Legendary games designer Shigeru Miyamoto has recently had the opportunity to sit down with revered gaming publication Edge to discuss the possible future of Nintendo online services.
In the intriguing interview Shigeru Miyamoto states that Nintendo haven’t quite decided whether or not gamers should be provided with a free online gaming service similar to Wii, or whether the company should introduce a paid subscription based online model like Microsoft’s Xbox Live.
“… Probably the other thing that we are desperate to realise is the core [online] business structure,” Nintendo’s Entertainment Analysis and Development boss told us. “Do we need to demand customers pay monthly fees to enjoy online activities? Or give an online subscription that is free of charge, but then offer something extra for people that pay, so that they get some extra value? With these core business strategies I think we are less active than we should be.”
– Shigeru Miyamoto, speaking to Edge magazine
Uh-oh.
No.
I’m not sure if I like this or not. If gives players a better online experience, then I’m not sure if I could complain. The number one thing I would want in such a service is that I would like downloads from their service to be connected to a user. I hate that it’s connected to the console -_-
Agreed about the content/user link I was very tempted to change my wii for a black one when announced in UK but I spent too much on VC to give it away also I fear for future gens/wii breaking…
Considering that the VC and Wii/DSi ware are essentially free to distribute once packaged I think (the majority of) it should be paid for by the profits of them. Considering ninty are the only ones making a profit on console sales and the amount of consoles they have sold we shouldn’t be expected to pay as much as XBox users. Just my oppinion.
I like the idea. It keeps free Internet like the PS3 but then once you pay, it’s a lot faster AND you get a free something. Like I said, I like it.
I think the idea of having people who don’t pay don’t get a “gamercard” kind of thing, but can still do all the online functions the Wii does now. When you pay the fee, which should be cheaper than X-Box Live, you get connected on a members server that is ALOT faster, and you get multiple “gamercards” instead of a single console code. I would pay for that.
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If they started charging for online, I would no longer play Nintendo games. The biggest reason why I believe Nintendo is superior, is because they don’t gouge the players for every penny like Microsoft does.
But I would love to see some kind of online structure, unlike their current per-game online stuff.. I think it is the only thing that Nintendo is missing. But if they charged for it, I would be disappointed.
How did that one guy comment on the 8th when today’s the 7th? Anyways, I think Nintendo should charge people. I’m tired of this lag. I would pay for my subscription. I also think they should let it be free as well. So those who don’t want to pay can keep what they have now, but those who do pay can get faster internet speed, user download instead of console download. I mean, I know Nintendo don’t want me to say “Apple lets you user download, so but Nintendo say Apple not a threat and stuff” because that would be a bunch of bull, but anyways, you pay for what you get, and everybody who says they don’t want to pay. don’t complain when you lag, kuz if you woulda payed, you’d be lag-free. (I know there’s no such thing, it’s somewhat of an expression.)
@Izaya
I hope that worked. Anyways, I just realized that the time is changing based on the site’s timezone or whatever. Heh heh. Kinda weird when I seen May 8th 1:50pm when it’s May 7th 8:50pm. Heh heh…
Don’t charge nintendo be like sony not like microsoft
Is Nintendo still in first place as far as sales? Because I honestly think if they make it free it may not hurt them at all but instead have fans liken to them even more.
Nintendo already have that other Pay for Play thing on some games right? Where to get extras (but not the core onlining) out of it you have to pay a bit. That is kind of okay, as long as people can go online and do the basics for free. Kids who are aged 7 or something aren’t gonna want to (or be able to) pay a monthly fee. If they charged just for going online, I would stop going online, it’s just not worth it in my eyes. If they let the core online stuff happen for free and then charge for extras (say being able to chat to people whilst you play with them, not a necessity but an extra), that wouldn’t be so bad. It’d be great if it was all free but if they need the extra business and they do it only for extras, charging may not be too bad. But if they charge for all aspects of online, I’m out!
Yeah, no, I’m quite satisfied with the online services right now. If people want it enhanced, charge them if you need to. But keep it free. That is why I don’t play XBOX Live. The minute they do that, Nintendo is going to lose a lot of customers.
it better be as good as xbox live if they’re gonna do that!
if they do charge for online it better not be the same as it is now or just be a little better
I believe it comes down to charging for anything it should probably be structured as “community channel content” such as Internet, access to the shop, Votes, game/system updates (obviously), Nintendo Channel, Weather, Mii channel, News–generally the stuff you could drop for the most part (aside from internet, access to the shop, pretty much the most useful of the community content) being free. No reason to charge for this stuff. Games from the shop (obviously) and certain games online play features (by certain games I mean certain titles) should be paid for and in the case of online play maybe a subscription.
The most interesting thing to be about the article is that Miyamoto acknowledges that Nintendo haven’t jumped into the deep end of the MMOG arena. Monster Hunter Tri is basically in the safer/middle of the pool, but I would like–actually LOVE–for Nintendo to actually pursue MMOGs. They tend to be constant money makers (subscription wise) for years and years and communities tend to be strong around the support of MMOG (shooters and RPGs especially). Even the free ones have strong communities. If Nintendo wants to go with a subscription based plan concerning its games, MMOGs would really be the only area that would warrant it.
…and if the “little something extra” was killing Friend Codes on the Wii and just having a player lobby/chat channel where I wouldn’t have to go to a browser and search for forums with FCs and just add people as friends–as it should haven’t been done in the first place–I’d most likely subscribe on that front.
PS3 started out as the worst of the 3 current gen systems. Now it’s without a doubt the best.