What is your biggest issue with Nintendo Network (online on Wii U), really?

I'm going to list out everything that the Wii U does with its online service, good and bad. I know there are several ways Nintendo is behind in the online arena, but the way people talk about it, it's like we're still stuck in the days of Wii and game specific friend codes. 

NINTENDO NETWORK

+ Free online play
+ Supports DLC and patches
+ Supports self publishing for indie games
+ Easy framework for devs to port existing games on other platforms, including Xbox and PlayStation, but also WebKit games, iOS and Android apps, and so on
+ Integrated online social network (Miiverse); allows for instantaneous communication via text chat (formatted text and custom text), screenshot sharing, voice chat, video chat, and more.
+ No Friend Codes, unique usernames, notification system for friends
+ OS level messaging that can be accessed at any time
+ Miiverse itself includes communties and boards for every game for discussion of games, as well as tips and help, where needed
+ Background downloads and download management, so that you can download multiple games at once even when you are playing other games
- Purchases are tied to your account, which, in turn is tied to your hardwae (functionally the same as your games being tied to your hardware)
- Headset is not included with every system, meaning voice chat is not supported at an OS level.
- No cross game chat
- Their online network is not integrated across 3DS and Wii U 

So what is it about it that sucks so much, really? I'm interested in knowing, because it looks like a lot of people assume that the Wii U's online is similar to the Wii, that is, crap.

I'm going to list out everything that the Wii U does with its online service, good and bad. I know there are several ways Nintendo is behind in the online arena, but the way people talk about it, it's like we're still stuck in the days of Wii and game specific friend codes. 

NINTENDO NETWORK

+ Free online play
+ Supports DLC and patches
+ Supports self publishing for indie games
+ Easy framework for devs to port existing games on other platforms, including Xbox and PlayStation, but also WebKit games, iOS and Android apps, and so on
+ Integrated online social network (Miiverse); allows for instantaneous communication via text chat (formatted text and custom text), screenshot sharing, voice chat, video chat, and more.
+ No Friend Codes, unique usernames, notification system for friends
+ OS level messaging that can be accessed at any time
+ Miiverse itself includes communties and boards for every game for discussion of games, as well as tips and help, where needed
+ Background downloads and download management, so that you can download multiple games at once even when you are playing other games
- Purchases are tied to your account, which, in turn is tied to your hardwae (functionally the same as your games being tied to your hardware)
- Headset is not included with every system, meaning voice chat is not supported at an OS level.
- No cross game chat

So what is it about it that sucks so much, really? I'm interested in knowing, because it looks like a lot of people assume that the Wii U's online is similar to the Wii, that is, crap.

charizard1605

It's not integrated with the 3DS.

That's my biggest problem with it.

Slashkice

It's not integrated with the 3DS.

That's my biggest problem with it.

Slashkice

It's awful because no sane individual will use it to play multiplayer games.  Nintendo will never be able to fix that.  They completetly lost out on the multiplayer gaming crowd and it was their own fault.  

The fact that it is a decade behind XBL and PSN doesn't help either.  

It really is a terrible service.  

It's awful because no sane individual will use it to play multiplayer games.  Nintendo will never be able to fix that.  They completetly lost out on the multiplayer gaming crowd and it was their own fault.  

The fact that it is a decade behind XBL and PSN doesn't help either.  

It really is a terrible service.  

Fizzman

It's not integrated with the 3DS.

That's my biggest problem with it.

Slashkice

Charizard didn't Nintendo say they are fixing it so that purchases will be tied to the account but you can then move the accounts to other systems.

I heard Nintendo is supposed to implement it before the end of this year.

Charizard didn't Nintendo say they are fixing it so that purchases will be tied to the account but you can then move the accounts to other systems.

I heard Nintendo is supposed to implement it before the end of this year.

Nintendo_Ownes7

[QUOTE="Nintendo_Ownes7"]

Charizard didn't Nintendo say they are fixing it so that purchases will be tied to the account but you can then move the accounts to other systems.

I heard Nintendo is supposed to implement it before the end of this year.

charizard1605

Ppl bash Nintendo network because it'snot even up to par with last gen consolesTheKingIAm

Ppl bash Nintendo network because it'snot even up to par with last gen consolesTheKingIAm

[QUOTE="Fizzman"]

It's awful because no sane individual will use it to play multiplayer games.  Nintendo will never be able to fix that.  They completetly lost out on the multiplayer gaming crowd and it was their own fault.  

The fact that it is a decade behind XBL and PSN doesn't help either.  

It really is a terrible service.  

charizard1605

I did describe why it's awful.  No individual who regularly plays games online will look at the Wii U and buy a multiplayer game for it.  The network itself is slow and outdated. It felt like i was using XBL circa 2004.  This did not surprise me since Nintendo sucks at online.  

[QUOTE="TheKingIAm"]Ppl bash Nintendo network because it'snot even up to par with last gen consolesbbkkristian

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="Nintendo_Ownes7"]

Charizard didn't Nintendo say they are fixing it so that purchases will be tied to the account but you can then move the accounts to other systems.

I heard Nintendo is supposed to implement it before the end of this year.

Nintendo_Ownes7

My Only issue with Nintendo Network is that it is system bound and isnt accross multiple consoles. Other than that I have no complaints.

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="Nintendo_Ownes7"]

Charizard didn't Nintendo say they are fixing it so that purchases will be tied to the account but you can then move the accounts to other systems.

I heard Nintendo is supposed to implement it before the end of this year.

Nintendo_Ownes7

[QUOTE="TheKingIAm"]Ppl bash Nintendo network because it'snot even up to par with last gen consolescharizard1605

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="Fizzman"]

It's awful because no sane individual will use it to play multiplayer games.  Nintendo will never be able to fix that.  They completetly lost out on the multiplayer gaming crowd and it was their own fault.  

The fact that it is a decade behind XBL and PSN doesn't help either.  

It really is a terrible service.  

Fizzman

I did describe why it's awful.  No individual who regularly plays games online will look at the Wii U and buy a multiplayer game for it.  The network itself is slow and outdated. It felt like i was using XBL circa 2004.  This did not surprise me since Nintendo sucks at online.  

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="Fizzman"]

It's awful because no sane individual will use it to play multiplayer games.  Nintendo will never be able to fix that.  They completetly lost out on the multiplayer gaming crowd and it was their own fault.  

The fact that it is a decade behind XBL and PSN doesn't help either.  

It really is a terrible service.  

Fizzman

I did describe why it's awful.  No individual who regularly plays games online will look at the Wii U and buy a multiplayer game for it.  The network itself is slow and outdated. It felt like i was using XBL circa 2004.  This did not surprise me since Nintendo sucks at online.  

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]

I'm going to list out everything that the Wii U does with its online service, good and bad. I know there are several ways Nintendo is behind in the online arena, but the way people talk about it, it's like we're still stuck in the days of Wii and game specific friend codes. 

NINTENDO NETWORK

+ Free online play
+ Supports DLC and patches
+ Supports self publishing for indie games
+ Easy framework for devs to port existing games on other platforms, including Xbox and PlayStation, but also WebKit games, iOS and Android apps, and so on
+ Integrated online social network (Miiverse); allows for instantaneous communication via text chat (formatted text and custom text), screenshot sharing, voice chat, video chat, and more.
+ No Friend Codes, unique usernames, notification system for friends
+ OS level messaging that can be accessed at any time
+ Miiverse itself includes communties and boards for every game for discussion of games, as well as tips and help, where needed
+ Background downloads and download management, so that you can download multiple games at once even when you are playing other games
- Purchases are tied to your account, which, in turn is tied to your hardwae (functionally the same as your games being tied to your hardware)
- Headset is not included with every system, meaning voice chat is not supported at an OS level.
- No cross game chat

So what is it about it that sucks so much, really? I'm interested in knowing, because it looks like a lot of people assume that the Wii U's online is similar to the Wii, that is, crap.

conkertheking1

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="TheKingIAm"]Ppl bash Nintendo network because it'snot even up to par with last gen consolesTheKingIAm

The main gripe I had was how the accounts were tied across the 3DS and Wii U. If Nintendo really is fixing that by the end of the year though then I'll quite satisfied. :)

[QUOTE="Nintendo_Ownes7"]

Charizard didn't Nintendo say they are fixing it so that purchases will be tied to the account but you can then move the accounts to other systems.

I heard Nintendo is supposed to implement it before the end of this year.

charizard1605

[QUOTE="conkertheking1"]

[QUOTE="charizard1605"]

I'm going to list out everything that the Wii U does with its online service, good and bad. I know there are several ways Nintendo is behind in the online arena, but the way people talk about it, it's like we're still stuck in the days of Wii and game specific friend codes. 

NINTENDO NETWORK

+ Free online play
+ Supports DLC and patches
+ Supports self publishing for indie games
+ Easy framework for devs to port existing games on other platforms, including Xbox and PlayStation, but also WebKit games, iOS and Android apps, and so on
+ Integrated online social network (Miiverse); allows for instantaneous communication via text chat (formatted text and custom text), screenshot sharing, voice chat, video chat, and more.
+ No Friend Codes, unique usernames, notification system for friends
+ OS level messaging that can be accessed at any time
+ Miiverse itself includes communties and boards for every game for discussion of games, as well as tips and help, where needed
+ Background downloads and download management, so that you can download multiple games at once even when you are playing other games
- Purchases are tied to your account, which, in turn is tied to your hardwae (functionally the same as your games being tied to your hardware)
- Headset is not included with every system, meaning voice chat is not supported at an OS level.
- No cross game chat

So what is it about it that sucks so much, really? I'm interested in knowing, because it looks like a lot of people assume that the Wii U's online is similar to the Wii, that is, crap.

BrunoBRS

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="Nintendo_Ownes7"]

Charizard didn't Nintendo say they are fixing it so that purchases will be tied to the account but you can then move the accounts to other systems.

I heard Nintendo is supposed to implement it before the end of this year.

PurpleMan5000

Having your digital downloads tied to the hardware rather than an account out in cyberspace is my biggest problem. I've had a couple breakins in the past(nothing stolen for some reason), and if someone were to steal the system, I lose my digital games. One of the great things about Steam and Origin is that, since your account isn't system-tied, you can redownload your games on another platform. I'd like to have this same luxury on the Wii U.

Everything else is practically a non-issue. I usually don't talk when playing online unless I'm playing a co-op campaign, so the lack of a mic and OS-level voice chat doesn't bother me.

[QUOTE="Fizzman"]

[QUOTE="charizard1605"] Again, how is it behind? Why will no one use it? What exactly makes it behind? Do you even know what you are talking about or are you just spouting the same nonsense again?PurpleMan5000

I did describe why it's awful.  No individual who regularly plays games online will look at the Wii U and buy a multiplayer game for it.  The network itself is slow and outdated. It felt like i was using XBL circa 2004.  This did not surprise me since Nintendo sucks at online.  

Mario Kart and Brawl.  Those were the only two games that had me remotely interested in using the MP network on the Wii.  Both were laggy and just poorly done.  It definitely wasn't my internet since i have my PS3 and 360 hooked up to the same network and those ran flawlessly.  

Fortunately for me, the only games i really care for from Nintendo are, Zelda and Mario (Main series titles)  and neither of those games are MP oriented.  

[QUOTE="PurpleMan5000"][QUOTE="Fizzman"]

I did describe why it's awful.  No individual who regularly plays games online will look at the Wii U and buy a multiplayer game for it.  The network itself is slow and outdated. It felt like i was using XBL circa 2004.  This did not surprise me since Nintendo sucks at online.  

Fizzman

Mario Kart and Brawl.  Those were the only two games that had me remotely interested in using the MP network on the Wii.  Both were laggy and just poorly done.  It definitely wasn't my internet since i have my PS3 and 360 hooked up to the same network and those ran flawlessly.  

Fortunately for me, the only games i really care for from Nintendo are, Zelda and Mario (Main series titles)  and neither of those games are MP oriented.  

Having your digital downloads tied to the hardware rather than an account out in cyberspace is my biggest problem. I've had a couple breakins in the past(nothing stolen for some reason), and if someone were to steal the system, I lose my digital games. One of the great things about Steam and Origin is that, since your account isn't system-tied, you can redownload your games on another platform. I'd like to have this same luxury on the Wii U.

Everything else is practically a non-issue. I usually don't talk when playing online unless I'm playing a co-op campaign, so the lack of a mic and OS-level voice chat doesn't bother me.

YearoftheSnake5

[QUOTE="YearoftheSnake5"]

Having your digital downloads tied to the hardware rather than an account out in cyberspace is my biggest problem. I've had a couple breakins in the past(nothing stolen for some reason), and if someone were to steal the system, I lose my digital games. One of the great things about Steam and Origin is that, since your account isn't system-tied, you can redownload your games on another platform. I'd like to have this same luxury on the Wii U.

Everything else is practically a non-issue. I usually don't talk when playing online unless I'm playing a co-op campaign, so the lack of a mic and OS-level voice chat doesn't bother me.

Nintendo_Ownes7

I heard about that, but it's still an issue until then. When that rolls around, it will be a huge relief for me.

[QUOTE="bbkkristian"][QUOTE="TheKingIAm"]Ppl bash Nintendo network because it'snot even up to par with last gen consolesTheKingIAm

[QUOTE="Fizzman"]

[QUOTE="PurpleMan5000"] What game were you playing and what issue were you having?charizard1605

Mario Kart and Brawl.  Those were the only two games that had me remotely interested in using the MP network on the Wii.  Both were laggy and just poorly done.  It definitely wasn't my internet since i have my PS3 and 360 hooked up to the same network and those ran flawlessly.  

Fortunately for me, the only games i really care for from Nintendo are, Zelda and Mario (Main series titles)  and neither of those games are MP oriented.  

Simply checking off all the boxes on a list of features doesn't mean the Wii U's online is fully caught up. PSN was a by-far worse experience than Xbox Live and PC online through first few years of PS3 despite checking off those same boxes, and it's still a worse experience in 2013.

All the features listed could be found on the PC in the 90s, and most of them were in the original Xbox Live as well. So the Wii U has at least caught up to 11 years ago.

Sometimes it's not simply about crossing off a check list. It's all about the end-user experience. How well is it all integrated? How fast and efficient is it? How intuitive is its design?

[QUOTE="TheKingIAm"][QUOTE="bbkkristian"] How, aside from the issues represented?mexicangordo

[QUOTE="mexicangordo"]

[QUOTE="TheKingIAm"] Honestly, most ppl bash it because it's nintendo and most ppl never used itTheKingIAm

And most gamers will never use it.  That right there tell's you all you need to know about Nintendo's network.  

It doesn't get DLC for alot of games. COD, Injustice and Batman spring to mind.

It doesn't get DLC for alot of games. COD, Injustice and Batman spring to mind.

Obviously_Right

Honestly I don't think it sucks really, just that it could be quite a bit better.

It doesn't get DLC for alot of games. COD, Injustice and Batman spring to mind.

Obviously_Right

[QUOTE="Obviously_Right"]

It doesn't get DLC for alot of games. COD, Injustice and Batman spring to mind.

Nintendo_Ownes7

Ok? It still doesn't. Why?

It lacks support. Why?

Because nobody plays on it. Why?

Because its behind the curve. Why?

Because Nintendo ignored the rise of Online Multiplayer. Why?

Because itsNintendo.

It doesn't get DLC for alot of games. COD, Injustice and Batman spring to mind.

Obviously_Right

It actually does have DLC for Injustice(though not all of it). That's a developer/publisher decision.

[QUOTE="TheKingIAm"][QUOTE="mexicangordo"] Actually he was right, the biggest problem with Nintendo network is that it is old and dated.  Nintendo is just catching up with their online policies.  Its one of the biggest faults of the system imo.

Fizzman

And most gamers will never use it.  That right there tell's you all you need to know about Nintendo's network.