Ya, but look how much online gaming has changed in the last few years. I mean Doom went online, if you think that counts.
The thing is, learn from DC, and don't go online later, until you have everything figured out. PS2's online plans are a mess, Xbox's don't look too great. I'd rather see Nintendo wait and try to take a different route at it.
If Nintendo really wants to be successful online, they need to do the following:
1) Setup their own network. Allow people to register for free, and connect for free to get extra information. Charge a monthly fee to use it though, because that's the only way to get quality servers. But be nice, give them like a week free with each game they buy that supports it. This way they'll get to try it without paying for a week, but if they want more, they have to start paying.
2) Release a keyboard, and mouse right off the bat. Plan for a headset, but I'd hold off releasing it. Package it in with a game that requires teamwork online in order to do well. That way, it'll get used, and people will own it.
3) Release all plans to developers at least 6 months before the network launches. Give them a chance to start making games, to start hyping games. give them a chance to add support for the peripherals.
4) Begin developing an online RPG. Of course, hype it like crazy. Make it seem like the only game worth owning. And whatever you do, don't use nintendo characters for it. Make it have a more gothic, dark ages look. Like Raven Blade, but make it look good.
5) Launch the network with a game that everyone wants (don't even consider rushing that RPG). A game everyone will buy, and would kick ass playing online. Can we say Mario Kart?
If Nintendo does all that, they might be able to spark it. Right now, this 3rd parties can use their own server thing works. But really, the developers are less likely to support it, because it costs them more money to setup. Now if Nintendo let 3rd parties use their servers, it wouldn't cost them anything, but it could potentially get more sales for the game, so it's worth adding.
The keyboard and mouse are essential to playing online. Without it, I won't play. The mouse can be done without for everything but FPS, and assuming the RPG is made like PSO and the controller is easily used. The headset might not catch on too well, it hasn't on the PC side. But if they package it in with say... a FPS that will require teamwork to play, it might work out.
Nintendo can get people cheering about a cel-shaded Zelda. If they can create a online RPG, people will buy it. And most of all, character development takes time. Time means more people playing the game for longer. Time means more people using the online service, and more people paying. More people paying means more money for Nintendo, which means better servers. And let's not forget, the more people who play online, the more support Nintendo will put behind it. A lot of good things can come from a bunch of fans playing the same game constantly for days.
And I mean, who wouldn't want to kick Shooter's ass in some games? Mario Kart online would be perfect. Not a huge network game, but it'll get people online. Combined with the other developers' plans that they've had for 6 months, it could launch with a success.
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