komodo
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Joined: 16 May 2006
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Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:03 pm |
 Post subject: Wii could support microtransactions |
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Publishers will have option to offer downloadable premium content
Reggie Fils-Aime, president and COO of Nintendo of America, has confirmed that the Wii will give publishers the option to charge consumers to download premium content.
Microsoft's Xbox Live service already offers downloadable content from publishers such as Ubisoft and Bethesda Softworks through microtransactions, and similar plans are in place for PlayStation 3. When asked by US magazine Game Informer whether publishers would be allowed to charge Wii owners for content, Fils-Aime responded in the affirmative.
However, he added that the decision ultimately rests with publishers, stating: "If our licensee partners want to go in that direction, it's certainly possible in our system."
Fils-Aime went on to reiterate the company's plans to allow for downloadable content. "If you've gotten to a particular part in a game, we could push content out to you, so you get to battle a new boss. Maybe you get a new artifact; maybe you get a new weapon," he said.
These items could be downloaded in the background using the console's WiiConnect24 service, which will also allow the system to function as a server of sorts, opening Animal Crossing towns and other player-specific content to friends without the console being fully turned on.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=17927
Wii owners may see microtransactions
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Reggie Fils-Aime, president and COO of Nintendo of America, told publication Game Informer that Wii may option microtransactions for downloadable premium content.
Fils-Aime says that should publishers want to charge owners for premium content, it is possible on Wii.
The business strategy would employ methods similar to Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace, which charges subscribers a small fee for downloading premium content like maps, characters, and levels.
Wii will support consumer online transactions with the WiiConnect24 service, an online service that facilitate background downloads when the console is in sleep mode.
In addition, Wii will include a Virtual Console aspect to allow owners to download previous titles for Nintendo systems, Sega Genesis, and NEC TurboGrafx-16. Individual titles are expected to sell for a small fee.
Wii is scheduled to drop to retail in the fourth quarter for under $250.
http://news.punchjump.com/article.php?id=2643 |
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