14 DAY TRIAL // We like in a much interconnected world. Nearly all videogames released on the PC, the Xbox 360 from Microsoft and the PlayStation 3 from Sony heavily emphasize their multiplayer features, and cooperative play is seen as something standard for most gaming experiences.
But it seems that the connectivity revolution has not yet reached the Nintendo gaming platforms as the president of the company has recently said that just 35% of the Nintendo Wii home consoles are Internet enabled with the figure going down to 20% for the Nintendo DS handheld.
Satoru Iwata is saying that the percentage of connected gaming devices spikes when Nintendo announces new videogames with online capabilities and when fresh channels are introduced; otherwise, online connectivity seems to be declining. One problem that owners of the Nintendo consoles have is actually figuring out the setting needed for the Wi-Fi Connection and more of them are going online when it is offered free by other companies.
The degree of connectivity affects the possibility of introducing digital download-only content to users but the Nintendo president is not too worried about that. Iwata told investors that “In 20 years or so, I might say it will have probably changed. But in 5 years or so, I do not totally agree. […] Habits of life do not change radically and quickly.” So, his company has a lot of time to create a system allowing more of its users to actually connect and get content online.
In the short term, Nintendo may have some customers abandon its consoles because of the enhanced social and multiplayer functionality built into other platforms like the Xbox 360 or the PlayStation 3. Limited Wi-Fi Connection use could also hurt sales of upcoming titles with multiplayer focus, like New Super Mario Bros. Wii.