Update: Sources are saying that Nintendo plans to launch the Nintendo Network in Japan on February 16 of this year.
Kotaku reported today that during Nintendo’s share holder meeting President Satoru Iawata not only announced, a time frame for their new console, but also a new digital distribution vision from Nintendo. This is a separate piece that Nintendo is moving towards releasing as opposed to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Channel. During the meeting Iawata said:
Unlike Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which has been focused upon specific functionalities and concepts, we are aiming to establish a platform where various services available through the network for our consumers shall be connected via Nintendo Network service so that the company can make comprehensive proposals to consumers,”
This distribution network will be focusing on bringing full retail titles for the 3DS and Wii-U digitally. Hopefully your stash of SD cards in is high supply to pack the 1 gig 3DS games nice and deep. This leads to the hope that the Wii-U will have a decent amount of available memory right out of the box. I have to say the more these announcements come down the pipe I find myself boggled that Nintendo hasn’t simply began included solid-state memory in their consoles to help out the consumer. I realize this is a way they cut cost on the product for distribution, but passing the cost to the end user for storage will effect their digital sales when they launch the Nintendo Network. The other thought that continues to roll through my head is, it’s about damn time! Microsoft and Sony have been utilizing this model for 2+ years, and seeing Nintendo bring a real digital distribution solution forward will be a relief. I love utilizing the eShop for my re-releases of NES, SNES, and other older console titles. But the release flow has been slow, and the title availability has been spotty. Maybe, just maybe, the Nintendo Network will give them the fire to push all of their content digitally, with more efficiency. Or, maybe it will go the way of the PSP GO, and have consumers still looking at game shops wondering why they can’t put a UMD in their system.
Thoughts?