September 10, 2003 - Nintendo of America today told IGNcube that it has reached an agreement with America Online by which the Internet provider will become the official preferred ISP for GameCube.
According to the agreement, developers who choose to create online games for GameCube will be licensed AOL connectivity software that will enable their games to connect online through AOL. Nintendo stated that this same rule would apply to any potential online GameCube software it decided to create in the future.
The company reaffirmed that as of yet it is not developing any online games for GameCube. It stated: "To be clear, this does not indicate the unveiling of a new online gaming approach from Nintendo. Nor does it signify that we have changed our position on the current business viability in the online console gaming field."
Nintendo said that as part of the agreement many of its products would be spotlighted on key AOL and AOL Time Warner websites and that the two companies are discussing means of promoting AOL's new broadband service, including the possibility of bundling AOL demo discs with the GameCube.
http://cube.ign.com/articles/437/437537p1.html
I don't know what to think of this. It's both good and bad. Good because AOL has the largest userbase of subscribers and is well known. Bad because some people refuse to use AOL because they overprice.
Hopefully Nintendo/AOL can provide a cheaper subscription if you only go online with AOL through your GCN.
*Remembers that PSO isn't AOL compatible* *small laugh*
AOL and Nintendo Team Up for Online
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