Nintendo announces Wii pay and play (kotaku)

[7th lutz]

http://kotaku.com/359754/nintendo-announces-wii-pay--play

Today, during a GDC presentation, Nintendo's Takashi Aoyama announced a new expansion to Nintendo's Wi-Fi services called Wii Pay & Play. Aoyama explained that Nintendo will begin "collecting fees for some services [that] will allow us to adapt flexibly." In other words, by subsidizing additional, unnamed service and feature costs to consumers, Nintendo feels they can explore new concepts and channels.

He added that it was a Nintendo initiative to avoid misleading consumers into thinking they can buy games that can be played entirely free when they cannot (whether or not this implies an initiative to begin charging for multiplayer content was unclear). To aid in a clear cost presentation, the blue WFC logo will be joined with a similar red logo featuring the line "Pay & Play."

[Neil Koch]

"a new expansion"? Nice corporate double-speak there. I've been a pretty big defender of the Wii, but if they're gonna start nickel-and-diming for online stuff, I can't really justify that.

If they are going to start charging for online multiplayer, then they'd at least better get rid of friend codes and add stuff like voice chat.

[Merlins Beard]

Hmm...

Well, it was coming eventually.

[joshnickerson]

I'm thinking that online play will remain free, this is probably referring more to downloadable content (like Guitar Hero tracks or new Mario Kart courses).

I'm kind of amused by the reactions on other message boards to this. "Nintendo is bringing out new services, but we have to PAY for them?!? They should change it from the Nintendo Wii to the Nintendo "FEE"! Ha ha, I'm so clever, excuse me I have to renew my $50 a year Xbox Live membership."

[Jackattack]

While they could have delivered the message a little better rather than leaving so much up in the air, it sounds like they are just informing us that they have an MMO in development or GH3/Rock Band 2 songs to download that you are going to have to pay for. I'd be surprised if playing with others online is going to cost money.

[Neil Koch]

Well, if it is going to be something to allow for DLC, they need to come up with an update that at least allows you to directly access stuff off of an SD card, if not a USB drive.

And just for the record, I had no problem paying for Xbox Live on Xbox1. But if Nintendo implements a similar system for the Wi, they need to rehaul their system IMO. No way am I paying a monthly fee and still having to deal with friend codes...

[Icarus Moonsight]

My Magic 8-ball says, "Animal Crossing Wii may be Pay & Play."

If they do start charging for a Live-type model then they have much revamping to do. Basically, they must meet, if not exceed, the Live Standard to justify the milking.

I'm right there with ya Neil. :) I posted after reading the OP.

[Vectorman0]

Seems pretty bad, the way it was described. Why can't they wait and announce it once they have an actual product?

[RadiantSvgun]

Hmm.... This is getting announced close to the Smash Release.....

Either way, I don't really care as long as the price isn't outrageous.

[Snapple]

Having to pay additional money to unlock features of games that you already own is one of the most evil things in video games. Yeah, you buy GTA8 for the normal price, then you pay $800 buying all the gizmos for your car. Or, you buy Halo4, and they charge you extra money to unlock the maps that are already on the disc. How super.

And dammit, if they pull something like that with Smash Bros, why I'd... I'd... probably cave in any buy whatever I can. :(

[slip81]

well, I'm gonna look on the bright side, as I'd gladly pay a $50 a year fee for a better online Wii experience, cause the one it has now sucks ass.

Hopefully they're gonna finally wise up and offer DLC for their games. Because really, I can't think of a single one of the Wii's flagship titles that wouldn't benefit from more content.

[swlovinist]

Seems pretty bad, the way it was described. Why can't they wait and announce it once they have an actual product?

I am with ya. Nintendo probably has some games they are working on, but the way this new service was disclosed was horrible.

I want:

the ability to read off an SD card
I OK with pay to play, if there are actual games that I want to play
Voice chat will have to be addressed.

I like Nintendo, but they will have to step up with a decent online service to keep momentum.

[Jorpho]

My Magic 8-ball says, "Animal Crossing Wii may be Pay & Play."

It's a slightly better model than making people buy trading cards, a GBA link cable, and an e-Reader.

[mailman187666]

as long as they aren't charging hourly fees to play certain games or anything, then I'm fine with that. You know I don't think it will be as bad as they made it out to be. Probably pay to play for some MMOs, downloadable content, and they could even have a bit more up thier sleeve that could turn out to be a good suprise rather than them trying to nickle and dime us. Nintendo is usually alright to thier consumers so I'd say wait and see what they have comming before thinking that Nintendo is going to be sucking more of our money out of us for stupid services. As long as it doesn't cost over $100 to play a new Zelda or Metroid title, then I'm good with it.

[Icarus Moonsight]

No argument here Jorpho. Save that, those extremities weren't required to play the game. The announcement was so hatcheted and botched... I really can't put my finger on just what impact Pay & Play will have.

I'm left feeling: :image:where the "red X" is Pay & Play.

[Push Upstairs]

Textbook example of how not to word an announcement.

[rbudrick]

Last time I checked, every one of you are happily getting nickeled and dimed on the virtual console, so ummm, what's the problem here?

-Rob

[boatofcar]

Having to pay additional money to unlock features of games that you already own is one of the most evil things in video games. Yeah, you buy GTA8 for the normal price, then you pay $800 buying all the gizmos for your car. Or, you buy Halo4, and they charge you extra money to unlock the maps that are already on the disc. How super.



The future is now. *Glances at Beautiful Katamari