Activision: Yes, we're making online-enabled games for Wii

by David Hinkle { Mar 7th 2007 at 2:35PM }

During an interview with IGN that mainly focused on the company's recent acquisition of Demonware, a third-party source for networking solutions, Activision confirmed its plans to bring online functionality to Wii games. What they implied during said interview, however, was that they would be the first third-party publisher to flip the online switch in its games.

What exactly was said to imply as such, you ask? Well, Duke Collins responds to the question of online play in Wii games, stating "If you look at our track record, we've always been pretty much the first network guys on any platform coming out," backing up that implication when asked directly if they would be developing online-enabled games for the system by saying "Yeah, I would say we do." Can you say rock?

Tags: activision, demonware, nintendo, nintendowii, wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sonic_13 @ Mar 7th 2007 2:49PM

If they want to be the first, they will have to beat Sega which is releasing it's first Wii Wi-fi title on May 24 in Japan.
http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=2666

The rumor that third parties were not allowed to use Wi-Fi is clearly squashed as two third parties have come out to announce Wi-Fi games.

Coincidentally, the rumor that third parties were not allowed to use Mii's is also squashed as Sega's game will be featuring them.

boot @ Mar 7th 2007 3:21PM

Hell yeah!! I think I'm back on board with nintendo now that two rumors have been shot down. I'm willing to bet they will add a new FPS franchise to the wii.

Duffman @ Mar 7th 2007 3:42PM

I am excited for some online games!!!!!

Mr Khan @ Mar 7th 2007 4:02PM

So maybe what that SNK guy said DID pertain only to VC games...

Unless he was outright lying

scepia @ Mar 7th 2007 6:05PM

I would imagine the SNK guy, as all devs, are under strict NDAs. Nintendo is under a strict NDA as well, with the upcoming stock trade.

Rubang B @ Mar 7th 2007 7:29PM

@Sonic 13, thank you for that link. That's the perfect formula:

Pachinko: check
Fist of the North Star: check
Online ranking system: check
Miis: check

Alone any of these elements wouldn't amount to much, but mix them all together and it makes too much sense.

ghnvt @ Mar 7th 2007 7:35PM

I knew those SNK things weren't true. I knew that Nintendo would restrict what people want. They aren't stupid enough to limit what the 3rd parties could do. They don't want and will not have another Gamecube with awesome 1st party titles and little 3rd party titles. All I can say to the 3rd party developers is keep them coming and keep a job open for me when I graduate college next year.

dlynch @ Mar 7th 2007 7:54PM

finally. at least the big N isn't stopping all developers.

_______________
http://sternclips.blogspot.com/2007/02/free-wii-points-via-amazon.html

scepia @ Mar 7th 2007 7:55PM

I would imagine that Nintendo wants the 1st online title. I am expecting that to be PBR, on 22 April, so after that there would be little reason to lock out 3rd party devs.

Nighthawk_12 @ Mar 8th 2007 9:23AM

@ 2

Hopefully they're working on a online Bond FPS.... :)

slwukuk @ Apr 8th 2007 11:50AM

Does anyone think they'll maybe one day add some downloadable patches of sorts that would make Call Of Duty 3 a game which you could play online?

All COD games in my eyes were made for the online playability within them.

wesman @ Apr 6th 2007 9:53PM

Look, I've grown up with nintendo, from the NES to the wii (no cute acronym from that. Heck, it IS its own acronym), but I have grown sick of all my xbox and playstation owning 'friends' (as close as non-nintedo owners can be) whooping it up online while I was tethered to the living room. I was incredibly excited when the wii came out with wi-fi capability, and some preliminary programs that hint at what it could be, but if nintendo dallies this time around, it might be enough to make me rethink my alignment.

shoobydooby @ Apr 14th 2007 12:14AM

no offense but you people are either stupid or too naive nintendo will do the same thing with the wii as it did with the gamecube, there will not be any online playing!! i mean, nintendo is focused on pleasing the kids and making family friendly games and all that crap, right? ok, since when have u seen a 7 years old interested in online gaming or parents that let their 7 years old kid go online? come on y'all get real nintendo failed us all with their kiddie legacy -DISAPPOINTING- :0(

sambo @ Apr 17th 2007 12:03PM

shooby, you really should check your facts... I dunno about the US, but the first online game in the UK will be Mario Strikers Charged at the end of May, with confirmed 4 player via wi-fi. So online gaming is definitely in the Wii's make-up. However, I am disappointed by the very slow start to it. I bought the Wii thinking it would have online gaming fairly soon after launch, but no such luck. I just hope the third parties start launching them soon, cos the Nintendo catalogue is looking rather weak.

jesse cotton @ May 14th 2007 8:34AM

the first online multiplayer game for the wii is supposed to be some pokemon battle game (which sucks bacause i hate pokemon), but thats just the beginning, i can't wait for the online multiplayer games that will come out after that.