14 DAY TRIAL // Video game publisher and hardware developer Nintendo has long been accused of being unable to understand the Internet, and the Wii has suffered because it lacked a service that could directly compete with the PlayStation Network from Sony and the Xbox Live service from Microsoft.
But now Nintendo is ready to launch a Network of its own which will support the 3DS handheld and the upcoming Wii U home console, linking players together and serving as a conduit for content.
Satoru Iwata, the chief executive officer and president of Nintendo, has recently stated, “Unlike Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which has been focused upon specific functionalities and concepts, we are aiming to establish a platform where various services available through the network for our consumers shall be connected via Nintendo Network service so that the company can make comprehensive proposals to consumers.”
The executive believes that Nintendo will use first-party video games, like Mario Kart 7, to push the new service at first, but also expects third-party developers to adopt it and integrate it in their releases.
The Nintendo Network will support communities, groups of players with limited access for outsiders, and will also offer specific competitions, communication between players and the ability to deliver downloadable content.
Satoru Iwata says that his own company is still concerned about DLC use but that, “We believe that our consumers will be able to feel more secure if we offer our add-on content as an additional structure in which those who love the game will be able to enjoy it in a deeper way for a prolonged play time. “
Nintendo also plans to introduce a new system of accounts for the 2012 bound Wii U home console that will allow families sharing a device to also share content they get from the Network. There’s also talk of adding Near Field Communication to the device to make payment and authorizations easier.