Extra Wii not free?

Webwide speculation is rife since Game Informer magazine published it's latest interview with Reggie "kick ass, take names" Fils-Aime. During the interview, the Nintendo of America president drip-fed the world a few more details regarding Wii's online system, WiiConnect24.

The most important information he shared is the following hint about add-ons to finished games:
"If you've gotten to a particular part in a game, we could push content out to you, so you get to battle a new boss. Maybe you get a new artefact; maybe you get a new weapon...that's just one example"

We already know that WiiConnect24 can receive content from developers via the Internet, even when not in use, which could be what Reggie means by 'pushing' content out to gamers, but it is now questionable whether or not it will be free.

When questioned on the possibility of microtransactions, like those that allow Xbox Live owners to buy new content, Mr Fils-Aime answered:
"All of that is possible with what it is we are trying to do. If our licensee partners want to go in that direction, it's certainly possible in our system."

The idea of paying for add-ons isn't that surprising; it's already been made clear that games downloaded from the Virtual Console will cost money, though no prices have been suggested yet. It is a little disappointing, however, considering that the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi connection gives handheld gamers online multiplayer action for free.

Charging for extra content would certainly be appealing to third parties. In the PC market, releasing expansion packs a few months after the release of a game makes a tidy profit. It's unlikely that any will feel compelled to offer the same to console owners for free.

Hopefully, the range and quality of available add-ons will compensate for the cost of Wii downloads. If Reggie's words are anything to go by, the system certainly has a lot of potential. Imagine downloading an extra dungeon in a future Zelda title, or upgrades for Samus' cannon. Developers could even offer demos or episodic expansion packs, similar to the Half Life Episodes.

However, the possibilities for the add-ons and extra content are both a blessing and a curse. It's more than possible that developers could charge for downloads that serve as nothing more than a novelty, or that only make an aesthetic difference to the game. Worse still is the idea that critical weapons or entire levels could be withheld from the released games, simply so that companies can charge for them later.

Pessimism aside, at least we have learned more about WiiConnect24 and imagining what will be available to download, whatever the price, is enough to cause any gamers' eyes to glaze over.

Other than talk of Wii's online system, Reggie Fils-Aime mentioned why he thinks Wii could find a home with more gamers than GameCube.
"Our focus is on a substantially higher base than we achieved with GameCube. We think that our strategy in terms of great core gamer games, expanded audience games should allow us to achieve that. Plus, with the stellar third-party support we're getting, really, right at launch, that's another major difference from what we did with GameCube."

The full interview can be read in the latest issue of Game Informer magazine.

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