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The State of WiiWare, Xbox Alternatives

Posted by Soulskill on from the one-of-the-lesser-known-states dept.

CVG is running a piece discussing the current state of WiiWare, and where they expect it to go in the future. They point to the success of Mega Man 9 on WiiWare and other platforms, but worry that the perception will arise that certain games are "too good" to be featured on WiiWare. GameSetWatch has a related interview with independent developer Ninjabee discussing their recent games and comparing WiiWare with Xbox Live Arcade. Meanwhile, Microsoft has announced that the new Xbox Experience coming in November will included their Community Games initiative, which will allow amateur game developers to create and share games using the XNA development tools.

5 of 73 comments (clear)

  1. The DRM issue needs to be sorted out. by earthbound+kid · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've used the WiiWare and Virtual Console stores, but I think Nintendo really needs to work out the DRM issue. If I want to change to a different colored Wii in a couple years, will there be any way to bring my current games with me? What if my current machine just dies for some reason? What about when the Wii 2 comes out? Will there be any way of bringing my current collection of WiiWare with me to future consoles? Yeah, you can link your Wii with a My Nintendo account, but so far as I can tell, so far that has no effect whatsoever on your ability to retrieve your games in the future...

    1. Re:The DRM issue needs to be sorted out. by dunezone · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I bet they will allow it but be prepared for a hassle. I mean look at the friend code system they have for playing games with your friends.

      The best bet to see how Nintendo will do this is to find the instructions they have right now for transferring your account from a dead Wii to a replacement unit. That will give you a general idea of how some future transfer of accounts will work.

      Also this is the same company that wanted me to pay $5 for Super Mario Brothers (AGAIN). Nintendo should have made this a free download when the Wii launched. So expect anything from them.

    2. Re:The DRM issue needs to be sorted out. by Ringl · · Score: 5, Informative

      You don't even need to set up the my nintendo account. Anything you purchase you can delete off your system as much as you want and just go back and download it right away.

      And if your system dies? When you get a new one call Nintendo's customer support, give them your old serial number and then give them your new serial number and Nintendo transfers everything you've purchased to your new console. Then everything you've purchased is available to download.

      Nintendo doesn't have any DRM issue that can't also be said of the 360 or PS3.

  2. Re:Don't forget Sony by DrEldarion · · Score: 4, Informative

    You mean like Pain, Calling All Cars, Flow, Warhawk, Echochrome, Everyday Shooter, the Pixeljunk games, Super Stardust HD, etc. etc. etc.?

  3. You still get your WiiWare/VC games after repair by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I had my Wii repaired because of a problem with it overheating and displaying black boxes from time to time. (The repair was free, btw, and I recommend it if you are having the same problem.)

    Essentially they copied all my data over to another Wii and sent that Wii back. So from a DRM-standpoint, it's like getting a new Wii. From what I recall, my WiiWare and VC games stayed on there just fine.

    The only downside I noticed was I can no longer edit the Miis that were on there before because they don't allow you to edit them on someone else's system.

    DAMN YOU NINTENDO, GET RID OF YOUR OVERLY RESTRICTIVE Mii DRM!!!!!