Reggie talks Wii online, marketing

Nintendo's outspoken president reiterates Wii will be ready to go out-of-the-box; online play free, no hidden costs.

Nintendo of America's president and COO, Reggie Fils-Aime, has won over diehard Nintendo fans ever since his spirited speech at 2004's E3. As the company gears up for the launch of the Wii, the Nintendo faithful's hopes hang on the man's every word.

Reggie Fils-Aime.

Fils-Aime recently spoke with USA Today about the console, its launch, and Nintendo's strategy going forward. Though little new was revealed, his words maintain that Nintendo is staying its course.

After a brief spiel very familiar to gamers that the company is trying to rope in "nongamers" to expand the market, Reggie chatted about online play, which many believe Nintendo is catching up on.

"We view online gaming as essentially an enhanced way to enjoy the gaming experience and drive more sales of hardware and software," he said.

Fils-Aime also moved to quash any lingering doubts as to whether first-title online gameplay for the Wii would be free. "We will offer online-enabled games that the consumers will not have to pay a subscription fee for. They'll be able to enjoy that right out of the box. The Wii console is going to be Wi-Fi enabled, so essentially, you'll be able to plug it in and go. It won't have hidden fees or costs," he told the paper.

It should be noted, however, that Nintendo has not officially announced any pricing for its online service, other than that connecting to WiiConnect24 will be free. As for paying for online gaming on the Wii, à la Microsoft's Xbox Live service, Fils-Aime's comments seem to imply that the feature will also be gratis.

Fils-Aime also fed rumor flames that the Wii will undergo a major tour that will let gamers personally try out the Wii--in keeping with the console's E3 motto that "playing is believing."

While talking about the marketing plan for what could be the company's biggest product launch, he said, "It's going to be massive amounts of hands-on activity, as well as showcasing exactly how Wii games are different. We're going to create advocacy. We're going to make it so that everyone who tries the Wii experience talks to their friends and neighbors."

While other Nintendo execs have shied away from the idea that the Wii is directly going up against the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Fils-Aime acknowledges that Sony and Microsoft are competitors. However, he does admit that Nintendo is doing something different.

"Our competitors are both going down the same path. Both believe that more and more performance with a higher and higher price tag are their keys to success. So what do I see? I think our two competitors will trade share between them, while we go off and grab share in a completely different way."

285 Comments

  • Zifhael

    Posted Aug 23, 2006 6:29 pm PT

    wanna go get high? heh, towelie(sp?) rocks...

    first time i've even been called laundry as an insult...

  • skillzombie

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 10:39 pm PT

    Now thats what im talkin' bout!

  • vatterott

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 8:07 pm PT

    Nice move by Nintendo!

  • buckincrazy

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 4:31 pm PT

    Oh yeah... well your a towel Zifhael.

  • Tesley

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 10:20 am PT

    I second that lord azreal

  • lord-azrael

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 9:45 am PT

    Nintendo will be at the top again with this beast of a console

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 7:41 am PT

    ATOMB:

    I agree that Nintendo's online system is looking fantastic... especially if it's going to be free. As a longtime Nintendo fan (since 1985), the back catalogue of games is definitely a sell for me. Nonetheless, I've got to give it up to MS, whose Xbox Live setup is definitely the most realized to date. Nothing compared to it on the original Xbox and since the 360 came out, it's only gotten more fleshed out. It has a huge installed base, firstly. Has great downloadable games, content and who can argue with the multiplayer? I don't think we've even seen the full capability of that system, and I wouldn't be so quick to discount it just because I've got long-running Nintendo loyalties.

  • jmac777

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 6:54 am PT

    This maybe late but KRON is wrong....Atleast in the Nintendo SIde of his arugument....

    I believe that Sony will offer a "quote" Free "endquote" Wifi connection...or should I say a Watered Down XBOX live experience that you will eventually have to pay for...(just like Fileplanet which has SLOW turtle servers and the Super Fast ones for a Fee)..

    Nintendo on the other hand has proven they can provide a free online experience..While not the greatest experience on the Nintendo Ds..it is still pretty fun and useful and if used right you can have a great time...

    Nintendo has stated that there WiFi is going to be FEE FREE...Why would they lie have they ever lied to their fans before..that would be catastrophic..

    They might use the friend code system or some other type of system...

    WHAT if the experience is just like XBOX live but Free....then what will you people say.."Nintendo is Stupid cuz they losing money..."

    OMG you guys wouldn't know a great system if it shot you in your leg and etched its name in your forehead....

    Wii is the Future...YAHEARDDDDD

  • Darx-Alien

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 10:05 pm PT

    Its true that wii and ps3 have free online.But there is a way to get free online with the xbox or xbox360 foras long as u like.You have to go to xbconnect.com. Then go to downloads on ur left . then ur see download xb.then u download that and u get free online with xbox or xbox360.But ur computer has to be on at all times and never take it off.

  • Darx-Alien

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 9:11 pm PT

    i think that the xbox360 does not stand a chance with the Wii becuase the wii has FREE online and so does the PS3.But i am looking forward to getting the Wii becuase it cost less.But on the other hand the PS3 might cost allot but it would be worth it becuase of the graphics and online wifi
    internet

  • Josh1700

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 6:45 pm PT

    Xbox Live has and will continue to have the best online service to date. Good to hear that there will be online for the Wii which I will look forward to purchasing.

    Wii360!

  • dronionmonkey

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 5:30 pm PT

    Sorry, i forgot to add that this free online thing is much better than xbox's freaking fee that they charge. I also heard that PS3's internet connection will be free. that means that Xbox will be out in that category.
    HA HA HA- EVIL, PITILESS LAUGH AT THE DOWNFALL OF XBOX LIVE.

  • dronionmonkey

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 5:26 pm PT

    I think i remember the Wii being backwards compatable to only the Gamecube and the further back stuff will have to be downloaded. i think that if the Wii was a bit more powerful in the graphics area and came with a hard drive it could possibley be the ultimate game system...
    Now i'll do a dance.

  • ssjtrunks6

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 2:30 pm PT

    too bad the wii could not have came with more, does anyone know if the wii can play gamecube games??, or how much memory it has

  • nekrotaunter

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 2:25 pm PT

    wii seems to be the only console with substance. i've never had any interest in either microsoft system and ps3 is just ridiculously priced when all i want is metal gear solid 4. sony is forgetting that some people come in only wanting to play one title, you can't gain the market when only adults with massive disposable income or those in debt with credit cards are the only ones likely to afford the system. take the gamecube or the ds, cheap enough for an impulse buy or quick gift. my first system was in 1991, and with how much money i've invested in games, it'll still be a long time before i see $600 as a decent price.

  • RetroRacer02NY

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 12:43 pm PT

    Very well put Kron. You backed everything up with simple facts. I agree with your comment 100%. I never once disagreed or heard complaints about the fee for Live because $50 a year to a gamer is petty change for UNLIMITED online play. BUT, if your not hardcore they offer by the month too.

  • KronikKilla

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 12:28 pm PT

    18273645:

    First off, you may want to play an X360, and play a game on live, because I know for a fact you haven't. Second, neither the Wii or PS3 will have free online play. They will be free just like the 360, yes there is a free version of Live, you're shocked I know. All these free services will include are a connection to the netowrk, and nothing but some movie trailers and the ability to purchase music and in-game items ala' Live. When you want to actually PLAY A GAME, you will be paying, trust me. Wii will charge for all the downloadable games from their previous systems. Sony will also be charging you to play games, just like Live. It would be a completely poor buisness plan if they didn't, seeing all the money they will be losing on hardware, and seeing all the money Microsoft makes off of Live. Its like a carnival, free to get in, but if you want to ride the rides you gotta pony up the dough. It does cost money and lots of it to maintain servers, I don't think you understand or could even comprehend the amount of servers it takes to build a service such as Live, not to mention the number of employees on hand to maintain, troubleshoot, and fix all of those severs. And as was stated earlier, Microsoft's profits and value are above and beyond Sony. What operating system is used on Sony Viao somputers? You guessed it, Windows. CE was on every Dreamcast. This has nothing to do with fanboyism, which all of your comments are based on. Just real world facts and observations. You better hope mommy and daddy will give you an extra $50 bucks a year and allow you access to their credit card, otherwise your free online service will be free of online play. I hope you like staring at the pretty browser screen Sony comes up with, that's as far as you'll get with no money. Nintendo might actually be free to play, but it won't be anywhere near the expierience of Sony or Microsoft, and untimely lag could leave you flailing like a retard when trying to play Madden against someone else across the net. I'd rather pay for a sound, mainly lag free expierience with robust features such as Live, than have some trimmed down, barebones game service that lags and is not all that great to use, like PC games often utilize. Oh, and by the way, I will be purchasing both systems when available, to sit along side my 360 and gaming PC. I am a fanboy, of games in general.

  • FATMAN87

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 12:12 pm PT

    "It should be noted, however, that Nintendo has not officially announced any pricing for its online service, other than that connecting to WiiConnect24 will be free."

    I hope that it is free.

  • St_Jakhole

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 11:48 am PT

    What I wanna know is when is Brawl coming out?? SSBB online is teh awesome!!

  • Pices

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 6:05 am PT

    go reggie..... nintendo is gonna rule the market

  • ATOMB

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 5:52 am PT

    How dare some one compare "N" to M.S. It will be just as good if not better. Sorry but if you are just going bash "N" then why comment at all.
    Downloadable games from
    N64
    SNES
    NES
    SEGA
    TURBO GRFX
    ECt.
    As well as downloadable content and online play. Man you must be a real MS fanboy to be that blind!
    - Oh Ya....and it's FREE!!!

  • PantsOfFury

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 5:08 am PT

    Anybody who thinks that Nintendo's and Sony's online services are going to be remotely comparable to XBOX Live as far as service goes are going to be greatly disappointed. Nintendo DS's wifi and Sony PSP's wifi have been greatly disappointing for me. Sure they're free, but there's essentially no such thing as a friends list or any kind of community to speak of.

    If I need a different friend code for everyone I normally play with for every single game, I just won't bother with online.

    Not to mention that if the connection lags (which it is bound to without any dedicated servers [Hey, somebody has to pay for those.]) and you're using the Wiimote, it will cause a LOT of confusion and/or unwanted movement/actions that you'll be too late to react to.

  • LanceK17

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 7:25 pm PT

    GO REGGIE AND OF COURSE, LIKE I ALWAYS SAY......... GO NINTENDO!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • morpheusnj

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 5:24 pm PT

    go nintendo...i like the WiFi thing...sure its not fancy but it will allow more players...and hopefully they will make it a little more fancy...

  • Picklechugger

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 12:54 pm PT

    I've heard that the Wii online service will be the same as the DS's. That would suck, all you would do would play the game online, no clans, and making friends and setting up tourneys would be hard.

  • wildsoul0509

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 8:48 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • jmac777

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 6:39 am PT

    Let me Stat this.....Nintendo (AS THEY USUALLY DO) has not let the cat out fo the bag yet....

    They have not revealed the details of there online service....

    I doubt that they would just make the online experiece reminescent to the NDS....

    THey have not revealed all the details of there online...

    WHAT IF THE ONLINE IS JUST LIKE XBOX LIVE....but free

    =P

  • McHenryz

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 5:14 am PT

    18273645 you are a special special child and dont let anyone tell you any different "I am sure that sony, a company with ten times more money than microsoft will make an online system that's, well, ten times better than Live.
    The reason Sony is making it Free is because Live isn't free" ,He says.
    Poor kid he tryed so hard to sound smart. I wonder does he know hes running microsoft windows.

  • slimdog360

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 2:03 am PT

    Reggie for president

  • AndyKaotik

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 11:39 pm PT

    I am super excited about the Wii, but a little concerned at their online approach. I hope it's a better experience than they have built on the DS. I hope there's ways to jump into online matches with people who aren't your friends, and then be able to "add" them as you see fit. I hope it's not done in the same way as the DS.

    Nintendo is all about making this FREE. However, XBOX LIVE is one of the best values out there. Their yearly fee is equal to one game ($49.99). I don't mind paying. For all the features you get, it's worth it. Given the choice between a bare bones, inconsistent online system that differs from game to game (ala DS) versus paying a yearly fee (ala XBOX LIVE), I would definitely choose to pay the fee!

  • coolal2000

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 10:08 pm PT

    no, you could still use the nintendo usb dongle i'm fairly certain... but either way just watch best buy and futureshop for a cheap noname router with a big mail in rebate ... thats what i did! router+usb dongle for laptop= 5 or 10 bucks, i forget

  • 092093

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 9:41 pm PT

    i wish i did not have 2 have a router... u do have 2 have a router dont u

  • ZphillyZ

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 8:26 pm PT

    Free online; kudos.

  • spitinthacoola

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 5:22 pm PT

    Dear 18273645,

    Please stop breathing.

    Thank you.

  • mall69

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 4:03 pm PT

    18273645......

    i'm not gonna post any replies to you after this, why....well, guess i have my reasons, chief among those being you don't have any clue what you're talking about and with each letter i type in this response, it hurts my head just a little bit more knowing that you're going to read it..possibly read it twice cause the first time didn't really stick..and then completely ignore what you've learned and return to running through your house with a broad, dopey smile, wearing a 'sony's my mom' t-shirt and more than likely a pair of super-hero underwear... maybe some super heroes the world's yet to hear of, like "Cross-Eyed Man and his trusty side-kick Dumb-boy".....
    maybe you'll be carrying a fudgesicle in each plumpy hand..who knows..point of this all is this, we're just not made for one another you know, i truly am sorry, but this just isn't going to work out for me, I have to move on...i'm sure you'll be ok, what with all the fantasies you have swirling through your head like a big cotton candy machine...like the one where you said that Sony has ten times more money than Microsoft so their online service will be ten times better....that might be true, if it just weren't for those pesky little web-sites like Forbes posting financial figures for the 2000 largest companies in the world. if only.....if only there were a way to disguise the fact that Microsoft raked in 13.06 billion in profits compared to sony's 1.5, or that Microsofts net worth is almost 280 billion and sony's is a paltry 47 billion.
    hey, i know, cover up those facts with your super hero undies.

  • bigredman3000

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 3:51 pm PT

    I believe in you nintendo

  • Zifhael

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 2:17 pm PT

    buckin crazy
    there is a difference between 14 cents A DAY and 14 cents A MONTH

    14 c times 30 or 31 is 4.34 a month, and yes, that IS a little low, its probably more like 30 or 40c a day, but that still isnt bad

    but you owuldnt get a bill for 14c buckin, it would be for 4.34, which is still not accurate, but that still doesnt help the fact that you made an idiotic statement without thinking

  • BVP16

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 11:19 am PT

    Now if we could just find out what games are going to have online

  • ragincoley86

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 9:46 am PT

    Sorry for the double post but....Wasnt nintendo saying that onine gaming fad was over? Now look at them.

  • gorillaz_13

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 9:42 am PT

    nice!

  • ragincoley86

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 9:41 am PT

    is reggie black?

  • buckincrazy

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 9:37 am PT

    Well the whole 14 pennies a day deal if a load of crap. I'm pretty sure no one would complain if they said "ok todays bill is due for a grand total of 14 pennies". That being said I do believe Xbox does it right with there online system but say you don't want all that extra crap and you just want to hop online and play some Kart maybe a 2 system deal would be a good idea one in which you pay for and get all that extra crap and one thats just free so you can just "hop online and play"

  • 18273645

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 9:36 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • DreganMK

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 8:52 am PT

    Go Go Nintendo Wii!!!

  • mall69

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 7:59 am PT

    18273645...said...

    ""Xbox 360 is screwed!
    Xbox Live is a great way to play online, but the idiots at microsoft are charging money for it! It isn't that hard to do!
    PS3 will no doubt have a better online system, and it will be FREE!
    And now the Wii also has FREE online gameplay!
    Microsoft is screwed if they don't make online play Free, and fast!""

    ....if you were any more of a tool, you'd be up someone's engine... there is absolutely no comparison between xbox live and the other console's attempts at online play. PS2 online is a nightmare, GameCube's...well... everyone know how that panned out. The reason for that my crusty minded backwards thinking little friend is this.... Microsoft charges you and the others don't. If the PS3 comes out without anything truely comparable to xbox live, they're gonna charge you... i don't care what they're saying now... they're gonna charge you. believe it. they tried going he opposite route this generation by offering a free online experience controlled by publishers and developers and look where it got'em.... a distant, telescopic second. No company is going to create an all inclusive, feature doped service like xbox live and not charge for it. It costs them money, allot of money, to keep it running smoothly and ensure it stays on top. Which is why, dimwit, they charge 14 cents...(you catch that...that's 14 cents, as in 14 pennies) a day to keep wired in.
    Honestly, if you think 14 pennies a day is too much to ask for an online service like xbox live, than maybe you should be reading books a walking dogs or making kool-aid instead of playing games. cause you just don't get it.

  • ThickMcRunfast

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 6:28 am PT

    Regarding free online play vs. paying, while Live's Robust system of online play will presumably be superior to the Wii's, considering that this is Nintendo's first go at online play and Live is a more well-funded, as implied below. However, the completely free DS online service, though simplistic (and, alternatively, convoluted regarding how you hook up with friends) gameplay-wise, it's an outstandingly fun and smooth experience. The PS2 online experience is laggy and unpolished not because of poor funding, but because of the nature of Sony's hardware. As an employee of a gaming store, I can tell you that we get more defective PS2's in, daily, than we will gamecubes, XBOX 1s, and XBOX 360's for an entire week. Sony's hardware is designed to fail, to be replaced after several years. This is true of their online servicce, as well. While the XBOX live system is undoubtedly going to continue to be the best, Nintendo has some decent experience, and they're doing a pretty good job, assuming that they 86 the friend-code thing, and stick with Live-style gamer profiles.

  • janco15

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 4:28 am PT

    can't go wrong with free online, nintendo please do screw this up....

  • jkr2krz

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 2:31 am PT

    You know I am for all consoles but seriously before you bash xbox live you do realize that your money goes into server matience, etc right? Many of those "Free" games you play on a ps2 suffer from major lag, little to no support, constant disconnects, the horror that is gamespy arcade etc. Not to say LIVE is perfect but it is a hell of a smoother exprience (except with fighthing games). So this now leaves the question.. why are people already screaming "free!!".?

    "It should be noted, however, that Nintendo has not officially announced any pricing for its online service, other than that connecting to WiiConnect24 will be free. As for paying for online gaming on the Wii, à la Microsoft's Xbox Live service, Fils-Aime's comments seem to imply that the feature will also be gratis.""

    This it self says that logging into the central "community" area is free (think xbox live silver) he only implicated that "playing" games will be free but never said it firmly and, well reggie's track record of implications..sucks.

    Should nintendo run the actual game servers this could be good if all turns out to be free. However If developers are left free to set up the game servers it can be as painful as ps2 games online. So far Konami, is one of the few companies that runs its servers rather well (MGS3S) and listens to users. Capcom comes in at a distant second (REutbreak series). When It comes to ps2 games. MIcrosoft has a major say in what goes on in it's LIVE realm thus things are usually good

    Personally I want this to be a all out war, because this only means MORE games that set out to be better then it's main competition and the only winners are gamers. However being this bold after the decent beating they took from MS and Sony has to either bring gold to nintendo or well .. Could get bad.

  • 18273645

    Posted Aug 17, 2006 11:26 pm PT

    Xbox 360 is screwed!
    Xbox Live is a great way to play online, but the idiots at microsoft are charging money for it! It isn't that hard to do!
    PS3 will no doubt have a better online system, and it will be FREE!
    And now the Wii also has FREE online gameplay!
    Microsoft is screwed if they don't make online play Free, and fast!

  • Tyaj

    Posted Aug 17, 2006 11:26 pm PT

    Cant go wrong with Mario. Guess I'll need some time to do some arm swinging after sitting all stiff on my butt playing Playstation and X-Box.

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