Nintendo’s Entertainment Analysis and Development boss Shigeru Miyamoto is considering instituting online pricing models for the Wii’s online gaming.
In an interview with Edge, Miyamoto admitted:
… Probably the other thing that we are desperate to realise is the core [online] business structure. Do we need to demand customers pay monthly fees to enjoy online activities? Or give an online subscription that is free of charge, but then offer something extra for people that pay, so that they get some extra value? With these core business strategies I think we are less active than we should be.
Miyamoto and Nintendo better understand that the online space is big and scary, and that no one outside of Japan is going to pay for the half-assed system Nintendo already has set up. Yes, we’re looking at you, Friend Codes.
The bottom line: if you’re going to sell something, you better have something worth selling, and you better have accounts. You know, those things that allow Microsoft, Apple and Sony to transfer purchased products for free?
Otherwise, don’t bother. Online isn’t for you. Go make another version of the Wii Fitness Pad instead.
