This is stupid. The Wii is stupid. Nintendo is stupid.

If anybody needs me, I'll be in Santa Destroy.

*picks up wiimote*

[This message brought to you by nonsense]

Billkwando

Seriously...online play/DLC/etc does not make or break a console.

If you want that stuff, get a 360 or PS3. If you just want to play games, get a Wii.

rkalajian

@Ninja-Z: Because friend codes are just another bullet point on the list of annoying ans stupid things Nintendo does when it comes to online play. Therefore, it's mentioned in the same vein as not having any online play at all on RB. Thank God the wii is only my secondary(well, actually lower, I play my PSP more than it) console.

I_Hate_This_Place

I have to agree with those that are placing the blame on EA/Harmonix for this one. ESPECIALLY with EA involved. As has been stated before, it HAS been proven that you DON'T have to use Nintendo's service for online. With Medal of Honor Heroes 2, EA blew that idea out of the water. All that game does is utilize the wi-fi connection, and connects you directly to EA's only service (EA Nation). It doesn't use Nintendo. It has leader boards, matchmaking, etc. DLC may still be a problem for Nintendo blame with the limit on storage, but NOT the online play itself. There are several games out now that DO have online play, and run pretty damn smoothly: SSBB (runs fine on 'net matches for me), Heroes 2 (silky smooth online FPS gaming over a THIRD PARTY connection), MADDEN (over EA Nation as well, although I don't have it myself, and hear it may gimped), GHIII (runs perfectly fine online matches, both co-op and battle for me). So I can't blame Nintendo on this one for the missing online game play. THAT is strictly on EA/Harmonix. EA could EASILY have set up EA Nation for Rock Band matches, etc, but CHOSE not to include it BECAUSE the just wanted to do a lazy, cheap, PS2 port over. Which suprised me, because I've actually been pretty impressed with EA recently as far as the Wii goes (and I can't wait for Boom Blox). SSBB does show that DLC is rather possible on the Wii, as well, but on a limited scale. I agree with above comments that they could set up something on the Rock Band website to make transactions and download songs via computer to an SD card, then load them from the card into the game. Its entirely possible, as there are a couple of games (Excite Truck for one) that show that MP3's CAN be read loaded from the card to a game and now with SSBB (and Boom Blox coming up) it shows that levels can be saved on the SD card and loaded to the game when needed/wanted. It may be a bit cumbersome for now (its still in the early learning stages, I feel) but it IS possible. EA/Harmonix COULD have done something like this if they wanted, and NOT slashed the Wii version to bits, but they CHOSE not to put the effort into it. I'm very sad to see this, as I love GHIII on my Wii, and was planning on getting Rock Band when it came out (I only have a Wii, can't afford the more expensive systems, although I love my Wii), but now, I don't know if I'll bother. Not because of no online, and not because of no DLC...but because EA chose to butcher the game when porting it to the Wii. That is something that is pretty inexcusable when GHIII on the Wii is a pretty complete package (minus the DLC, which SUPPOSEDLY has a fix in the works).

Highlar

This is a deal-breaker for me. I really wanted a Wii version of Rock band because I don't own a PS3, I'm not touching the X-Box, and it doesn't make sense to sink $170 on peripherals for my legacy PS2. But the ever expanding DLC library, including things like "Still Alive", is a MAJOR selling point of the game, and I'm not buying a crippled version that doesn't have it. This probably means no Rock Band for me period, cause I'm not spending $600 on a system that I want for basically one game at this point.

Then again, I suppose it's probably best to wait and see whether Rock Band 1 DLC can be used with Rock Band 2 (you know it's coming) before investing money in it anyway.

Green Armadillo

People need to seriously chill. Yes, the Wii's online mode is not up to par with that of the 360 and PS3, but perhaps they're saying this for the same reason GH3 doesn't have DLC. Until WiiWare comes and we have a means of making the transactions, the Wii is not designed for it like the 360 with the Marketplace. I don't see how Friend Codes have anything to do with it; stop flamebaiting.

Ninja-Z

There isn't enough space on the flash drive for this shit.

Rebelphoenix83

That friend code image still gives me nightmares about playing SSBB online.

And reminded me of this comic.

[www.vgcats.com]

MURDERFACE

@Minister of Fun: Yeah full album downloads... When're those bad boys coming?

2NinjasTapedTogether

@MushroomBoy1022:

It sounds like band world tour is nixed too. Taken from the shack story:

"While a representative has already confirmed that Rock Band Wii will not feature downloadable content or online play, Bapiste implied that the Wii edition may also lack the character customization and world tour modes.

"The feature set is a lot closer to the PS2 version of Rock Band," he wrote. "We've decided to focus on getting the core gameplay on to the Wii and focus on making that awesome."

That really sucks =/

BadSector

Bobby McPresscot-
What in the blue hell does this have to do with "hardcore gaming"? It's fucking Simon with MP3 files for 170 dollars,and you're pissed because they haven't found out a way to make you pay more?

kidnicky

Guitar Hero 3 has online, there is no excuse for Rock Band not to.

This is inexcusable.

LuppyLuptonium

@Bobby McPresscott: kind of a tragic way of looking at things.

Though I have given up on online for the Wii, it's not a huge deal since my main source of console internet usage is my 360. The Wii has pretty terrible internet play compared to the other consoles, so I guess we should expect this kind of thing. They'll probably fix it and embrace online play next generation, which is too bad.

PurpleMonkey

Well DUH, it's a port of the PS2 version, not the current gen one.

ca$h

It is too bad that Wii owners will not enjoy the amazing downloadable tracklist and full album downloads that the 360 and PS3 has.

Minister of Fun

"I contacted Nintendo for comment but haven't heard back yet, maybe they forgot my Friend Code."

Seriously. Like for reals? I totally plotzed when I read that. I'm talking left ALL the rubber on the road, ya feel me?

2NinjasTapedTogether

I have my cake but there is an impenetrable force field blocking me from having it too.

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus

@Paroxysm: as someone above mentioned, 3rd parties are free to provide their own online services, much like EA does. If Harmonix doesn't want to put the effort into a wii online service then they are to blame not nintendo. There are pay to play wii games coming out. Details were thin, but it hinted at DLC. 3rd parties also have access to the SD card slot, few choose to use it though.

Nintendos strict nature doesnt help, but dont blame them cus harmonix doesnt want to actually work to provide this service.

MrMikeL

"I contacted Nintendo for comment but haven't heard back yet, maybe they forgot my Friend Code."

LMFAO!!!! amen.. amen.. :)

seamonkey420

@Sinfjotle: What do you want Harmonix to do? Nintendo control the online and they're extremely restrictive. Remember the devs wanted voice communication in brawl but nintendo doesn't allow it. The devs don't have any wiggle room with nintendo most of the time.

Paroxysm

C'mon guys, are we really shocked by this? Really?

Lulz at everyone blaming Harmonix or MTV (seriously?) for this. Because they've added DLC every week since the game's release, clearly they had all of these songs charted since November or so and have just been sitting on them to release them to us. Oh ho ho, watch as they sit in their smoke-filled room, wringing their hands and laughing sinisterly.

Nintendo is the one with the track record of little-to-no online functionality. It's not a secret. It's not a wacky conspiracy theory that takes some enormous leap of faith to consider.

Asper

Why is everyone blaming Nintendo? It's a statement from the Rock Band developers who are being to lazy to, you know, actually do things.

Do you hate Nintendo because they aren't holding Harmonix's hand or something? Really, can anyone tell me how this is Nintendo's fault?

Sinfjotle

I currently own a Wii as my only "next-gen console" and was waiting with baited breath for this very announcement. I really want Rock Band, so I am going to wait a while longer and save up explicitly to buy a console that can play Rock Band with full functionality.

/sigh.

antialias02

@subnet6: I fully agree with that, and I still don't know that DLC for Rock Band is NOT going to happen, all this reply seems concrete on is the lack of online mulitplayer. I was always worried* about Rock Band's online when I first heard of the game (ie many months before release), just because the task of syncing a band over the net seemed daunting from a technical standpoint even on the obviously more robust 360/PS3 platforms; so yeah, I can see just not doing that on the Wii. There is nothing to stop them from supporting DLC through a separate online system, given that it could use the SD card slot as we're both hoping. I don't think we'll see an expansion of the capabilities of the SD cart slot overall, unfortunately, I still think something that hooks into USB is more likely, though obviously Nintendo is in no rush. But DLC songs from SD cards, again with some minimal DRM/system coding, isn't any different than brawl levels or MP3/AACs that the system can utilize right now.

*I don't really play, but my GF and many friends like it, so therefore my interest in it.

DaiMacculate

So this version has 63 songs? Didn't Rock Band on the other consoles have 58 tracks? It looks like Harmonix is giving us 5 songs that we wouldn't get without this DLC setback. It could be Minibosses or some other rock remix of retro music, but I really want Jukebox Hero. That's all I ask.

RRRansom

I'm not all that big on online gaming and DLC but what exactly is stopping them from having DLC? From my understanding i've been getting DLC everyday since I bought SSBB, is there something different behind the way rock band does it that makes it not workable on the Wii? I thought storage space would have been the issue here but I guess i'm not understanding something.

jive238

Has anyone used the SD card slot on their Wii yet? Other than for hacking, I mean. I think Nintendo forgot they put that there.

schtum

@Shanesan: Get a 360 while you can

They discontinuing the 360 already? But it was doing so well! I mean, I still like it ok and this is my 4th one after 3 failures...;)

@Ryumeka: When and where was this Metroid DLC promised? I'm just curious, because I missed it.

DaiMacculate

@daim,

I think you're probably right. Hell, I don't even care about DLC and would likely never buy any of it. However, I was hoping rock band's potential for DLC profit would be a big enough incentive to get Nintendo to address the lack of good storage solution for the Wii. I don't need a HD, but we could get a hella better use out of that SD card slot than we're getting now. I fear that if Rock Band is not big enough to motivate them to fix the storage than nothing is.

subnet6

See this? I was right. ~RIGHT~.
[kotaku.com]

Get a 360 while you can -- even if it's just for this game.

Shanesan

This should come as proof that the more successful the Wii becomes, the quality of new games and new IPs become increasingly of a lesser quality.

If ONE developer of a top-5 game of last year doesn't even care enough to release a fully-realized game on the BEST SELLING console in the world, I can only assume that this attitude and ethic would apply to all other 3rd party, multi-plat developers.

globones

Even without DLC or the World Tour mode, the Wii version could easily outsell the PS3 and 360 versions of the game due to how popular the Wii is among casuals.

BassForever

@zakky venom:

Then why do the ones that have been fixed and sent back keep breaking down?

An oil change can't fix critical hardware flaws.

globones

I wouldn't mind the whole friend code issue if it was a universal friend code. I have a mostly solid experience with Brawl some lag here and there but mostly solid connections. Nintendo's approach to the Internet is such a contradiction. When it comes VC titles and their Channels the internet to them is awesome. However, when it comes to internet play or downloadable content for games they act like it doesn't exist or do as little as possible.

mexfreak86

I know a ton of dumb..err I mean ignorant people that own a Wii with Guitar Hero III and they have no clue about the difference between the Wii version versus the 360/PS3 versions. These same people are going to buy Rock Band for the Wii and they are going to be extremely happy with it because they don't know any better. Since I own a ps3, wii, and 360, I have the luxury to choose the lawn with the greenest side. My experience, PS3 and Wii are only good for their "exclusive" games, and 360 is the best choice for multi-platform and whatever exclusive games are on it (if you have a 360 that hasn't died from the RROD of course, mine just kicked the bucket).

Ed_209

Yes, this is EA (and co.)'s fault.

But it does bring up the whole Wii Internet deal.

Where's my Metroid DLC, Nintendo?
You promised me Metroid DLC...

Ryumeka

I wonder if the Wii version's multiplayer mode will suck like the PS2's. I also wonder if the Wii version will let you customize your character. It seems like they took a lot out of the PS2 version, and since the Wii receives a lot of PS2 ports, I'm afraid this version might share all of the shortcomings of the PS2 offering.

Bauske

@Legion329:... and as was said before, Rock Band is a third party title and can do online any way it likes. This is laziness (or something else entirely) on the part of EA, not Nintendo. Nintendo did something like this:

"Does it work? Yes. Does it have a rating? Yes. Is it going to destroy anyone's hardware? No. Okay, you're certified."

I'm sure there are other steps, but I don't care to list them all for the sake of an example.

Legion329

@Demonbird: So you saying you lagged in GH3? Get some better internets, that might help.

Hyperfludd

@Klaymen: Unfortunately, at this point they really don't give a fuck. You'll trade it it, someone else will buy it, and that's a whole new customer they have right there.

I'm tired of hearing people say "one more incident like this, and I'm trading my system in!"

They don't give a fuck. They don't even give half a fuck. You paid them, you bought their games, they made money off of you. As long as there is another sucker out there, you don't matter. Sorry, boys and girls, we'll have to work together if we want anything to change.

In this case, I'm not so quick to blame Nintendo. We knew what their online track record was like, and we knew what their priorities were. They are making an assload of money without having to deal with online bullshit. Nintendo: 1,000,000,000+, Delusional Gamers: 0.

Legion329

Wii would like to play...but only in the same room!

TaggarT6

If you want to play with the big-boys then get a real next-gen system and stop complaining. You get what you pay for, everytime.

cybereality

Nintendo's short-sightedness is finally starting to kick them in their wii.

It was simply a matter of time.

Billkwando

@FlashIV: I'll bet that most Wii owners won't have a clue as to what they're missing.

I disagree. The first time a Wii Rock Band owner hears a 360/PS3 Rock Band owner talking about a song that the Wii owner really wants to play, but can't b/c it is DLC will be the unfortunate moment when the Wii owner realizes that his version just isn't as good. Sorry, but the ability to expand the library and increase playability selectively (getting only the songs you want instead of buying an expansion pack full of crap with a couple songs you like) means the game is better, IMHO.

Seanchaen

Nintendo did the same thing with CDs. They had to stick with expensive ROM games while everyone else is going to cheap CDs. Look at what happened to the N64 market share. Is online connectivity going to affect the Wii's dominance down the road? Maybe only simple party games will thrive on the Wii, but then RockBand is a party game...

darvos

@TalKeaton: Game Design Major: I was under the impression that EA games, even on the Wii, have connections outside Nintendo's network. Doesn't that Medal of Honor game connect up to an EA-run matchmaking service? I mean, if that's the case... I can't see how anyone can suggest they couldn't do the same for the Wii version of this. At least as far as DLC goes. Storage? Sure, an issue, but I was under the impression game developers were paid to solve these issues.

Hey, if Nintendo themselves is stifling these sorts of transactions, I'd gladly be all for slapping them with standard 'what the fuck's or other griping explicitives. But until someone points directly to something Nintendo has said or done that blocks developers from solving issues with DLC, I can only shake my head at people who have some hard-on to hate Nintendo from the 'hardcore gamer' point of view. Especially, as you said, when there are plenty of other systems out there currently to play on.

The way I see it, developers are lazy about solving 'challenging' issues. Or, their hands are tied by corporates who don't care so much about the end product, but how much that product is consumed.

Ampillion, now with the hair stylings of TVs Frank

Question:

Why blame Nintendo for this and not EA/Harmonix?

I read this as a line from Harmonix that says "Nobody else has gone online with the Wii, so we're not going to."

Honestly, if they offered the DLC, people would find storage for it, it's not like Nintendo told them they couldn't, they just decided not to.

Taramoor

@subnet6: I think the reality is that we, the serious gamers, are vastly in the minority in caring about online play and DLC in games. That doesn't make what Nintendo is doing (or failing to do) right, but yeah.

Like you said, it will still sell, and the vast majority of the people who will buy it wouldn't be able to come up with what the acronym "DLC" stands for given a dozen tries ;)

DaiMacculate

@Demonbird: Guitar Hero 3 plays fine

excel_excel

@CockroachMan: they are eliminating the RROD, the chips gets smaller and more efficient every few months.

zakky venom

OH i just had an Idea! listen harmonix! if it IS in fact the real rock band and not the stripped down version, and the wii does EVENTUALLY get dlc, they could throw in a rock band-specific sd card with the game package for dlc and caching, or sell it separately.

zakky venom

I can't figure it out. Every time some developer comes over to the Wii, Nintendo botches the opportunity for online growth. What are they thinking?

I'm not a doomsayer, I still think Rockband Wii will be a blast and sell like mad, but Sweet Jeebus, what is going on overthere!?

subnet6

@Mokona: Are the guitars going to be wireless? If I was them I'd just put GC ports on the PS2 guitars/instruments and be done, seems the path of least resistance to me.

DaiMacculate

@destro713: I'm with you. I finally broke down and bought Guitar Hero 3 for my Wii when I originally was going to wait until I could afford a PS3 or 360. I was happy to hear about Rock Band but now I'm really questioning why I broke down in the first place. Looks like I'll just hold off for one of the other consoles and trade GH3Wii in for its superior version as well as Rock Band.

sevendash

I don't see the point of buying the Wii version if you have a PS2 (who doesn't these days). Just buy the PS2 version: at least, you can have 2 guitars from the start (if you bought Guitar Hero, which most people should have, by now). Not to mention that the Wii guitars will probably cost more and be harder to find.

Mokona

@Hyperfludd:
Yes, Nintendo's oh so reliable servers would do very well in a game that moves fast and requires precision.
/sarcasm

Demonbird

Pay close attention to how Harmonix's response is worded. They talk about "online performance," which makes me think they're more generally talking about online co-op/competition. Just because that's missing doesn't NECESSARILY rule out DLC.

But...

It all comes down to whether or not they're adding "hooks" into the game itself to take advantage of DLC later on.

I get the impression that GHIII DOES have functionality built in to use DLC. The issue is how to sell it via a Nintendo channel and get it on the system. And if GHIII can get it done, it doesn't make sense for Rock Band to shoot themselves in the foot for ongoing revenue from Wii owners.

Really, we just have to wait and see what comes to pass in May with the WiiWare titles.

SuppleMonkey

Why didn't EA stick in online anyway? Online isn't nintendo fault, look at GH3. I hate when developers say online is not possible because of lateness or whatever the cause when you just simply have to apply a connection to nintendo's servers, and they will do the rest.

Hyperfludd

@Roto13: Wii doesn't really have support for third party dlc sales on it's online "service". They would need to come up with their own download service more than likely but also depends if Nintendo even allows such mingling while on Nintendo's "network"

Kyle81

@CockroachMan:
Well obviously nintendo is catering the majority. My point was that their neglect, which is NOT necessary, is driving people to their competitors. They are hurting themselves. You don't alienate a group in your consumer base and get away without repercussions. In this case, Nintendo is losing its place in one market in favor of another. They could have had both.

Demonbird

Yeah, I knew the Wii version wouldn't have any DLC. I'm still upset that GH3 doesn't have any DLC! No way I'm getting this! I've been wanting to get a PS3 & get the PS3 version, although I would like a 360 too.

dawimp523

@x3sphere:

But my point still stands that companies have been doing things on themselves for a dogs age

It's only very recently that anybody in the game industry tried centralizing online content devliver, but suddenly 3rd parties get a case of the "retardeds" the moment they need to do something for themselves to make money.

Sony PS2 era had no central online service and that didn't stop 3rd parties from putting out FPS, MMOs or anything else so I don't see why Nintendo needs to be crapped on for providing a central service that just doesn't happen to support large download packs.

If your game profits hinge on something (in this case song packs) that the console maker doesn't specifically provide the onus is on you to provide it if you want to chase that market.

yomachaser

*"and the majority of Wii users will continue to buy it the way it's being done"

CockroachMan

I don't know why they can't just stick it on a damned SD card. Brawl does it.

Roto13

@Demonbird: That's true, but those people are not the majority of the Wii users.. and the mojority of Wii users will continue to buy it's being done, and Nintendo knows that.
I'm sure any other company would do the same.. "The thing is selling well that way, why change it?"
Just look at the RROD problem on the 360.. people complain about it, but the 360 is still selling well, why would Microsoft waste time to fix that?

CockroachMan

@x3sphere: Is this really nintendo's fault? last time I checked wasn't there a special Rock Band store available in the 360 and PS3 versions?? Doesn't that use its own servers for downloadable content? how hard would that be to out in the Wii version?? If its a gimped PS2 port, then it won't even have online play, whereas Guitar Hero 3 on Wii had online play

excel_excel

SO that means you can make your own band and do the World Tour, just not online? Or is it retarded like the PS2 version?

Basically, is it the PS2 to Wii port or is it halfway between the PS2 and the Next-Gen?

Whatever, all this means is more Rock Bands forts to be made at all GameStops around the country.

ServiceMaster

DLC isn't that much important to me. whether or not we create our own musicians and tour is kinda a big deal to me. customization is key.

teh_joe

@Seg:
The key to listening Nintendo talk about upcoming online functionality is to not believe a damn thing they say until you are personally able to do it. They haven't come through on 99% of their statements about online play or functionality in the past, so nothing they say should be held to any worth.

@CockroachMan:
They are making a mistake that may very well bite them in the future. I'm a 19 year old gamer and I was myself very excited about the wii and what they could do with it. Unfortunately, 16 months later, I find that my demographic has been left high and dry by Nintendo. They are making the mistake of driving away a huge portion of their established fan base. They aren't really giving us any incentive to support them anymore. We are no longer children. We have grown up, but Nintendo refuses to grow with us. Because of this, they will lose a lot of us to competition which acknowledges and often caters to our desires. We want online play, mature content, and dynamic storytelling in a visually/auditorially astounding presentation, they give it to us. They don't stand in our way because they are too busy clutching on to the past.

Demonbird

@Ampillion, now with the hair stylings of TVs Frank:
It's much easier and satisfying to just blame Nintendo. They have the "deep pockets."

StarStabbedMoon

@yomachaser: "Anytime a company wants to do something on Wii outside Nintendos online framework it seems like they can so why didn't harmonix just setup a song purchase option from within the game and serve out the songs themselves?"

This is exactly why I blame Nintendo. If EA creates its own online network for the game they have to worry about security issues, people sharing songs, etc. I don't really think Nintendo provides any framework for this sort of stuff yet. That's a major issue.

x3sphere

they could have at least put a bunch of extra songs on there. wii owners will be buying the game what, 7-8 months after the other versions came out? and what do they get for it, 5 "bonus" songs and no dlc?

i wouldnt be suprised to see wii and ps2 expansion disks containing around 30 songs. and of cousre these disks will be $30.

sitsalot

I'm happy we're even getting it. Be grateful! Yes nintendo made a mistake w/ online and hard drive space. It is there first time at it. Freind codes are a pain but hey, beggers cant be choosers. If we have to download onto sd cards or buy a hard drive (if they release on) I'd do it! And if it is a crap port, it's not nintendos fault is it? No that would be harmonix and ea (not that im bashing them, they're both great companies)

Mrkinator

@TRT-X: And honestly, what's the difference between a 16 digit friend code and a username?

"My gamertag is KaneRobot."

"My friend code is XK1V-DO5L-99XA-APP7."

Yeah, one of those is a little easier to remember in conversation, and the other one sounds fucking retarded and cumbersome.

KaneRobot

Nintendo trojan-horsed us with their big "OMG LOOK WE HAVE INTERNET" announcement they initially made for the Wii.

Get with the times Nintendo. Demos/Online interface/DLC - DO IT.

If I don't see some better game on the horizon soon, I might just trade my Wii in.

Klaymen

Um last I checked Wii games could read songs straight from the SD slot and 3rd parties can use there own online method (EA anyone) instead of Nintendos, so why is everyone bashing Nintendo only?

Anytime a company wants to do something on Wii outside Nintendos online framework it seems like they can so why didn't harmonix just setup a song purchase option from within the game and serve out the songs themselves?

Sometimes I feel like XBL has let devs get a bit lazy because PC gaming has no unified method for matchmaking, downloading extra content or anything and somehow companies managed to get things done so whats changed?

yomachaser

@CockroachMan: Yeah... for now. This "if this isn't broke why fix it" mentality is what caused Nintendo to lose its top spot to Sony when the PlayStation was released.

x3sphere

@tincow: if you expect 50-100 songs on a $20 expansion, you're nuts.

xbulletholes

@TRT-X: smash is a first-party title though right? it's going to have privileges.

xbulletholes

It honestly really doesn't bug me, and I'll bet that most Wii owners won't have a clue as to what they're missing. There are plenty of songs included to play and have fun with, I know that I don't miss GH3 DLC.

But I also do most of my game playing on my PC where I get all the DLC I want for free. It's going to take some serious convincing before I start to get caught up in all the micro transactions that come after already buying a game.

FlashIV

That really sucks for people that only have a Wii. For me personally I don't think I would be playing Rock Band as frequently as I do if not for the downloadable content. It's the one thing that keeps me coming back. Well that and the fact that the game is ridiculously fun.

Hauler

@x3sphere: What mistake? Without DLC and Online the Wii is still the best selling console of this generation.. from a financial point of view they're doing nothing wrong..

CockroachMan

@Ampillion, now with the hair stylings of TVs Frank: *sigh*... it's the same kind of reason that they said they couldn't do downloadable characters for Smash Bros.. It's not just as easy as deciding to create downloadable content and then posting it somewhere. XBOX Live makes that easy. Nintendo doesn't, and at least from their view doesn't need to.

If you noticed, even without 'superior' online, the Wii prints money and moves units like nothing else. And in Nintendo's business' case, if it isn't broken, why fix it?

I still maintain that if you (in general) are that upset about no DLC for the Wii, you probably should have seen this coming, and if it matters THAT much to you, it's probably time to move to a new system.

TalKeaton: Game Design Major

Strange. Nintendo is going to roll out DLC functionality at some point:

"Further upcoming uses for Wii points will be add-on game content and special services, with the cost of maintenance offset by the modest user charges."
[www.gamasutra.com]

This was at the GDC lecture Takashi Aoyama, the Nintendo Network Administration Group Group Manager, held last Feb.

Seg

People clamoring to be scammed by 'DLC' is hilarious.

Any excuse to bash Wii, I guess, but seriously...it's such a scam. This was MTV, they could have included a ton more songs, but now they are trying to squeeze every penny out it releasing them piecemeal (when they should easily be able to afford to pop 50 or 100 more songs on a CD and sell it as a 20 or 30 buck expansion).

I might miss storage space on a Wii sometime next year. I might miss the trash talking open server environment in one or two games (but I doubt it)...frankly, if there's no DLC trying to milk a dollar for every rock band or guitar hero song...I won't miss that?

tincow

It's apparent that Nintendo has not learned from their past mistakes. Not embracing DLC is just like when they chose to go cartridge with the N64.

x3sphere

@Bobby McPresscott: What kind of bullocks is this? 'butchered ports you force developers to make'? This is the most absurd thing I've read. Ever. You want to try to convince me that, Nintendo told them to stick the butchered PS2 version of the game onto their system, even though they've clearly said time and again that developers need to put their top teams on the system?

No. It couldn't be that EA was fucking lazy and didn't want to waste time actually trying to work within Wiiware or the Wii's limitations to deliver any DLC and instead made the minute changes with their drums and guitars so that they work on the Wii, so they can rake in a lot more cash for very little extra effort. EA, no... the gaming industry as a whole never does anything like that.

Ampillion, now with the hair stylings of TVs Frank

Way to kill your game Harmonix =s

MidnightScott17

@Clushje: Exactly.

Brawl's use of the "Smash Service" to deliver stages, shows that content can be downloaded from the internet, stored on an SD card, and then loaded and used in-game.

So why not take that system and build off it to implement DLC. A song is downloaded, stored on SD, and then loaded and played as needed. Sure the load time may be a bit, but at least HMX would show they're trying to make it work.

And honestly, what's the difference between a 16 digit friend code and a username? Have something do that behind the scenes!

TRT-X

Seriously, this is a major strike against Nintendo. What Wii owner in their right mind (myself included) will by a butchered version of a game, especially considering you have to plunk down $170 bucks for it?

Nintendo is DEAD LAST in terms of their online community, and so long as they keep rolling in the dough, they could probably care less. Friend Codes? WTF?!

So glad I own a 360 and a PS3 as well as a Wii.

MerlynNY

@TheEngineer: Kirbytheslayer is awesome.: I think Nintendo was once taken advantage of by the internet. Fondled and touched in its special places... Poor Nintendo.

cametall

Not buying it.

Mini_Dragon

@TheEngineer: Kirbytheslayer is awesome.: Because the game has to connect to the network, and I betcha 10 bucks that their servers aren't nearly as powerful as Microsoft and Sony's, two companies that have internet experience OUTSIDE the game industry.

TalKeaton: Game Design Major

Yeah I don't understand, why not just let people download the songs from Rock Band's website and put them on an SD card, surely DRM-ing the songs to the console (make you enter the console code when you buy them) would be sufficient.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding because all I see in this post is that there isn't any online multiplayer, does that just automatically rule out DLC because Harmonix insists the songs be downloadable in-game? I admit the SD card solution would be a bit intensive for the Wii's target audience, but some method always seems better than no method.

The real key here of course for Harmonix is shipping this thing with as few problems as possible before next Xmas, they want the biggest install base to be able to give them money as well, and damn whatever features like Online, if they would push that release back a few months. I'm not criticizing, just stating that must be their priority.

DaiMacculate

..srry I got a lot off topic =/

PresDNA

'bout time for the Wii Drive if you ask me...120gb USB $99 nice profit for all (although with fall drive prices it's probably cheaper to make 250gb) Where are those new George W.Bush Bucks going for anyway...

Hey Brian that seems lie a good idea for a post "What are you going to purchase with your Stimulus package George W.Bush Bucks?"

I think I will go to the strip club (Strokers in Atl) and get my package stimulated!...just joking

(hopefully pay down your personal debts)

PresDNA

Again I will say, be glad we're getting it at all. No one promised you all three platforms were going to be the same, and if you thought that when you bought a Wii, one look at the controller should have taught you otherwise.

The Wii has its own particular strengths and weaknesses; online is not one of its strengths. So be glad we get Rock Band at all. If you're that upset, go get another console.

TalKeaton: Game Design Major

@destro713: May I suggest...PS3? :)

Seruza

Well, they can always patch later. Oh wait, they can't.

I'd hate to play rock band in 480i anyway.

lonkley

Nvm my WPA rant was against the DS. That too, is crap.

Seruza

@nerdtacular:
Yes. In fact, what the hell does the Wii's online network have to do with anything? Stick it online, and have people download it. Plus, you could always stick the songs on an SD card if you're worried about space. Whatever. I've totally given up wondering about why Nintendo hates anything online related.

TheEngineer: Rocking the Goggles

Nintendo has nothing but disdain for online play. It is so goddamn retarded to allow unprotected and WEP encryption for wireless, but not WPA?! Way to ostracize most wireless users on top of not having any hardline capability in the Wii.

Seruza

What a load of shit.

I'm a member of that rare species known as Kotaku Reader Whose Only Current-Gen System Is A Wii, and this news burns me to the very fiber of my being. Nintardo may have just driven me to become an Xbox person over this.

destro713

I wonder how hard Harmonix worked when they "focused" on core game play and how they tailored it for the Wii. I hope its not a copy and paste port of the PS2 version.

deathsyth8888

kinda hard to download when the wii has 512MB of space, Nintendo also seems to be in no hurry to offer a Hard drive or more memory.

Then again I dont care I play it on my 360.

mstngo

No NIN for you.

qbix

Ok, simple.

I'm not buying it.

Is that hard to understand? I am so very over Nintendo, your actions are so very clear, and no one is going to choose the butchered ports you force developers to make over the real deal.

This game was the ONLY way to measure development of DLC. It seemed to me that the entire delay was because they were waiting for Wii Ware to launch which would then be their distribution method. Clearly no, so the whole platform is doomed. The promised GH3 DLC for Wii will never arrive either.

There's nothing left for hardcore gamers on Wii. The people who kept Nintendo's name alive during a consistent series of horrible decisions are turning away, and I don't feel bad about it anymore.

Bobby McPresscott

Gamers don't want to play online anyway. Right, Nintendo?

thegreatseal

Not surprising at all. With the pay to play thing nintendo probably has a system for such stuff coming soon, but being nintendo they probably aren't going to give out any of the information about it ti they have a game out using it.

t0yrobo

On-line infrastructure aside, isn't the Wii's limited, internal storage an issue too?

nerdtacular

i figured that would happen. as long as BWT is intact, it shouldn't be that big a deal.

MushroomBoy1022

... but who will think about the children, then?

No real internet framework from nintendo = no pervs using the wii to get at the innocent kids

meltyman

Also, you could fix that HAMRMONIX tag if you have time.

Hion

Not surprising... but then again, unless it's clever PR suggesting that when it comes to online the Wii is pretty piss-poor (I'd be inclined to agree), wouldn't the best way to "fully realize" it be to go just go ahead and do it?

Clushje

ZING!!

I wholeheartedly agree with you.

Hion

Someone sounds bitter about this! I'm glad I have it for 360 and don't have to deal with this.

OtherAdam

Just stick with GH3 if you have a Wii.
It's got online play, is cheaper, and you don't have to listen to your friends that think they can sing butcher your favorite songs...
It's a win/win/win.

phor11

I don't even play my Wii anymore. :(

bling1202

Why is everyone so dependent on DLC? You all act like there are no songs in the game. Im more worried about there being Character customization and a BWT mode up to par with the 360 and PS3.

SotoSaki

DLC is bullshit anyway. Why pay for stuff that should ALREADY be in the game. So fucking lame. JUST PUT ALL THE SONGS ON THERE AND GO GO GO GO.

PowerGloveGamingGod

@Mrkinator: I absolutely agree with you, its unfortunate that Nintendo could not predict the disaster of us maxing out our Wii hard drive, I mean, did they really think that 512MB would be enough (only around 400 MB that we can actually use) ? Friend codes are another problem. The good thing is that these problems are fixable. Hopefully the Wii comes out with more good games like SSBB that allow you to run save data from the card. If you're like me and you download tons of Virtual Console games, its a pain that you cant run anything straight from the SD card.

Bowserfire

Why can't they just ask them to make a new Wii-shop esque channel, which gets installed off the Rock Band Disc, and you use Wii pts for the items?

Uses the existing system, isn't too elaborate, and requires no major system upgrades. What's wrong with that?

kPod

This is probably my biggest reason for considering a second console (yes there are other reasons). I hate that I can't download new songs on Guitar Hero. WTF Big N, why you gotta game-block me like this?

Darnoc

@deathsyth8888: That would be so depressing if the Wii version was the PS2 version.

Wreckoner

Way to go get my hopes up and then crush them. I really, want to buy RockBand for the Wii, even if the Guitars fall apart as easily as they do for PS3 version.

DLC for new songs is a must though, without it, I just can not see myself playing the game as much, considering my friends have PS3 version already.

Oh well, I suppose the bigger problem would be figuring out how to to get it to work on my Wii in the first place. I do not suppose, EA will be releasing a version for JP Consoles.

Sukasaha

You know, this is a pretty ridiculous piece of doublespeak. They're saying that the Wii's online capabilities are insufficient to provide Wii owners with the high quality online experience they have come to expect from the Wii's online capabilities. How did they come to expect them without having got them already?

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