Nintendo Announce Online Plans News

Nintendo surprised everybody today by announcing its online plans for the GameCube. Expected to be announced at E3, Nintendo today announced that they would release a modem and broadband connector in the US, both retailing for $34.95. <br /> <br /> The first game that will be available for the online play will be Sega’s Phantasy Star Online Episode I&II, which is scheduled for release in the Autumn/Fall. Nintendo stated that it plans to concentrate on offline gaming, but realised that there is a market for online titles and will defer royalty fees from third-party publishers who produce online content for the GameCube. <br /> <br /> “Nintendo is known for great gaming and our first priority is to continue that legacy,” explains Satoru Iwata, director, corporate planning, Nintendo Co. Ltd. “Game content developed with that sole mission will enhance the joy of video gaming.” <br /> <br /> ”The profitable part of the online business is very likely several years away. Entering the business because it's the hot topic of the day doesn’t make a profitable business nor satisfied customers,” Iwata adds. “That’s why it will be a part of Nintendo’s strategy, not the mainstay, as other companies are attempting to do. There still are too many barriers for any company to greatly depend on it.” <br /> <br /> Nintendo currently is making software development kits available to developers worldwide. <br /> <br /> ”We understand the strong appeal of online gaming to a select group of video game players, and indeed, it’s one way to increase their satisfaction in exploring new types gaming,” says Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. “To make online more appealing to the rest of the game-playing population, we’re taking concrete steps to aid our development partners in overcoming some of the inherent technical and financial obstacles to successful online games.” <br /> <br /> No word yet on whether a similar move will happen in Europe, however we’ll keep you up-to-date. <br />