Nintendo Hopes Wii U's Online Service Will Boost Sales

[Sarah LeBoeuf]

Nintendo Hopes Wii U's Online Service Will Boost Sales

Nintendo Network will forgo Xbox Live's subscription model.

Even though the Wii U is set to launch before the end of the year, there's still a lot we don't know about the console. However, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata did reveal one tidbit during a recent shareholder's meeting. Though Iwata isn't against the idea of a paid service that allows multiple devices to be connected to the Nintendo Network, he stated that a paid membership would not be the best approach for the Wii U.

Iwata elaborated to say that by giving everyone free access to the Nintendo Network, word of mouth about the Wii U and its online service would help boost hardware and software sales. This isn't exactly surprising, given that Nintendo hasn't focused on its online experience as much as its competitors. Since the next hardware generation is sure to be pricey, it's nice to have one less thing to pay for.

Nintendo's method of releasing information about its next console has been unconventional, forgoing a big E3 announcement for bits and pieces of news at random intervals. Hopefully the next announcements from the publisher will be a release date and price point for the Wii U.

Source: Destructoid [http://andriasang.com/con1pi/nintendo_shareholder_meeting/]

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[KeyMaster45]

The fact that they're being so stingy with information about the console and its specs leads me to believe that there's something they don't want their customers to know. So far all we've gotten is piss poor presentations of its gameplay and vague approximations. I mean ffs, the only picture we have of the damn thing seems to be its touch pad controller.

If this is how they're trying to win back those of us that the Wii drove off, it's a very poor attempt. I'm trying to be optimistic about this new console, but they're making it rather hard to feel anything other than distrust that it's going to suck just as hard as the Wii.

 

[Mr.Mattress]

The fact that they're being so stingy with information about the console and its specs leads me to believe that there's something they don't want their customers to know. So far all we've gotten is piss poor presentations of its gameplay and vague approximations. I mean ffs, the only picture we have of the damn thing seems to be its touch pad controller.

Now that's not true; there are a ton of pictures, gameplay footage, and other things about the Wii U. And I can prove it:

Now I will agree, that the lack of Spec info and Price are a bit concerning to me. However, I have faith that the Specs are good, and the Price is equivalent to the PS3 And 360.

OT: I hope the internet is good. The lack of Subscription fees is already a plus for me. I plan on getting the system by Christmas.

 

[FantomOmega]

The fact that they're being so stingy with information about the console and its specs leads me to believe that there's something they don't want their customers to know. So far all we've gotten is piss poor presentations of its gameplay and vague approximations. I mean ffs, the only picture we have of the damn thing seems to be its touch pad controller.

If this is how they're trying to win back those of us that the Wii drove off, it's a very poor attempt. I'm trying to be optimistic about this new console, but they're making it rather hard to feel anything other than distrust that it's going to suck just as hard as the Wii.

I feel that the "speculation/expectation" on the online feature will be more "exaggerated" than what Nintendo is hinting at...

This reeks of a bluff since Nintendo barely hand more than a year to prepare this feature and don't just bring out the Ye Old Collection of Classics that you re-released on the Wii and 3DS please, show us NEW content cause that tactic wont work a third time

Their announcement of Nintendo Land was probably their ONLY chance to excite the crowd about their online network but got nothing but unimpressed (and disappointed) looks at E3, so this announcement is to bring back the "hype momentum" they've lost at their press conference since people are busy chatting excitedly about Watchdogs, Last of Us or Halo amongst other things, two of which are Exclusive titles

 

[KeyMaster45]

The fact that they're being so stingy with information about the console and its specs leads me to believe that there's something they don't want their customers to know. So far all we've gotten is piss poor presentations of its gameplay and vague approximations. I mean ffs, the only picture we have of the damn thing seems to be its touch pad controller.

Now that's not true; there are a ton of pictures, gameplay footage, and other things about the Wii U. And I can prove it:

*img snip*

Now I will agree, that the lack of Spec info and Price are a bit concerning to me. However, I have faith that the Specs are good, and the Price is equivalent to the PS3 And 360.

OT: I hope the internet is good. The lack of Subscription fees is already a plus for me. I plan on getting the system by Christmas.

I had seen the gameplay videos for those game, but they didn't tell me much about the console. The games look great, but I already own Arkham City on both 360 and PC, and first party titles are standard MO on their new consoles. Now the picture of the pad with the console and the normal controller are new to me. I'm almost shocked to see a normal controller, and I'm glad to see that stupid wagglemote from the Wii won't be rearing it's ugly head.

Their hesitancy with information still leaves me worried nonetheless. There's no launch date yet Gamestop is taking pre-orders for launch titles. Assuming they want the biggest bang for their buck I'd peg a release this year sometime in late November or early December, so you would think right about now they'd be turning up the PR hype full blast. Either their thinking they'll have to push the release back for reasons only they know, or they're under the impression that it will sell like crazy regardless.

I'd prefer the latter to the former since it's not a "head up their ass, cocky" attitude.

 

[Ghonzor]

I'm waiting for Nintendo to make an announcement stating this was all a huge joke. I cannot, for the life of me, see the Wii U as actually competing with this generation of consoles, let alone with the next. I must agree with Yahtzee here, it seems more like rubbish the more I hear about it.

 

[renegade7]

So, Nintendo has at last figured out what the internet is, then?

 

[antipunt]

I share the same sentiment as many others ITT.

I just don't see how it's going to take off, esp. against the competition. It's going to have to deliver something REALLY solid/innovative. Hard to do; gl gl man.

 

[Meight08]

This-gen technology with a touchpad controller being Nintendo's next-gen console?

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELL'S YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH

It cant be this gen tech because its atleast 4 hardware gen´s ahead of the ps3.

 

[Phlakes]

...So out of the 9 replies here, exactly one of them is on topic. Congratulations fellow internet users, you can't even put your hate and complaining in the right threads.

 

[VinLAURiA]

I had seen the gameplay videos for those game, but they didn't tell me much about the console. The games look great, but I already own Arkham City on both 360 and PC, and first party titles are standard MO on their new consoles. Now the picture of the pad with the console and the normal controller are new to me. I'm almost shocked to see a normal controller, and I'm glad to see that stupid wagglemote from the Wii won't be rearing it's ugly head.

Wiimote is still a prominent part of Wii U and a lot of games will still be using it. Do some research on the console, there's a lot of stuff you're obviously not in the know about.