Impatiently waiting for Wii to go Online… When in heck will it?

Face it: Nintendo is excused for not having “enough” games (remember that supposed “drought”?) for their console. This is due to their timely releases of amazing first party titles like Super Paper Mario, and their all round good PR in the gaming industry (despite the fact that using friend codes is like subjecting yourself to a beating from Kratos).

Nintendo, and their Wii, are the baby-faces of this generation’s console Wrestle-fest. They can do no wrong. Thing is, people, and more importantly, Nintendo gamers, are still wondering exactly when Nintendo will get their act together when it comes to online gaming.

Even Bryan Intihar, editor at Electronic Gaming Monthly, is wondering about that. He says: “With every month, online multiplayer becomes more and more important. …As a Wii owner, I don’t know what they’re waiting for.”

A Reuters report notes that according to Intihar, even game developers don’t have the tools to create online multiplayer games for the Wii at the moment. The current rumor at the moment is that Nintendo isn’t allowing any third-party videogame to include online multiplayer during the entirety of 2007. According to Intihar, developers are still waiting for “Nintendo to tell them what to do.”

Nintendo counters speculation and criticism by noting that the demand for online multiplayer is higher in Western markets and not in Japan where the company is based. They do note though, that they’re committed to eventually bringing online play experience to Wii gamers. They also add that their first Online Multiplayer title, Pokemon Battle Revolution, should be out by this summer.

Jamil Moldelina, director of the Game Developer’s Conference notes that Nintendo has always “marched to the beat of its own drum” especially when it comes to the Wii. When you think about it, it makes sense, as the Wii tackles next-generation gaming in a manner that is different that its competitors. Moldelina predicts that Nintendo can succeed without necessarily following what the opposition does, and despite the importance of online play for consoles like the Xbox 360. Moldelina notes: “Nintendo’s concern is the individual player. …There’s a danger when you try to match a trend. I think Nintendo’s strategy is a good one.”

Well what about you folks? Do you think Nintendo should give third party folks the support they need to make online multiplayer games now? Or should they make all of us, gamers and developers alike, wait for them to do it on their own first with Pokemon Battle Revolution?

Via Reuters

Face it: Nintendo is excused for not having “enough” games (remember that supposed “drought”?) for their console. This is due to their timely releases of amazing first party titles like Super Paper Mario, and their all round good PR in the gaming industry (despite the fact that using friend codes is like subjecting yourself to a beating from Kratos).

Nintendo, and their Wii, are the baby-faces of this generation’s console Wrestle-fest. They can do no wrong. Thing is, people, and more importantly, Nintendo gamers, are still wondering exactly when Nintendo will get their act together when it comes to online gaming.

Even Bryan Intihar, editor at Electronic Gaming Monthly, is wondering about that. He says: “With every month, online multiplayer becomes more and more important. …As a Wii owner, I don’t know what they’re waiting for.”

A Reuters report notes that according to Intihar, even game developers don’t have the tools to create online multiplayer games for the Wii at the moment. The current rumor at the moment is that Nintendo isn’t allowing any third-party videogame to include online multiplayer during the entirety of 2007. According to Intihar, developers are still waiting for “Nintendo to tell them what to do.”

Nintendo counters speculation and criticism by noting that the demand for online multiplayer is higher in Western markets and not in Japan where the company is based. They do note though, that they’re committed to eventually bringing online play experience to Wii gamers. They also add that their first Online Multiplayer title, Pokemon Battle Revolution, should be out by this summer.

Jamil Moldelina, director of the Game Developer’s Conference notes that Nintendo has always “marched to the beat of its own drum” especially when it comes to the Wii. When you think about it, it makes sense, as the Wii tackles next-generation gaming in a manner that is different that its competitors. Moldelina predicts that Nintendo can succeed without necessarily following what the opposition does, and despite the importance of online play for consoles like the Xbox 360. Moldelina notes: “Nintendo’s concern is the individual player. …There’s a danger when you try to match a trend. I think Nintendo’s strategy is a good one.”

Well what about you folks? Do you think Nintendo should give third party folks the support they need to make online multiplayer games now? Or should they make all of us, gamers and developers alike, wait for them to do it on their own first with Pokemon Battle Revolution?

Via Reuters