- Involuntary Downloading: Those monthly DS demos? As many of us do not like to waste memory on software we do not want / can't use (remember, some people don't have DS units), we hope there's an option to turn off nightly downloads. Also, we hope Nintendo learns from Microsoft's mistake and implements background downloading from the start.
- Quality Control: Nintendo wants original content every day, but how far are they willing to go to make that promise? We don't mind absorbing a game for a few days if it is of good quality, rather than some questionable "games" that pop up every 24 hours. Let's see the Nintendo Seal of Approval on these simple, priced-to-move titles.
- More silly allegories: Iwata: "some design Formula 1 cars, others design hybrid cars," a statement made to demonstrate how Nintendo is not "anti-technology," with the Wii representing hybrid cars in this scenario. We warn, however, that hybrid cars can cause dangerous increases in smug.
- Blinking Lights bug me ... argh.
[via Gamasutra]
[update 1: added Kojima's culinary comment.]
[update 2: "Blinking lights" comment moved to the end and re-worded to emphasizes its more tongue-in-cheek importance on the list. Many of the other, more serious, critiques are not meant as anti-Nintendo sentiment, but suggestions that all companies do (talk food) or should do (quality control).]
[update 3: fixed a minor typo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jOEfRO @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:31PM
6. The Wii makes coffee and toast for you in the morning and shoves it in your face, no problem.
Derbeste @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:36PM
Ultimately, there is no way Nintendo deliver new, unique, quality content to the Wii every day on their own and they admitted this.
When it comes to realizing this VISION (not promise), they will be at the mercy of third parties.
Based on the past, this is a HUGE 180 for Nintendo and a very nice one at that. In the past, the big "N" has not been very friendly to third party developers and has chosen to focus more on 1st and 2nd party quality it can control to make its mark. That phillosophy has failed that last 2 generations.
So to answer your question:
How does Nintendo plan on accomplishing this vision?
Answer: It doesn't.
That is up to the whole industry.
I applaud Nintendo for finally taking more drastic steps to get third party support....even if it is in 3 party teams.
Geist @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:36PM
Hmm 5 bucks? I'm a total fanboy, but 5 bucks seems a little steep for a game that could potentially be over a decade old. They have to remember that these games are all available online in ROM form, and they're going to have to provide a low enough price point to attract people to buy the games on the Wii.
Oh man. There is going to be tons of hacks to play ROMs, aren't there? Mah, oh well.
David @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:38PM
How ironic is it that you're talking about this Wii Connect 24,(on all daylong) when less then two hours ago you posted an article outlining Eco friendly gamers, and how consoles should have an "off" button :P
Larry @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:38PM
hell, I'd pay up tp $10 to play super mario 3
duerra @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:38PM
More details? This post is full of lots of details:
http://www.armleg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4487&mforum=mozlapunkmessag&sid=b352d219ae63108f948a3c8545381def
I know it's just speculation and rumor, but this guy is offering a lot of info. Joystiq may like to consider posting it, even if it comes with an alert.
benjamin @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:41PM
Yeah, I get so bored having a "full dinner" every day.
Seriously, though. I have one additional concern:
First, if they want the Wii to be used for so much downloading won't we need much more memory? If they are talking about downloads EVERY DAY that would require a lot of space, even if they are small files. If the Wii won't have a hard drive we're going to have to buy new sd cards or usb drives or whatever pretty often. I agree, they need to offer the option to filter incoming content based on preferences or to turn auto downloads off completely.
Optimus @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:43PM
Many people sleep in the same room as their PC and they get by just fine. What about the blinkling lights on cable modems/routers? Most of those devices don't even have an off switch. How about VCRs/DVD players/alarm clocks that feature a flashing ":"? Little flashing lights being on at night are the norm in most households.
I'd *much* rather have the ability to know at a glance if my system has received new content.
If little lights keep you up at night, you might want to see your doctor and discuss your insomnia issues :)
Blink @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:51PM
$5 sounds good to me, for games like Super Metroid and Chrono Trigger who's legal copies cost over $50 still on Ebay.
Jose @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:54PM
How is $5 too much for a game like Chrono Trigger or Legend of Mana? Hell, I paid $12 for a used copy of Sword of Mana.
Why do people pay $.99 for one song when they can get it from another source on the internet for free? Don't ask me, but it happens, and it's a viable market that provides both immediacy and legitimacy. I know the cops aren't going to bust down my door and sieze my PC, but the peace of mind provided by the virtual console is more than just a little appealing.
Jack Flash @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:55PM
benjamin,
I'm sure someone might home brew something to let us use an external USB hard drive.
Anyway, am I becomeing a Nintendo fan again????
as a sports gamer (after reading an EA interview) the wii is a must have. Any other things they want to do and/or give us is fine. It doesn't change my exitement a bit. Imagine, the sports gaming community may opt. for wii over the PS3, WTF that is a 180 turn around in my head.
Jose C @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:58PM
I just hope this works on regular broadband connections all over the world, I live in Venezuela and I'd be pissed if I couldn't use my Wii's online features.
GTgamer @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:00PM
I read the article before seeing Ross' summary, but I have to agree with how comical many of the topics were.
Didn't Nintendo notice how "push" content died VERY quickly back in the mid-late 90's when it was heralded as the next big thing? I want companies inundating me with ads and content?...umm, no. That was something that since its inception would only sound good to a marketing person.
Iwata also acts as if Nintendo was the first to market or come up with the idea for quick play/simple gaming and content on a console. Sorry, Microsoft beat you to that too.
Though the piece of news I was anxiously awaiting was the VC pricing since that's the Revolution feature I'm most interested in. ~$5 for classic titles?! Umm, better think a bit lower there friend. MAYBE for the more modern (N64 and Gamecube era) games, but anything before that better be a LOT cheaper. I'd like to re-explore the old Nintendo library, but I'm not willing to pay a fortune to do so ($200 console plus $4/game...sorry, Double Dragon and RC Pro Am aren't worth it).
Borjan @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:01PM
I imagine a soft warm blue pulsing, that won't disturb anyone.
Mmmm... pusling.
Andrew @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:01PM
Smart approach, IMO. Iwata casts a very wide net at little risk and expense to Nintendo for potentially huge hits. Also, and I'l probably get flamed for this, Nintendo isn't targeting us as end-customers - us being loyal readers of this fine blog. ;)
Austin @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:04PM
Blinking...lights? Are you serious? Do you want to complain about the color of those lights too? Or how about the shape?
Freakin' whine some more, damn.
benjamin @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:12PM
Jack Flash: homebrew won't be necessary, actually. Nintendo already stated that we'd be able to use our own external USB HDs. My concern is having do dish out more money to buy more of them when it gets filled up with stuff I don't use. I mean, they're cheap, but not that cheap.
Jenga @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:14PM
I'm pretty sure all this is optional...it'd be extremely neat if Nintendo would let us DL the latest demo based on our favorite genres...like say RPGs, and Fighting games, while sports and other genres we don't enjoy won't even be brought up.
Jay @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:21PM
I understand the food thing. I love carbonara. I could have it every day, but I won't. because I would get bored of it. I like to limit the things I like so I don't tread into the dangerous waters of tire.
I have Mario DS. I'm absolutely loving it, but I'm savouring it. Little bit each day.
frankly the lights thing doesn't bother me. My PowerBook remains in sleep overnight, the gentle pulse of the white sleep light is very relaxing actually. I hope the Wii has a similar idea. It's entrancing. Though I very well imagine there to be a "light off" option.
I openly embrace Nintendo's idea. It's amazing on paper. Keep games feeling fresh. Hell I'd love Metroid Prime 3 to have some limited multiplayer mode with online play, but they slowly expand the number of maps available, perhaps even letting players design their own (a la World Craft and that 'thing' TimeSplitters had). If they manage that, then wow. would be a huge moment but only if it's continuos and community supported.
I also don't mind forking out a paltry $5=£2.6 (ooh, we're almost at double the dollar, that crept up) for an old game I liked. Sure I won't buy a massive number of games. But the Marios, the Metroids and other games I missed out on would be perfect.
viva la revolution!
Amrcanpoet @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:23PM
All of you who are complaining about the price of VC games, need to notice that he didn't say OLD games from NES or SNES would cost $5, he said that new, simple, 2-month produced games would cost $5. So, $5 for a game like Geometry Wars or Bejeweled! seems fair to me.
Remember what Miyamoto said at E3: NES games would cost a couple of bucks, SNES would cost about $5, and N64 would cost a little more.
So, I discount that complaint, along with the blinking light complaint. You guys are just REACHING for something to complain about the Wii. Just admit it, aside from the name, they haven't made a mis-step yet (even the lack of a HDD is great, since they said that the Wii will accept ALL 3rd party storage devices. Meaning, I can plug in my free {after rebate} 512mb USB stick and have all my NES games on there. Or, buy a cheap HDD and external kit from Fry's and use it, rather than being forced to pay Nintendo's up-charge).
Also, no one seems to have mentioned that VC games may be streaming content, and not actually d/l'd to your Wii...
long tran @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:24PM
Actually, studies show a slow pulsing light helps you sleep. That's why whenever you put a Mac to sleep, its pulsing light is very slow, simulating the slow inhale and exhale of someone sleeping. Those kids of Apple put more thought than anyone else into their industrial design.
retro @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:25PM
Joystiq's anti-nintendo bias strikes again!
Derbeste @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:26PM
I think a lot of people here are missing the point.
He's not saying that past NES, SNES, N64, etc games will sell for $5 (though they still may).
He's saying that small teams can create NEW games that they can distribute over their connect24 network for $5. I repeat.... NEW games. Not past games.
It's a way of encouraging companies to take risks on new gameplay without incurring the huge financial risk.
Have a new idea? Why not create a SNES quality version of your idea and distribute it digitally for $5? See how it is received before developing an Oblivion type gaming around it (for 3-5 years), pressing it on to millions of DVDs, and risk going bankrupt.
The idea has merrit. It's an indie games paradise!
Jenga @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:27PM
By the way, I'm really, REALLY, hoping Super Smash Bros. Brawl will implement this. New items, new stages, and of course, new characters.
Cameron @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:27PM
Notice the 5 dollar comment was in reference to new content from indies and small developers, not older games. So, it is even possible that we will see old games even cheaper.
And to the editor comments, a lot of that stuff is minor. A DS download will never exceed 4MB in size since that is the amount of RAM the DS has.
Obviously, you'll have to be the judge of the software released, if you're paying for it, it won't D/L automatically. If Nintendo is going to fully open up small time development, there is no way to actually QC that stuff. I'd say a user ratings system would be best, so you at least have an idea of whether or not that software is worth it to you.
lane @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:27PM
"While we get a lot about Nintendo's philosophy, we learn very little in terms of tangible facts. Hopefully this will change as the suspected launch date draws near."
As an inside source embedded at the big "N" itself, I can personally attest to the fact that this WILL NOT CHANGE. I repeat -- NO TANGIBLE FACTS BE RELEASED BEFORE LAUNCH. Abandon all hope!!!
benjamin @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:28PM
GTgamer: who was the first to come up with quick play/simple gaming and content on a console? Microsoft? Excuse me, in what capacity?
I wouldn't even credit Nintendo with that. You'd have to go back a helluva lot further. Atari 2600? Commodore? Colecovision? Oddysey? Those consoles didn't feature simple play/content? What are you talking about?
Games started out simple. There was nary a complicated game in existence in the past. They've become increasingly complicated. Microsoft's xbox/360 consoles find their roots firmly in the "complicated as the norm" era. The xbox didn't exist until the dual analog/shoulder button/8-10 buttons per controller era. Nintendo started out with a 5-button controller with no analog controls at all, no loading screens, 15 seconds from start up to gameplay era.
Are you talking about simple downloads, then? Again, why do you think Microsoft deserves the credit there? What about online via pc downloads? I'd say PC beat MS to that punch by quite a bit, wouldn't you? You're giving MS way too much credit. They were the pioneers of home console online content- the one and only innovation that they popularized.
You could argue like Iwata is acting like they invented simplicity, I don't agree, but still to say Microsoft is the one who beat them to it is unfathomable to me.
And as far as $5 being too much... how low can you possibly expect them to go? Who here couldn't afford that? That's like a value meal a McDonald's! Certainly a game that took a team of developers years to complete is worth as much as a big mac...even if it is 10 years old!
idioteraser @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:29PM
Nintendo has already stated you can use SD cards or external hard drives with the Wii. Besides it has 752 of flash memory. Unless a game demo is in HD most of them don't take more then 30 megs. Besides most games you would pay five bucks for that are brand new you would be buying the license and due to the DRM you would be able to download the game as many times as you want to that unit. Besides Nintendo does know how to make piracy unprofitable and recent legal laws make breaking a DRM very nasty also you can legally put say a virus system lockout or unleash a very nasty trojan if someone tries to copy the games.
Also it is rumored the wii may have the ability to lock itself down if you try to take off the covers. Meaning you couldn't reverse enginner or mod it. It would fry the circuits if someone opened it up. After all you aren't authorized to tinker with it. You are violating the warranty and the warranty upon such forced expiration would expire the unit.
Nintendo has in it's patents for the vc mentioned upgrades to the games.
Consider five dollars a permenant rental fee.
Illegal ROMS are often of inferior quality as well as often containing nasty stuff.
99% of people would rather buy a legal legit authorized copy of a game that has been out of print for years and costs either a buck or at least 14 bucks for a N64 game.
PSP game sales are in the toilet due to piracy. People wonder why games are priced so high as well as few quality games coming out. Guess piracy is to blame. Hate that damn plastic crap they put over stuff so it is hard to open. That is due to shoplifters. If people didn't people didn't shoplift or tamper with stuff in the stores then you wouldn't find the products you buy hard to open or be so costly.
If a game developer's products are pirated then they won't make as much money if at all. If the studio doesn't make a profit then their chance of becoming nonexistant increase. So if you want to support your favorite game developer buy the games at retail.
Psychonauts won't have a sequel since pirates did their work.
Movies are a different story as to cost because hundreds of millions of people watch a movie in it's theatrical run. And different countries charge different rates as well as areas in that same country. Also there is the tv licensing, and dvd sales.
Movies get seen by hundreds of thousands of times more people even the cheapest b-movie then people buying video games.
Do you wonder why so many bands struggle it's because pirates pirate their stuff. It is very rare for a band or musical act to make a 100,000 dollars in a year even though they have a hit record or several records in a store.
If you want your favorite artists in whatever field to produce more quality work then pony up the cash for it. They have bills to pay, their work costs a lot of money to do and if you pirate they don't get the money to pay it back.
idioteraser @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:35PM
It should be noted both the Super Famicon and N64 DD had downloadable games. So yes Nintendo beats Microsoft. And the idea of the VC being used for new games was announced long before the xbox live arcade ever was.
Nintendo had online with the Famicon in Japan for crying out loud.
Sony wouldn't exist with Nintendo getting outraged over Sony trying to pull a fast one on them.
Microsoft wouldn't have made their own products if Nintendo hadn't rebuked them when Bill Gates tried to buy Nintendo. Microsoft and Sony don't have enough money to buy Nintendo. Nintendo made more profit on console gaming then either Sony or Microsoft last year.
Amrcanpoet @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:44PM
In response to #26 about musicians. Their money doesn't come from record sales, it comes from live performances. It's been that way for over 30 years.
Perri @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:45PM
As Jenga suggested I'm sure there will be some option like 'download all Animal Crossing Content' or 'Don't download DS demos' even 'always prompt me before downloading'. Nintendo must realize that amount of space they are providing wouldn't be enough for all the content all the time. Do you really think they would assume you have madden 07 and put the updated rosters for 08 on your system without making sure you have it? get real. About the pricing, I think it's ok, apparently the N64 games are going to be $10 (I payed 14 for Majoras Mask(last year) and that was a great deal) Although it may be a bit steep at 5 dollars for an NES game, I don't think its outrageous to ask that much for a SNES game, not at all. The blinking light idea is something that actually really excites me, I don't know why joystiq is whining about this maybe we should make it so your alarm won't make a noise when its supposed to turn on...Whats the big deal? I'm thinking it will probably be the small white LED on the power button that changes from red (sleep - assumption) back to white or something like that, nothing that will burn your retina's. And they have stated numerous times that while Wii is asleep is will only use as much power as a miniature light bulb (judging from Iwatas hand indications I would assume he meant a nightlight sized light, maybe even a christmas light.)
I've said enough.
GTgamer @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:50PM
To address benjamin, I was talking about this console generation and clearly referring to consoles as I specifically used the word "console" in my statement. This whole discussion is shaped around *this* console generation. So in this console generation, Microsoft has been the first to market with an organized online content distribution scheme for gaming consoles.
"Certainly a game that took a team of developers years to complete is worth as much as a big mac...even if it is 10 years old!"
You forget, the developers and publishers were already paid (and likely profited) during the initial release and merchandising long ago (unless the particular game didn't hit sales targets, but that's their problem).
At this point, the fees *should* (of course, this is idealism, not pure capitalism) be enough to cover the projected cost of implementing the emulation for the expected number of downloads, cover the game's share of overhead fees (servers, bandwidth, etc), and a little bit of profit on top of that. To continue your value meal anology (how are we back on food again?!)...if McDonald's can buy/cultivate, process, and ship all elements of cheeseburger, fries, and coke to me and sell it in a retail store for $3, Nintendo can probably get me a downloadable version of Contra or Tecmo Bowl for less than a $1 and still be smelling like roses. Yes, Nintendo won't be pushing the same volume as McDonalds does, but there are a lot less manual labor and overhead costs involved in Nintendo's product.
Nintendo will charge what they want to charge and the market will react, but Iwata/Nintendo's comments so far haven't reassured me as a customer that the Rev will be worth the investment for classic gaming purposes. The details are still vague, but I'm not really enthused yet...for me, it's all about the pricing strategy and ownership model.
geostar @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:54PM
11 Jack Flash
I think a great use for this 24 connect is say player updates in EA sports games. Say they add a new character to the roster (perhaps a hot rookie that didn't make the original game). Player trades could be addressed in this way. Also, for more simulation type games, there could be a link to actual gameplay stats updated everyweek.
We are only beginning to see the potential of this. I agree it's the third parties that have to make this work.
Andir @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:56PM
"Do you wonder why so many bands struggle it's because pirates pirate their stuff. It is very rare for a band or musical act to make a 100,000 dollars in a year even though they have a hit record or several records in a store."
Meanwhile the Executives in charge of the music studio give themselves a raise and a new Porshe. I love it when everyone solely blames piracy for the downfall of something. My guess is that you've been told --scratch that-- brainwashed that this is true by your management team (or you are the management team)? IMHO, the problem with big business is the overpayed management structure. If I could have a week of pay from the CEO of the company I work for, I could live happily for the rest of my life without worry. It's bad enough when I'm coding away and my supervisor decides it's time for the 3 hour smoke break mid-day and he get's a $10,000 stock bonus every year for doing so.
Optimus @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:56PM
"Do you wonder why so many bands struggle it's because pirates pirate their stuff."
lol. Of course! Surely it has nothing to do with the QUALITY of their work or the recording industry's business practices! *groan*
Why has itunes has sold over a billion songs? Do you think it may have something to do with providing consumers with WHAT THEY WANT? Where does most of that $ go, however? To the RECORDING INDUSTRY, not the artists. Don't blame consumers for that.
The real money is made touring.
Sam @ Jun 2nd 2006 5:59PM
First of all, the light won't be a problem. Have you seen the power light on the Revolution? It's really tiny and probably won't wake anybody up by blinking.
Secondly, you will be able to turn off the 24-hour internet connectivity. He said "If they have the console in 24-hour mode"(or something to that effect). That means you can turn them off. Beside, you'd only have to unplug your console anyway, and if the demos are supposed to fit on a DS's teeny-tiny memory space, then how much space could it possibly fill on the console's internal memory? You could always delete them if they got downloaded and you don't want them. Plus, it won't only be DS demos that will be able to download to the console. Patches, demos for Revolution games, and much more will be able to make use of the 24-hour connection. DS demos were only an example.
mercatfat @ Jun 2nd 2006 6:03PM
idioteraser-
That is the most amazing post of FUD that I have ever seen. Truly. It's damn near commendable.
Please. Piracy didn't kill a Psychonauts sequel. The game was brlliant, but impossible to market in a manner that did it justice but also gave it mainstream appeal. Moreover, Schafer doesn't "do" sequels.
Piracy also isn't what makes PSP games cost so much.
Roms themselves don't have "nasty stuff." Learn how viruses work before you make such claims. Calling them "bad quality" is silly too- they're a perfect carbon copy of the original. Emulation may not be up to snuff in all aspects, but it is doubtful that anything other than the original dedicated hardware could fix that. The Genesis soundchip, for example, is damn near impossible to emulate perfectly. Even Sega couldn't do it.
I won't elaborate on the rest.
Hopefully, you're serious and I'm not just troll-feeding.
Princess Zelda @ Jun 2nd 2006 6:05PM
DS demos excellent, Thank you. Hopefully we'll see Wii demos too.
I'd love to play some indie games and I have no problem paying $5 for them. The next Tetris is out there some where.
mercatfat @ Jun 2nd 2006 6:10PM
@28
Actually, bands don't necessarily make money from touring. Most bands get charged for ever dime of their tour and then have to make it back in ticket sales; if this doesn't happen, a significant amount of money is lost. Since they start in so much debt, however, it's hard to make that much money.
Bands make money off of merchandising, period. That's why so many bands seem like they're "selling out." More often than not, they're aware that it appears that they are, but at the end of the day you've got to eat. You may be surprised to learn how little money some "popular" bands actually have due to getting screwed on all accounts from the record company.
Exo @ Jun 2nd 2006 6:12PM
Did any of you read this, he issawying 5 dollars for new games, not for clasic downloads.
but even then most of you would still try to complain about something :P
skyrous @ Jun 2nd 2006 6:18PM
A point people seem to be missing is that $5 figure wasn't for the clasic library new,snew,etc. He was talking about downloading brand NEW original games charging about $5 each.
As for downloading the classic games it may be less or it may be more. that hasn't been announced yet.
Smalltime Orator @ Jun 2nd 2006 6:18PM
I think the $5 amount Iwata mentioned is the estimate for NEW content via the virtual console service, not necessarily for older games. Although buying an album of 50-60 minutes of music online for $9.99 makes buying a video game with dozens of hours of gameplay seem not as bad although I will say $5 is probably my personal threshold for an older non-AAA title on the service. If the game is new however I think $5 is a pretty good price point.
OmenChild @ Jun 2nd 2006 6:29PM
@ idioteraser.
You make some good points BUT Psychonauts isn't getting a sequel because the game simply did not sell. It was an awesome game, I played it in Iraq. There are many games in that arena like Beyond Good and Evil and Psychonauts. Awesome innovating games that just did not sell. Thats what Nintendo is trying to break with their games and consoles. Innovation that you have to buy if you purchase their console (which I will). It'll be hard to emulate Wii and DS games on PC because of their innovative interfaces. On your comment about the PSP games tanking, yes it's partly due to piracy but its mainly because there really aren't many compelling titles on PSP. Most are re-hashes of PS2 games. Im no fanboy. I have an Xbox, PS2, Gamecube, PSP, DS and just purchased a 360. I'm just posting how I see it!
Geist @ Jun 2nd 2006 6:30PM
Ack okay I misread. I suppose 5 bucks is reasonable for indie games, if they're as enjoyable as a game like Geometry Wars, or something. But how much are the VC games? WE MUST KNOW ARGH.
Oh, and people, let's get the facts straight. Downloadable content? Atari was the first. I kid you not. I'll be damned if I remember what model though.
OmenChild @ Jun 2nd 2006 6:37PM
@mercatfat
Dude you read my mind.
Dark jedi Matu @ Jun 2nd 2006 7:38PM
@GT Gamer, nope sorry Nintendo beat MS to the punch there back in the NES and SNES era.
I didn't read all of the comments so I don't know if this has been mentioned before but the NES and SNES games don't take up a lot of space at all. Remember Strider on Genesis was the first 8meg game released at home with Street Fighter being the the first 16 meg game, if memory serves. Wii has a 512 MBs of RAM internal for saves with the addition of SD cards. The data can then be saved on a PC or Mac. Get a 2GB card and you're good for a long while. Most 64 games were 64 mbs if I remember with only a few at 128 and 256MBs.
A harddrive would be great but I have an external 40 GB harddrive that is just waiting to backup all of my virtual console downloads.
As far as the WiiConnect24 goes, there better be an option to turn that off. I know there is going to be some content that I'm simply not going to want. What about hackers and viruses? I hope Nintendo considered that otherwise we all could be victim to some asshole's viral shenanigans.
All in All, I'll reserve a Wii and pick one up on launch day no doubt!
don_sf @ Jun 2nd 2006 7:43PM
look at roms and emulators on the pc, wouldnt they be making a move into the ps3 sometime? (this is nintendo consoles as well by the way).
idioteraser @ Jun 2nd 2006 8:08PM
VC pricing has been mentioned at numerous times.
1-5 dollars for NES. 5-10 for SNES. 10-14 for N64. There are also things like licensing fees, any additional code work. Bandwidth fees also have to be paid. The Ique in China works on a DRM. You in fact download the game and can download as many times as you want to that same machine as needed. What you are buying with the VC like the Ique is the game manual, and the game account. The cost is to not only make a profit but pay for the enormous bandwidth associated with it.
Also Nintendo isn't going to have ads in their products unless those ads fit with the gameplay expierence. And the developers will apparently have full control on how the ads are implemented.
Also it has been mentioned in a much earlier earlier interview dating back to 2005 the Wii console will have game sharing like the DS in which users can upload to other wii console owners the necessary game code to engage in multiplayer expeirences or even breif game demos. Like Brain Age can do for example.
So if you wanted to engage in multiplayer with your friends who don't own that particular game you can upload the multiplayer componet to their consoles.
A limited multiplayer most likely but enough to give them a taste and perhaps hook them into buying the full version of the game.
MMOs are not impossible on the wii. The wiiconnect does have the option of not connecting to the internet or using bandwidth besides it asks you to download something. DS demos even on a dialup connection don't take more then a few minutes. And the console has been confirmed to due it's qued downloading when you turn the console off. Iwata even hinted that the Wii will also have the DS function of pausing a game if you turn off the console. No loadtimes either.
Something Microsoft nor Sony with the PS3 has been able to accomplish.
Yes piracy products are often of inferior quality. Numerous ROMS have been found to have nasty stuff embedded in them as well as people getting nasty stuff on their comps by visting the sites hosting the ROMS.
ethan @ Jun 2nd 2006 8:52PM
WOW! having your console on, and totally connected to the internet at all times, that'll probably cost more money than the PS3 in the long run on electricity alone. Talk about an arm and a leg.
OmenChild @ Jun 2nd 2006 9:55PM
@47
Since you're talking about power consumption I bet the PS3, 360 or PC use more electricity when its on. Especially if you leave any of them on standby. Regardless, Im not replying to point out peoples misconceptions. VC should be awesome if Nintendo plays their cards right. Don't overprice the merchandise. That's all.