Full game downloads... game changer?

This has been increasingly common on the other platforms, but for Nintendo this is a recent phenomenon, and Wii U will be the first of their consoles to do it. Might the digital option finally remove this little problem we have in North America of Reggie not wanting to let us have interesting/niche games? He doesn't feel sure about publishing a Fatal Frame game on Wii U? Fine, just throw it up for digital purchase only for NA. Maybe, just MAYBE, we won't have to beg for a better variety in available games now? Would be nice.

No, it wont make a difference.

There's still a lot of work like localization and licensing when you take a game from one region to another even if they speak the same language.

This doesn't change anything going forward.

No, it wont make a difference.

There's still a lot of work like localization and licensing when you take a game from one region to another even if they speak the same language.

This doesn't change anything going forward.

Jaysonguy

No, it wont make a difference.

There's still a lot of work like localization and licensing when you take a game from one region to another even if they speak the same language.

This doesn't change anything going forward.

Jaysonguy

No, it wont make a difference.

There's still a lot of work like localization and licensing when you take a game from one region to another even if they speak the same language.

This doesn't change anything going forward.

Jaysonguy

This has been increasingly common on the other platforms, but for Nintendo this is a recent phenomenon, and Wii U will be the first of their consoles to do it. Might the digital option finally remove this little problem we have in North America of Reggie not wanting to let us have interesting/niche games? He doesn't feel sure about publishing a Fatal Frame game on Wii U? Fine, just throw it up for digital purchase only for NA. Maybe, just MAYBE, we won't have to beg for a better variety in available games now? Would be nice.

SteveTabernacle

It is a game changer for me because my 4 year old son is really into the Wii lately and despite by best attempts to watch/help him, he was managed to destroy 2 copies of Wii Sports Resort as well as Wii Sports and Wii Play. Meanwhile, my Blu-rays still look like new.

I can't handle any more destroyed discs and would prefer digital downloads. Although, I only reserved the 8 gig so I hope it is quick and easy and reasonably priced to upgrade storage space.

I only reserved the 8 gig so I hope it is quick and easy and reasonably priced to upgrade storage space.ZIMdoom

No, it wont make a difference.

There's still a lot of work like localization and licensing when you take a game from one region to another even if they speak the same language.

This doesn't change anything going forward.

Jaysonguy

[QUOTE="ZIMdoom"]I only reserved the 8 gig so I hope it is quick and easy and reasonably priced to upgrade storage space.SteveTabernacle

I've already got an external Hdd so I'm set. Thanks.

[QUOTE="SteveTabernacle"][QUOTE="ZIMdoom"]I only reserved the 8 gig so I hope it is quick and easy and reasonably priced to upgrade storage space.ZIMdoom

I've already got an external Hdd so I'm set. Thanks.

Having full downloads on the eShop won't eliminate problems with localizing content.

Those titles are still going to have to be sold at retail to avoid putting one part of the audience at a disadvantage. Many Wii U owners are going to purchase the 8GB model and many of those users are not going to invest in external storage, limiting their chances of downloading games - as sizes for games this generation can be quite big. On top of that, there's the part of the audience that is unwilling to adapt to the digital age that will want retail copies.

Even if what I said above doesn't happen, the costs associated with distribution from retail channels is going to be replaced by costs of localization (voice work, translation, etc), plus marketing and maintaing the title on the digital store front -- all of which might not be worth wild if 500,000 people are interested, with only 250,000 investing.