videagames

megamario621

TriChronos

liliipad

slappyMCslappy

I predict this will be something like live, but won't impact the ability to play the full game. The Wii doesn't have the capability of having DLC such as bonus lvls or characters that you would have to pay for. Just give them some time.

heartless_king

mitsanaga

Benjo

jaymac

You're kidding, right...? You can't be that stupid.

HDID

Basically, Nintendo will probably screw this up like nearly everything else they do relating to online play.

HDID

Eschguy

steve

"Wii dont want you to play anymore, Wii want you to pay". Greedy image is not exactly the family friendly one you were initially aiming at.

Zorba

I might consider it.

At the moment, it's like paying for a house and getting a free carboard box. I don't want to start paying as much for the carboard box as I do the house now do I?

MasterBalls

GimmeCat

Poochy

psychobaka

I've been a die-hard Nintendo fan ever since the NES and I find that pay-to-play buisness really frustrating, comming from them.

This is just another reason why I think PC gaming will still prevail, and that the golden age of console videogames is long-gone history.

/rant off

QC8472

not a dime.

interstate78

KirbyMorph

modsuperstar

Case in point, Excitetruck. ExciteTruck proved that software can access content stored on the SD card by featuring custom MP3 soundtracks. Applying this to rythm game downloadable tracks, the license, decryption keys, and timing information would be stored on a block or two of Wii storage while the actual multi-channel audio files could be thrown on the SD card as demonstrated above. Though they can be encrypted on the SD card with keys stored in on the Wii, there is probably not required as indicated by the fact that you can import tracks into PC Guitar Hero clones using the PS2 discs (the license obviously doesn't require the music to be specially encrypted for the disc-based versions).

This new development is clearly to differentiate WFC games from games that use WFC primarily for paid DLC and subscription games. Games that have both free online multiplayer and for-pay downloadable content will likely feature both logos. Obviously, it isn't limited to premium DLC either... If Square wants to retool the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicales WiiWare into some kind of subscription game not unlike an MMO, they can. Seeing the limitations in the Wii's storage, online-only games with a larger scope may have a small download footprint while streaming data to precache the next area (seeing as how "online-only" ensures that there is an Internet connection).

CZroe

Maybe voice chat, an even more seamless online experience, or maybe even, dare I say it, no more friend codes.

KM91

sadkermit - soon to be banned for standing up to the ummm nazi.

"This will be a new version of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (NWFC). Aoyama explained that NWFC will remain a free service, but forthcoming experiences will require users to pay a fee to enjoy. These services will fall under the new NWFC: Pay to Play program. Games that utilize the new service will feature a logo similar to the one used for NWFC but is orange and reads Pay to Play at the bottom."

Pay and Play seems only to effect games that use online for primary gameplay such as MMOs and future titles that will allow DLC and extra features to be added to already free online play.

Example: you have a free online play FPS, however, if you want access for voice chat, you pay for it.

As long as it doesn't cost me over 2000 Wii Points, I'm cool with this.

Protodude

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc

Yaywalter

Haniko

If and when this happens, I'll be more than happy to pay for a decent online interface. Not only that, it will open up a lot of doors for developers to take advantage of it, rather than having to deal with Nintendo's usual code of conduct when it comes to online interaction.

Jenstar

Swizzler121

Cho413

Krumm

CZroe

eternalplayer2345

jiSh

OrionTheSmiter

AndrewDB

gaiking

Lanhoj

WTF?!

So you are saying I *BUY* the the game for the right to look at the pretty box, maybe use it as a coaster and such. But, if I actually wanna PLAY it, I have to pay more?!

Something is wrong there.

GEIMAR

StratfordX

This is strange. Nintendo should either go all out right from the start and make consumers pay for an online service, or not bother. I mean, when you've got such a massive audience in such a short time, it seems strange to start suddenly charging more.

But then Nintendo always move in mysterious ways. I suppose you could argue that there would be no justification in charging for an online service when during the first year and a half or so there were no online games to speak of.

bry159

So $120 a year?

AZRoboto

Billkwando

Damn, come on Nintendo, don't fuck it all up for us :(

Irenicus-the one and only

Samos42

Interesting and maddening at the same time. I feel cancelled out now. Odd.

sadkermit - soon to be banned for standing up to the ummm nazi.

Why is that? Greedy bastards.

Polygon

cybereality

Problem is, when are we gonna get a Wii HD???

Hyperfludd

ProfWho

eugaet

Woylez

Shaoko

They were going on a good run.. now I have to deal wi th something worse than Live (XBOX) and pay for it at the same time?

I'm already having trouble buying VC games, now they want me to pay for stupid online?

Nintendo, I love you, and still do, but you seem to be trying hard to puch me away. Forget about the whole idea, since it doesn't sound good.

Glare

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc

Seriously, I love Nintendo, but I really like being able to communicate with the people I'm playing with. Okay, so Pokemon had VoIP. But it was still friend-codes only. I realize they're trying to keep the stalkers away from the kids, but cutting off adults from each other isn't the way to do it.

Policroma

gaiking

tomrutters

Billkwando

Ninja-Z

Kincyr

The whole idea behind this "stripped down" WFC model is to provide some means of free online play. It's a great option for casual gamers (or families) that want to play online, but also don't want to deal with some of the idiots that are out there.

Where did Nintendo say that? Or are you just extracting it from thine own posterior?

You make it sound like that was Nintendo's plan all along, when we know that they had no plan and that they now see another method of printing money off the back of their gimped online model.

Billkwando

Sonicmark

as for this news, i dunno... i still don't see why something that is perfectly awesome and free on my machine should cost money on my console. there better be something worth paying for in this.

it could also be nintendo's way of saying 'microtransactions' in which case all the complaints and hopes are moot as its just the same shit everyone has.

ajay42

1) No voice chat
2) Mandatory stupid friend codes
3) Nothing spectacular other than Mario Kart, which looks not one bit better than the bloody gamecube version. Have you ever seen more bland race tracks in your life?

Wii online sucks period. A 100 MB xbox live arcade game downloads faster than some 3 MB VC game. It's just ridiculous!

BTW: Nintendo, stop catering to god damn soccer moms. You've almost lost me here with this casual gamer crap. Where's my Kid Icarus FPS co-op game? Put that online and I may pay..but you gotta have voice chat and no friend codes.

(Sorry for my rant, I'm just so sick of the NEW Nintendo)

sakipooh

It's hard to turn the other cheek when someone keeps smacking you. That's all I'm saying.

How many people come in here saying crazy shit?

Ok, now how many people turn around and apologize for saying said crazy shit?

It's good that you guys have determined "it's cool", but just because you disagreed with his strongly stated opinion which he later apologized for doesn't make said opinion stupid.

Insulting someone who has apologized and who's making an effort not to be inflammatory is kicking them when they're down, in my opinion, because you're inviting them to fall back into the same inflammatory behavior you flamed them for.

On my part, I apologize and will ask first if you've hit the refresh button before I throw my 2 cents in. Is that alright with you?

Billkwando

you cheap bastards.

delriego

I hope this means the end of friend codes.

delriego

Your online doesn't merit payment. None does!

majsheppard

DefHamster

But it was a few years ago on E3 and it seems time has changed their direction.

Too bad.

HobbaHobba

That's about as kneejerk as one can get.

TRT-X

1) Yes, the current Nintendo Online service isn't perfect. I'd rather be able to use Console Names to register friends vs. numbers. However has anybody stopped to think that maybe it's "crippled" because its free?

2) Re-read the article. Not just the headline

"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

Sounds to me the idea is to upgrade the online service to better match that of PSN or XBox Live. And in doing so, charge a fee to users.

3) Further reading beyond the headline:

To aid in a clear cost presentation, the blue WFC logo will be joined with a similar red logo featuring the line "Pay & Play."

So again, Nintendo will have a new WFC logo to indicate when a game will require the use of the new paid service vs. the existing free service. If they were simply abolishing the free online play option, they'd simply ues the same logo and change what it represents.

To me, this sounds like the following situation. There will be two online services offered by Nintendo.

1) The free WFC. This is the existing service. Older games that used this service will continue to use this. New games will be able to choose to offer this as well.

2) The P&P WFC. This is the new service. New games will be able to support additional features online. I have a feeling this would include voice chat, superior match making, and other services similar to XBL. These games likely will still support the original WFC.

3) If Nintendo begins to support DLC, I would guess games that offer it will be listed as P&P. Meaning that there are some aspects you will see online (new stages, characters, music, content) that you will have to pay to gain access to.

But seriously...why the s#!tstorm with such a vauge press release? Nintendo is not going to charge for their current WFC model. The whole idea behind this "stripped down" WFC model is to provide some means of free online play. It's a great option for casual gamers (or families) that want to play online, but also don't want to deal with some of the idiots that are out there.

TRT-X

VioletArrows

Dekabreak

Jopan

JetPogi

"Friends Code..." "Friends Code..." *Shiver*

seishino

justhesh

TomSkylark

brello

ProfWho

SolidOni_ds

It's likely what Nintendo will do is charge additional fees if you wish to "upgrade" the Nintendo WiFi to allow voice chat, more indepth matchmaking, and yes...Gamertags vs. Friend Codes. Bascially everything that would make it just like XBox Live Gold.

"But oh no!" you'll cry, "Nintendo's going to charge me MONEY for those features now?"

Yes. And it will be no different than XBox Live charging you for it's features. The only difference is that you'll have online play available for free. Albeit limited. (Which would actually be BETTER than XBox Live Silver).

The only way this is bad is if Nintendo cuts back the services currently available for free. Otherwise it's win/win. You get the free limited online play, or pay a service fee and get the full thing.

Just like every other subscription service in the friggin' universe.

TRT-X

and I thought that free online play was what Wii was all about, or at least thats what Iwata said back in E3 '05 or something. (don't quote me just in case lol)

But yeah, as others have stated, unless it's really really worth it, I'm not considering this at all. Nintendo WFC is not really the type of network that I would trust to stay consistently fast or overall effective.

Sandbox_Emperor

Double J

Makeda

Sonicmark

Not much, but it is a little more clear.

TWEEDLEDEEZNUTZ

brawl better be decent, and stay free...Then I won't have to worry. Unless they mean DC..Then alrighty! Maybe a hard drive is next.

TWEEDLEDEEZNUTZ

gaiking

Did I just tell you were wrong again?

A simple, "It's cool" would probably done the job. Are you certain you are not holding a grudge?

ProfWho

gaiking

They say eventually the turn around will expand the Wii's potential. I'll simply be blunt and accuse them of outright greed. Apparently selling 220,000 DSlite units a week in Japan just isn't good enough!

I would not be surprised in the least if Brawl turns out to be a part of this idiocy. It would explain the delayed release.

Atheist Jew

-Sigil-

SolidOni_ds

I am fine with seeing this as a misunderstanding. Are you done holding a grudge as well?

ProfWho

metadae

gaiking

jonno394

ProfWho

gaiking

Poochy

Sorry..next time I will ask your permission to throw in my two cents.

ProfWho

Now the greedy bastards are showing their true face !!

Iberianpower

Dragonis

STFU.

He's already apologized, why don't you kick him some more?

Billkwando

rebelphoenix

creid

Xenon

creid

DaiMacculate

JerrD74: RIP George Carlin

GuardianEarth

-Sigil-

Jon-Claw

ProfWho

As to Major vs Minor, I guess that depends, in terms of feature updates we haven't gotten much, but who knows what many of these "minor" upgrades did under the hood, Nintendo didn't even formally announce the addition of USB keyboard support when they dropped that update, people on the Net just figured it out.

DaiMacculate

:(

I know I won't pay for online on the Wii, not that we know what the hell it means, but no, I don't wanna pay to play unless we are talking about Pokemon MMO here!

Irenicus-the one and only

phen5

Dragonis

phen5

I think they need a product to sell before they charge for it's services. Long story short is Nintendo absolutely sucks at online capabilities.

Shocky

Major Wii update? Like?
The change log was minimal and also was it like...uhm last august? Anyway, it's clear as the sun how this upcoming feature will be their online gaming service without friends code, and it'll be weird if they'll not put some kind of measurements against piracy like the update alert, so I don't get the meaning of your reply there.

iceketch

neednorespect

slacker164

OMGitsDarkMatter

Demonbird

Hopefully this isn't for online, and this will only be for downloadable content, I hope.

Ashkihyena

bonecows

You've made it clear you didn't mean to offend. :)

Might I recommend Resident Evil 4? That game alone is worth buying a Wii for, no joke.

Billkwando

If that's what is happening then I'll take a wait and see approach. I don't play online very often so it would have be be something pretty impressive to get me to fork over a fee for it.

By the way, their online actually works fine for me when I use it - I'm in NYC and I play GH3 against my mate in Australia quite a bit and there has never been any lag.

natureboy46

gaiking

Bridge Toll Troll.

"http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Fremont_bridge_troll,_seattle,_washington,_usa.jpg"

"Klonk Gnarlstone"

[users.bigpond.net.au]

Moar stuff.
[209.132.69.82]

Book (slighty related)
[www.ofertondelibros.com]

Lame
[www.thefeltsource.com]

This has the words "play to play online" all around
[images.elfwood.com]

Obligatory magic card
[www.distrimagic.com]

My opinion:
I don't think is greedy that Nintendo want to make this a pay service. But has to bee good. Notice that Wii users can't use other service than Nintendo one, if the nintendo one is bad and expensive, is a disservice, a dishonor and unetical.

Tei

I didn't find it offensive, just strongly worded. It's ok to have an opinion. I own a 360 and Wii and my opinion isn't TOO far from yours, though I haven't played SMG yet.

I don't think you were quite trolling, as you didn't make any defacto insults against people who do like the system.

I think sometimes people confuse venting with trolling.

Billkwando

xgenius

Mario Galaxy? ...over rated junk....Wii Sports?....meh..ok but gets old fast.......Zelda?....overrated CRAP.

No explanation as to why, no qualification, and 2 of those 3 games are among the highest ranked and regarded titles in the history of video game reviewing.

Offer a constructive analysis, or anything at all that advances debate, and then you won't get jumped on the way you did just now by spewing unqualified insults, was all I was saying. You're free to continue posting the way you did there, but I wouldn't expect anything other than continued negative reaction and (if others think it egregious enough) eventually people will begin posting ban nominations for you. I just added you as a friend because I think, based on very little evidence so far, that you're probably a generally rational person who just happens to have not gotten into the Wii, please don't prove me wrong ;)

DaiMacculate

Anyway bad news.

-Sigil-

thejakeman has died of dysentry

I'd probably pay for that. My Wii doesn't get used much, mostly because the multiplayer component is a joke.

Catalyst

sitsalot

gaiking

Fuck that.

Ryumeka

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc

Picture slighty related.

Tei

You're not drinking the Nintendo Koolaid, but you're spreading troll herpes.

If you don't dig Nintendo games or the system. But when you offer your opinion like it's some kind of valid commandment that people should take seriously, outside of you, and then ADD "it suckz it's worthless, etc." well paint your own picture there chief.

People are calling you a kid because you're in a Wii forum about Wii news trolling. I mean even taking the time to type "I have a Wii it's not my thing." is pointless WHY BOTHER? are the 21+ million Wii owners going to just fall in line with your views?

FunKrusher

Natpalm

gaiking

Oops, heh heh, you're right I have zero VC games and I was not aware that they slotted into the channel spots. There goes my brilliant theory.

Gordon_Shumway

bonecows

DaiMacculate

fuchikoma

gaiking

@iceketch: I guess you missed the fact that almost every major Wii update in the last six months contains a warning to people with chipped consoles that the update may brick their machine, as well as a method to avoid the update?

If anything this is a much more positive approach than MS, which as you said will simply brick the machine when it connects to live, without even a warning, if people who've fallen "victim" to that are to be believed.

We'll see, it may be awhile before the real meaning of this announcement becomes clear, I do not expect it to affect the online functions of any games released up till now, however.

DaiMacculate

ProfWho

Ryumeka

Priboi

Again ...sorry

gaiking

Kazzahdrane

bysty

Jopan

gaiking

CZroe

TomSkylark

SuperMekman

It isn't about drinking any kool-aid. That is a post of a trolling 360 fanboy.

You are a trolling fanboy.

ProfWho

CockroachMan

Violet

I sure hope it's not pay-for-multiplayer. I was hoping that would not become the standard, but if Nintendo does it, I feel like free console multi is doomed.

Gordon_Shumway

TempestOblivion

AlreadyDead

Apparently for 'storage limitations' they're gonna start