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Iwata Pushing For WiiWare Demos

by Meagan Marie on November 04, 2009 at 10:08 AM

638 Views

Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata was frank at a recent earnings briefing, in which he told investors that demos for WiiWare products could help to increase sales. Via IGN we learned that Iwata and Nintendo intend to start testing a new WiiWare demo service sometime this month, starting with only a handful of titles.

The ultimate goal for the project is to persuade Nintendo users to surf the WiiWare service and try out more products on the Wii Shopping Channel. Currently, Iwata believes most consumers instead navigate directly to products they intend to purchase. Iwata also confessed that the market for WiiWare and DSi Ware titles is small, so this could help to improve sales.

Iwata believes that the addition of demos isn’t the solution to the problem, but giving consumers increased choice can't hurt.

Iwata’s quote is the only confirmation we have of the new trial program, so no details on the time frame of the trial run have yet been announced.

While we would never expect to see demo program for retail titles such as found on competitor consoles because of size constraints, WiiWare and DSi Ware trials seem to be a good fit. We will keep you informed as more official word breaks.

Filed under: News, Nintendo, DSiWare, Iwata, Wii Ware

Comments

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by Vote 4 Pedro Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 10:29 AM

About time they did something about the WiiWare market. I didn't get anything off of there because of how much shovelware I could have unwittingly gotten. Nintendo is definitely making the right choice here.
by Drade... that Guy.... Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 10:41 AM

I have to be one of the few people not playing a Wii these days that I know and if the download market gets better and they end up with more retro games I want to play again I may move over to. But until then I'll wait I haven't seen any games to make me buy a Wii yet.
by Wampa King Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 10:52 AM

They better. I love demos.
by wedge001 Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 11:28 AM

This is a great (and overdue) idea.
by Sev Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 12:00 PM

I've been waiting for this feature for a long time.
by slickvicXLII Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 01:58 PM

this idea is way overdue (as is much of nintendo's online services). i havent been willing to take the risk on WiiWare, because i dont want any bad games. it'll be great to try out these games before buying them. baby steps nintendo.
by Taciturn Tactician Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 03:14 PM

This will certainly get me to spend more. I have been itching to try a lot of WiiWare games, but I don't like to make a purchase based purely on the game description. Every game I have bought on XBLA has been after trying and liking the demo.

I just hope this isn't a Japan only thing.
by steelerzfan101 Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 04:46 PM

I hope they do this service. Demos would be good because usually they don't put enough info about the game on there to influence my choice.
by LittleBigEthan Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 06:36 PM

If they do something similar to what they did with Virtual Console demos (launching out of Smash Bros), I'd still be fine with it. There are more than a few WiiWare games I've been wanting to try out, but see no immediate reason to jump for.
by Ric White Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 09:32 PM

Great idea. Demos first, now how about no friend codes next? Ah, one can dream...
by lawlwaitwhat Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 09:39 PM

My own list of priorities:

1: More online support, no more friend codes.

2: THIRD PARTY SUPPORT/LESS SHOVELWARE/MORE WII-EXCLUSIVES

3: Better selection of indie games (Yes, i know about Contra Rebirth and Cave Story, but i'm greedy)

4: Response to Sony's motion controls, PROJECT NATAL (could be a game-changer)

5: Eh, sure, Wii Demos.
by iProdigy101 Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 10:33 PM

I'd say, "About time". If they continue to do this, it can possibly compete with the Xbox Live Game Marketplace.
by Erin Johnson Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 09:28 PM

This actually came out today! I just downloaded the demo for Bit Beat something and Pokemon Battle Royale.