Analyst: Downloadable video content on Wii by 2010

by Chris Greenhough { Dec 5th 2008 at 5:21PM }

Over at Gamasutra, analyst Colin Dixon of The Diffusion Group has made one of those broad analyst predictions that we know you all love so much. Dixon estimates that within two years, Nintendo will have organized a Wii-based video delivery service, similar to those currently available through Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

From later this month, Japanese Wiis will boast a similar(ish) service -- Fujisoft's Minna no Theater Wii ("Everybody's Theater Wii") from WiiWare -- but nothing on the scale of Microsoft's deal with Netflix to stream video content. Is it really so important for the Wii to offer downloadable video content? Dixon thinks so, and even argues that setting up a video on-demand service is crucial for Wii to "remain competitive in the long-term."

Gallery: Guide to watching DVDs on Wii

Tags: dlc, everybodys-theater-wii, film, minna-no-theater-wii, tv, video

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

sydscrib @ Dec 5th 2008 5:28PM

That would be neat. I just hope the videos would be better than the poor quality ones that are on the Nintendo Channel.

SoshiKitai @ Dec 6th 2008 6:34PM

I don't think they're poor quality.

I just don't think they're HIGH quality...
...it's somewhere in the range of okay-to-good quality. :P

...poor quality looks much more horrendous.

Ferco @ Dec 5th 2008 5:48PM

It would be awesome if Nintendo did something like that. Which makes the cynic in me believe they won't.

Luke @ Dec 6th 2008 8:02AM

Hulu please.

linebeginstoblur @ Dec 5th 2008 5:59PM

Personally, I don't think it's too important. It seems that Sony and Microsoft plan on making entertainment centers that focus on gaming while Nintendo plans on making video game systems that don't come with any other nonsense. I'm not saying that one way is worse than another, because I think they're both right. Just depends on what kind of gamer you are, and that's the beauty of competition, so you can choose what fits you.

The Wii doesn't need a video download system to "remain competitive in the long-term". Officially, it can't even play DVDs nor does it have a hard drive, and it's been doing just fine in sales. The way I see it is like PS3 is a red apple, 360 is a green apple, and Wii is an orange. They're all fruits with distinct flavors, but the PS3 and 360 are closest while the Wii is something more different. (though they're all very tasty in my humble opinion lol.)

shawn @ Dec 5th 2008 6:06PM

no that isnt gonna work unless nintendo has a better storage solution,if they use the sd card as a means of streaming content then i can see that happening but with the wii's internal memory no way is it gonna work

Ethan @ Dec 5th 2008 6:35PM

Streaming, possibly. "downloadable," no.

guttertalk @ Dec 5th 2008 6:43PM

I disagree that the Wii doesn't need this.

For one, Nintendo's philosophy is that they want to offer entertainment and lifestyle features, like their news, weather, and several of the Japan-only channels.

Second, the use of our 360 has noticeably increased since the addition of Netflix. My wife now actually knows how to use a 360 controller and how to navigate the 360 menus. She even dabbled with an arcade game I have. The point is that features like steaming movies gets people to use a console more, and even introduce more users to it.

The Wii has sold because of perception--that it's different and that its accessible. It can't ride that horse too long without adding new features.

bknight @ Dec 5th 2008 7:10PM

It makes no sense for the wii to have downloadable video, unless a WII HD comes out with at least 720p and supports a Hard drive.

Grey Acumen @ Dec 7th 2008 8:32PM

Exactly, I still can't fathom what ass dixon has his head up to come to this conclusion.
1) Wii is not HD. No one who got a Wii got it with the idea that they would use it to watch videos on. PS3 and 360 are both HD consoles. While I don't feel it's necessary to gaming, if you're actually focusing on this feature, why wouldn't you go for the ones that can display at the higher resolution?

2) No hard drive, sorry, but all I can do is stream? You sure as heck better hope your network connection is flawless, cause i personally am not interested in pausing my video every 10 minutes for my video to catch up. This isn't a problem personally, but I'm well aware that not everyone has a net connection as good as mine.

3) Wii doesn't even play DVDs! Downloadable video, and video in general, are not things they had in mind when they designed the console, and they would be competing with consoles that WERE designed for that purpose. If Nintendo tried to just release the service as is, they would be at a clear disadvantage and gain nothing. If they invested resources, time, and money into upgrading what the Wii can do, they would still only come at as being seen as mostly even with 360 and PS3, and ultimately, it wouldn't cover that initial investment that they would have needed to get to that point.

Mr Khan @ Dec 5th 2008 7:17PM

I think that the optimal solution is for something similar to what Fujisoft is doing. Let a 3rd party handle it. Nintendo isn't a media company, and they shouldn't have to become one. However, it does, like guttertalk said, fit with their philosophy. They just want to give people reasons to use the hardware, and that's what the Weather, News, and Message Board functions are for

Haohmaru @ Dec 5th 2008 7:56PM

No TV on my Wii, please.

Thank you.

fishyfood @ Dec 5th 2008 10:55PM

"remain competitive in the long-term."
Remain competitive with who exactly, cable companies? Look, I don't care if RRODbox 360 and PhailStation3 lets you watch TV shows and movies and all that garbage. I bought my Wii to play games, not to watch TV, feed fish, and certainly not to stare at cutting edge HD graphics. I bought my Wii knowing it was an affordable system, that wasn't a powerhouse but did what it was made to do, play games! I knew it was made by a company who has not let me down since 1991 (when I became a Nintendo fanboi!!) and that no matter if Ninty started suffering in this wave of the console war, I would still stick to its side.

I think companies (Ubiphailsoft in particular) have been killing the Wii's reputation with all those Petz games they seen to be pumping out every fortnight, no... every week! I don't want some asshat tightwad telling me the Wii can only survive if it copies the other two systems and offers streamable shows. Let's face it, those other companies had to offer such features because they knew damn well it was too expensive to develop games for each of those systems, and they didn't want people unhappy with white and black doorstops respectively. The PS3 and 360's libraries are small, although filled with the better of 3rd party titles. They decided to offer extra things like streamable media to have their consumers feel they can still get value from their system. Game consoles in the past haven't been about "being better than TiVo, people outside the industry make it look like that's the only way a VIDEOGAME console can be successful, by being a media hub instead of a friggin' VIDEOGAME CONSOLE! Ninty is a trendsetter and an innovator at best. They should be leading, not following. I have a strong belief that the Wii can survive without what I consider pointless features such as those. Also, I don't care if the Wii now has voice chat capabilities either. I have done without it up until now, I can certainly do without it now.

Look at the GameCube. The cube didn't have much with online games, only Phantasy Star I can think of. I loved my cube despite the lack of online and small 3rd party library because unlike the other two companies, Nintendo can MAKE games that have true replay value, a memorable cast of characters, real gameplay and original concepts. Sure, Halo is a good game, and I do admit I enjoyed 2 and 3, but I can't remember half of what I played. If claiming a game's replay value means designing it in a way where some events are not memorable, when you can sit down in a classroom and replay Mario Sunshine in your head from start to finish, then I guess Halo has replay value!

My Wii will remain what it is for now; just a white cuboid on my living room table with Brawl in it. I am more than happy. Besides, I am slightly glad for the fact that Wii's library may consist mostly of cheesy minigame encyclopedias. They do sell well, no matter how much we say they suck, and it is one of the causes why the Wii's doing well to some extent. If the Wii's library was like the cube's then Ninty would've suffered big these last two fiscal years.

/rant

AltCtrlPwn @ Dec 8th 2008 2:39AM

"...Nintendo can MAKE games that have true replay value..."

Really? I haven't replayed any of my Wii games, and the only game keeping me from selling my system at the moment is Brawl . . . it's the only game I actually still enjoy playing.

I just don't have a reason to beat [Twilight Princess, No More Heroes, Super Mario Galaxy, etc.] even just ONE more time. Also, the only game that I really WANTED to have great online play (Brawl) sucks ass online, horrible lag, it's unplayable even with friends. The rest of the games lack any online play at all, which is one key component of "replayability."

My other console, on the other hand . . . ALL of my games have great online play, so when I'm done with the single player campaigns I keep coming back for more.

"Oh yeah, the Wii's a great party console!"

I have more fun playing the superior version of Rock Band (now RB2) with ALL of my friends than playing Brawl vs the few that know how to play it at all (and they don't particularly like losing over and over and over . . . ).

Phil @ Dec 6th 2008 2:38PM

By 2010? A little late isn't it?

intro94 @ Dec 6th 2008 3:07PM

Thats barely interesting, NOT neccesary FOR anything to remain competitive.Very few people using xbox360 and ps3 use that feature AT ALL.And that didnt even help their sales against the wii.I mean,surprise, the wii doesnt has that add on, nor blue ray nor big hard drive to save your pirated games(cuz thats what most players use it for), and ..it still sells more?without being cheaper than the 360?WTF? stupid ignorant analyst.
Its a lame feature that isnt as efficient as a computer based one Nor even decent cable services.

SoshiKitai @ Dec 6th 2008 6:39PM

"Very few people using xbox360 and ps3 use that feature AT ALL."

Actually... make that "few". Not "very few".

Unless you're talking about HARDCORE-GAMERS ONLY... in which in that sense, it's "once in a lifetime".

People DO use their systems for that purpose, especially on the PS3 department. ...it's just not as celebrated, advertised, or even epic.
So in that sense, not everyone goes boasting about how they use it.

...and remember, few doesn't just mean 50 people. It can mean thousands.

intro94 @ Dec 7th 2008 12:01PM

Actually , a survey indicated recently that only 30% of the PS3 owners use the BLUE ray function, if only 30% percent of them use such a much more valuable tool as the blue ray, one cant think much of the use of this feature.Add the fact that it requires online connection(and believe you me, some owners of ps3 dont have the online setup) and voila, we really wont get that much of an interest group for that feature.Thousands in a market that thrives demands for millions isnt very appealing as a business idea.Is, however, easy to implement, so it isnt very costly either.Like an extra controller, its nice to have it, but nothing i really want.