Nintendo + AOL = ?

2003-09-18 06:55:23 pm

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Ready and willing.

This has come to my attention via another board, and I'd thought you guys might like to know. Afterwards is my response.

September 10, 2003 - Nintendo of America today told IGNcube that it has reached an agreement with America Online by which the Internet provider will become the official preferred ISP for GameCube.
According to the agreement, developers who choose to create online games for GameCube will be licensed AOL connectivity software that will enable their games to connect online through AOL. Nintendo stated that this same rule would apply to any potential online GameCube software it decided to create in the future.

The company reaffirmed that as of yet it is not developing any online games for GameCube. It stated: "To be clear, this does not indicate the unveiling of a new online gaming approach from Nintendo. Nor does it signify that we have changed our position on the current business viability in the online console gaming field."

Nintendo said that as part of the agreement many of its products would be spotlighted on key AOL and AOL Time Warner websites and that the two companies are discussing means of promoting AOL's new broadband service, including the possibility of bundling AOL demo discs with the GameCube. [AAAAH! PLEASE! NO!!!!! <-- that's me, Yoshi348]

IGNcube will follow up on this story throughout the day. Stay tuned for more details.
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mm... It sounds bad, but it's also setting off my anti-blanket statements radar. AOL's bad because of the coddling nature of the service and the sheer amount of vistors going for limited lines. Is it just like, we're gonna use your infastructure or something? I mean, I wouldn't automatically dismiss AOL's infrastructre as bad, and who gets the customer service stuff?

Tell you one thing, though. It's not exactly the best publicity in the world. We were the freedom fighters before this...

Thread title:

This has come to my attention via another board, and I'd thought you guys might like to know. Afterwards is my response.

September 10, 2003 - Nintendo of America today told IGNcube that it has reached an agreement with America Online by which the Internet provider will become the official preferred ISP for GameCube. 
According to the agreement, developers who choose to create online games for GameCube will be licensed AOL connectivity software that will enable their games to connect online through AOL. Nintendo stated that this same rule would apply to any potential online GameCube software it decided to create in the future.

The company reaffirmed that as of yet it is not developing any online games for GameCube. It stated: "To be clear, this does not indicate the unveiling of a new online gaming approach from Nintendo. Nor does it signify that we have changed our position on the current business viability in the online console gaming field."

Nintendo said that as part of the agreement many of its products would be spotlighted on key AOL and AOL Time Warner websites and that the two companies are discussing means of promoting AOL's new broadband service, including the possibility of bundling AOL demo discs with the GameCube. [AAAAH! PLEASE! NO!!!!! <-- that's me, Yoshi348]

IGNcube will follow up on this story throughout the day. Stay tuned for more details.
-----
mm... It sounds bad, but it's also setting off my anti-blanket statements radar. AOL's bad because of the coddling nature of the service and the sheer amount of vistors going for limited lines. Is it just like, we're gonna use your infastructure or something? I mean, I wouldn't automatically dismiss AOL's infrastructre as bad, and who gets the customer service stuff?

Tell you one thing, though. It's not exactly the best publicity in the world. We were the freedom fighters before this...

el jacko

2003-09-18 10:31:45 pm

I use the argument that there IS no Nintendo game to put online. Obviously this will change, but even Nintendo's not thickheaded or greedy enough (esp. now) to make it AOL-exclusive period. At least, I hope not.

Chaos

2003-09-19 01:03:42 am

The last thing we need is more aol cds... <rant>AOL Timewarner is one of the biggest companies in the US, but they still put popups on official AOL websites . What the hell is up with that?</rant>

Anyways, I dont see that as a very good move for Nintendo. AOL makes internet service designed for retards, hence we can assume they will make a gaming service designed for retards. Can anyone say redunant menus and crappy service? Example of stupidity: AOL is the only company I know that makes their free product better then the one you actually pay for (The version of AIM built into the AOL browser sucks very bad).

Banks

2003-09-19 03:05:32 am

Hey, as long as Nintendo finally puts its hat into the online ring, regardless of who it's with, it makes me happy.

It was bound to happen; One can only play so much single player before a game gets tiresome. I welcome this exchange and can't wait for the 3rd party developers to give us the goods for the online market :D

You guys forget that AOL is trying to sharpen its image. I was recently at one of those nintedo fan sites and they had pop up questions regarding how we perceive AOL as a company, i.e. "Do we see them as a company for beginning internet users?" They are indeed trying to sharpen their image by offering broadband services and such. Just because they're hosting the online games doesn't mean you must subscribe to their service (barring monthly charges a`la X-Box Live). Paying for two internet connections would just be stupid =p

Chaos

2003-09-19 03:15:04 am

Well, you have a point. Bundling AOL CDs would be senseless if you had to sign up for AOL anyways. But I agree with you, as long as Nintendo goes online, I'll be happy. Just make sure AOL doesnt do anything but host.

Banks

2003-09-19 03:19:24 am

Hehe, next thing you know the yellow stick figure AOL guy from the t.v. and internet ads will be included in the next Super Smash Brothers Game o_O

AOL, PUNCH!

loki555

2003-09-22 01:26:04 am

Im a sniper,got a problem?

Quote from Banks:

Hehe, next thing you know the yellow stick figure AOL guy from the t.v. and internet ads will be included in the next Super Smash Brothers Game o_O

AOL, PUNCH!

Or worse,Disconnection Kick :D :D :D :D :D :D :P

nate

2003-09-23 09:45:20 am

about their image recovery program, it seems to me that aol has been taken over by the time warner executives they once took over, i.e. all the aol staff has quit and time warner is now going to actually retire the aol name, and hopefully retire what the aol name has stood for (source: http://theregister.com/content/6/32893.html )

InnerDemon

2003-09-23 10:41:49 am

Heh, not that I consider playing a GC online, the only console I am considering to do so with is the PS2, and only if RE:Outbreak PAL is internet compatible.

Banks

2003-09-23 03:17:19 pm

You'll change your tune if they make Mario Kart: Double Dash online for both Racing AND battling! Wink

agent50560

2003-09-27 09:19:09 pm

Think of what could happen!
*online chat via gamecube*
Mario13: lol
Luigi21: u suk!1111
Mario13: naaaa!
Mario13: i rok11111
Luigi21: o ya????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????!
Mario13: ya
Luigi21: i bet i cod bet u in mario gulf!!!!11111!!!!!!!!1111111111111
Mario13: no, id bet u111111111111111111111111
*etc*

Shocked