Nintendo's Fils-Aime promises 'commitment' to improve online experience

[Antithesis]

Nintendo's Fils-Aime promises 'commitment' to improve online experience
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.c...ckseriallg.jpg

Nintendo enjoys breaking conventions. Disruptive ideas have been part of the company's heritage, and while some innovations set industry standards -- from the D-Pad to motion controls -- other ideas seem different for the sake of being unique. Case in point: Nintendo's implementation of online in both the Wii and DS. In an interview with IndustryGamers, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime admitted that the company has shortcomings in that arena. "The online ... or let me state it more broadly, the digital area is an area where we can improve, and we've made a commitment to dramatically improve in that area."

It may be too early to celebrate the death of friend codes, though. In typical Nintendo fashion, the company won't be following the models created by Microsoft and Sony. "I can just about guarantee [our plan] is unlike anything that our competitors have done to date. The reason for that is it wouldn't be innovative, it wouldn't be distinctive, and therefore, it wouldn't be Nintendo ... Our approach will be to enable the consumer to discover our digital content much more easily."

It's hard to imagine a service that offers a drastically different experience from PSN, Xbox Live, or even Steam. Let's hope that Nintendo's desire to appear innovative in the online space results in something more akin to the 3DS and less like the Virtual Boy.

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/ni...ve-online-exp/

[kuronosan]

Considering the only thing they've used online for so far is updating and breaking hacked wiis, they really need to get the ball rolling.

[Shojin]

In typical Nintendo fashion, the company won't be following the models created by Microsoft and Sony.

So in other words, they won't be following models that are convenient. There's a point where too much innovative thinking can just lead to complications. It's probably how Wii ended up with the shitty friend code system in the first place.

Nintendo, just implement a fucking friends list and let us be able to play games with them.

[Lucavi]

So in other words, they won't be following models that are convenient. There's a point where too much innovative thinking can just lead to complications. It's probably how Wii ended up with the shitty friend code system in the first place.

Nintendo, just implement a fucking friends list and let us be able to play games with them.

To be fair, though, Nintendo's history of innovative thinking has led to some great things.

I'd rather they spend more time innovating their relatively bland gaming lineup. Yes, their E3 showing was impressive, but it was still nothing but sequels to games we've already played. They need to continue to "innovate", and "innovate" themselves into some great new franchises.

[Shojin]

How innovative can you be when it comes to an online model? I think the 360 or to a better extent, Steam has pretty much perfected it.
Anything they do can't be worse than the friend list model, so that is a good thing at least.

[Lucavi]

I agree with you 100%, but there's plenty more for me to be pissed at Nintendo for than them trying something new for online.

[Shojin]

Not pissed at them at all for trying to put in a new online system, because it is sorely needed. Just think they might be hindering themselves for trying to innovate in this area, instead of trying to have a system similar to something like Steam. I think they just don't want to be perceived as 'copying' something.

Still a little interested to see what they have planned though.

[Lucavi]

They are definately attaching a ball and chain to their leg in the name of "innovation", I just hope they come out of it with a stronger product.

How likely that is, I can't say, but I admire the attempt, so long as its a real one.

[Kaisha]

They could start by letting us tie our Wii Store purchases to an account, rather than leaving us bumfucked if our Wii supposedly breaks.

[kuronosan]

Or by actually allowing hard drive storage of games, like what is possible now thanks to modders and hackers.

I mean, if you just give people half the shit they are trying to accomplish, it makes your system more marketable and more desirable.

[dejet]

I understand why a company sorta stays away from what hackers allow you to do. But the point of hacking a system if to give you what you want from it in the first place. The sad part is that the item can do so much more but they limit it. Reasons? No fucking clue really, I can understand the hole limit on how many systems for the ps3, and not allowing hacked games on the 360. Really tho, whats up with the wii and DL items only being on that system?

I can ramblme all day about the wii and even the 360/ps3 for what they should let us do to sell their systems even better.

[Parshias]

Either Iwata or Reggie specifically mentioned adding online accounts to their system in a similar interview. The 3DS is also rumored to be able to install games to its system so you don't have to swap cards, but there's been no confirmation about that.

Seriously Nintendo, just copy and paste Steam, slap Miis on there and actually use WiiConnect24 this time and everything will be perfect.

[SephYuyX]

Couldnt care less about online console games.

[Silenka]

There's not only one good way to do something, they may come up with something even better than the current expectation. But the Wii doesn't really seem geared towards online as much as the other consoles, so it's not going to be that big a deal I think. Sure the friend code system is annoying as fuck and needs to die, but it's only on those one or two games that actually utilize it. So overall, if they find a much better way to integrate online in the Wii, super, if they don't, meh. Don't really care.

[Kaylia]

All I can think off is a "mii shopping mall" crap where people can virtually go shop for the thing they could get much faster through menu. Or maybe it's too similar to Home?

I cant wait to see what they come up with, their current system is terrible.