In the past generation, online gaming has become a necessity for any console to possess in order to thrive in the multiplayer aspect. However, Nintendo‘s Wii was more than a bit behind in comparison to the Xbox 360 and PS3. So, with a new generation on the horizon and the Wii U launching soon, what is Nintendo going to do different?
At an investor relations meeting following Nintendo’s E3 2012 press conference, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata was asked about the new Miiverse feature and if it could properly compete with Microsoft’s Xbox Live and Sony’s PSN. Iwata explained that they couldn’t copy what the competition had done on the Wii U, admitting that they had gone too far ahead for them to catch up.
“I think that what we see in terms of online gaming networks on existing dedicated gaming platforms is not particularly well suited to the approach Nintendo has taken. Therefore, I can’t sit here and say to you that we can very quickly overcome or catch up to other companies, which began to work in the online field from many years ago and have been building these online networks on other platforms, and I don’t think that would be a smart strategy, either.”
The decision was made, therefore, to develop their online service in a different direction, which led to the creation of Miiverse. The focus of Miiverse would be interactivity between each player, so Nintendo focused a lot on the social networking aspect of the feature while creating it.
Iwata continued by saying – as Nintendo did at their E3 press conference – that not only playing the games on the Wii U, but also discussing what was played through Miiverse’s communication features would provide an enjoyable experience for everyone. This would also give some players the chance to learn about games they hadn’t heard about and consider playing ones they hadn’t considered before. He also mentioned that the Wii U would be supporting free-to-play games and microtransactions, but wouldn’t elaborate further.
While Iwata saying that the company doesn’t want to copy the competition is a bit dubious, given the design of the Pro Controller, they do appear to be trying to distance themselves from the other companies by quite a bit. Still, the focus on social interaction for Miiverse can be viewed as a bit troubling, as Iwata didn’t give any details regarding online play during the meeting. This, combined with the lack of online multiplayer for Pikmin 3, may raise some concerns about just what the Wii U will do in that area.
What do you think of Iwata’s comments? Do you think the Miiverse is a smart move on Nintendo’s part?
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Source: CVG
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Funny, Nintendo is playing catch up yet their competitors copy them. At least they’re honest, more disappointing but understandable news.
I’m sorry ATG but I’m not sure how this is understandable.
I feel like Nintendo is scared of online, it frightens them to not have control over such a large portion of a game and with almost every current game having a large online component I don’t see this as a good sign.
Understandable because this is new territory for them, they’ve got catching up to do so it won’t be as structured as XBL or PSN.
They’ve had the same number of years as anyone to get an online component in place, they have chosen not to.
Why not just copy the PSN? They copied the 360 Controller. Who cares about copying? I certainly don’t. I just want the system(s) I purchase to be competent.
I’m sorry that I don’t cut Nintendo any slack, they have to prove to me that this Wii U is worth buying and they’re failing right now.
Nintendo was the first to have a directional pad, four face buttons, color coded buttons, a start and select button and shoulder buttons. They also popularized the trigger button and analog thumbstick.
The Xbox 360 layout is almost identical to that of a Gamecube controller. Hold a Wavebird, then hold a 360 controller, they are practically the same thing. The Wii U pro controller is actually quite different when you look at them side by side. And even more different when you compare the ergonomics.
Nintendo was the first to do this, the first to do that…blah, blah, blah
Xbox copied, Sony copied…whatever.
As I said, first to do anything doesn’t mean squat to me. Copying and improving upon existing tech is just the way the industry works.
Nintendo’s last to release a system this generation and it can’t even come close to matching existing online networks? LAME
You’re right Dante. Its a competitive business, doesn’t matter who copies who. What matters is who does it better.
You said Nintendo copied MS, I just explained to you that they didn’t. That’s all. No need to be a dick.
@EastOfTheAnduin, their new “Pro Controller” most certainly does copy the 360′s.
@unbuildthegame, So the fact the 360 controller is almost exactly like the wavebird/gamecube controller is just coincidence then?
The only thing, I see, that Nintendo copied from the 360 is the “shape” of the controller when it is viewed directly from the front. I guess I must be missing something.
When it all boils down, every modern-day game controller is a derivative of the SNES gamepad.