Nintendo: Social Connectivity, not DVD playback, important for Wii U
While the reveal of the Wii U at last week’s E3 didn’t come as much of a surprise, many of us were left scratching our heads as to what exactly to expect from the console when it debuts sometime next year. During an analyst Q&A, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata fleshed out many of the points made at Nintendo’s E3 presentation, while providing some new information that may hint at whether or not the Wii U can live up to Nintendo’s claims of it being a console “catered just for you.”
Wii U will have no DVD playback capabilities
“Wii U does not have DVD or Blu-ray playback capabilities. The reason for that is that we feel that enough people already have devices that are capable of playing DVDs and Blu-ray, such that it didn’t warrant the cost involved to build that functionality into the Wii U console because of the patents related to those technologies.”
In an age where all the home console competition supports at least DVD playback, this decision could be a huge step backwards for Nintendo. It very well may be that most people have alternative methods for watching DVDs or Blu-ray discs at home, but Nintendo’s decision to not include DVD-watching capabilities was a huge let-down for many gamers back when the Wii was announced. It may not make or break the system, but it’s one more thing to add to the list of “things Sony and Microsoft’s consoles have that Nintendo’s doesn’t.” On the other hand, if the Wii U can be priced more competitively with the absence of a movie playback function, perhaps this decision will in fact help the system sell more copies following its initial release.
Importance of Facebook and other social networking services
Iwata also hinted during the Q&A that Nintendo was ready to make the jump to add Facebook connectivity to the Wii U.
“After examining the penetration and adoption rate of social networking services like Facebook, etc., we’ve come to the conclusion that we are no longer in a period where we cannot have any connection at all with social networking services.”
What exactly can we expect to see in terms of things like Facebook or Twitter support on the Wii U? The Wii U controller has already been compared with the iPad, and it is very easy to imagine using the controller in a similar way to access various social networking sites, perhaps without quitting whatever game you are currently playing. (Editors Note: Nintendo flirted with this feature on 3DS) If what Nintendo says regarding revamped and expanded online capabilities for the Wii U comes to fruition, then the Wii U will really push the boundaries of how we interact with our home gaming consoles.
It will be very interesting to see more information being released about the Wii U in upcoming months, and whether or not these statements hold true next year when the console actually hits the shelves. While the Wii U has a lot going for it at this stage, here’s hoping Iwata makes good on his word and really pushes it to be the innovative console the Wii had hopes of being.
Is Facebook on the Wii U a good idea or an unnecessary addition? Are you bummed you still can’t play your movies on a Nintendo console? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Anne will tell you whether or not you’re missing out when it comes to those pesky Japan-only releases. When she isn’t researching gender and sexuality in Japanese popular culture, she’s playing the quirkiest games she can get her hands on. Region locking is the bane of her existence.
The first time that I heard that the big N’s next console would have a screen on the controller I thought it a stupid rumour. The second time it surfaced I thought a little more about it and my tiny brain whirred and clicked into place with the possibilities and direction.
Social connectivity was one such thought. Facebook is not just a good idea, but a smart one.
The Wii was built on consumers who were never gamers.
Facebook games were also a way to introduce gaming to an audience who weren’t your typical affair.
Combine the two casual game mediums and you have a pretty solid offering for that part of the market.
Even if the Wii U doesn’t allow facebook games (and if they don’t, I think they need their heads checked), it’s an avenue that many a person will use just for facebook alone, and one that will most likely be easier to use than on the PS3 or X360.
It’s just a shame that the Wii U controller will not be taking things to the next level by allowing full free roaming (like a real tablet) , but instead be semi tethered to the main unit. (Ahh, there go my dreams of wi-fi streaming while at [insert coffee shop here]. Project café my arse.)
As for lack of movie playback, well it does two things.
Firstly as they mention it keeps costs down, which one would hope they pass on to the consumer.
Secondly it is a clear statement that they are not trying to be directly competitive to the other two as a all singing and dancing media centre and they don’t need to try to be. In saying that, I think they know that media download and streaming is something that will go from strength to strength.
I’m sure a massive percentage of people now download rather than buy, and those that do buy media, already have what they need to play it. Or at least it’s not something that people think about costing for when considering one (a Wii).
Nintendo caring about social connectivity? I think they got their words mixed up or something, that can’t be right. Nintendo’s as socially unconnected as a game company can get.