Nintendo and the Wii will get something right

I never understood why gaming console manufacturers would require their customers to pay an additional fee in order to compete against one another online. It never made sense. From a money hungry corporate world, sure… But from a gamers just want to enjoy games point of view, I could never connect the dots.
Q: You’re not pursuing a subscription model?
A: We view online gaming as essentially an enhanced way to enjoy the gaming experience and drive more sales of hardware and software.
Q: How do you extend your online strategy to Wii?
A: It’s the same premise. We will offer online-enabled games that the consumers will not have to pay a subscription fee for. They’ll be able to enjoy that right out of the box. The Wii console is going to be Wi-Fi enabled, so essentially, you’ll be able to plug it in and go. It won’t have hidden fees or costs.
Finally, Nintendo is going to set the standard for online full console gaming. At first, I was somewhat surprised when I found myself getting my ass kicked in Metroid Prime: Hunter (DS Lite) over the – Nintendo gaming network – within minutes of starting the game for the first time [for free!]. I will never be able to forgive the Microsoft’s or the Sony’s for forcing gamers to pay for networked gaming.
