Iwata Talks Wii-no-Ma Video Channel

By Jorge Ba-oh 30.04.2009 5

Iwata Talks Wii-no-Ma Video Channel on Nintendo gaming news, videos and discussion

Earlier today Nintendo president Satoru Iwata gave an in-depth discussion of the new Japanese Wii video service, Wii-no-Ma.

Nintendo UK sent over a whopping 12 page translation this morning, from which we've picked out the meaty chunks below.

  • Iwata sat in his usual "Iwata Asks" conference room to reveal more details on the "Wii-no-ma" channel, to be run in association with provider Dentsu Inc.
  • Nintendo UK's translation of his announcement describes the service as a coinage of Wii and "Ocha-noma" - a Japanese style of living room where family members stay together.

    How Wii-no-Ma came to be

  • Nintendo hope the service will "put a smile on everyone's face", a new relationship between family, television and the internet - trying to get people together in an age where phones and internet have changed the traditional family setup.
  • According to our internal research, 87% of Wii consoles are connected to the largest TV screen in the household, which is set in the centre of the living room. According to recent research the Wii is played by an almost equal ratio of male and females.
  • Nintendo want those who don't feel like playing games have some form of contact with the industry, through an expansion of the gaming population. Wii no Ma is part of how players can improve social "receptivity" against videogames, "We hope the value and possibility of videogame will be more broadly received. We are firmly confident that it can improve social status of videogame and contribute to its future."
  • Nintendo needed a way to distinguish the video streaming service from the huge range of internet/desktop applications already out there.
  • To do this the channel will launch with only newly recorded programs, to try and be attractive enough for the audience to turn on and tune in. Offers "undiscovered wonders" through programs broadcast on Wii-no-Ma.
  • Shows developed by creators of regular TV programs/advertisements - they "felt sympathy" and joined the project. With that in mind Nintendo don't want to try and rival popular TV stations.
  • Nintendo are hoping that although this launch will be limited, these programs will stand out. Number will increase gradually.
  • It's hoped that because the Wii is generally hooked up to the primary TV in a household that the channel will be accessed by multiple members of a family through ease of use with the Wii remote - trying to close the digital divide.

    About Wii-no-Ma

  • Up to 8 Miis can be registered in the virtual living room environment.
  • The calendar feature presents trivia, featured videos for each day.
  • DSi owners can download their favourite programs to carry about and watch on the move.
  • Recommendations can be forwarded onto Wii friends, and programs can be rated and evaluated to try and continually improve the service and content. Miis will visit to try and recommend the latest shows (to try and not have least popular ones buried by those that are rated higher) - celebrity Miis.
  • Program producers have expressed positive views towards the feedback system, so they can get "actual satisfaction ratio" instead of simple viewing numbers.
  • Wii-no-Ma will be initially only available in Japan, but will head out to the west in the future. Paid programming will be introduced in the future.
  • Adverts are in place, but users can choose which ones to watch after a show in the "Kaisha-no-Ma" (Companies Room).

    Wii-no-Ma will arrive on Wii's across Japan from tommorow, May 1st 2009.

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    Comments

    Darkflame is offline. Darkflame 30.04.2009#1

    Actualy, sounds better then I thought. A lot of pointless nonsense, but the rating/review/recomendation system thingy sounds REALLY good.

    http://www.fanficmaker.com <-- Tells some truly terrible tales.
    Last update; Mice,Plumbers,Animatronics and Airbenders. We also have the socials; Facebook & G+. 
     
    WP-Final is offline. WP-Final 01.05.2009#2

    I wonder what kind of exclusive content the west would get? The ability to download on the DSi sounds great and I could see myself using this if the content it good. Smilie

     
    jb is offline. jb 01.05.2009#3

    Sounds pretty good - especially the feedback system - Nintendo need to make it really clear and obvious how it works though - make sure there's as much feedback as possible.

    Cubed3 Admin/Founder & Designer
     
    Keven is offline. Keven 01.05.2009#4

    Nintendo want those who don't feel like playing games have some form of contact with the industry, through an expansion of the gaming population. Wii no Ma is part of how players can improve social "receptivity" against videogames, "We hope the value and possibility of videogame will be more broadly received. We are firmly confident that it can improve social status of videogame and contribute to its future."

    It's kind of funny how we were just talking about this very subject on that thread. Smilie


    The former top user was Keven! You'd probably give birth to yourself 1000 times over until you sprout wings to fly away into the fading sun, that or you'd just turn into a lesbian. Who knows @_@ - L, 12/06/09
     
    Darkflame is offline. Darkflame 01.05.2009#5

    Nintendos playing a long term strategy here.
    People buying just WiiSports isnt good enough, they want to aclimitise people to the system and slowly get them into more diverse games. (after all, more games they sale per-unit the more profit they make)

    Gota show people the shear diversity of games out there, its not just all mindless killing &or sports stuff.

    http://www.fanficmaker.com <-- Tells some truly terrible tales.
    Last update; Mice,Plumbers,Animatronics and Airbenders. We also have the socials; Facebook & G+. 
     

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