New "Nintendo Channel" on Wii to provide ads and DS demos [update]
Written by Dan Zuccarelli   
Wednesday, 07 May 2008 04:12
[Update: As noted in the comments below, it seems that you have to enable the data sharing to access the demos. Hopefully there's a way around this... if not that's a real shame since I won't be sharing my playing habits with Nintendo just to get some demos.]

So I woke up this morning to find my Wii illuminated by the soft blue glow of the disc slot and had no clue why. So after powering it up I come to find out that Nintendo has a new channel for us, un-ironically titled "Nintendo Channel." I haven't had a ton of time to dig through it yet, but looks like it's filled with product info all about the new releases and upcoming Nintendo 1st & 3rd party titles. I did see a video with Miyamoto all about Wii Fit so that opens up some interesting possibilities in the future.

It's very similar to that "Inside Xbox" thing on the 360 that I've looked at once.

From Nintendo: "The Nintendo Channel allows you to search and review the latest product information on software titles for both Wii and Nintendo DS. Additional features allow you to download demos of DS software to your Nintendo DS, and a polling feature will tabulate user opinions, making it easier to search for games that are best suited for you."

The most exciting part is the apparent ability to download DS demos from the Wii to the DS, it's a service I'll be using a great deal!

Of course there seems to be a downside to, or at least a potential one. When I first booted up the channel I had to opt out of having them send ads to the Wii message board, which means if you don't opt out you're basically asking Nintendo to spam your Wii with ads about games you surely already know about. You also have the option of allowing your "game play statistics" to be sent back to Nintendo.... for some vague reason.

I dunno, I opted out of both... no harm, no foul I suppose.


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Comments (21)Add Comment
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written by swiftwulf, May 07, 2008
Bah, just messed around with it and you need to have the data sharing on to be able to get the DS demos. Lame.
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written by Xerxes3rd, May 07, 2008
The DS demos weren't as easy to find as I hoped, but I tried one and it worked like a champ. Hopefully they release a wide range of demos!
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written by Dan Zuccarelli, May 07, 2008
"Bah, just messed around with it and you need to have the data sharing on to be able to get the DS demos. Lame."

Ugh, that's a massive fail on their part.
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written by Sickr, May 07, 2008
I can see the news and informational part of this channel benefiting would be 'casual gamers' who currently wouldn't be exposed to upcoming releases. As far as updates go though this is certainly a worthy addition to a set of lacklustre channels. Let's just hope Nintendo don't take too long with a European release.
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written by rdaneel72, May 07, 2008
“Bah, just messed around with it and you need to have the data sharing on to be able to get the DS demos. Lame.”

"Ugh, that’s a massive fail on their part."



Yes, this is marketing research for Nintendo to see what games people are playing (and what kind of TVs they are playing them on), disguised as a friendly service that recommends games you might also enjoy.

Why is this a failure? Is this not a similar feature of Xbox Live? Achievements and gamerscores and such? I don't have an Xbox, so I am just guessing from online heresay, but it sounds like the very essence of Xbox Live revolves around sharing your game-playing habits with the rest of the community. And you know MS uses that data for market research in much the same way Nintendo will.

So what's the difference? I can see not wanting spam messages, but data-sharing is a small price to pay for a DS demo station in your house.
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written by Dan Zuccarelli, May 07, 2008
It's a fail because I have to share information to get the demos, plain and simple. That's MY choice of whether or not to share private data.... and to make you fork it over to get access to demos of their games (which lead me to spend money on them) is asking to much.

That's my opinion, but I'm not surprised at your take on it.

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written by rdaneel72, May 07, 2008
But how different from Xbox Live? Do you choose to share your data with MS? Do you have a choice? Or is it a cost/benefit? More benefits to sharing your data on Xbox Live than DS demos?

Seems weird that you wouldn't want nintendo to know what games you're playing.
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written by Dan Zuccarelli, May 07, 2008
There are a ton of more benefits to the XBL system, so there's definitely a cost/benefit ratio. It's also different that asking someone to "opt" in in order to get access to what should be free content.

I have no problem with them getting marketing data, but withholding content that would make them sales to get it is just misguided on their part.

Case in point, I was excited this morning about it, but will now never use the service now that I know what they want out of me in return.
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written by Xav @ X3F, May 07, 2008
With Xbox Live you can opt out of all marketing offers they have and still have access to the content. That's the major difference.

This is akin to EA requiring people to participate in marketing programs for weapons in Battlefield: Bad Company.

Don't opt in you don't get the content.
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written by rdaneel72, May 07, 2008
I thought that data-sharing was used to make recomendations of other games you might like to purchase, but it sounds like the DS demos are all the same; they are not specialized to your tastes based on data you share with Nintendo.

So, yeah, I agree that it is lame.

Can't they snake that data off my Wii anyway, without asking? Isn't that part of the initial licensing agreement you agree to when you first connect to WFC? Withholding content because you wouldn't agree to allow them to do something they are probably doing anyway seems kind of harsh. You have to WANT to let them snake your data.
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written by rdaneel72, May 07, 2008
OK, I saw a video on Kotaku that shows in black and white that the DS demo downloads are a "thank you" from Nintendo for allowing them to mine your game data. So, you have to pay the price of sharing your data for the reward of getting DS demo downloads. But is this withholding content from those who opt out, or rewarding those who opt in?

Kind of like a silver or gold Live account. If you pay the $50 price, you get the reward of online play. Live isn't withholding content from silver accounts. And MS still mines your data either way.

So is this a huge deal? Or just another reason to hate the Wii?
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written by Xerxes3rd, May 07, 2008
I'm curious; is there any way to get on Xbox Live without submitting to it your gamerscore and achievements? I suspect there is not; in essence, Nintendo is actually doing the same thing Microsoft is, but they're actually giving you a choice. Had they stated in the EULA (or equivalent license agreement) for the Nintendo Channel that "by consenting to use this software, data about your gaming habits collected by your Wii console will automatically be sent to Nintendo" I doubt there would be as much uproar.

Honestly, I have no problem submitting my play data to them, as it's likely very similar to the data that gets sent to Microsoft. Keep in mind that with the Nintendo Channel, you can opt out of the marketing and still get full access to everything.
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written by rdaneel72, May 07, 2008
"Keep in mind that with the Nintendo Channel, you can opt out of the marketing and still get full access to everything."

No, you have to enable data sharing to have access to DS demo downloads. But the question is...are they withholding content from people who opt out, or rewarding people who opt in?
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written by Xerxes3rd, May 07, 2008
Right, there are two opt-in-opt-out situations with the service; the first is whether or not you wish to receive marketing material from Nintendo, and the second is whether or not you wish to send play data to Nintendo. Opting in or out of the first makes no difference to your ability to play the DS demos; if you opt out of the second, you won't get access.

"[. . .]are they withholding content from people who opt out, or rewarding people who opt in?"

The answer here is purely based on one's standpoint, as there's no "default" selection for opting in or out.

P.S.- I hope BBCode works in these posts; if not, ignore the attempt at making bold words. =)
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written by rdaneel72, May 07, 2008
The data sharing for DS demos is the issue.

Me, I'm a fanboy and Nintendo can do no wrong, so I don't mind opting in. But I have to wonder if requiring data sharing for DS demos is really a massive failure. I'm making analogies to Live, which is pretty popular on this site. Seems like being outraged over data sharing for DS demos is an over-reaction. The demos are a reward for opting in; lack of demos is not a punishment for opting out.
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written by Xerxes3rd, May 07, 2008
I agree partially with rdaneel; Live (and I'm guessing PSN) automatically grabs your play data if you use the service at all- opting out is equivalent to not using it. Swiftwulf pointed out to me that Valve, on the other hand, allows full access to Steam stuff even if you choose to opt out of sending your play data. =)

The point I disagree with you on is the demos being a reward for opting in. The reason I disagree is that the demos are marketed as a feature of the Nintendo Channel, NOT as a bonus for giving them information. Evidence of this is here:

http://www.nintendo.com/wii/channels/nintendochannel

From the page, "Using the DS Download Service, you can download game demos and additional game data on to your Nintendo DS. Choose a game demo, select 'DS Download Play' on your Nintendo DS, and moments later you’ll be playing the latest game demos."

If this wasn't meant to be a feature available by default from the service, they should have added a disclaimer which stated that it would only available if you allow Nintendo to gain access to your play data.
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written by Xerxes3rd, May 07, 2008
P.S.- I would like to rescind my statement "the answer here [to the question about opting in being a reward or opting out being a punishment] is purely based on one’s standpoint, as there’s no “default” selection for opting in or out" as my opinion has changed due to further research.
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written by Dan Zuccarelli, May 08, 2008
"So is this a huge deal? Or just another reason to hate the Wii?"

That comment right there is why I refuse to have a conversation with you about this.

Where were you when we were talking up Mario Kart?
Where were you when I tried to get a Mario Kart Tourny going?

Totally silent. It seems you only like to pop up and chime in when anyone says anything bad about Nintendo, and act like we're some how oppressing you cause I say something you don't like.

You troll for negativity, and just ignore anything that doesn't fit into your desire to argue with people that disagree with you.
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written by rdaneel72, May 08, 2008
I don't have Mario Kart.

This was an interesting topic to me. Your distaste over the data sharing seems rather reactionary, as if Nintendo is doing something evil that no other company does.

As for negative comments, I still recall a jab in a podcast about Smash Bros. fans not being allowed to stay up late enough for a midnight launch. It's all in good fun. I'm not attacking others for their console choice. Sorry you are so offended.
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written by Jim Squires, May 08, 2008
In Dan's defense, I made that jab. I've also called out the Pope, minorities, and our elven overlords in my tenure with the site.

And Dan -- I've been having a really hard time restraining myself from making this comment, but I just have to. K - here goes.

Your stance on this subject is uniquely American.

There. I said it. Everyone appreciates their privacy, but Americans do so on a level that is completely foreign to me. I'm not trying to pick a fight, but since I really don't understand I have to ask -- why wouldn't you be willing to share your gaming data with Nintendo? What could it hurt?

While I totally agree that it's kind of bullshit that you can't get DS demos without doing it, I fail to see why you wouldn't. It's not like they're going to start printing Zuccarelli passports in Kyoto and send over an army of Japanese imposters to destroy your credit rating and get Christmas presents from your mom.

The only thing that will come of their collecting data is something rather beneficial for the industry -- by understanding the habits of a cross-section of the gaming public, Nintendo can better plan it's future to include our wants and needs. By opting out you're just putting more power in the hands of soccer moms and bargain-bin shoppers.

But I'm just a naive Canadian, so what do I know? smilies/tongue.gif
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written by Xerxes3rd, May 08, 2008
@Jim: It's not the little bits of information that worry us; it's the thought of someone collecting all the little bits. However, I think Dan's issue with the situation is more a matter of principle than of privacy.

"Your stance on this subject is uniquely American."

Ask someone who lived in Soviet Russia about how he or she values privacy. =)

Lastly, after reading about what data actually gets sent to Nintendo, I'm glad to enable the option- the more people Nintendo sees with settings like "480p Widescreen," the better.

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