Mike Bantick
Sunday, 27 May 2007 10:49
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
Why does Nintendo seemingly shun online play with the Wii? Friend Codes are fun, but given the ease of connectivity with the wi-fi enabled Wii, should we expect more from our internet connected Nintendo device?
The Wii continues to sell all over the world as fast as the big ‘N’ can crank them out. In fact the announcement recently of a
35 million by 2012 sales target in the US - a ludicrous dream prior to the Wii launch - is now, a definite possibility. A whole new gaming demographic is either coming back to, or being exposed to the hobby via this clever little white box.
If you have a home network, the Wii is an easy addition. Once online Wii-ites can access the Nintendo store and Virtual Console to download and customise the channel interface. Wii Channels contain the content in distinct interface spaces adding to the Disc, Mii, Photo and Wii Shop channels that come with the box.
Additional channels such as the
Opera powered browser,
weather and news channels have given the Wii and expanded window on the internet, so much so that Wii optimised web-sites are springing up in abundance. Meanwhile the Virtual Console gives the nostalgic and inquisitive access to games of yore.
Using the Mii channel, a simple yet cute gaming avatar can be created, used in games and via the Nintendo Friends Code concept, exchanged with other Wii owners.
But – in essence – that is it for the Nintendo online experience, there has never been a huge push to bring online gaming to the Wii framework with multiplayer restricted to the one lounge room. Whilst this is fun from a ‘party game’ experience were the smiles of participants are readily present, one has to ask if Nintendo is not missing out on another market niche – the online gaming fan.
Nintendo have always shunned the networked gaming front – well up until the wi-fi enabled DS came along, with its worldwide gaming network being utilised in increasing numbers. On the home console front however, the GameCube was roundly bashed for not joining the ‘big boys’ in having an online network along the lines of Sony and Microsoft.
The Wii has avoided much of this flak by providing the aforementioned networked services, Nintendo fans enjoying the party and solo experience metered out to them. In fact Nintendo are seen as leaders in the gaming innovation field once more as the [previously known as] ‘big boys’ scramble for the innovation title in the back-ground.
