• Hey all, due to some issues with false DMCA takedown requests, we've had to remove and censor a few things until the situation is resolved. Sorry for any inconvenience.
  • Be sure to join the discussion on our discord at: Discord.gg/serebii
  • If you're still waiting for the e-mail, be sure to check your junk/spam e-mail folders

WiiWare

R

Rhonin the wizard

Well-Known Member
WiiWare are downloadable games for the Wii, unlike the games from the Virtual Console these are brand new games.
The games will be from established publishers and developers and from indie developers.
The price for each game will be determined by Nintendo on a game-by-game basis.
The first games are expected to arrive next year.
source
Expect official information from Nintenod soon.
 
Hmm...cool. This could prove good for Nintendo unless they screw it up like they screwed up Smooth Moves. :@
 
Official word from Nintendo on WiiWare:
NINTENDO'S WIIWARE PAVES THE WAY FOR FRESH GAMES, COOL CONSUMER EXPERIENCES
Nintendo Sets a New Paradigm: One Game Can Still Make a Difference


SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 27, 2007 – The search for the next ingeniously ground-breaking video game has begun. At a private developers conference this week, Nintendo announced the introduction of WiiWare™, a game-creation service that will allow developers large and small to create new downloadable video game content for sale by Nintendo through the Wii Shop Channel of the hot Wii™ home video game system. WiiWare paves the way for smaller, more creative games to make their way to the public at lower prices, without any inventory risk to developers. The first WiiWare content will launch in early 2008.

"Independent developers armed with small budgets and big ideas will be able to get their original games into the marketplace to see if we can find the next smash hit," says Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "WiiWare brings new levels of creativity and value to the ever-growing population of Wii owners."

The possibilities for WiiWare are limited only by the imaginations of developers. WiiWare provides game creators a simple method by which they can get their games to the public. This approach, combined with the remarkable motion controls of the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™, will give birth to fresh takes on established genres, as well as original ideas that currently exist only in developers' minds. The reduced barriers to development provide developers the freedom to create and an inexpensive, clearly defined path to reach consumers who will ultimately determine which game will become the Next Big Thing.

WiiWare will be posted on the Wii Shop Channel. As with current Wii Shop Channel offerings, users will redeem Wii Points™ to download content. It will support a variety of pricing options. Details about that and upcoming projects will be announced at a later date. For more information about Wii, visit Wii.com.

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.4 billion video games and more than 409 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario™, Donkey Kong®, Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.Nintendo.com.
Click to expand...
source
 
I personally loved Smooth Moves. Never mind, this could be funky indeed, as long as the games are indeed worth it. We could see some interesting fun new titles, perhaps some smaller spinoff titles which would not be worth the full game price, stuff like this.. I'll have to wait and see what will be on offer ^_^ especially since I have thousands upon thousands of star points which can soon be redeemed for Wii Points!
 
Haha that's true.. who knows what will be put up. I mean there are so many companies unheard of but working for the Wii. I know many people won't have heard of Orb, but that's a very big Wii exclusive game project. I think this would be a good chance for things like demos to crop up.. as long as the shop isn't spammed full 24/7.
 
An interview between CVG and Nintendo UK:
There are concerns regarding Wii's relatively small internal memory being filled by all this content (as well as VC games). Is this a concern for Nintendo?

Nintendo: Games can be saved on the internal memory or on SD cards - Wii Software games will come in a variety of sizes, but Nintendo encourages smaller, compact games for the service.

Will the games be playable from SD card, or will they need to exist on the internal memory, like VC games?

Nintendo: WiiWare is stored in and started up from the Wii internal flash memory so they would need to be transferred from SD like VC games.

However like VC games you can delete a Wii Software game to make room for other content, then re-download it at no cost.

Is Nintendo considering releasing a hard drive to bolster the Wii's memory for all this new content?

Nintendo: No.

How is WiiWare going to be better than PSN and XBLA, and what would Nintendo say to people who might think you've just copied XBLA?

Nintendo: Wii Software offers unprecedented access for third-parties to create content with few restrictions. The innovative control of the Wii Remote plus open approach of Wii Software is a powerful combination for developers to create and bring their game to consumers.

Development for Wii is already an attractive option for developers and Wii Software will be no different.

Will we have to pay VC prices for games? Is there any current estimate price?

Nintendo: There will be a variety of price points, similar to classic VC games.

Will Nintendo develop first-party games for WiiWare?

Nintendo: Yes, but we're not ready to announce what those are.

Will the service go live worldwide simultaneously, or on a territory basis?

Nintendo: We've not decided yet. Developers can approach Wii Software as they would packaged software. Content can be created for one region or more. It will be up to the developer to do the localisation and testing.

A long shot, but is there any chance of an open-source, development tool being released for the service to allow for user-generated development (like the PS Net Yaroze) in the future?

Nintendo: There are no plans at present.
Click to expand...
source

I'm not happy with a few things in there, the lack of a hard drive is one of them, but this is Nintendo UK, it's possible that they know very little about WiiWare.

And another interview, this one's between Reggie Fils-Aime and N'Gai Croal:
When we got on the phone Tuesday afternoon with Nintendo of America president Reginald Fils-Aime to talk about the company's upcoming WiiWare initiative--downloadable games, from giant publishers and indie developers alike, made specifically for the Wii and sold through the Wii Shop Channel, we kicked things off by asking him where the idea for WiiWare originated. "The vision for WiiWare started back during the development of the Wii itself," said Fils-Aime, citing the statements of his boss, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata. "A couple of GDCs [Game Developers Conferences] ago, Mr. Iwata hinted at downloadable content; that we wanted to help young, promising developers overcome the limitations of small budgets and team sizes to bring their games to the Wii."

Would this mean a price cut for development kits, we inquired? Or would there be a new set of tools and libraries--easier to use, but less fully-featured--aimed at the indie and hobbyist game developer? No. "First, the development tools and SDKs [software development kits] that enable developers to participate are already available," he replied, referring to the standard tools that Nintendo sells to its licensees. "We enable the marketplace where consumers can buy these games using Wii Points. Developers and publishers bring their ideas for games and marketing to entertain and entice consumers." As for a price cut, Fils-Aime insisted that Wii dev kits are already plenty cheap. "All our SDKs and dev tools are already--I don't want to call them inexpensive--they're darn near free to developers. This is unlike our competitors, where you have to spend a lot of money building high-res assets to be competitive. So in that sense, there's almost no cost to developers; the tools are already available at rock-bottom prices. We're providing the venue and light of day for games that might not have gotten attention otherwise."

Given Nintendo's well known control-freak tendencies--the developer of a DS music game told us that Nintendo wouldn't allow gamers' compositions to be transferred to PCs so that they could be shared with friends--we were taken aback when Fils-Aime informed us that his company's oversight of WiiWare titles would be minimal. "Nintendo will not do any screening of ideas," he said. "The games have to pass our bug checking process, but that's the only screening that we're doing." We couldn't let that line of inquiry go just then, not with the controversy over the Adults Only-rated Manhunt 2 still brewing like a cup of cappuccino. Was he saying that WiiWare would be the Wild West of videogames, where anything goes? No, he answered; the Entertainment Software Rating Board still has a role to play. "The developer is responsible for getting an ESRB rating for their game, just as with our current publisher agreements. We don't allow AO-rated games on our systems."

We reminded Fils-Aime that in an interview last September with MTV News reporter Stephen Totilo, he said. "I'll be spending some time later today with the folks over at Take Two to see what type of support they can give our console." In hindsight, we asked, did he regret his decision to solicit games from Take-Two, and presumably Rockstar? Was a game like Manhunt 2 ultimately not in keeping with the family-friendly image of the Wii? "This is not an image issue," said Fils-Aime. "Wii welcomes games rated E, T and M. We haven't approved AO-rated games. I doubt we ever will. What Rockstar has right now is a game rated outside our spectrum, outside any manufacturer's spectrum." And finally on that point, was he concerned that even if Rockstar were to sufficiently alter the content of Manhunt 2 to secure an M rating, the ESRB might still feel that the gestural controls would warrant retaining an AO rating for the Wii version? "That's an issue for the ESRB and Rockstar to work through. And as I understand the ESRB guidelines, the Wii controls should not be an issue."

We then returned to discussing WiiWare, whereupon Fils-Aime revealed that the first such titles would arrive in 2008. He went on to say that while there would be an exchange of information between Nintendo and WiiWare developers to help those game creators understand how to make use of the Wii remote and the nunchuk, developers wouldn't be forced to make gesture-based games. "Again, there's no filtering. We have not put any parameters on the control device or how the consumer will play the games. They can be remote-only; remote and nunchuk; classic controller; Gamecube controller. All of that is allowed."

Fils-Aime also stressed that all WiiWare content, unlike that on the Virtual Console, would be brand new games. "WiiWare content is new content. It can come from Reggie's Videogame Garage or from EA." (Don't get your hopes up, fanboys; Fils-Aime has no plans to personally make any WiiWare games.) As for pricing, he reiterated that while Nintendo would make the final decision on the pricing of individual games, it would do so in consultation with the developer and/or publisher, with no predetermined limit on the high-end of pricing. In short, having conquered the kids, the Alpha Moms and the non-gamers, the Wii is now going after the brand new downloadable game market currently occupied by Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network. The resulting fireworks should be interesting to watch.
Click to expand...
source
 
Last edited:
So it seems the Wii will get original new games after all. Hopefully they are of good quality..
 
I had an awesome idea for this, High Scores could be set up on Wi-Fi and the person with the Highest Score would win Wii Points..
 
An interview between Cubed3 and Nintendo UK about WiiWare:
Cubed³: What sort of games can we expect to see on WiiWare? And when will be get our first taste of what will be on offer?

Nintendo UK: Developers will only be limited by their imagination as to what types and styles of games could potentially appear using this system. Wii Software will be the easiest and most accessible way for developers, large and small, to create new games and reach consumers. Even small developers can create completely new games from scratch, armed only with big ideas, not big budgets. We may discover the next great game and game creator. One game can make a difference and consumers get to try fresh content at a low cost. Nintendo’s open approach, combined with the remarkable motion controls of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, will give birth to fresh takes on established genres, as well as original ideas that currently exist only in developers’ minds.


C3: How much is the basic cost to developers if they want to make WiiWare title?

NUK: We are not disclosing this information publicly – Wii Software levels the playing field for both small independent developers and the bigger developers and publishers. Wii Software paves the way for smaller, more creative games to make their way to the public at lower prices, without any inventory risk to developers.


C3: Nibris has already stated its interest in WiiWare, but in general has Nintendo had a lot of interest from independent or even individual developers wishing to do WiiWare titles?

NUK: Developers were only told about Wii Software on June 26 at the Nintendo Developers Conference. We will be sharing more information about Wii Software content in the future.


C3: And has Nintendo been actively talking with large Third Parties such as Capcom and Sega to bring fresh content to WiiWare?

NUK: As I’ve said - Developers were only told about Wii Software on June 26 at the Nintendo Developers Conference. We will be sharing more information about Wii Software content in the future. Wii Software levels the playing field for both small independent developers and the bigger developers publishers. We expect to see content from a variety of developers.


C3: The focus definitely seems to be on ‘new’ content for WiiWare. But is it likely we will also see ‘upgraded’ versions of old games appear from Nintendo?

NUK: Virtual Console is a successful program of classic games from previous platforms. Wii Software is a new service for newly developed Wii games to be downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel.


C3: Nintendo has previously stated no hard disk drive will be released for Wii. But if the demand is there, will the company consider an expansion to the Wii’s internal memory or even official USB memory sticks?

NUK: No plans at present. Once the internal memory is full software can be stored on SD Cards. Just like VC titles Wii Software titles can be deleted to make room for other content, and re-download it at no cost.


C3: If a Third Party wishes to develop a game larger than the 512MB internal capacity of the Wii, will they simply be told to ‘make it smaller’ or does Nintendo have a contingency plan?

NUK: Wii Software games will come in a variety of sizes, but Nintendo encourages smaller, compact games for the service.


C3: Users have reportedly had problems using SD cards that are larger than 2GB with Wii. Is it possible for a Wii firmware upgrade to be released that permits the use of larger capacity cards?

NUK: We always recommend you use the approved SD cards for Wii for best performance.


C3: The Virtual Console sees an average of three titles released per week. What sort of frequency of titles can we expect on WiiWare?

NUK: While we are not discussing details at this time, we do want to make sure all developers, large or small, have an equal opportunity to participate therefore we will establish set rules for the Wii Software program. We are currently contemplating that developers will be able to release up to one game per month during the launch window, in order for Nintendo to address potential volume.


C3: Other than the obvious inclusion of the Wii motion controls, what makes WiiWare stand out from XBLA and the PSN?

NUK: Wii Software offers unprecedented access for third parties to create content with few restrictions combined with the innovative control of the Wii Remote plus open nature approach of Wii Software is a powerful combination for developers to create and bring their game to consumers. Development for Wii is already an attractive option for developers and Wii Software will be no different.


C3: Whilst no official pricing system has been revealed, do you foresee any games being more expensive than the highest priced VC games?

NUK: More information about pricing will be available in the future but there will be a variety of price points, similar to VC games. Users redeem Wii Points in the Wii Shop Channel, just as with our classic games.


C3: Will Nintendo consider releasing any WiiWare titles for free, or providing gamers with promotional offers?

NUK: More information will be available in the future.


C3: Are WiiWare games going to be region locked or can European Wii owners access content from Japan and the US to download?

NUK: Developers can approach Wii Software as they would packaged software. Content can be created for one region or more. It will be up to the developer to do the localisation and testing.


C3: Currently it has been stated WiiWare will be rolled out in early 2008. But is there a narrower window of release yet, such as ‘released around the world by the end of Q1 2008’?

NUK: As previously stated - we’re planning the first content will launch in early 2008. It depends on the availability of games for each region. We’ll announce more specifics later.


C3: Will Nintendo be providing demo content for full games via WiiWare or would this be something kept for a separate Demo Channel?

NUK: We are still finalising several details and will share more at a later date.
Click to expand...
source
 
Sounds like Nintendo's being very secretive about WiiWare. Typical. They're trying to build up as much speculation as possible for the benefit of their new service. Nevertheless, I am definitely looking forward to it. In fact, almost a year ago, I remember reading about an actual idea for a first-party Nintendo WiiWare title involving playing hide-and-seek with other players over Wi-Fi. Well at least that's what I think it was. I'd greatly appreciate it if someone were to give me the link to that info.
 
A WiiWare game has been announced:
The Viennese company Bplus, which celebrates its fourth birthday today on 07-07-07, is proud to announce to be, as Nintendo official developer, among the first that offer original game titles for the new Wii download service.

The start is made with the innovative puzzle shooter game “PLATTCHEN - twist ‘n’ paint” which has been designed specifically for Wii and its innovative new controller. Supported by the test team of the Austria-exclusive GameClub, which only consists of Nintendo enthusiasts, Bplus creates an easily accessible and exciting game experience that will easily attract hardcore Nintendo fans as well as relatively unexperienced players.
Click to expand...
source
 
KirbY99 said:
I had an awesome idea for this, High Scores could be set up on Wi-Fi and the person with the Highest Score would win Wii Points..
Click to expand...

that sounds fun but...it would cost nintendo the money they would get from you buying wii points
 
New WiiWare game from Medaverse: Gravitronix.
Medaverse Studios (medaverse.com) announced today that it has been licensed as an official developer for the Nintendo Wii.

“We’re immensely grateful to Nintendo for giving us this opportunity,” said Jesse Lowther, Lead Designer, “As a creative team, we had always toyed with the idea of game development and we even had an RPG in the planning stages during the height of the GBA’s popularity. We had all but given up on that dream, but when Nintendo first revealed the Wii remote to the world, that dream came back with a vengeance. Once WiiWare appeared on the horizon, we knew it was our chance.”


Medaverse hopes to have their first title, Gravitronix, launch on Nintendo’s WiiWare service when it debuts in 2008.

“We’re looking forward to introducing our own unique style to the gaming world with Gravitronix,” Lowther said, “We hope to offer a fun and accessible gaming experience which is easy to learn but a challenge to master, including a robust multiplayer mode with enough hidden depth to keep even the most hardcore of players struggling to outdo each other. The way we see it, if you don’t swear when you lose to another player, we haven’t done our job.”

Look for more news and updates regarding Medaverse Studios and Gravitronix in the near future.
Click to expand...
source

Details on Gravitronix:
-Gravitronix is an action/battle game for 1-4 players (possibly 8).
-The game takes place in a single-screen arena.
-The objects seen in the logo are the projectiles used as weapons.
-These projectiles will have different physics, making them behave differently depending on how you use them.
-There will be a great deal of depth in the control scheme.
-Veteran players will master maneuvers which make rookie players cry "HAX!!!"
-These details are intentionally vague, but we will have screenshots and movies closer to release which will explain everything.
Click to expand...
source

gravitronix_splash_small.jpg
 
Well,I hope for some free demos of third party's through this.And Nintendo should also make demos available.
 
I hope Nintendo will create more special video channels like the Metroid one. There could be one for SSBB available on WiiWare soon!
 
samuelrz said:
I hope Nintendo will create more special video channels like the Metroid one. There could be one for SSBB available on WiiWare soon!
Click to expand...

The Prime 3 Preview Channel was available for download approximately two weeks before the game's August 27 ship date. Brawl is scheduled for a December 3rd release. Do the math yourself; do you really think we're going to see any publicity for it soon?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top