And about time too! Nintendo, in the run-up to E3 and the annual competition to outdo everyone else’s upcoming announcements, has prematurely revealed it’s network plans.
Here it is, straight from the pen of Satoru Iwata, director of corporate planning for Nintendo:
“Nintendo is known for great gaming and our first priority is to continue that legacy. Game content developed with that sole mission will enhance the joy of video gaming. The profitable part of the online business is very likely several years away. Entering the business because it's the hot topic of the day doesn't make a profitable business or satisfied customers. That's why it will be a part of Nintendo's strategy, not the mainstay, as other companies are attempting to do. There still are too many barriers for any company to greatly depend on it.”
We always knew that Nintendo was sceptical about online gaming and rightly so. Nintendo, perhaps above all other games companies, has maintained a sensible approach to the subject. Broadband penetration, on a global basis, will be applicable to such a small amount on gamers for a long time and Nintendo has stated again and again that it simply cannot afford to supply games to this minority.
"We understand the strong appeal of online gaming to a select group of video game players, and indeed, it's one way to increase their satisfaction in exploring new types gaming," says Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. "To make online more appealing to the rest of the game-playing population, we're taking concrete steps to aid our development partners in overcoming some of the inherent technical and financial obstacles to successful online games."
We can confirm that Nintendo has released the first batch of online development kits to third-party development companies. We can also confirm that the company will be releasing its first-party broadband adapter and modem this Autumn in the US, for around £20 each, a very reasonable price it must be said.
Nintendo has also stated that it will not expect royalties form revenues generated for online gaming played through the GameCube. It said that it is already in discussions with the world’s leading games makers about online GameCube projects, as well as confirming that Nintendo in-house development teams are looking towards making online software for the console.
Frustratingly, Nintendo has said that nothing online will be either displayed or discussed at this year’s E3.
We will be in attendance at Nintendo’s pre-E3 press briefing and will deliver full details as they break.
Here it is, straight from the pen of Satoru Iwata, director of corporate planning for Nintendo:
“Nintendo is known for great gaming and our first priority is to continue that legacy. Game content developed with that sole mission will enhance the joy of video gaming. The profitable part of the online business is very likely several years away. Entering the business because it's the hot topic of the day doesn't make a profitable business or satisfied customers. That's why it will be a part of Nintendo's strategy, not the mainstay, as other companies are attempting to do. There still are too many barriers for any company to greatly depend on it.”
We always knew that Nintendo was sceptical about online gaming and rightly so. Nintendo, perhaps above all other games companies, has maintained a sensible approach to the subject. Broadband penetration, on a global basis, will be applicable to such a small amount on gamers for a long time and Nintendo has stated again and again that it simply cannot afford to supply games to this minority.
"We understand the strong appeal of online gaming to a select group of video game players, and indeed, it's one way to increase their satisfaction in exploring new types gaming," says Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. "To make online more appealing to the rest of the game-playing population, we're taking concrete steps to aid our development partners in overcoming some of the inherent technical and financial obstacles to successful online games."
We can confirm that Nintendo has released the first batch of online development kits to third-party development companies. We can also confirm that the company will be releasing its first-party broadband adapter and modem this Autumn in the US, for around £20 each, a very reasonable price it must be said.
Nintendo has also stated that it will not expect royalties form revenues generated for online gaming played through the GameCube. It said that it is already in discussions with the world’s leading games makers about online GameCube projects, as well as confirming that Nintendo in-house development teams are looking towards making online software for the console.
Frustratingly, Nintendo has said that nothing online will be either displayed or discussed at this year’s E3.
We will be in attendance at Nintendo’s pre-E3 press briefing and will deliver full details as they break.
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