07-05-2007, 07:18 AM
The long-awaited download service for new content was only recently revealed by Nintendo as WiiWare, a sub-channel that can be located via the Wii Shop Channel. Developers will soon be free to release their new creations on WiiWare without the need to spend money on the usual route of going through retail, thus opening the doors to a whole new world of smaller development teams bringing their ideas to Wii. Now the UK-arm of Nintendo has spoken to Cubed³ about what we can expect from the service and more...
Cubed³: What sort of games can we expect to see on WiiWare? And when will be get our first taste of what will be on offer?
Nintendo UK: Developers will only be limited by their imagination as to what types and styles of games could potentially appear using this system. Wii Software will be the easiest and most accessible way for developers, large and small, to create new games and reach consumers. Even small developers can create completely new games from scratch, armed only with big ideas, not big budgets. We may discover the next great game and game creator. One game can make a difference and consumers get to try fresh content at a low cost. Nintendo’s open approach, combined with the remarkable motion controls of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, will give birth to fresh takes on established genres, as well as original ideas that currently exist only in developers’ minds.
C3: How much is the basic cost to developers if they want to make WiiWare title?
NUK: We are not disclosing this information publicly – Wii Software levels the playing field for both small independent developers and the bigger developers and publishers. Wii Software paves the way for smaller, more creative games to make their way to the public at lower prices, without any inventory risk to developers.
C3: Nibris has already stated its interest in WiiWare, but in general has Nintendo had a lot of interest from independent or even individual developers wishing to do WiiWare titles?
NUK: Developers were only told about Wii Software on June 26 at the Nintendo Developers Conference. We will be sharing more information about Wii Software content in the future.
C3: And has Nintendo been actively talking with large Third Parties such as Capcom and Sega to bring fresh content to WiiWare?
NUK: As I’ve said - Developers were only told about Wii Software on June 26 at the Nintendo Developers Conference. We will be sharing more information about Wii Software content in the future. Wii Software levels the playing field for both small independent developers and the bigger developers publishers. We expect to see content from a variety of developers.
C3: The focus definitely seems to be on ‘new’ content for WiiWare. But is it likely we will also see ‘upgraded’ versions of old games appear from Nintendo?
NUK: Virtual Console is a successful program of classic games from previous platforms. Wii Software is a new service for newly developed Wii games to be downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel.
C3: Nintendo has previously stated no hard disk drive will be released for Wii. But if the demand is there, will the company consider an expansion to the Wii’s internal memory or even official USB memory sticks?
NUK: No plans at present. Once the internal memory is full software can be stored on SD Cards. Just like VC titles Wii Software titles can be deleted to make room for other content, and re-download it at no cost.
C3: If a Third Party wishes to develop a game larger than the 512MB internal capacity of the Wii, will they simply be told to ‘make it smaller’ or does Nintendo have a contingency plan?
NUK: Wii Software games will come in a variety of sizes, but Nintendo encourages smaller, compact games for the service.
C3: Users have reportedly had problems using SD cards that are larger than 2GB with Wii. Is it possible for a Wii firmware upgrade to be released that permits the use of larger capacity cards?
NUK: We always recommend you use the approved SD cards for Wii for best performance.
C3: The Virtual Console sees an average of three titles released per week. What sort of frequency of titles can we expect on WiiWare?
NUK: While we are not discussing details at this time, we do want to make sure all developers, large or small, have an equal opportunity to participate therefore we will establish set rules for the Wii Software program. We are currently contemplating that developers will be able to release up to one game per month during the launch window, in order for Nintendo to address potential volume.
C3: Other than the obvious inclusion of the Wii motion controls, what makes WiiWare stand out from XBLA and the PSN?
NUK: Wii Software offers unprecedented access for third parties to create content with few restrictions combined with the innovative control of the Wii Remote plus open nature approach of Wii Software is a powerful combination for developers to create and bring their game to consumers. Development for Wii is already an attractive option for developers and Wii Software will be no different.
C3: Whilst no official pricing system has been revealed, do you foresee any games being more expensive than the highest priced VC games?
NUK: More information about pricing will be available in the future but there will be a variety of price points, similar to VC games. Users redeem Wii Points in the Wii Shop Channel, just as with our classic games.
C3: Will Nintendo consider releasing any WiiWare titles for free, or providing gamers with promotional offers?
NUK: More information will be available in the future.
C3: Are WiiWare games going to be region locked or can European Wii owners access content from Japan and the US to download?
NUK: Developers can approach Wii Software as they would packaged software. Content can be created for one region or more. It will be up to the developer to do the localisation and testing.
C3: Currently it has been stated WiiWare will be rolled out in early 2008. But is there a narrower window of release yet, such as ‘released around the world by the end of Q1 2008’?
NUK: As previously stated - we’re planning the first content will launch in early 2008. It depends on the availability of games for each region. We’ll announce more specifics later.
C3: Will Nintendo be providing demo content for full games via WiiWare or would this be something kept for a separate Demo Channel?
NUK: We are still finalising several details and will share more at a later date.
source
Cubed³: What sort of games can we expect to see on WiiWare? And when will be get our first taste of what will be on offer?
Nintendo UK: Developers will only be limited by their imagination as to what types and styles of games could potentially appear using this system. Wii Software will be the easiest and most accessible way for developers, large and small, to create new games and reach consumers. Even small developers can create completely new games from scratch, armed only with big ideas, not big budgets. We may discover the next great game and game creator. One game can make a difference and consumers get to try fresh content at a low cost. Nintendo’s open approach, combined with the remarkable motion controls of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, will give birth to fresh takes on established genres, as well as original ideas that currently exist only in developers’ minds.
C3: How much is the basic cost to developers if they want to make WiiWare title?
NUK: We are not disclosing this information publicly – Wii Software levels the playing field for both small independent developers and the bigger developers and publishers. Wii Software paves the way for smaller, more creative games to make their way to the public at lower prices, without any inventory risk to developers.
C3: Nibris has already stated its interest in WiiWare, but in general has Nintendo had a lot of interest from independent or even individual developers wishing to do WiiWare titles?
NUK: Developers were only told about Wii Software on June 26 at the Nintendo Developers Conference. We will be sharing more information about Wii Software content in the future.
C3: And has Nintendo been actively talking with large Third Parties such as Capcom and Sega to bring fresh content to WiiWare?
NUK: As I’ve said - Developers were only told about Wii Software on June 26 at the Nintendo Developers Conference. We will be sharing more information about Wii Software content in the future. Wii Software levels the playing field for both small independent developers and the bigger developers publishers. We expect to see content from a variety of developers.
C3: The focus definitely seems to be on ‘new’ content for WiiWare. But is it likely we will also see ‘upgraded’ versions of old games appear from Nintendo?
NUK: Virtual Console is a successful program of classic games from previous platforms. Wii Software is a new service for newly developed Wii games to be downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel.
C3: Nintendo has previously stated no hard disk drive will be released for Wii. But if the demand is there, will the company consider an expansion to the Wii’s internal memory or even official USB memory sticks?
NUK: No plans at present. Once the internal memory is full software can be stored on SD Cards. Just like VC titles Wii Software titles can be deleted to make room for other content, and re-download it at no cost.
C3: If a Third Party wishes to develop a game larger than the 512MB internal capacity of the Wii, will they simply be told to ‘make it smaller’ or does Nintendo have a contingency plan?
NUK: Wii Software games will come in a variety of sizes, but Nintendo encourages smaller, compact games for the service.
C3: Users have reportedly had problems using SD cards that are larger than 2GB with Wii. Is it possible for a Wii firmware upgrade to be released that permits the use of larger capacity cards?
NUK: We always recommend you use the approved SD cards for Wii for best performance.
C3: The Virtual Console sees an average of three titles released per week. What sort of frequency of titles can we expect on WiiWare?
NUK: While we are not discussing details at this time, we do want to make sure all developers, large or small, have an equal opportunity to participate therefore we will establish set rules for the Wii Software program. We are currently contemplating that developers will be able to release up to one game per month during the launch window, in order for Nintendo to address potential volume.
C3: Other than the obvious inclusion of the Wii motion controls, what makes WiiWare stand out from XBLA and the PSN?
NUK: Wii Software offers unprecedented access for third parties to create content with few restrictions combined with the innovative control of the Wii Remote plus open nature approach of Wii Software is a powerful combination for developers to create and bring their game to consumers. Development for Wii is already an attractive option for developers and Wii Software will be no different.
C3: Whilst no official pricing system has been revealed, do you foresee any games being more expensive than the highest priced VC games?
NUK: More information about pricing will be available in the future but there will be a variety of price points, similar to VC games. Users redeem Wii Points in the Wii Shop Channel, just as with our classic games.
C3: Will Nintendo consider releasing any WiiWare titles for free, or providing gamers with promotional offers?
NUK: More information will be available in the future.
C3: Are WiiWare games going to be region locked or can European Wii owners access content from Japan and the US to download?
NUK: Developers can approach Wii Software as they would packaged software. Content can be created for one region or more. It will be up to the developer to do the localisation and testing.
C3: Currently it has been stated WiiWare will be rolled out in early 2008. But is there a narrower window of release yet, such as ‘released around the world by the end of Q1 2008’?
NUK: As previously stated - we’re planning the first content will launch in early 2008. It depends on the availability of games for each region. We’ll announce more specifics later.
C3: Will Nintendo be providing demo content for full games via WiiWare or would this be something kept for a separate Demo Channel?
NUK: We are still finalising several details and will share more at a later date.
source
