Wii to have multiplayer online feature eventually

Nintendo used to maintain that online games are far from being profitable. They even question Microsoft and Sony‘s move of jumping in right away, saying it doesn’t make a profitable business and satisfied customers. What’s curious however is that over the past few years, Nintendo seems to be having a change of heart or more likely, change in business strategy.

First was the DS’ WiFi connectivity which allowed online multiplayer for some games. With the launch of Wii now fast approaching, questions still loom whether the Satoru Iwata-led company will follow where the X360 and PS3 are going. Being the careful and sometimes conservative company that they are, Nintendo is taking small steps at a time. Proof is the Wii’s non-game online features like a web browser and a news and weather channel.

According to Nintendo’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs VP Perrin Kaplan, “We’re simply offering easy access to many available tools in order to expand the games market and broaden the appeal of the Wii to everyone in the household.”Also, Kaplan admits that a credit card feature will be necessary for people to buy Wii points for the Virtual Console games on the Wii’s interface. Customization like that of the Xbox 360 interface will also be made available.

Kaplan then reveals that the Wii will eventually delve into multiplayer online games. “We plan to offer Wi-Fi games for the Wii system, both first- and third-party globally in 2007. Pokemon Battle Revolution will launch first in Japan,” he quips. Furthermore, the Message Board allows for incoming messages targeted at software, such as a new map or weapon for a game. It however does not support instant messaging service.

Nintendo used to maintain that online games are far from being profitable. They even question Microsoft and Sony‘s move of jumping in right away, saying it doesn’t make a profitable business and satisfied customers. What’s curious however is that over the past few years, Nintendo seems to be having a change of heart or more likely, change in business strategy.

First was the DS’ WiFi connectivity which allowed online multiplayer for some games. With the launch of Wii now fast approaching, questions still loom whether the Satoru Iwata-led company will follow where the X360 and PS3 are going. Being the careful and sometimes conservative company that they are, Nintendo is taking small steps at a time. Proof is the Wii’s non-game online features like a web browser and a news and weather channel.

According to Nintendo’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs VP Perrin Kaplan, “We’re simply offering easy access to many available tools in order to expand the games market and broaden the appeal of the Wii to everyone in the household.”Also, Kaplan admits that a credit card feature will be necessary for people to buy Wii points for the Virtual Console games on the Wii’s interface. Customization like that of the Xbox 360 interface will also be made available.

Kaplan then reveals that the Wii will eventually delve into multiplayer online games. “We plan to offer Wi-Fi games for the Wii system, both first- and third-party globally in 2007. Pokemon Battle Revolution will launch first in Japan,” he quips. Furthermore, the Message Board allows for incoming messages targeted at software, such as a new map or weapon for a game. It however does not support instant messaging service.