Big N says no to Online again :(

[PuPPeT]

EXCLUSIVE: NINTENDO DISMISSES ONLINE FOR E3!

Shock news as NoE confirms there will be no first-party software for GameCube online at this year's show

15:21 Nintendo of Europe dropped a bombshell earlier today, confirming to us that the company as a whole will not be showing any first-party online-enabled titles at this year's E3.
The alarm bells started to ring when gaming legend Shigeru Miyamoto poured water on the prospect of Mario Kart online in a recent interview with the US press. But it was still widely expected that Nintendo would have other online projects ready to be unveiled at E3 in May.

Earlier today, however, Nintendo of Europe PR manager Shelly Friend, speaking with us exclusively at the launch exhibition for GBA SP in London, shattered these expectations, stating categorically that there would be no first-party online software in evidence at the Los Angeles show.

When asked whether she felt Nintendo's online strategy sat a little awkwardly next to that of Microsoft and Sony, Friend told us: "Online is what everyone is currently focusing on, but that does not necessarily mean that it is here and now. The fact that all these games can be playable online doesn't mean people will be. It's a nice, sexy thing to talk about but I think the reality is a little way off.

Elaborating on Nintendo's position she added: "I know our stance always seems like we're dissing it or ignoring it, but Nintendo's been looking at connectivity and online elements for many, many years - probably a lot longer than anyone else - and is continuing to.

"Nintendo is about making things mass market and we do not see this yet as mass market. If online can bring that element of unique surprising gameplay, then it will form a part of Nintendo's plans, but until that is ready then we won't."

At this point we asked her outright: so there won't be any first-party online titles at E3? "No," was the short, sharp answer we received.

Nintendo's stance is therefore clear: it's all about creating unique, innovative experiences that it doesn't currently believe are achievable online. "I think the key thing now is that we're focusing on games that everyone can play," said Friend.

But one thing Nintendo is expected to unveil at E3 is some kind of LAN connectivity for GameCube, which will allow for expanded multiplayer if not the full online play people were hoping for. Friend refused to comment on this matter.

Check back tomorrow for the full revealing interview, as Nintendo launches GBA SP in Europe. CVG

DAmn I was just starting to think Nintendo were getting there heads out of there ass's and then this. Will the Big N ever start talking to its customers? After such good news over the last few weeks in the UK this has total blown it all away IMO but then again I love playing online.

[gekko]

Be happy. Anything less than absolute perfection and you won't be happy, and then you'll be bitching constantly. They can't give you a great online experience until next generation, so why get your hopes up?

Trust me, there are a lot of things you can add to make online gaming truly a great experience, and they can't be added until next generation. But if you take what is practical for Gamecube to offer right now, you won't like it much. A 3rd party game you may deal with, but a game like Mario Kart would only be disapointing.

[The Duggler]

I'm happy with that. There is no need to rush, and besides, nintendo doesn't need Online to be interesting. Anyways for me.

[Highlander_77]

Am I the only one for whom online console gaming holds almost absolutely zero appeal? :unsure:

[The Duggler]

Originally posted by Highlander_77
Am I the only one for whom online console gaming holds almost absolutely zero appeal? :unsure: No, I'm with you on that.

[gekko]

Originally posted by Highlander_77
Am I the only one for whom online console gaming holds almost absolutely zero appeal? :unsure:

Anyone who has ever complained about a game being too short, really can't with online. It's multiplayer, but it's multiplayer with anyone, at anytime, where you still get to use your full screen, and you can play different people constantly.

Take MotoGP, game came out in June for Xbox. Came out in October for Xbox Live beta testers. Some of us (myself included), raced daily, for about 5 hours a day, almost all day on weekends, and it kept up for months, until the first glitch was discovered. Practice makes perfect, we were the top 10 players in the world. Some of them are still playing it to this day, and we're all going crazy over MotoGP 2's release. That'll keep me busy until I leave in August. Can you play a single game that much offline? Doubt it, it would get very old, very quickly.

You can literally own one game, and play it for months. It's a different experience when you play against different people.

Look at GoldenEye, how many people liked the multiplayer there. Now imagine being able to play full screen, against anyone, anywhere in the world. You can constantly be challenged playing against the best players in the world, something you will only do online. Everyone you play against has a different play style, and every game is different. Mario Kart Online, another example. People would race that for months and not get sick of it.

The competition is something you can't get offline. MotoGP was all about getting to the top of the scoreboard. We blew away the times the developers thought were possible. If you think you are good, you'll be put in your place when you go online. It's the highly competetive enviornment that attracts a lot of people, and others like that there's always people to play against.

If you get into online, you'll be hooked.

[Highlander_77]

Originally posted by gekko
Anyone who has ever complained about a game being too short, really can't with online. It's multiplayer, but it's multiplayer with anyone, at anytime, where you still get to use your full screen, and you can play different people constantly.

Take MotoGP, game came out in June for Xbox. Came out in October for Xbox Live beta testers. Some of us (myself included), raced daily, for about 5 hours a day, almost all day on weekends, and it kept up for months, until the first glitch was discovered. Practice makes perfect, we were the top 10 players in the world. Some of them are still playing it to this day, and we're all going crazy over MotoGP 2's release. That'll keep me busy until I leave in August. Can you play a single game that much offline? Doubt it, it would get very old, very quickly.

You can literally own one game, and play it for months. It's a different experience when you play against different people.

Look at GoldenEye, how many people liked the multiplayer there. Now imagine being able to play full screen, against anyone, anywhere in the world. You can constantly be challenged playing against the best players in the world, something you will only do online. Everyone you play against has a different play style, and every game is different. Mario Kart Online, another example. People would race that for months and not get sick of it.

The competition is something you can't get offline. MotoGP was all about getting to the top of the scoreboard. We blew away the times the developers thought were possible. If you think you are good, you'll be put in your place when you go online. It's the highly competetive enviornment that attracts a lot of people, and others like that there's always people to play against.

If you get into online, you'll be hooked.

Eh, I don't have time for that anyway...which may be a big part of the reason why online gaming doesn't appeal to me much. Hell, it's all I can do (more really) just to keep up with all the single player games I want to play...most of which end up sitting on my shelf un-beaten for months, if ever.

[Perfect Stu]

I find that most people who seem to have little to no interest in online gaming are Nintendo fans ;)

JK (sorta), but that does suck (IMO). Sony proved that even without a built-in ethernet port, they could deliver a satisfying online experience (Amplitude rocks). Mario Kart, Golf, and Tennis would all be great online games...I would consider buying the system for those 3 games.

Ah well...I still have my PS2, XBox and PC :D

[tarakan69]

Well online has hardly ever appealed to me. Only RPGs... but those cost $$$ so... online basicly sucks.

IMO games like Gran Turismo 4 are going to suck when it comes to their online section. I mean what potential does online really hold?? I sure as hell know it won't change any of the gameplay experience.

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by tarakan69
Well online has hardly ever appealed to me. Only RPGs... but those cost $$$ so... online basicly sucks.

IMO games like Gran Turismo 4 are going to suck when it comes to their online section. I mean what potential does online really hold?? I sure as hell know it won't change any of the gameplay experience.

good for you, you have your own opinion. Millions of gamers disagree with you

[Joeiss]

Originally posted by gekko
You can literally own one game, and play it for months. It's a different experience when you play against different people.

I have been playing SOCOM almost daily since the end of August. I sure as hell got my money out of that game! And there are a group of people that I usually play with, so that makes it extra fun.

[Jason1]

Well this is a bummer...I will get over it...but its still a bummer.

I guess this blows those ''World Smash'' rumors out the window.

Hopefully we will see some online stuff from 3rd parties.

[Mechadragon]

Originally posted by Joeiss
I have been playing SOCOM almost daily since the end of August. I sure as hell got my money out of that game! And there are a group of people that I usually play with, so that makes it extra fun. Same here with Warcraft III.

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by Mechadragon
Same here with Warcraft III.

same here with Battlefield 1942...and SOCOM, for about 4 months straight :)

[Bond]

Originally posted by Joeiss
I have been playing SOCOM almost daily since the end of August. I sure as hell got my money out of that game! And there are a group of people that I usually play with, so that makes it extra fun.
Same here with MechAssault. :D

(Can't wait until CTF is released. :eek: )

[Stonecutter]

:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead: :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead: :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead: :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

and they're ****ing moron's telling me to "be happy"

:rolleyes:

[Jonbo298]

I don't remember seeing in that interview about that person saying that there won't be any announced online games. Nintendo could say X, Y, Z, etc...will be online, but we can not show the online aspects at this time because currently we are testing it and making sure there aren't many bugs. I'm still holding hope on AC2 being online!:D

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by Jonbo298
I don't remember seeing in that interview about that person saying that there won't be any announced online games. Nintendo could say X, Y, Z, etc...will be online, but we can not show the online aspects at this time because currently we are testing it and making sure there aren't many bugs. I'm still holding hope on AC2 being online!:D

give it up, man...it's like you're being breast-fed by Nintendo

[Jonbo298]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
give it up, man...it's like you're being breast-fed by Nintendo

and you're being breast-fed by Sony. whats the difference?:rolleyes:

[Mechadragon]

I don't like where this is going...

[Bond]

Please, stop the flaming. Give peace a chance. (At least on the forums)

[Jonbo298]

Originally posted by Bond
Please, stop the flaming. Give peace a chance. (At least on the forums)

The definition of peace on this forum to at least 3-4 users is me leaving. So don't expect me to leave any time soon. And I am trying to stay "toned down" by not getting excessive when people bash just about anything I make nowadays. Maybe I should just stop replying again to certain posts. hmm.......

[Jason1]

Originally posted by Jonbo298
Maybe I should just stop replying again to certain posts. hmm.......

Thats what Ive learned to do.

But seirously, I dont think you guys need to bash Jonbo as much as you do...He likes Nintendo, Stu like Sony...who cares.

[GameMaster]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
give it up, man...it's like you're being breast-fed by Nintendo

*notices all the PS2 logos and symbols plastered all over Stu's signature and avatar*

*sees nothing Nintendo related in Jonbo's signature or avatar*

*chuckles at the irony*

[One Winged Angel]

I'm actually happy for nintendo on this decision. They aren't rushing online play or anything like the PS2 or X-Box. They want to release it when they can perfect it. Good Job Nintendo.

[DeathsHand]

Originally posted by One Winged Angel
I'm actually happy for nintendo on this decision. They aren't rushing online play or anything like the PS2 or X-Box. They want to release it when they can perfect it. Good Job Nintendo.

Or maybe they're just waiting until they can make a better profit off of it. Good Job Nintendo. :roll:

[Dyne]

Maybe it's just the speed of the information travelling to europe. Since when did europe become the superior source of information? Megaton propaganda anyone?

[One Winged Angel]

Originally posted by DeathsHand
Or maybe they're just waiting until they can make a better profit off of it. Good Job Nintendo. :roll:

or that

:p

[Joeiss]

All this talk about breasts is making me horny.

[fingersman]

If anything Nintendo will make their next system online, hopefully. :unsure:

[tarakan69]

Originally posted by Dyne
Maybe it's just the speed of the information travelling to europe. Since when did europe become the superior source of information? Megaton propaganda anyone?


Well Shiggy has been touring Europe and giving interviews. Europe has been getting special bundles to make up for delays, and it shows Nintendo is taking the region in a serious manner now.

So WHY not... sounds like LEGIT information. Nintendo is about profit... so they are not going to jump in to untested waters.

TO STU

how/what game can lure more gamers online if an online MMRPG version of the most popular console RPG ever, can't? Food for thought.

So why should Nintendo EVEN risk?? Sure they have Pokemon... but most people who play Pokemon are kids and can't afford online.

[Perfect Stu]

Mark Kart
Mario Golf
Mario Tennis

not to mention an online FPS from Retro

or *gasp* any original titles made with online play in mind

oh, and Gamemaster...at least I'm realisitc. If Sony says "we aren't going to make a handheld system" I'll be like "ok", not "but maybe they just meant in 2003, so I bet we'll see a 2004 Sony handheld!!! :D"

:rolleyes:

Or, what about me owning an Xbox and frequently playing PC games as well...and Jonbo sticking only to Nintendo consoles religiously?

Either way...I know I'm always gonna be flamebait in a forum where Nintendo has almost everyone by the tit

[tarakan69]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
Mark Kart
Mario Golf
Mario Tennis

not to mention an online FPS from Retro

or *gasp* any original titles made with online play in mind



Originalty?? The main developers that come up with original and innovative games are Sega and Nintendo. IMO

Since I see that you have tendency to lean towards the PS2... it too hasn't been offering to many original games.

Also making new titles for online is WAY too risky, they will most likely bomb. If a game like Final Fantasy can't cut it... how will newcomer titles do it?? Also don't forget that online titles need more testing, development time, and money.

Also only because Retro made Metriod Prime a benchmark in gaming, WHAT on earth gaurantees that their online FPS will sell even if it's good.

[gekko]

Originally posted by tarakan69
Nintendo is about profit... so they are not going to jump in to untested waters.

They jump into untested waters all the time. Online gaming has been tested, many times, and found to be not profitable. Nintendo knows that, and they are staying out.

Untested waters... hmm... Virtual Boy comes to mind, oh let's see... 64DD was online, Game Boy was online.

Your argument doesn't work.

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by tarakan69
Originalty?? The main developers that come up with original and innovative games are Sega and Nintendo. IMO

Since I see that you have tendency to lean towards the PS2... it too hasn't been offering to many original games.

Also making new titles for online is WAY too risky, they will most likely bomb. If a game like Final Fantasy can't cut it... how will newcomer titles do it?? Also don't forget that online titles need more testing, development time, and money.

Also only because Retro made Metriod Prime a benchmark in gaming, WHAT on earth gaurantees that their online FPS will sell even if it's good.

1) Final Fantasy XI is online only, and requires an add-on HDD
2) 'with online play in mind' does not mean online only...far from it, actually
3) Nintendo is an innovative development company. Where did I say it wasn't?
4) SOCOM, a mostly-online title, has sold over 1 million copies in the United States. Would that qualify as a success?

[bobcat]

Meh. I only play FPS and RTS online (on PC)

Oh yeh and fighting games.

I'm not really interested in all the other stuff. Mods, Updates, Patches etc.

This doesn't come as a shock to me, and don't really care.

*waits for Zelda*

[PuPPeT]

Originally posted by bobcat
Meh. I only play FPS and RTS online (on PC)

Oh yeh and fighting games.

I'm not really interested in all the other stuff. Mods, Updates, Patches etc.

This doesn't come as a shock to me, and don't really care.

*waits for Zelda*




Yea I get what you and others are saying bobcat, online gaming is not for every one but it is for me. People can not say after the success of Xbox live that online gaming is not going to the mainstream it is. A lot of people want to play games online if not to at lest look into gaming online. Nintendo may look as if it’s playing the whole online issue kool but when the next generation of console comes along it is just one more reason for people to say Nintendo oh yea there the ones that don’t do what I want!!!!!

And I also agree with some of you that game patch’s are a bad thing, Games should not launch with major bugs in them but the larger game code becomes the more risk there is of bugs being left in the code. But game updates are a very good thing to have it does add life to a game when you add new levels and weapons. Also I’m all for paying for them most people have no hang ups about paying to see a film that will last 90 mins yet you will not play around the same amount on a game that would give you 20, 30 or 40 hours of play a week!!!!!

[tarakan69]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
1) Final Fantasy XI is online only, and requires an add-on HDD
2) 'with online play in mind' does not mean online only...far from it, actually
3) Nintendo is an innovative development company. Where did I say it wasn't?
4) SOCOM, a mostly-online title, has sold over 1 million copies in the United States. Would that qualify as a success?

1.So?? If as you say online is SO important then why don't you expect FFXI to sell.
2.Well games which consetrate on online, usually have a single player mode added just so it IS there, while all the real play takes online.
3.ok
4.Mostly online?? A Navy Seals games... like that bwouldn't be bought by the causual gamers due to it's theme alone. Not to mention that even though it was primarily an online title most people played it offline.

[Shadow Fox]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
4) SOCOM, a mostly-online title, has sold over 1 million copies in the United States. Would that qualify as a success? No. Why? Only 500,000 network adapters have been sold WORLDWIDE. Apparently ALOT MORE people play the game offline than online, and I'm quite sure not all 500k of those network adapter owners have SOCOM in their collection.

Let's see...200k adapters sold in Japan...that gives SOCOM a 300k online user-base in the US (giving them the benifit of the doubt). That's not even 1/3 of SOCOM-owning populace.

Looking at the numbers:

Xbox: 5-6 million consoles sold worldwide; 400k online kits sold

GameCube: 5-6 million consoles sold worldwide; 300k online kits sold

Playstation 2: 50 million consoles sold worldwide; 500k online kits sold

This is what I believe is Nintendo's point- what profit can they make from an online service that only caters to a mere fraction of their userbase?

A good start- yes. A success? Far from it.

-Official Ninja of [coming soon]...

[Perfect Stu]

Ok Fox...a good start...I'll agree

And tarakan, to me online play is a big addition to a game. Why does my opinion have to reflect on how many copies FFXI has sold? :confused:

Online gaming may not be profitable at the moment. If I were running Nintendo, personally I see a HUGE future in that area so I'd want to get my feet wet while online gaming is on its rise. I guess Nintendo doesn't agree with me.

And people...why are you taking Nintendo's side when it's only going to affect gamers in a negative way? I would throw loyalty aside for a moment when the idea of Mario Kart Online was floating around as a definate possibility.

[DarkMaster]

Nintendo could at least try to establish a online user base and create a few online titles just to get things going, even if the going is slow at first. this way, if they ever wanted to really focus on some online plans, they could be assured to have a fairly satisfactory profit from it. Nintendo can't expect to all of sudden just jump into online gaming one day. They have to establish a good user base. I don't see why they can't even try a game or two online, like God, Mario Kart online would sell millions, how can they not see that? Super Smash Brothers 3 online would be another that could be sure to sale excellently.

Nintendo is famous for its quote "Quality gaming and nothing less" (I'm not sure if that is word for word, but you know what I'm talking about). By not going online, they are treating gamers in a negative way. How exactly is that pure quality? Can't they even try going online? I just don't see how they are being fair to the people who own a Game Cube. Not to mention GCN sales aren't exactly spectacular. Don't you think a huge online game like Mario Kart would boost GCN sales? You bet your ass it would.

[Shadow Fox]

DarkMaster, look at Gekko's earlier post- Nintendo HAS TRIED online gaming- since the NES. They somehow cannot work it into this uber business model they want it to be, and having tried with EVERY other home console they created (Famicom Network, Satelliview, RanDNet) and failing in the HOMELAND with internally developed software, what makes you think they'll just jump right in again until they get a clearer picture?

Nintendo is to online as to what most PS2/Xbox owners are to N64- they were burned, and are looking for other options to get their game/profit on.

Truth being though, if XboxLive or Sony somehow pull 4 million online consumers by the end of the year, we'll definately see Nintendo changing their minds about this. :unsure:

-Official Ninja of [coming soon]...

[DarkMaster]

I was talking about trying with the GCN. I am aware that they have tried online before. My whole point was that Nintendo should make a start with online gaming on the GCN so they can establish an online user base.

[Shadow Fox]

I agree; but Nintendo is stubborn, and doesn't realize how profitable this could eventually turn.

There's only ONE available online game for GameCube, yet Phantasy Star Online and online adapter sales are comparable to XboxLive's sales so far (300k globally). If Nintendo realized that there was such a cult following to a 3rd-party game daring to take the leap, they'd AT LEAST promote the adapter itself even if Nintendo doesn't want to publish games.

The adapter would yield profits (it is manufactured by Nintendo), and it would put out more of a advertisement for developers to use the thing.

If it were me, I'd pay Capcom, Sega, Camelot, Hal, and Silicon Knights to put out as much Link-play/online content as possible for GameCube, then I wouldn't have to put out a single title myself.

But eh, Nintendo's been around for deccades now, and I reckon they know what they're doing...

-Official Ninja of [coming soon]...

[tarakan69]

Well I'm not really intrested about the number of people who by the X-Box Live... as how many will remain one year from NOW.

4 million?? Forget it... they be lucky to hit 1 million active accounts. (How many accounts will close when a million will be sold)