GDC08: Wi-Fi good news, bad news

by Candace Savino { Feb 22nd 2008 at 3:30PM }

Here's the good news:

Nintendo project leader Takashi Aoyama recently announced that Wii games would soon feature downloadable content. If you're unfamiliar with this service (which is currently prevalent in the other current-gen systems, the PS3 and Xbox 360), this means that you'll be able to download additional content for your games via Wi-Fi.

There's no word on what games will offer DLC (though we can make guesses on a few that will and won't), nor have we heard about potential memory limitations with the inclusion of this service. Add-ons will be available for both Wii Ware titles and disc-based games, though.

As per usual, Wii owners will be able to purchase such content with Wii Points or a credit card.

Now, are you ready for the bad news?

According to Nintendo, not all Wi-Fi services will be free on the Wii. The company is introducing a "Pay and Play" policy, which will make players subscribe to a specific game in order to use that game's online features.

Titles that implement this policy will have a red "Pay and Play" circle instead of the blue "Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection" one that we're used to seeing. Aoyama didn't specify which games would make users pay-to-play, nor did he reveal how much the services would cost.

Now, we could understand Nintendo charging for online services if they were up to snuff with the offerings of its competitors. It's no secret, though, that the company currently falls behind its current-gen counterparts in regards to online play. PSN (the PS3's online network) is still free for gamers, and although XBL requires a monthly subscription, it can't be argued that Microsoft's service is miles ahead of the Wii's.

Perhaps the cost will be minimal, or perhaps most publishers will decide to keep their services free (if the decision is up to them, that is). Let's just hope this doesn't happen with the DS, too.

*Note: Since Nintendo has been vague on "Pay and Play" details, it's not exactly clear what services will require users to cough up cash. We'll keep you posted as we hear more.

Read: Nintendo Will Begin Offering Downloadable Add-On Content on Wii
Read: Nintendo to Begin Charging Money for Some Online Gaming

Tags: dlc, downloadable-content, gdc08, gdc08fanboy, pay-and-play, takashi-aoyama, wi-fi

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Good_Bytes @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:39PM

Perhaps their will be voice chat, and the supported games will require you to pay.

Mr Khan @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:13PM

That would make sense if they introduced a tiered system of Online play, kind of like LIVE Gold and LIVE Silver, but in reverse. LIVE Silver lets you do everything but pvp play, and LIVE Gold does it all, in this case, WiFi Blue would let you play, WiFi Orange would do everything else

Sonic_13 @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:42PM

I think we have to wait for more details and specifics before we start jumping to conclusions about what the service is exactly.

Whereas Wired is reporting that the price of the NWFC will be decided on a game-by-game basis, IGN is reporting that the NWFC will remain free and that the Pay-to-Play service will only be for additional services (i.e. special online modes, downloadable content, etc.). Wired is reporting this as a separate announcement.

jpc168 @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:45PM

if this brings more robust online features then fine, as long as the prices are reasonable. if this is for the same measly online features implemented in current games then screw them.

but i agree with sonic... we need to wait and see what the real deal is with all these announcements

DonWii @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:19PM

I agree, we have to wait.

However, this is the INTERNET.

Roto13 @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:53PM

This doesn't really make much of a difference to me because I hate playing online, but it still sucks.

clif @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:17PM

So this means when i get my guitar hero 3 with full stereo sound back in march maybe downloadable content will be ready??? I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Also I wonder what the external storage will be... they still haven't said anything about that yet, well i guess it's wait and see. But this is great news since people knew it had to be coming if nintendo wanted to compete on equal footing with moneysoft and sony.

Genome4824 @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:57PM

Um they CLEARLY say that BLue Logo is 100% free wi-fi and Red/Orange is pay to play.

ALL Games are not going to be pay to play. And Games ike Smash Brawl for example will ALWAYS be free.

twitchboy @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:01PM

I agree that it's too early to really know what's going to happen. From what I can gather, I don't think that they are completely getting rid of free online just offering some premium type option.

And the only thing I have to say about DLC is: Where's my frickin' HD already Nintendo!?

Gabe @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:04PM

I'm not going to pay if they still plan on using the friend codes. I think it's lame to pay to use your OWN internet. If they insist on pay to play then it better be cheap or better than Xbox live or both .

Blue_Falcon @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:08PM

I've seen about 3 sites report this "Pay & Play" business, and I still don't quite understand what it means.

Wii's Online is going to start costing money? Online for specific games are going to cost money?

I'm lost.

Mr Khan @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:11PM

Don't worry. Nobody knows much about it yet, that's what we're debating here

racecar @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:08PM

I have no problems paying for DLC, but it sure as heck better not be priced as poorly as the Virtual Console is.

-racecar
http://everybodyvotes.blogspot.com

Mr Khan @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:10PM

Like i said on the corresponding joystiq article, i think that the PaytoPlay service will be for extra features, like DLC, possibly extra communication services, etc

It would totally contradict Nintendo's mission of accessibility to make all WiFi play a fee-based service, plus it would be total suicide, easily eligible for a spot in the "25 Dumbest Moments in Gaming History," Charging more for less is more than idiocy, its some kind of lower function of intellect not even present in animals

DonWii @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:21PM

Agreed.

Also opens the way for MMO structures. Animal Crossing MMO anyone? This would explain why we haven't heard anything from the title, eventhough it has been in development since 2006.

TheOverlord#2 @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:31PM

Nintendo already said that Animal Crossing isn't gonna be an MMO...but if the Wi-Fi is as good as Wild World, then the Wi-Fi will still feel like an MMO

On a side note, AC: Wii looks to be an early indecator of Voice Chat...

Sonic_13 @ Feb 22nd 2008 11:32PM

@TheOverlord#2

Should be even better considering that you'll be able to travel to other people's towns pretty much 24/7 thanks to WiiConnect24.

That is definitely one of the coolest uses of WiiConnect24 that has been demonstrated so far, so hopefully they do implement it.

I also wouldn't be surprised if Animal Crossing was one of the first games to feature voice chat.

Jumbo @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:33PM

I just want to know WHEN i can get DLC for GH3?

TLA's FTW!

James Thompson @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:40PM

What would be really nice would be if the pay for play option didn't require friend codes to play online. Just a nice xbox live -esque matchmaking and friend system would make me love me wii...right now the friend codes are a pain in the neck. *Crosses fingers*

Deozaan @ Feb 22nd 2008 4:53PM

This worries me:

"According to Nintendo, not all Wi-Fi services will be free on the Wii. The company is introducing a 'Pay and Play' policy, which will make players subscribe to a specific game in order to use that game's online features."

Are you sure we have to subscribe to individual games? If I ever agreed to pay for online service through Nintendo, I would much rather just subscribe to ONE Nintendo WiFi Pay2Play service for ALL Pay2Play games. Not EACH Pay2Play game individually.

This news is getting worse and worse at each site I read about it.

DonWii @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:22PM

Think MMO's....

Animal Crossing MMO anyone?

Candace Savino @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:24PM

Yep, at least, according to Wired. Game|Life reports that the "Pay by Play" service (whatever it entails) will be paid for on a game-by-game basis.

Deozaan @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:33PM

If I want to subscribe to individual MMOs, I'd play them on PC.

Besides, Nintendo already said Animal Crossing Wii wouldn't be an MMO.

I am really not liking the combination of the words "subscription" and "game-by-game basis."

I don't mind paying ONCE for DLC. I don't mind the idea of subscribing to ONE monthly service for certain WiFi features in games (like Xbox Live or GameTap). But I really, really, REALLY am disliking the idea of *multiple repeating* subscription fees on a game-by-game basis.

Mr Khan @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:43PM

IGN's calling something similar to this, yet more reassuring;
http://wii.ign.com/articles/854/854251p1.html
"This will be a new version of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (NWFC). Aoyama explained that NWFC will remain a free service, but forthcoming experiences will require users to pay a fee to enjoy"

This seems to fall in line more with my vision of a tiered service. Wired could be correct in that each service will require fees to unlock, but it seems to me that what we know (and hate) today will remain free for all

James @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:30PM

Didn't you need to pay monthly for PSO? I'm guessing they're thinking along those lines...

omar @ Feb 22nd 2008 6:22PM

i wish all 3 companies offered sonys type online. they have a ton of features and arent charging for it. i hate always having to buy a new card to play xbox live and now i have to pay to play my wii. this sucks

THRILLHO @ Feb 22nd 2008 5:50PM

I know we still know little to nothing about this, but maybe this is their way of letting you know what games will have DLC that you have to pay for. nothing says that you'd pay just to play online. They probably just wanna seperate the completely free online games and the ones with DLC. I could be wrong, but it's anyones guess at this point, with the lack of information and all.

Kenneth Johnson @ Feb 22nd 2008 6:29PM

I think some people are misunderstanding what Nintendo is saying. I don't think they are going to start charging for Wii Online features, but instead are going to start charging for add-ons and DLC. Did anyone expect anything else? I was pretty certain that new GH3 songs were going to cost me money no matter what platform I played them on.

shadowchaoscontrol @ Feb 22nd 2008 6:54PM

so, if understand what you are saying correctly, nintendo is hinting DLC in their games, and a red circle could mean DLC, not paying just to get online

Candace Savino @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:09PM

@shadowchaoscontrol

Yes, at this point, it could just mean DLC. The reason I find that unlikely, though, is because of Nintendo's semantics. Why not just say the red/orange circle means downloadable content? Why create all this confusion if it was really that simple? And why use the term "Pay and Play," which (in my opinion, and judging from the uproar around the 'nets) has a much more negative connotation than "downloadable content?"

So, really, anything is possible at this point, let's hope for the best :)

Tom @ Feb 22nd 2008 6:54PM

WHY Nintendo, WHY?! I liked the Wii's online because it was free! Now I'm gonna have to individually subscribe to some games?! Wifi doesn't have enough weight to throw around to make this explanatory. If it's only for stuff like MMO's and DLC, the fine. But I'm gonna be pissed if they make a new starfox game with decent online and then charge you money for it!

Sonic_13 @ Feb 22nd 2008 7:22PM

Even if it is about individually subscribing to some games (which it most likely is not), it is highly unlikely that Nintendo themselves would charge for service. So have no fear, your (future, as-of-yet announced) online Star Fox game will almost certainly be free.

Sonic_13 @ Feb 22nd 2008 7:19PM

Nintendo should really release more details ASAP, as some people are getting very worked up and concerned about this (and most likely needlessly due to misunderstandings of what the Pay-to-Play actually is).

Mr Khan @ Feb 22nd 2008 7:47PM

The neat thing is that with this teaser, we'll now be hanging on their every word come E3, when these statements are more likely to get follow-ups

Sonic_13 @ Feb 22nd 2008 10:00PM

That is neat, although I feel that many people (including myself) will go crazy if we have to wait that long! :P

I still think Nintendo should clarify the statement a little bit though as judging by some of the comments (here and on other sites) people are interpreting these in a negative manner (which obviously isn't good).

Gun Barrier @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:39PM

payforplay wifi will probably be mmorpg games. like monster hunter 3.

TheOverlord#2 @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:46PM

I see hints at more weapons, maps, and looks on MoH H2. If only they copied CoD4 and made a "future" map with machine guns and the like...

My hopes are:
Blue: All online unlocked, free...but thats all you get
Orange: Yearly Service all modes unlocked on P-2-P games, but with more robust multiplayer than Blue circles...
and that both get DLC including old games made before Pay-for-Play games are introduced(new characters in SSBB???????) :D

wud_e @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:54PM

Pay to Play better have NO Friend Codes, Added leader boards, Friend List, In Game chat or Voice Chat and tons of other goodies.

Watch this be just in time for Mario Kart. :(

AndRe @ Feb 22nd 2008 10:17PM

seriously,
i don't think we ever gonna get MMO's on the Wii, it just don't add up with the "friend codes" policy...
and if you ask me it's a good thing.

I think that we're gonna pay for add-ons like new tracks on rock band but not a cent for online play...
but I can be wrong...
sometimes Nintendo is a greedy b***h.

sepaar @ Feb 22nd 2008 11:05PM

I don't think we need to quite get so worked about this yet. Nintendo's mantra for the last 2 years or so for both the Wii and the DS was that their online offerings would be free, but 3rd parties could charge if they so desired. I see this more as a classification system such they don't confuse consumers into thinking that all the games are free.

sepaar @ Feb 22nd 2008 11:07PM

DLC is certainly a welcome addition though. With WiiWare launching as well as the Everybody's Nintendo Channel coming, seems a like positive year.

Wiiman @ Feb 23rd 2008 6:56AM

Wii gamers paying for crap: you guys are used to it. Suck it up and be a man. Or woman.

showtimejc88 @ Feb 23rd 2008 11:48AM

No come on, BS. I better not have to pay to play brawl or madden or anything like that online. Why do they have to throw this crap at us

Sonic_13 @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:26PM

Well for one there would be no way to implement it retroactively, so Brawl and every Wi-Fi game already released would continue to be free....

Perverted @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:56PM

It's called pay to play not pay to download so I expect it will be paying to actually play online....And it's very likely you'll also pay for DLC....from whatever games include it....
I'll never pay to play online so...Unless they offer some fantastic services & I mean really awesome and at dirt cheap prices....They've lost me.

I'm guessing they(N) expect new games to come out(3rd P) wanting to charge for online play....and want to warn the idi...casual crowd.

I'm now also patiently waiting. Oh and if they make Mario Kart Wii the first to use it(pay), I may have to skip it.
Though I may pay for some awesome dlc.

FX-1 @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:16PM

Seeing as how they already offer free (albiet very limited) wi-fi play, it can't make any sense for them to, out of nowhere, start making people pay for the same service. If they do start making people pay for that they would almost have to revamp the service dramatically since people have already seen the current online stuff and will wonder why they suddenly have to pay to do the same thing they've been gatting for free all this time. It's probably called Pay to Play instaed of Pay to Download simply bacause it sounds nicer. Pay to Download is just a less marketable product name.

Sonic_13 @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:45PM

Many websites (but not the Wired articles listed in the article) mention how games that use Pay-to-Play will have the PtP logo beside the regular Wi-Fi logo on the box.

If that is true, then it would seem that Pay-to-Play would simply mean stuff like extra downloadable content.

Wes @ Feb 23rd 2008 8:49PM

I think this is obviously for games which will require a lot of bandwidth between clients and servers. OR thirdy party games which dont want to abide by Nintendo's WFC rules...

Obviously useful for anything massive multiplayer. Which I would honestly love to see on the Wii.

I doubt it means the end of existing free games with small numbers of peers, like many people seem to be fearing. Existing Wii games seem largely peer to peer, and pay-to-play seems to be for a service that would require more wieght on the server end.