There's a recent Q&A with Capcom's Director of Strategic Planning & Research, Christian Svensson, in which he discusses the company's success in the West, talks about Resident Evil 4 on the Wii, and the simultaneous release of Puzzle Fighter on the Playstation Network and Xbox Live.
What we'd like to discuss, however, is a very interesting slice of information regarding Nintendo's online presence, specifically with regards to offering downloadable original content.
In the most straightforward of terms, it's certainly a possiblity, one that Capcom are definitely considering. In the interview, Svensson states that "it's going to happen," and right now, it's a case of somebody at Nintendo's end turning on the "spigot" to make it happen. Awesome, we all know how quick Ninty are to get their online crap together.
It would appear that downloadable content for the Virtual Console is in the "when" stage, not the "if." This would certainly be a coup for the VC that offers nothing but straight up emulation in the face of enhanced classics and original content that Sony and Microsoft currently provide.
Turn on the spigot and hit the jump for Svensson's full thoughts on the matter.
On Downloadable Wii Games
Do you know anything yet about downloadable original content on the Wii?
CS: We know a lot about that. There are some file size limitations that don't dovetail well with what we've currently got on PS3 and Xbox 360. I would love to put the content that we have on the Wii, and I think it's a great audience for the type of content, especially for Street Fighter and Puzzle Fighter. We're still thinking about ways that we can get that content to them, perhaps not downloaded, but perhaps with a consolidated retail SKU. We're still just tossing around ideas in our head.
But downloadable original content is possible? It's been hinted that it's possible, but it's still not coming yet.
CS: It's possible. I think you'll have to talk more to Nintendo about that. It's not a technical limitation thing, though. We're certainly going to be able to deliver. It's really more of them getting their process in place for approvals and their pipeline in place.
I know they have loads of people who want to make content, but I think it's a matter of some people turning on the spigot. We've been asked about bringing our stuff over. It's going to happen. Once that spigot is opened and the floodgates are unleashed, I'm sure you'll see loads of it.
Spigot is Bill Cosby's secret word this week.
Contest:
2:45 PM on 05.17.2007
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Cause I hear about all these independent game companies coming out with interesting games, but I they never see the light of day because no company wants to pick them up.
And when talking about originality and crazy Bill Cosby mask wearing submarine captains you don't have to look too far with the Wii. But it'll most likely be another four quarters for Nintendo to dip their feet into that pool. I mean they're just taking their first baby steps into the online market now.
I'm okay with the NES ports the VC is putting out.
Where's our Contra on that one?
Not sure about that, they already have the infrastructure in place to deliver that content to the consumer, all they need to do is set up a system to choose and license those original DL's from their devs. I mean, shouldn't anyone with a WiiDevkit be able to code DL games just like any other disc game? The lack of technical hurdles to jump could mean a new revenue stream for the big N right away. And what do we know (and hear over and over and over from a select few) about Nintendo's "new-gen" console and it's relationship with the mighty mighty dollar?
Like I keep saying about everything Wii though, I'm hoping for the big first party stuff in the second half of the gear to raise the profile and really kick everything into gear. A big dev. like Capcom would be perfect to rampage through the floodgates and blow them wide open. Someone at Nintendo needs to pay attention to this and start building them some kind of jet powered snowplough.
yeah I go there every now and then, but I meant more of a downloadable service. I find that playing on wiicade.com and other flash sites the lag really screws up the gameplay (games like Flow and other bigger sized .swfs)
That would be amazing...I freakin love that guy..his recent bit with the 32X is priceless.
Actually it needs more Pokeyman. You know, with the pokey and the man and the guy comes out of the thing. But it won't happen. These kids today, they listen to the rap music, which gives them the brain damage, with the hippin and and a hoppin and a bippin and a boppin, so they don't know what the jazz is all about. You see?