Today, at Nintendo's Corperate Management Policy Briefing, President Satoru Iwata revealed plans for 2012, including information on the Wii U and the new online system; Nintendo Network. Things revealed for the Wii U included a new functionality for the controller, called NFC and Multiple online accounts on one console, a summary of the briefing can be read down below.
On Nintendo Network:
-Personal Accounts for Wii U: This includes the ability to have multiple online accounts per console
-Digitally Distributed Packaged Software: This is said to include the ability to download full games through the Wii U and 3DS. It’s not clear when this will be released, but Iwata did mention that retailer relations may need to be sorted first,
-Paid Downloadable Content: As we saw with Square Enix’s THEATRHYTHM: Final Fantasy on the 3DS, the systems will support paid DLC,
-Communities may be more common: Mario Kart 7 was just the first game to use Nintendo Network and communities,
-The service is different from NWFC: Nintendo is planning to offer a wide variety of content, including competitions and communication among users,
On the Wii U:
-Final Hardware to be shown at E3: Nintendo also plans to show system in Tokyo for developers who couldn’t make it to Los Angeles,
-Global Launch by the end of 2012: As was already mentioned in a previous article, the Wii U will launch in time for the end of years sales season,
-Near Field Communication: A new functionality for the controller, already standard in smart phones, it allows small radio waves to be sent to each other. The Wii U will use Non-Contact NFC, used to create cards and figurines that can electronically read and write data (like Skylanders portal of power, expanding on a new play format in video games. The system will also be able to carry out micropayments,
On the Nintendo 3DS:
-Expanding StreetPass and SpotPass: Nintendo believes there is potential in the functionalities. They are expanding more places for SpotPass to connect ad download without any special functionality needed,
-3DS has had a high internet connection: In the US and Japan with 60% of all users estimated to be online, Nintendo would like to expand internet functionalities because of this,
-Nintendo Direct: Nintendo will send consumers downloadable videos about the newest games and demos on the eShop.
-200 games in development for the 3DS: including a new 2D Mario game.
Thanks to C3 Member Sonic_13 for the tip.
What do you think of Nintendo Network? Are you happy with what was mentioned at the briefing?