Gamasutra: Nintendo's new indie friendly eShop stance

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deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20

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#1 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts

And System Warriors, your Sheep King charizard1605 is here to educate you some more.

Just earlier today, there was some misinformation about Nintendo's stance towards indie developers, which admittedly has been supremely poor in the past. However, Nintendo have turned over a new leafe with the eShop, and would you look at that, today, Gamasutra posted an interview that outlines just this new stance. Some choice excerpts for you:

GS: In the past, you've required developers to have an office, but many indies work from home or are individuals. Is this policy changing?

DA: So that second requirement -- the ability to keep confidential materials secure -- was originally defined in terms of an office that was separate from the home. Back when that rule was created, that seemed to be an appropriate way of defining things.

As you point out, more and more people are working from home, and we recognize that developers are forming virtual teams around the world. I know we've shied away from talking about these things publicly in the past, so I'm glad that I can officially confirm that the office requirement is a thing of the past.

GS: I've heard from developers that to publish on your services, they need an address in the territory in question, for example a Japanese address. I've even heard that Canadian developers need a U.S. address to publish in the U.S. Can you explain what's going on here?

Anyone from any country can make their games available on the eShop within the NOA and NOE region -- i.e., pretty much everywhere outside of Japan.

GS: Steam is the obvious market leader here. Developers are used to Valve's functionality, like sales, preorders, preloads, and painless patching. Can you talk about your plans around these four aspects of your service?

DA: Developers set their own pricing for their Wii U and Nintendo 3DS content. As one example, Little Inferno launched at $14.99. They did a sale for $9.99, and it went so well, they decided to make that price change permanent. It's completely in their control.

Updating games is also fairly straightforward. If they find an issue they need to fix, they can. In terms of other Nintendo eShop functionality, there's a dedicated team working through a roadmap of new features. We'll be able to announce those as they get closer to release.

GS: What kind of outreach are you doing on the tools side, since Nintendo platforms require custom dev kits?

DA: Dev kits are actually not all that expensive. They're about the price of a high-end PC. Nothing that should be a showstopper for anyone.

There are a number of really exciting things going on in this space right now. We recently announced that we're providing Unity Pro 4 for Wii U to licensed developers at no added cost. So if a developer is currently working on a game in Unity and has a Wii U dev kit, it should be super easy to bring that game over to the Wii U console -- and not just do a straight port but also take advantage of any features of the console they want, like motion controls, Miiverse or of course the second-screen GamePad controller. Or vice versa -- making a game for Wii U and then going to other platforms should also be seamless.

In addition, at GDC we're going to be talking about some new tools we're rolling out for developers to use HTML5 and JavaScript to make games. The thing I'm most excited about for this is how easy it is to prototype new game ideas to find the fun quickly and easily.

Openly courting indie developers, lowering barriers for entry, reducing royalties, working with them and assisting them with development tools, giving them complete control over the price, working with them to improve the eShop's layout, not charging them for patches... looks like Nintendo really did learn from WiiWare and DSiWare. It seems to have a great indie developer policy now, one that seems to mirror Sony's indie friendly stance, and seems to be miles ahead of Microsoft's sh*tty indie policies.

SOURCE

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ConanTheStoner

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#2 ConanTheStoner
Member since 2011 • 23830 Posts

tl'dr

only Sony gets Indie love.

lastcrusade1694yl0.jpg

SDC, better luck next gen sheeple.

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AznbkdX

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#3 AznbkdX
Member since 2012 • 4284 Posts

Well thats good.

Hopefully we get more of that love, since indy games are shaping up to be one of my largest time wasters nowadays.

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campzor

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#4 campzor
Member since 2004 • 34932 Posts
  thought this was appropriate Also...u know u r in trouble when the VITA is getting more support than you lol
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rjdofu

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#5 rjdofu
Member since 2008 • 9171 Posts
[QUOTE="campzor"]  thought this was appropriate Also...u know u r in trouble when the VITA is getting more support than you lol

Phil Fish sucks tho.
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AznbkdX

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#6 AznbkdX
Member since 2012 • 4284 Posts

  thought this was appropriate Also...u know u r in trouble when the VITA is getting more support than you lolcampzor

Well if we are going by the above statements in OP, this guy is full of it imo. Not everyone can like their practices even if they have remedied most of their issues though.

The quality control portion of their policy (had to have made one game already for any platform) may raise concern for some indy artists but in the end I think its a pretty novel idea.

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Obviously_Right

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#7 Obviously_Right
Member since 2011 • 5331 Posts

Copying Sony again? Nintendo have no shame.

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LegatoSkyheart

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#8 LegatoSkyheart
Member since 2009 • 29733 Posts

We've heard this before. I think it's only because of Phil Fish not knowing what he's talking about are we seeing these.

Watch, Team Meat will come back talking how they couldn't get binding of issac on 3DS and refuse to put any of their games on WiiU, but neglect to mention Nintendo came to THEM to make Super Meat Boy.

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finalstar2007

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#9 finalstar2007
Member since 2008 • 27952 Posts

You can do it Milktendo!

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rjdofu

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#10 rjdofu
Member since 2008 • 9171 Posts

You can do it Milktendo!

finalstar2007
:lol:
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PCgameruk

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#11 PCgameruk
Member since 2012 • 2273 Posts

Wait wait wait! Wii U has internet?:o

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Crazyguy105

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#12 Crazyguy105
Member since 2009 • 9513 Posts

You can do it Milktendo!

finalstar2007

you buy each CoD released yearly. you can't bash someone for milking. LOL

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GamingGod999

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#13 GamingGod999
Member since 2011 • 3135 Posts

So when are you jumping back to your alt account?

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Wanderer5

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#14 Wanderer5
Member since 2006 • 25727 Posts

You can do it Milktendo!

finalstar2007

Says the guy with a AC sig and loves Call of Duty.

Just saying.:P

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#15 bbkkristian
Member since 2008 • 14971 Posts

[QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

You can do it Milktendo!

Crazyguy105

you buy each CoD released yearly. you can't bash someone for milking. LOL

Word.
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rjdofu

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#16 rjdofu
Member since 2008 • 9171 Posts

[QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

You can do it Milktendo!

Wanderer5

Says the guy with a AC sig and loves Call of Duty.

Just saying.:P

And a cow too :o
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deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20

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#17 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts
[QUOTE="campzor"]  thought this was appropriate Also...u know u r in trouble when the VITA is getting more support than you lol

Except he is holding a grudge over WiiWare and DSiWare, and all his issues are addressed. As the OP clearly demonstrates, Fish does not have a leg to stand on.

You can do it Milktendo!

finalstar2007
Don't forget to hype the new Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, and God of War!!!
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killerzboxzone

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#18 killerzboxzone
Member since 2012 • 109 Posts
http://gamerlimit.com/files/2009/07/mariofamilylinepic.jpg you were saying
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deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20

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#19 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts
http://gamerlimit.com/files/2009/07/mariofamilylinepic.jpg you were saying killerzboxzone
And this has what to do with the topic, exactly?
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RyanShazam

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#20 RyanShazam
Member since 2006 • 6498 Posts
I love how jealous System Warriors are getting of the Wii U and Nintendo! It's amazing!
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#21 g0ddyX
Member since 2005 • 3914 Posts

Read another thread where Indie Dev's hate Nintendo and Charizards business is to defend Nintendo, what not.

An old article but makes a valid point...
'Nintendo tough on garage devs, loves shovelware'

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deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20

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#22 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts

Read another thread where Indie Dev's hate Nintendo and Charizards business is to defend Nintendo, what not.

An old article but makes a valid point...
'Nintendo tough on garage devs, loves shovelware'

g0ddyX
Yes, an article dated from two years ago will definitely provide a better picture than a current article outlining Nintendo's policies, won't it?
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#23 g0ddyX
Member since 2005 • 3914 Posts

http://gamerlimit.com/files/2009/07/mariofamilylinepic.jpg you were saying killerzboxzone


Hmm I missed a bunch of mario games to game on...

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#24 g0ddyX
Member since 2005 • 3914 Posts

[QUOTE="g0ddyX"]

Read another thread where Indie Dev's hate Nintendo and Charizards business is to defend Nintendo, what not.

An old article but makes a valid point...
'Nintendo tough on garage devs, loves shovelware'

charizard1605

Yes, an article dated from two years ago will definitely provide a better picture than a current article outlining Nintendo's policies, won't it?



Like I said and now highlighted.. old article. The quote itself makes perfect sense on Nintendo policies.

Another recent article from Nintendo News says..

'Study Says Only 4.6 Percent Of Developers Making Wii U Games And 2 Percent Nintendo 3DS'

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deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20

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#25 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="g0ddyX"]

Read another thread where Indie Dev's hate Nintendo and Charizards business is to defend Nintendo, what not.

An old article but makes a valid point...
'Nintendo tough on garage devs, loves shovelware'

g0ddyX

Yes, an article dated from two years ago will definitely provide a better picture than a current article outlining Nintendo's policies, won't it?



Like I said and now highlighted.. old article. The quote itself makes perfect sense on Nintendo policies.

Another recent article from Nintendo News says..

'Study Says Only 4.6 Percent Of Developers Making Wii U Games And 2 Percent Nintendo 3DS'

Just so you are aware, this is the same survey where developers expressed disinterest in the PS Vita. Ever since that day, there have been new game announcements for Vita galore. What's your point? You are of the same breed as GD1551- you have made it your business to troll Nintendo and its fans no matter the reason, just because you can. Why should anyone ever take you seriously?
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muffin200

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#26 muffin200
Member since 2007 • 733 Posts

 

Who really cares the WUii hard drive is so small that downloadable games are out of the questiion unless you buy a external drive.

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LastRambo341

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#27 LastRambo341
Member since 2010 • 8767 Posts
[QUOTE="g0ddyX"]

[QUOTE="charizard1605"] Yes, an article dated from two years ago will definitely provide a better picture than a current article outlining Nintendo's policies, won't it?charizard1605



Like I said and now highlighted.. old article. The quote itself makes perfect sense on Nintendo policies.

Another recent article from Nintendo News says..

'Study Says Only 4.6 Percent Of Developers Making Wii U Games And 2 Percent Nintendo 3DS'

Just so you are aware, this is the same survey where developers expressed disinterest in the PS Vita. Ever since that day, there have been new game announcements for Vita galore. What's your point? You are of the same breed as GD1551- you have made it your business to troll Nintendo and its fans no matter the reason, just because you can. Why should anyone ever take you seriously?

Because they are desperate and find it a necessity to bash Nintendo
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LastRambo341

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#28 LastRambo341
Member since 2010 • 8767 Posts

 

Who really cares the WUii hard drive is so small that downloadable games are out of the questiion unless you buy a external drive.

muffin200
Does the WiiU use flash memory?
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RyanShazam

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#29 RyanShazam
Member since 2006 • 6498 Posts
[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="g0ddyX"]

Like I said and now highlighted.. old article. The quote itself makes perfect sense on Nintendo policies.

Another recent article from Nintendo News says..

'Study Says Only 4.6 Percent Of Developers Making Wii U Games And 2 Percent Nintendo 3DS'
LastRambo341
Just so you are aware, this is the same survey where developers expressed disinterest in the PS Vita. Ever since that day, there have been new game announcements for Vita galore. What's your point? You are of the same breed as GD1551- you have made it your business to troll Nintendo and its fans no matter the reason, just because you can. Why should anyone ever take you seriously?

Because they are desperate and find it a necessity to bash Nintendo

Want to play MH3U? Ill log on.
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#30 BrunoBRS
Member since 2005 • 74156 Posts
but... but... but... phil fish hates nintendo!
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deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20

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#31 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts

 

Who really cares the WUii hard drive is so small that downloadable games are out of the questiion unless you buy a external drive.

muffin200
You can plug in any USB hard drive up to 2 TB to expand the memory, you know...
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#32 muffin200
Member since 2007 • 733 Posts

[QUOTE="muffin200"]

 

Who really cares the WUii hard drive is so small that downloadable games are out of the questiion unless you buy a external drive.

charizard1605

You can plug in any USB hard drive up to 2 TB to expand the memory, you know...

 

I Do if you read the post you'd know I know.

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deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20

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#33 deactivated-5d6bb9cb2ee20
Member since 2006 • 82724 Posts

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="muffin200"]

 

Who really cares the WUii hard drive is so small that downloadable games are out of the questiion unless you buy a external drive.

muffin200

You can plug in any USB hard drive up to 2 TB to expand the memory, you know...

 

I Do if you read the post you'd know I know.

Yes, but space shouldn't be any issue then. Yeah it's a BS move on Nintendo's part, but if you want to play a digital game on the Wii U, you don't have the space excuse like you did with the Wii.
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#34 super600  Moderator
Member since 2007 • 33158 Posts

Thank god I saw this thread before I created my thread. I'm happy about this anyway.

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#35 PurpleMan5000
Member since 2011 • 10531 Posts
http://gamerlimit.com/files/2009/07/mariofamilylinepic.jpg you were saying killerzboxzone
That makes absolutely no sense. Just HTF did Super Mario 64 give birth to ports of SMB3 and Super Mario World onto the GBA?