No 'online capabilities' for 3rd party Wii games in 2007, says SNK boss

by James Ransom-Wiley { Mar 5th 2007 at 2:26PM }

SNK Playmore USA President Ben Herman believes that third-party Wii publishers are gonna have to wait longer than expected for an invite to Nintendo's online network. "Nintendo is still not letting Wii third-party publishers include online capabilities in their games and it doesn't look like they will during 2007," Herman told Spong.

Six of the seven (Blazing Angels is out, Metroid Prime 3 still up in the air) announced Wii titles that are expected to support online multiplayer are first-party projects, suggesting that Herman's speculation might not be far from the truth; 2K's The BIGS is the only third-party title said to feature online multiplayer that should hit retail before the year is up. If BIGS is online, how did 2K manage to gain access to Nintendo's network -- and why are other publishers apparently being denied?

But if BIGS is benched? Well, then it's possible Wii owners won't play a third-party online multiplayer match until 2008. That might be easier to swallow if most of us weren't still waiting for our first 'first-party' online experience.

[Note: while third-party publishers and developers have yet to feature online multiplayer modes in their Wii titles, Nintendo has permitted some basic usages of the WiiConnect24 service (e.g., Elebits' level trading).]

[Via Wii Fanboy]

Tags: NeoGeo, SNK, VC, VirtualConsole, Wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 5th 2007 2:31PM

Nintendo=crap

This is bs. Don't try to shoot me down its the truth.

ZenGaijin @ Mar 5th 2007 2:31PM

Will Nintendo ever get its act together in regards to online?

It's funny as much as nintendo evolves as a company hardware wise, it never evolves strategy wise.

NintendoFanbot @ Mar 5th 2007 2:33PM

Ed Boon indirectly stated that he recieved Nintendo's Online kit but were too late to utilize it for MKArmageddon. So while I lend credibility to the possibility of no 3rd-Party online games by late '07, I refuse to believe that any developer has been blocked from access to devkits.

arrrgh @ Mar 5th 2007 2:34PM

Know what the funny thing is? I still love the Wii, and it's STILL fun!~!! WHO would have thought you could still have fun offline?

miles foreman @ Mar 5th 2007 2:35PM

Well... that's lame. That's my biggest problem with the Wii, no multiplayer. Not all of us have 2-10 people over every night to play games, Nintendo!

HDE @ Mar 5th 2007 2:39PM

Spong.

Take it for what it's worth.

Crono @ Mar 5th 2007 2:37PM

@Jack of all Losers

KAPOW. I'll shoot you down. Only nintendo's online is crap. Everything else is gold. Even the crap.

Nintendo craps gold. Just check out the 5+million wii's in homes, and know that each came with a 20 to 50 dollar profit margin.

Crappin' gold since 1985.

Dolla Dolla @ Mar 5th 2007 2:38PM

Is Nintendo's online strategy questionable? Yes. But remember, Nintendo is not after the hardcore crowd as much as Sony and Microsoft. The "Play Together" attitude is local, mostly. I get the feeling they want to make sure their implementation works first through their 1st party titles before letting 3rd party offerings go at it.

Seriously, if Wii is your main system, you should know its limitations. To be mad at Nintendo for this is to go into this generation with your eyes closed. How long did it take the Free DS online to come into fruition? And I'm certain it was with a 1st party title.

Get a clue if you want Wii to be online.

Lunker @ Mar 5th 2007 3:06PM

THIS IS FROM SPONG

THIS IS FROM SPONG

THIS IS FROM SPONG

Again: THIS IS FROM SPONG

Their credibility is completely laughable. Let's not spiral this into a 100+ comment poopfest.

Ken @ Mar 5th 2007 2:39PM

I thought they already said that it would take till the end of 2007 till they released online titles from 3rd party developers?

This was even before release. Don't get your panties in a bunch. I'd rather have no online, than buggy, unplayable online.

Take your time. If you guys want online, make more friends. ;)

Hell I don't even play my 360 online, and I pay for that.

But seriously, as much as you guys whine and cry about it... it won't change the fact. So deal.

Zertoss @ Mar 5th 2007 2:39PM

I hate Nintendo's online strategy. I like to socialize online as much as I do offline, but I've found trading Wii codes in real life to be a pain in the butt. I never can remember my code and no one ever has anything to write on. Then we all agree to just email each other, and of course, we all forget to write those emails.

Jebus Crust @ Mar 5th 2007 2:40PM

You Plumberboys are so pathetic. If this was Sony doing this, the blogs would be lit up with all kinds of hate for Sony. But Mario does it and well....ur just kind "mad, sad, dissapointed" but hey, it's ok, surely there MUST be a good reason for this.

Pathetic

If you listen closely...u can hear the sound of the splashes as third party developers start jumping ship.
HAH ha

deaftly @ Mar 5th 2007 2:40PM

good ol nintendo still living in the caveman years, how long did it take them to start using optical disc's, gamecube 1.5 ftw

bootsielon @ Mar 5th 2007 2:42PM

No online capabilities, no graphical capabilities, no gameplay math capabilities and no media capabilities. I also thought Wii was full of 3rd Party support, but getting ports of last gen and new gen is hardly great 3rd Party support.

The Wii was the most overhyped of all three consoles (Nintendo fanboys), but it's just selling on a "cheap" fad. Wii Play? Wii Sports? WarioWare? Is there a truly wonderful game that is available EXCLUSIVELY on Wii and that lasts more than 5 minutes per gaming session (Gamecube/PS2 ports don't count) ?

And by the way, is there a non-gaming "killer app" for the Wii not available elsewhere? The Wii VC has overpriced games you've already bought the last 20 years.... At least XBLA gets re-tooled arcade games (new graphics, mode, gamerpoints) and a few original ones, Sony's store is getting original games like flow, blast-factor, rub a dub, calling all cars, some old games and full PS1/PS2 games.

What about media? You know, at least DVD playback? Because Sony's box has a Blu-ray player built in and soon music and other media on demand, and Microsoft's got already some content on demand and upscaling DVDs.

Wii = Worthless (for now)

sheppy @ Mar 5th 2007 2:43PM

I could have sworn when DS came online, so did several third party games (including Tony Hawk but this counts for little since Tony Hawk was online for PS2 before Sony even shipped the network adapter). And even with the DS online, I've had less than stellar results with their system (it got so bad, I quit even trying to take MarioKart online).

If the Wii is having tradable levels, internet channels, online voting, online store, and weather and news channels, there is no reason why the games aren't going online. If Nintendo isn't willing to step up in this regards, at least get out of the way so someone else can.

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 5th 2007 2:44PM

@ Gold Crap Guy

Zing! Deflected that bullet.

We all know why there are 5 million in homes. Its because mini-games are the hype right now. Reminds me of furbies.

billychaos @ Mar 5th 2007 2:47PM

I for one am quit disapointed in Nintendo. They DID promise online capabilites starting in March of 2007. I do give my best wishes to the Wii and it's success but it's decisions like this that made developers rush to Sony in the first place. Nintendo should know more than any company NOT to piss off developers. Nintendo should be kissing up big time at third party developers.

arrrgh @ Mar 5th 2007 2:49PM

bootsielon...have you been living under a rock?

Nintendo has been flat out saying exactly that there was no 3rd party online untill at LEAST the end of 2007. Gimme a break. You want a great online service? you buy a 360 or one of whatever that new sony cooking grill is called. But it'll cost you.
You want a NEW way of playing games, buy a wii. That's what I did, and now i find it really awkward to play using reg controls. It feels like your hands are glued together after playing the wii. I'll keep my online gaming to PC where it has been for a decade. thanks

Crono @ Mar 5th 2007 2:50PM

I have a PC hooked up to the same TV and surround sound system my wii is. DVI and 5.1 digital surround. It can do media better than all the consoles combined. Why would I want to pay more money for wii for functionality I have better in the exact same room?

The graphical and gameplay capabilities are fine and equal to ps360 at a lower resolution/poly count. Again, I spent 150-350 less for my gaming experience that I'm happy with than you. Coming in here acting like a "leet haxxor" only makes you look stupid.

R @ Mar 5th 2007 3:08PM

So what does this mean for Spore?

arrrgh @ Mar 5th 2007 2:51PM

hahaha yeah, 1337 console hax hahaha

Leshrac @ Mar 5th 2007 2:51PM

What total crap.

Nintendo simply doesn't get "online" and what people really like about going "online" (their friends codes are quite indicative of that).

Nintendo needs to get their head out of their ass and start using their out-of-the-box Wi-Fi for more than just selling overpriced VC games.

-Leshrac
http://alinktothefuture.com

Billy @ Mar 5th 2007 2:52PM

Nintendo's online is pure crap, but at the same time, I can't imagine any Wii games being that fun without the other players being in the same room. Granted, my Wii experience is pretty limited (only Sports, Play, and WarioWare a few times at a friend's house), but still. Does anyone really think it would be that fun online?

I enjoy playing the Wii but I don't think I would ever buy one, because it's such a party type system and I rarely have people over at my place. Usually I'm the one who goes elsewhere. :)

whosmav @ Mar 5th 2007 2:52PM

Fah-Q

Kengro @ Mar 5th 2007 2:54PM

Well... I like online playing, so the wii is last on my must buy list...
I'm on top of that not a big minigame guy, so i'll stay as far away from wii as i can for the moment

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 5th 2007 2:55PM

I have a 52" high def tv with a ok sound system that lets me see every sweat droplet and every wrinkle on a character. When you see the Wii in action all the characters have gloves for hands because the Wii can't render fingers in real-time.

Crono @ Mar 5th 2007 2:56PM

Furbies or not, jack of no sense, they're making a killing.

hense, golden crap. Sony's crap is just crap, as its crap through and through. Xbox crap is the same, but MS has this giant crap absorbing filter that keeps them from stinking. Nintendo, just golden crap. Even if it smells to you, its still gold in their pockets.

KaPOWPOW. Dodge this!

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 5th 2007 2:56PM

Crono @ Mar 5th 2007 2:58PM

Jack of no Fingers.

I'm pretty sure Link had fully rendered fingers. So does Scott from Red Steel. Me thinks you've got mitten vision turned up too high.

justaj @ Mar 5th 2007 3:03PM

Ugh.

Most 3rd parties were only recently given devkits(presumably because Nintendo just finished their online network) but as a result probably won't be able to include online play in any game they make this year. Saying they are actually denying developers use of it I believe is inaccurate.

arrrgh @ Mar 5th 2007 2:59PM

did you stutter the first time jack? we heard you....we don't care

NintendoFanbot @ Mar 5th 2007 2:59PM

"You Plumberboys are so pathetic. If this was Sony doing this, the blogs would be lit up with all kinds of hate for Sony."

No I wouldn't, because Online development is a pretty large issue and understandable if Nintendo or Sony had concerns against it.

It involves commitment and is a needless burden for SOME game development. MS stands to benefit from Online because of Windows and PC-media-streaming involvement but Sony and Nintendo wouldn't have good reasons for the same level of commitment. 3rd-Party and even more users is a good reason, but not why MS is doing it.

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 5th 2007 3:00PM

Damn double post!

"Xbox crap is the same"

Who's selling the same games they sold 20 years ago??? Who's releasing another Mario?????

It sucks that Nintendo is making a killing off of ignorance.

kayze @ Mar 5th 2007 3:00PM

If this is True... NINTENDO's attitude to online SUCKS!

I got the Wii at launch. Maybe not for graphics but for online play ...at-least.

I hope Nintendo remember how they killed the Gamecube: Lack of online games, no DVD playback and silly kiddy games.

What a letdown!!!

arrrgh @ Mar 5th 2007 3:01PM

who wasn't even in the gaming business 20 years ago?

Fatass of Kickassness @ Mar 5th 2007 3:02PM

OK, Jack. First off, I'mma apologize for the times I've been an asshole to you in the past. A lot of the time you seem pretty smart. Problem is, lately, you've been sounding a bit like a broken record, repeating the same thing over and over in every Wii article's comment section so far. Its getting tired. I think we get it ~ you don't like the Wii. Everyone already knows who you are and knows you don't like the Wii, so you really don't need to keep repeating yourself.

As for me... I think thats pretty lame. I for one would like as much online as possible. But I guess that ain't happening. Oh well. Thats what I have my 360 for. (I guess thats what I have my PS3 for too, but not so much so.) At least I'll still get my Brawl Online fix...

arrrgh @ Mar 5th 2007 3:02PM

kayze: sell your wii. It's not for you

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 5th 2007 3:04PM

@ Fatass of Kickassness

I don't post something negative in every Wii thread. Go check. I only post in threads that need to be posted in like this one. Nintendo will have no online play when they said they would.

bootsielon @ Mar 5th 2007 3:07PM

Crono:

You're no one to talk about who's stupid here, fanboy. I guess Nintendo fanboys get easily offended when there is some real criticism of their beloved Wee-wee. 250 bucks should get you a dvd player, especially since the hardware to do so is there. Why would I want a Wii with DVD playability?

Anyway, I don't want an ugly PC that doesn't go with home theater, not to mention cables (who's the "leet haxxor" now, dipshit? "Why would I want to pay more money for wii for functionality I have better in the exact same room?" lol). I want a slick box that does the media, and PS360 does it great, and in a user friendly way (and in a home theatre friendly looking way).

"The graphical and gameplay capabilities are fine and equal to ps360 at a lower resolution/poly count"

LOL. Yeah, and probably the same amount of things on screen, same effects, physics, AI. You know, all that improves gameplay and the experience in general. But I guess you're too "l33t" for everyone, so you must know... despite the fact that you have just a Wii, "saving" 350-150 bucks. If the Wii is your only console, I doubt you spent so much money on a media center PC which will hardly give you all the services found, or that will be found, on PS360.

Media Center PCs are away from being as user friendly as game consoles, let alone they don't have unified services.

arrggh

"You want a NEW way of playing games, buy a wii"

I want great games, regardless of how play with the controller. WiiPlay, WiiSports and WarioWare don't really cut it for me. Zelda would if it was exclusive, and if it was tailored to the Wii; it is not, it's just a tacked on port, and it doesn't blow away the gamecube version (some even say the gamecube version is better, as it was intended to be).

I'm having more fun with both PS3 and 360 right now. When the Wii becomes a DS repeat, I might buy it. Until then, eat shit, you easily offended fanboys.

Fatass of Kickassness @ Mar 5th 2007 3:08PM

And 'Nintendo=Crap' needed to be posted, Jack?

Maybe thier online strategy is crap, but you can't deny that you don't like at least a few of thier games.

Aex @ Mar 5th 2007 3:10PM

So much for all that talk about Nintendo supporting 3rd Parties better this generation...

If I was a 3rd party developer I'd be kinda irk'd. I mean, Nintendo withholds sets of libraries from the 3rd parties just so they can have a leg up. :/

Fatass of Kickassness @ Mar 5th 2007 3:11PM

And KABLAMMO! Blazing Angels dosn't have any online.
http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2007/03/05/ubi-rep-clears-confusion-no-online-play-in-blazing-angels/
Guess that means the ONLY online Wii titles this year are first party.

Crono @ Mar 5th 2007 3:12PM

@Jack of No English:

Xbox crap is the same as sony's crap. In that its crap and it stinks. Get it now?

You might have a point about mario 1 billion if mario galaxy was a 2D platformer with identical gameplay as mario 1, but it isn't. Just like Final Fantasy, each game re-invents the franchise is some way. The lamest one was mario sunshine, as it was a shiney mario 64 with a water gun, but it still added new gameplay.

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 5th 2007 3:13PM

To tell you the truth I love Zelda and Mario. I understand that many people like the new controller but traditional controllers just do me better.

I posted what I felt. Nintendo=Crap because of what they are doing. I didn't think it would be that offensive.

bootsielon @ Mar 5th 2007 3:13PM

"who wasn't even in the gaming business 20 years ago?"

arrgghh, who cares? It doesn't really benefit me, gamingwise or otherwise.

Anyway, I'm tired that Nintendo fanboys won't really admit Nintendo's flaws. I used to be one, but they've crapped too much on us hardcore gamers, so I've had enough, and I hope some day you realize too. WII is not intended for us, it's intended for people that just want a cheap, fast way of playing and that'll last about 10 minutes. I don't want that, and most of the hardcore too.

We want services too, by the way, not just ports of games and games we've already bought.

bootsielon @ Mar 5th 2007 3:14PM

Jack of no trades:

It is not offensive, it is Nintendo fangirls that are overly sensitive. They should get a tissue or two.

NintendoFanbot @ Mar 5th 2007 3:14PM

BOOTSIELON

I fail to see why being able to mouth off faster is better than being easily offended.

Avrum @ Mar 5th 2007 3:14PM

I doubt third parties are being blocked especially after reading a post from one of Nintendo's Sages about the subject ---

Both Reggie and an EA rep confirms online kits are out there:

Reggie Interview from DICE
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/02/dice_interview_with_nintendo_of_america_president_reggie_fils-aime_.html

He said online development kits have been seeded and titles are coming.

EA Tiger Woods Interview
http://wii.ign.com/articles/757/757000p1.html
IGN: Have you explored an online mode?
Rich Rogers: Unfortunately, the online component for the Wii was released very late for our development so there is no online mode in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07 for the Wii.

Even if you don't take a Nintendo employee's word on it, the biggest third party publisher out there confirms that kits have been released.

ZenGaijin @ Mar 5th 2007 3:15PM

The sad thing is as a Wii owner who doesn't own a PS3 if someone offered me one as a trade right now I'd happily accept.

The Wii is not for the type of gamer I am I went into the Wii expecting a whole new type of system with all its features fully realized early on. The most play my Wii gets now is still SuperSmashBrothersMelee.

The Wii just doesn't offer me as a online loving hardcore gamer anything thats too appealing. I don'thave legions of friends that come over and play games the people I play with are random gamer online in a community type of aspect.

I guess I'm waiting for that moment when the Wii just clicks and has that one breakthrough title that just couldn't be done on another system. To me the Wii is alot like the DS was the first 6 months of the DS were terrible the standout title that really brought the DS into its own was Kirby Canvas Curse.

I look now at my Wii and my 360 and see night and day the Wii with its promise of innovation and fun. With the promise of online community gaming for the hardcore crowd.

Nintendo I'm losing my faith in you....