According to an interview with the Japan Economic Foundation's Japan Spotlight Bimonthly publication, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has stated that online games aren't in demand. Comparing the Minna no Golf Online (Hot Shot Golf) to its offline counterpart, Minna no Golf 4, Satoru noted that sales were less, offering it as "proof that users don't want online games." The president added that "most users don't want a monthly subscription system," and that "procedures [to play online games] are not easy."

However, the "procedures" that "are not easy" may only be a reference to Japan--it is important to note that online transactions are more difficult in Japan, as there are more stringent restrictions on paying by credit card. Also, Japanese online services, especially mobile phones, are a lot more fee-based, making them more of a hassle than in the States, where more and more services are offered for free (content downloads, add-ons, plugins, etc). Although the company launched a modem and broadband adapter for its GameCube console, it has not developed any of its own online titles, with Phantasy Star Online being the only notable third-party online game for the console.

News source: GamePro

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Best known for blockbuster hits including the Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo series, Blizzard Entertainment (www.blizzard.com), a division of Vivendi Universal Games, is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating many of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard’s track record includes eight #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s free Internet gaming service Battle.net® reigns as the largest in the world, with millions of active users.


There are 27 additional comments
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(2 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #1 Posted by ABC½ on 07 Jul 2004 - 22:03
Online game on console? Count me out for sure. Developper will get lazy. Just remember "Ninja Gaiden" for xBox, where you need to download a patch to enjoy it.

Also, home console user never needed online features to get players playing with them. (R E A L L Y depends if you are a no-friends geek type) or (a G A M E R S without friends thinking he's cool and lies to himself),... Anyway,..

ABC and a half!
Quote this comment #1.1 Posted by XanDaMan on 07 Jul 2004 - 22:09
WTF are you on...

You dont have to download a patch to enjoy it!
Quote this comment #1.2 Posted by yert* on 08 Jul 2004 - 01:16
Yeah, wtf idiot. The Online **** you can dl now for Ninja Gaiden adds to the game, idiot. It was fine the way it came out
(2 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #2 Posted by andyboy2k2 on 07 Jul 2004 - 22:09
They're basing their decision to not make online games on some golf game that I've never even heard of? Hmmm...
Quote this comment #2.1 Posted by EugeneE3RD on 07 Jul 2004 - 22:19
I agree. Nintendo shouldn't claim that user's don't want online games just because one game didn't sell well. And an online golf game won't sell as much as an online RPG or online FPS. Online games are selling , just look at the popularity of PS2 online games & XBOX Live games.
Quote this comment #2.2 Posted by shao on 08 Jul 2004 - 08:32
in the grand scale of things they aren't THAT popular.
It's like comparing single player pc games with multiplayer.

really, as a gamer i don't want to have to pay to play a game online - especially when i've just bought the game. I buy a game on the pc, and generally (unless it's a mmo game such as planetside or anarcy online) i don't have to pay extra, or subscribe to a premium service such as xbox live to enjoy online play. It's just milking the money cow for every penny they can muster and i for one don't like it.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #3 Posted by bangbang023 on 07 Jul 2004 - 22:29
Don't want online games? What are they smoking? One of the biggest draws to games now is the availability of online play.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #4 Posted by ghos on 07 Jul 2004 - 22:36
I own a gamecube, and until recently I didn't have broadband. Even so it remains one of the sore points with the system that I can't get online. Mario Kart: DD for one would have rocked online. There are numerous other titles that would have benefited. I think Nintendo could have possibly been ahead of the Xbox if it had online available for more games.
Quote this comment #4.1 Posted by Caelamia on 08 Jul 2004 - 00:26
Heh, I take it none of you have heard of Warppipe for Gamecube or the GameSpy Tunnel for Xbox?

http://www.warppipe.com/
http://www.gamespyarcade.com/support/tunnel_xbox.shtml

There are also Phantasy Star Online Ep 1&2 / Ep 3 for GameCube, which are currently the only online games we can get over here in Europe.
(5 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #5 Posted by ABC½ on 08 Jul 2004 - 00:33
You guys are truly smoking crack, none of the console customer did buy a console for it's "online features", that would be rdiculous!

ABC and a half!
Quote this comment #5.1 Posted by yert* on 08 Jul 2004 - 01:17
I think a lot of people bought an Xbox for Xbox Live, just stfu idiot. Online gaming is great for multiplayer.

And what is wrong with being able to download new levels, maps in the future for your games? That's great.
Quote this comment #5.2 Posted by beardly on 08 Jul 2004 - 03:04
I bought my xbox solely for playing my video files over the network.
Quote this comment #5.3 Posted by ubugmetoo on 08 Jul 2004 - 06:38
I got a xbox for a cheap server and I also play Xbox Live.
Quote this comment #5.4 Posted by andyboy2k2 on 08 Jul 2004 - 12:25
You guys think that just possibly he's joking? Either that or extremely uninformed
Quote this comment #5.5 Posted by ubugmetoo on 08 Jul 2004 - 19:22
No he's smoking crack
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #6 Posted by Caelamia on 08 Jul 2004 - 00:37
Exactly. They are bonus features that new hardware has to be bought for. So in essence, the online capabilities are optional. If you don't want it, you don't opt in for it. I don't see the problem in that at all.

This goes for all 3 current generation consoles. The Dreamcast came Internet-ready, and was the first console to offer online connectivity.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #7 Posted by deck on 08 Jul 2004 - 03:34
I don't care much for online games... but I know that's where gaming is going. Nintendo is sendingg an ominous messageby suggesting that online games aren't in demand. Even I know that Xbox live is actually pretty good. Good luck to them.

~D
Quote this comment #7.1 Posted by Starman on 08 Jul 2004 - 12:37
Uh, you're wrong. The Atari 2600 had an online option.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #8 Posted by SecretAgentMan on 08 Jul 2004 - 05:58
Nintendo needs a new President.
Quote this comment #8.1 Posted by sadatkarim on 08 Jul 2004 - 16:34
Aye..this guy is....meh..
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #9 Posted by fLEx7325 on 08 Jul 2004 - 06:18
Come on Nintendo!
Nintendo needs to stop basing the gaming industry on their own opinions and take the Gamer's opinions. I for one don't have xbox live, but feel like I need it after hearing about how fun Spinter Cell 2 and R6 is. Yeah, I agree that monthly fees are a hassle, but they should at least give it more thought I think Nintendo is showing some arrogance right now. Come on Nintendo, I thought you were all about the gamers!
Quote this comment #9.1 Posted by ubugmetoo on 08 Jul 2004 - 06:34
No just the 8 year old gamers that can't pay for the online fee themselves.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #10 Posted by paulhaskew on 08 Jul 2004 - 14:49
As much as I love my Nintendo, this guy is smokin' something...

HelLO, ever heard the term, BrOaDBand? People play games online all the time, just look at XBOX and PS2... man this guy is a real weiner... he is going to run the company into the ground
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #11 Posted by threetonesun on 08 Jul 2004 - 16:36
Console games suck online, and having to pay extra for a service when broadband is already ~$50 a month is insane. Considering the PS2 is the biggest console, and some crazy number of people don't even know it plays games, I think Nintendo is right in saying online console games are a niche market.
Quote this comment #11.1 Posted by Starman on 08 Jul 2004 - 17:24
Yeah, that's why Xbox Live is so unsuccessful
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #12 Posted by Schuyler on 08 Jul 2004 - 21:10
online games are the fututre for consoles and nintendo just needs to realize that. and downloadable content its awesome! how could anyone say they dont like adding new content to already awesome games?!
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #13 Posted by Dz_Rascal on 09 Jul 2004 - 00:25
Ps2 is great online, no fees execpt the game and adaptor which comes with network disk then just play away no worrying about when you rnext bill is due .

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