We've all known deep down that something like this would come sooner or later. Ever since Nintendo unveiled their Virtual Console there's been speculation surrounding original content appearing on the service. We now know for sure that this will be happening in the near future.
Back in March Nintendo contacted Newsweek and asked if they'd like some top secret Wii information. They quickly jumped at the chance but months went by without anything from Nintendo. Finally, on Tuesday they were able to speak to Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime who let them in on WiiWare. WiiWare is Nintendo's plan to offer original downloadable content on Wii.
WiiWare will be Nintendo's answer to the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. Just like with Virtual Console games, these new original games will cost you Wii points to download. Nintendo will set the price of each title as it sees fit. So that means these games or other software could wind up costing anywhere from 100 to 10000 points.
Nintendo is also open to smaller developers creating original games and isn't looking to rely solely on big name companies. All games created and released on the service would encounter no involvement from Nintendo, aside from them checking to make sure everything is working properly. The developers will also be given the responsibility of getting their content rated. There's no mention of if un-rated titles would be allowed onto the service, but I think we can safely assume they wouldn't.
All this along with Neo Geo titles coming to the Virtual Console only gives more credibility to the rumors that a hard drive attachment could be coming as people will need more space to hold all their games.
According to Fils-Aime the service will be up and running some time next year. Expect an official press release from Nintendo on Wednesday morning and more from us as this develops.
Written & Reported by: Kindrik
Note: That's not an official logo from Nintendo and just something I made in under a minute.
there are a few indie titles i wouldn't mind seeing on the wii
Sounds pretty cool to me. I might actually use this unlike the VC.
we knew this was happening nice that its official, i guess
I'm not so sure about this. Is it a cool idea...YES, but hopefully we'll see the same reviews as we see for general games and VC titles, because sometimes tells me that there will be some duds in the bunch.
I kind of wished we would have heard something about a demo download channel instead, but I'll kick dirt until that comes around.
BTW did they mention whether or not the titles would be in a permanent database like VC titles or will they be available for a month or so and make way for new titles?
I don;t think they mentioned it but I assume it would be similar to VC titles. This is great news I remember Matt and Bozo nfrom IGN said they had an original game for Wii developed but they wouldn't want to be the first to release it.
[/align]WTF 10000! POINTS THATS 100$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's a hyperbole. I was just exagerating to make a point.
And I don't know if the games will be up there permanently, they havn't said.
interesting...very interesting.
I smell a hard drive being announced at E3 2007...anyone else smell that?
I was wondering when they would bring the topic of wiiware back into play. But until I hear about titles/software I'll be a bit skeptical.
I smell a hard drive being announced at E3 2007...anyone else smell that?
It could happen, but I wouldn't bet on it since Nintendo's come out and denied that any hard drive peripheral would grace the Wii.
Well, at least its been confermed....!
Now if only there were a hard drive... If only...
This is nice to here that it's been confirmed.
Honestly, I'm not too worried about getting a Hard Drive. You'll have to get a lot of those games to use up all your space.